superior of the lieutenants, and we're all
superior to the privates. We have regular schools at home to teach us
not to misunderstand the kind of equality that we believe in. There's
one at East Point for the army. This gentleman and I were educated
there. We weren't allowed even to look at our superiors. There's
another institution like it for the navy. And then every man-of-war and
every army garrison is a sort of college to spread these ideas about
rank. A captain of a ship can't even let his officers dine with him too
often. It's a fine system and it prevents us from making any mistakes
about what equality means."

"And then fraternity?" asked Garcia.

"Oh, that's just the same," said Cleary. "At East Point we got a blow
in the jaw if we showed the wrong kind of fraternity to our betters."

"It's a wonderful system," said Garcia. "But I have heard some of your
people explain liberty, equality, fraternity a little differently."

"They must have been civilians," said Sam. "The army and navy represent
all that is best in our country, and the people at large do not
understand the army and navy. Luckily for you, the islands will be in
charge of the army. There won't be any mistake about the kind of
liberty and equality we give you."

"I am so grateful," said Garcia, rolling up his eyes.

"Yes, Cleary," said Sam. "The people at home don't understand us.
Did you see that there's a bill in Congress to allow men in the ranks,
mere non-commissioned officers, to apply for commissions? If they pass
it, it will be the end of the army. Just think of a sergeant becoming
one of us! Oh, I forgot, you aren't an officer, but you must know how
I feel!"

Cleary expressed his sympathy, and Sam bade him and his host
good-night. On his way back through a path in the jungle he thought he
heard a light step behind him, but when he looked back he could see
nothing. When he arrived at the headquarters' tent he found all the
higher officers of the army there, and Stroud whispered to him that
they had heard that Gomaldo would take the offensive the next morning,
and that consequently a general advance was ordered for daybreak in
order that they might forestall him. The general was rather taken by
surprise and his final plans were not ready, but it was arranged that
at four o'clock each regiment should advance, and that orders
containing further details would be sent to them by six o'clock at the
lat