" He
was one of the kind of poker-players who would "see" a $5 bet on a
pair of deuces, raise it to $25, and generally rake in the "pot." It
was Corp. Smith who thought in this Gatling gun deal he was holding a
pair of deuces, because he didn't take much stock in Gatling guns, but
he was a firm believer in his commanding officer and was prepared to
"bluff" the Dons to the limit of the game.
[Illustration: Fort Roosevelt.]
Sergeants Ryder and Weischaar were splendid types of the American
Regular non-commissioned officer, alert, respectful, attentive to
duty, resolute, unflinching, determined, magnificent soldiers. Serg.
Green was a young man, only twenty-three, the idolized son of his
parents, in the army because he loved it; enthusiastic over his gun,
and fully determined to "pot" every Spaniard in sight. Corp. Rose was
like unto him. They were eager for nothing so much as a chance to get
into action, and equally determined to stay there. The privates of the
detachment were like unto the noncommissioned officers. They had
volunteered for this duty from a love of adventure, a desire to win
recognition, or from their personal attachment to the commanding
officer; and there was not a man who was not willing to follow him
into the "mouth of hell" if necessary.
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