"It begins dis yer way," said Pomp, after a little reflection.
Grasping the musket with one hand he called out in an important
tone:
" 'Tention, squab!"
For the benefit of the uninitiated it may be explained that Pomp
meant "Attention, squad!"
"S'port arms!"
Pomp found it considerably easier to give the word of command
than to obey it. With some difficulty he succeeded in
accomplishing this movement, and proceeded with the manual, with
several original variations which would have astonished a
military instructor.
Meanwhile, though Pomp did not realize it, he was exposing
himself to considerable danger. The gun had been loaded with
buckshot in the morning, and the charge had not been withdrawn.
It seemed to be the lot of poor Mrs. Payson to suffer fright or
disaster whenever she encountered Pomp, and this memorable
afternoon was to make no exception to the rule.
"Cynthy Ann," she said to her daughter, in the afternoon, "I
guess I'll go and spend the arternoon with Mis' Forbes. I hain't
been to see her for nigh a month, and I calc'late she'll be glad
to see me.
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