Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/243

 heard the bugles and the strains of the regimental bands as the men had formed on the docks and gone marching away across the bridge and over the hill.

A United States uniform, army or navy, was sufficient voucher to carry its wearer almost anywhere, he found. The French folk smiled and murmured "Bon jour!" and every face seemed to hold a welcome. Nelson wished he knew more French; wished, too, that he was more courageous with the little he did know! The coalyards and dockyards were guarded by United States Marines, and with several of these Nelson conversed. They weren't exactly enthusiastic about their work, for they all wanted something more exciting, or, at least, more diversified, than standing guard over piers. But they spoke hopefully of better times. "We aren't worrying," said one chap, a tow-headed youth who showed more curiosity about the standing of the Chicago American baseball team than anything else. "Pershing'll have us out of here pretty quick. Anyone can do this job. We're fighters and we'll be needed at the front before long. Meanwhile we're doing pretty well for ourselves. This is a nice old burg and the folks are mighty decent to us."

Further along beyond the big locks a huge 218