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 it? And if Old Fuss and Feathers says to charge, we'll charge."

"Look here," the lieutenant rapped, severely. "Don't let me catch you using that nickname again. You're speaking disrespectfully of the commanding officer. He's Major-General Scott. Remember that: Major-General Winfield Scott, chief of the United States army, and commanding this Army of Invasion. Where did you get that name?"

"The men call him that; even the drummer boys do," Jerry apologized. "So I thought I might."

"Well, the men don't do it out of disrespect. They know him. All the old soldiers are proud to serve under General Scott. The drummer boys are young rascals, without respect for anybody. So don't pattern on them."

"Is General Scott as good a general as Old Zach—General Taylor, I mean?"

"I'm not supposed to express an opinion. A second lieutenant has no opinions to express about his superior officers. I served under General Taylor in Texas and northeastern Mexico. General Taylor won all his battles; that's the test of a general. He's an old hand at fighting. So is General Scott. They were appointed to the army at the same time, 1808. As far as I may judge, their methods are different but equally effective. General Taylor I was privileged to see in action. He is experienced in emergency fighting, learned from his campaigns against the Indians in the War of 1812 and in the Florida War. He apparently does not plan far ahead, but meets the emergencies as they come up, on the field, and handles his forces in person. General Scott,