I never told you how I got into the fort. When you went over the crest I paused for a moment to fuss with my rifle. Well, I owe my life to that pesky thing. If I’d gone in firing they would have shot me down. When it wouldn’t work I scrambled up the parapet anyway. I stumbled on a sandbag on the top and fell into the place headfirst. They took my useless gun and sat me down by a cannon to wait the battle out.
It seems too bad that you are in that jail when you are almost as brave a man as I.
Your faithful servant,
Thomas Greene, Private
Red smiled. “I wish I’d known the boy. Did he really stick you in the seat of the pants?”
“I’d forgotten that. I guess he did.”
“Under those conditions anyone could be brave under fire.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
That evening when Tim had finished working over the big, black woodburning stove he went to the Navy kitchen to have some food with Devil and Bell. He looked down mournfully at his greasy pants.
When Devil finished eating he turned to Tim. “You’re downcast tonight, Lieutenant,” he said, pulling at his long nose.
Tim knew by now that he could trust the Navy men. “I have to get away from here,” he whispered. “Red and I are dying to get away.”