Page:On to Pekin.djvu/98

78 "They seem to do first-rate," said he. "I reckon they have a first-class captain."

"Yes, Captain Banner is all right," answered the private addressed. "He is an old officer, and went through the fights in Cuba before he came to the Philippines."

"And Lieutenant Gilbert seems to know his business, too," went on the young man.

"You mean Lieutenant Pennington," corrected the soldier.

"Pennington!" exclaimed Nuggy Polk. "I mean that officer there." And he pointed with his hand.

"That is Lieutenant Pennington."

"His full name is Gilbert Pennington," put in a soldier standing by, who had overheard the conversation.

"Humph! He told me it was Gilbert. I wonder why—by George!" And of a sudden Nuggy Polk's face grew dark.

"What did you say?" asked the soldier the young man had first addressed.

"Nothing,—that is, I was under the impression the lieutenant's last name was Gilbert. Where does he come from, do you know?"