, and
gave a few orders. Then he turned and whispered for a moment with
Dennis.

"They don't put us there, sir!" exclaimed Dennis.

"Yes."

"Are they mad?"

"They've given us the worst job, not merely as a job, but especially for
the regiment. Perhaps they won't mind if things do go wrong."

"Yez mean?"

"What will people say of me on November fourth, if my regiment flunks on
September thirtieth?"

"Arrah musha dillah!" cried Dennis. "An' is that it?"

"I'm afraid so. Will the men stand by me?"

"Oi'll make them. Yez see," shouted Dennis, "Oi'll tell the b'ys they
are tryin' to put yez in a hole, an' they'll stan' by yez, no matter
what yez are told to do."

As quickly as possible Peter put on his fatigue uniform. When he came
out, it was to find that the rank and file had done the same, and were
now standing in groups about the floor. A moment later they were lined
up.

Peter stepped forward and said in a clear, ringing voice: "Before the
roll is called I wish to say a word. We may receive orders any moment to
take possession of the buildings and switches at the Central Station, to
protect the property and operators of that road. This will be hard to
some of you, who believe the strikers are right. But we have nothing to
do with that. We have taken our oath to preserve order and law, and we
are interested in having it done, far more than is the capitalist, for
he can buy protection, whether laws are enforced or not, while the
laboring man cannot. But if any man here is not prepared to support the
State in its duty to protect the life and property of all, by an
enforcement of the laws, I wish to know it now."

Peter stood a moment waiting, and then said, "Thank you, men."

The roll-call was made, and Peter sent off a line to headquarters,
stating that his regiment, with only eighteen reported "missing" was
mustered and ready for further orders. Then the regiment broke ranks,
and waited.

Just as two o'clock struck a despatch was handed Peter. A moment later
came the rap of the drum, and the men rose from the floor and fell in. A
few sharp, quick words were passed from mouth to mouth. Guns rose to the
shoulders with a click and a movement almost mechanical. The regiment
swung from a long straight line into companies, the door rolled open,
and without a sound, except the monotonous pound of the regular tread,
the regiment passed into the street. At the corner they turned sharply,
and marched up a side