to sharing their food with soldiers,
and as soon as any troops landed on the island, ever possible article
was spirited away into the jungle.

It was a bad day for every one. Most of the men were homesick, and
they all felt the shadow of impending disaster; only Lewis and his
confidants realized the seriousness of the situation, however.

"Corporal, take four men with bolos and cut six banana trees," called
Lewis. "Plant them in a row down the company street."

Curiosity and amusement were mingled with indifference as the men
started toward the thicket to execute the order. What had come
over the lieutenant? Obediently the trees were brought, and Lewis
superintended the planting. The squad was kept busy cutting ferns
and palms, and it began to dawn on the astonished men that they were
preparing for a holiday. The spirit was taken up generally, and the
gloom was gradually dispelled.

"Here, Jake, hang this mistletoe up over the folding doors," commanded
the corporal, handing him a bamboo shoot, and pointing to the tent
door. "Now when she comes asailin' in to dinner, all unaware of your
presence, smack her a good one, right on the bull's eye."

Laughter and shouts greeted this order, and when Kid Conner offered to
impersonate a lovely damsel and, with mincing step and bashful mien,
appeared at the opening, Jake was game, and a skuffle ensued. Shrieks
of merriment coming from the cook tent aroused Lewis's curiosity, and
even his weighty matters were forgotten when he beheld Irish cooky
on his knees before the incinerator arranging a row of well-worn
socks. Solemnly folding his hands he raised his eyes in supplication:

"Dear Santa, don't forget your children in this far-away jungle. We
are minus a chimney on this insinuator, but we are bettin' on you and
the reindeers just the same, to slip one over on us and come shinnin'
down a cocoanut-tree with your pack. Never mind the trimmin's and
holly, just bring plenty of cut plug and dry matches."

And so the day worn on. Toward noon the storm broke; runners announced
the approach of the sultan, and Lewis was far from calm when he gave
the order to admit him to camp.

"Piang," he said, "there is the deuce to pay, I know, but you stick
by your uncle, and we will pull through."

No insignificant nigger greeted Lewis this time. The sultan had come
in state. Where he had gathered his train, the men could not imagine,
but there he was, garbed in royal raiment, attended by