Uncle Sams Boys with Pershings Troops | Page 8

having the best company in what he fondly hoped would turn out to be the best regiment in the Army.
For some minutes Greg had been aware that Sergeant Mock, of his company, was hobbling along. Now, as he turned to glance backward, he saw Mock step out of the ranks, go to the side of the road and sit down.
A glance at his wrist watch, and Greg saw that the first half-hour was nearly up. In a minute or two more, he knew Major Bell would give the order for a counter-march, and the first battalion would swing and come back on its own trail. So Captain Holmes turned and ran back to his non-commissioned officer.
"What's the matter, Sergeant?" the young captain inquired pleasantly.
Mock made as though trying to rise from the ground to stand at attention, but his lips twisted as though he were in pain.
"Rest," ordered Greg, "and tell me what ails you."
"My feet are killing me, sir," groaned the sergeant.
"That's odd," Captain Holmes commented. "You were all right at assembly---lively enough then. Has half an hour of marching used up a sound, healthy man?"
Instantly the sergeant's look became surly.
"All I know, sir, is that I could hardly stand on my feet. So I had to drop out. If you'll permit it, sir, I shall have to get back to camp the best way I can."
"If you're that badly off I'll have an ambulance sent for you," Greg went on. "But I don't understand your feet giving out so suddenly. Take off one of your shoes and the sock."
"That may not show much, but I'm suffering just the same, sir," rejoined the non-com in a grumbling tone.
"Let me see," Greg insisted.
While the sergeant was busy removing a legging and unlacing a shoe Captain Holmes glanced up the road to discover that the battalion was counter-marching.
"Be quick about it, Sergeant," Greg urged.
Moving no faster than he had to, Mock took off his shoe, then slowly turned the sock down, peeling it off.
"Is that the worst foot?" Greg demanded, in astonishment.
"I don't know, sir; they both hurt me."
"Do you want to show me the other foot, or do you wish to get back among the file closers?"
"I---I can't walk, sir."
Down on one knee went Greg, carefully inspecting the foot and feeling it. The skin was clean, rosy, firm.
"Why there isn't a sign of a blister," Captain Holmes declared. "Nor is there an abrasion of any kind, or any callous. There isn't even a corn. That's as healthy a doughboy foot as I've seen. Dress your foot again, and put on your legging---pronto."
A "doughboy" is an infantry soldier. "Pronto" is a word the Army has borrowed from the Spanish, and means, "Be quick about it."
"I'm not fit to march, sir," cried Sergeant Mock.
"Either you'll be ready by the time B company is here, and you'll march in, or I'll detail a man to remain here with you, and send an ambulance for you. If I have to send an ambulance I'll have you examined at the hospital, and if I find you've been faking foot trouble then you shall feel the full weight of military law. I'll give you your own choice. Which do you want?"
Tugging his sock on, Mock merely mumbled.
"Answer me!" Greg insisted sharply.
"I---I'll do my best to march, sir."
"Then be sure you're ready by the time B company gets here, and be sure you march all the way in," Greg ordered sternly. He hated a shamming imitation of a soldier.
Major Bell and his staff came by at the head of the line, followed by Prescott and A company.
"Don't disappoint me, Sergeant," Greg warned his man.
Though his brow was black with wrath Sergeant Mock stood up by the time that the head of B company arrived.
"Take your place, Sergeant," Greg ordered, and waited to see his order obeyed, next running up to his own post.
Ten minutes later, as a group of carpenters from the rifle range paused at the roadside, Greg chanced to glance backward. He was just in time to see Sergeant Mock limping out of the line of file-closers to sit down at the roadside.
His jaws set, Greg Holmes darted back.
"That's enough of this, Mock," he called. "You can't sham in B company. Your feet, I suppose?"
"Yes, sir," groaned the sergeant.
"First two men of the rear four of B company fall out and come here," Captain Holmes shouted.
Instantly the two men detached themselves from the company and came running back.
"Fix your bayonets," Greg ordered. "Bring Sergeant Mock in at the rear of the battalion. If he shirks, prod him with the points of your bayonets. Don't be brutal, but make the sergeant keep up at the rear of the battalion."
"Sir-----" began Mock protestingly.
"Quite enough for you, Sergeant Mock," Greg rapped out. "I'll have your feet examined by