ree cheers for the ladies!" yelled an enthusiastic member of the
Smyrna company. The cheers coming up had to crowd past food going
down, but the effect was good, nevertheless.

"That's the idea!" shouted Hiram. "Peace and politeness, and
everybody happy. If that kind of a firemen's muster don't suit Vienny,
then her company better take the next train back home and put in the
rest of the day firin' rocks at each other. If Vienny stays here she's
got to be genteel, like the rest of us--and the Smyrna Ancients will
set the pace. Ain't that so, boys?"

His men yelled jubilant assent.

Uncle Trufant's little eyes shuttled balefully.

"Oh, that's it, is it?" he jeered. "I didn't know I'd got into the
ladies' sewin'-circle. But if you've got fancy-work in them
shoppin'-bags of your'n, and propose to set under the trees this
afternoon and do tattin', I wouldn't advise ye to keep singin' that
song you marched in here with. It ain't ladylike. Better sing, 'Oh,
how we love our teacher dear!'"

"Don't you fuss your mind about us in any way, shape, or manner,"
retorted the foreman. "When we march we march, when we eat we eat,
when we sing we sing, when we squirt"--he raised his voice and glared
at the crowd surrounding--"we'll give ye a stream that the whole
Vienny fire company can straddle and ride home on like it was a
hobby-horse." And, concluding thus, he fondled his long mustaches
away from his mouth and gazed on the populace with calm pride. Caesar
on the plains of Pharsalia, Pompey triumphant on the shores of Africa,
Alexander at the head of his conquering Macedonians had not more
serenity of countenance to display to the multitude.

XIV

Up came trotting a brisk little man with a notebook in one hand, a
stubby lead-pencil in the other, a look of importance spread over
his flushed features, and on his breast a broad, blue ribbon,
inscribed: "Chief Marshal."

"Smyrna has drawed number five for the squirt," he announced,
"fallerin' Vienny. Committee on tub contests has selected Colonel
Gideon Ward as referee."

Hiram's eyes began to blaze, and Cap'n Sproul growled oaths under
his breath. During the weeks of their growing intimacy the Cap'n had
detailed to his friend the various phases of Colonel Gideon's
iniquity as displayed toward him. Though the affairs of Hiram Look
had not yet brought him into conflict with the ancient tyrant of
Smyrna, Hiram had warmly espoused the cause and the grudge of the
Cap'n.