Page:Scarface.pdf/78

 on the verge of panic. Tony let the captain care­fully to the ground, instructed two men to do what they could for him from their first-aid kits, then dashed the blood out of his eyes and quietly took command of the situation.

Shortly after dawn the amazed colonel discovered Tony in command of three companies, with his position well consolidated and holding his section of the line comfortably. Tony himself was sitting on a little hillock, in deadly peril from snipers, with his automatic lying on his knee and with his keen glance wandering up and down the line in an effort to find some man who seemed dis­posed to retreat. He was somewhat of a sight with his legs bare and muddy, and his head tied up in bloody handkerchiefs and his puttees; only his eyes and mouth remained uncovered.

"Of all the dashed impudence!" exclaimed the colonel to the officers with him. "Taking com­mand of the whole works and running it better than many a major could have done. If the Heinies had penetrated through here, they'd have wiped us out. "Say," he called to Tony from the shelter of the messy trench through which he was making his way in an effort to gather up his scat-