Calico Illustrated Classics: The Red Badge of Courage
with his news and girls seemed drawn to the sight of his blue and brass uniform His regiment was fed and fussed over at stop after stop So much so that he had already thought himself a war hero As the crowds of well-wishers swelled at each stop he felt the strength needed for war growing But after arriving at camp his regiment had done little but sit still and try to keep warm The veterans had called the new recruits fresh fish and filled their heads with tales of great bloody battles He couldn’t tell if they spoke the truth or lied without remorse As the tales grew so did Henry’s worries He no longer doubted he would eventually see battle Now he had to convince himself that he wouldn’t run away from any such battle Panic and fear grew in his mind with the passing of each day As he daydreamed about the battles he’d face he saw hideous possibilities It wasn’t all glory 10
He sprang from his bed What’s the matter with me he said aloud Jim walked into the tent Are we going to see battle for sure asked Henry You just wait said Jim It’ll be the biggest battle ever fought Henry stayed silent for a long time Jim what do you think the regiment will do Tom Wilson entered the tent They’ll fight all right once they get used to it Think anyone will run asked Henry A few may run Tom said But that happens in every regiment You can’t bet on nothing None of us have been under fire yet Do you ever think that you might run Jim Henry laughed as if he meant it as a joke Tom laughed along The tall private waved his hand Well if a whole bunch of boys started running I’d run 11
like the devil Make no mistake But if everybody stayed and fought I’d do the same Henry felt gratitude for the words of his comrade He had feared that all fresh fish possessed all the confidence needed for battle He was now reassured 12
chapter 2 Fresh Fish Fears Jim’s prediction proved to be just another rumor No movement came upon the soldiers Sneers followed Jim and tempers flared over the false alarm Henry continued to wonder what he would have done if they did move Will I fight or run as fast as my legs can carry me He finally decided that the only way to find out was to go into the blaze and watch his legs to see what they’d do He was eager for the opportunity to find out Meanwhile he constantly tried to measure himself by his comrades What would they do Jim for one gave him assurance Henry had 13
