Accordingly he
held a consultation with his nephew and Dr. Ackley.
"The hands are becoming demoralized," he said, "by unaccustomed
duties and partial idleness. Some are sullen and others distracted
by all kinds of absurd expectations. Uncle Lusthah, the leader and
preacher among them, even had the impudence to ask Perkins about
wages. The Yankee officers, when here, told them they were free, and
they wish to act as if they were. The sooner that notion is taken
out of their heads the better. This can be done now while my nephew
is here to enforce authority, better than when we are alone again.
It seems to me that a certain number could be detailed for regular
hospital duty and the rest put to work as usual."
"I agree with you, certainly," replied Surgeon Ackley. "Give me a
dozen men and half a dozen women to wash and cook, and I can get
along. Lieutenant Whately, you, at your uncle's suggestion, can make
the detail and enforce discipline among the rest."
"I was going to speak to you about this very matter, uncle," said
Whately.
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