He hung his head, and in a cowardly
manner sneaked off, while the cadets in the door
also dispersed with lowered heads. Was it fear?
Verily I know not. Possibly it was shame.
Again I recall a rather peculiar circumstance
which will perhaps sustain this notion of fear
on the part of the cadets. I have on every
occasion when I had command over my fellow-cadets
in any degree, noticed that they were generally
more orderly and more obedient than when this
authority was exercised by another.
Thus whenever I commanded the guard there
were very few reports for offences committed by
members of the guard. They have ever been obedient
and military. In camp, when I was first in command
of the guard, I had a most orderly guard and a very
pleasant tour, and that too, observe, while some of
the members of it were plebes and on for the first
time. On all such occasions it is an immemorial
custom for the yearlings to interfere with and haze
the plebe sentinels. Not a sentinel was disturbed,
not a thing went amiss, and why? Manifestly because
it was thought --and rightly too--that I would not
connive at such interference, and because they feared
to attempt it lest they be watched and reported.
Later, however, even this semblance of fear disappeared,
and they acted under me precisely as they do under
others, because they are convinced that I will not
stoop to spy or retaliate.
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