A flag of truce!--you're talking
nonsense. What do they know of a flag of truce?"
"You're talking nonsense, too," said Albert, "and you're
talking to your superior officer. If you are not with me in
this, go back to your cable, and tell the man in Octavia that
it's a warm day, and that the sun is shining; but if you've
any spirit in you--and I think you have--run to the office and
get my Winchester rifles, and the two shotguns, and my
revolvers, and my uniform, and a lot of brass things for
presents, and run all the way there and back. And make time.
Play you're riding a bicycle at the Agricultural Fair."
Stedman did not hear this last, for he was already off and
away, pushing through the crowd, and calling on Bradley, Sr.,
to follow him. Bradley, Jr., looked at Gordon with eyes that
snapped, like a dog that is waiting for his master to throw a
stone.
"I can fire a Winchester, sir," he said. "Old Tom can't.
He's no good at long range 'cept with a big gun, sir. Don't
give him the Winchester. Give it to me, please, sir."
Albert met Stedman in the plaza, and pulled off his blazer,
and put on Captain Travis's--now his--uniform coat, and his
white pith helmet.
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