Page:Ralph Paine--The Steam-Shovel Man.djvu/161

 , if possible, to be coaled and ready for sea in two hours. Please ask him to call me up and report."

The colonel hesitated as if a question of authority perplexed him, but when the clerk returned he was ready with another command.

"I want to talk with Major Frazier of the marine battalion at Camp Elliot personally. Please connect his house with my desk."

Devlin nudged Alfaro. The face of the steam-shovel man lighted with the joy of battle. The colonel was a man with his two feet under him. They heard him say to the commander of the force of United States marines:

"It is an emergency detail, Major. I will forward the formal request and explanation to you in writing, but the documents can wait. An officer and a half company of men will be enough. Yes, equipped for active service. Thank you, very much. I will have a special train at your station in an hour from now, ready to take them to Balboa. It is a bit of sea duty. Your men will enjoy it."

Other orders issued rapidly from the colonel's