Bill Jenkins goes to sleep and dreams that he enlists as a soldier. He is a stupid subject and the commanding officer has to resort to violence to get him to obey orders. The general's daughter joins the regiment, much to the delight of ...See moreBill Jenkins goes to sleep and dreams that he enlists as a soldier. He is a stupid subject and the commanding officer has to resort to violence to get him to obey orders. The general's daughter joins the regiment, much to the delight of Bill. When the call for mess is given, Bill is the first to arrive at the mess tent. As General Fairfax arrives with the troops, Bill is hastily devouring a pie. General Fairfax orders him to the guardhouse. Later the general notes a distant attack being made by one of the enemy's troops on his daughter. Bill, by a great effort, has parted the bars of his prison and volunteers to save the daughter single-handed. He dashes on horseback without weapons. After traveling some distance, by driving the horse backwards at a terrific speed, he spies a cool spot under a tree. Leaving his horse to browse he lays himself down to slumber. The daughter works out her own salvation and returns to the camp. When Bill returns he starts to relate wonderful feats he has performed. The general, knowing his tale to be untrue, orders him to the guardhouse again, while the daughter pleads for him in vain. Jenkins is to be shot at sunrise. The daughter, visiting the tents, removes the cartridges from the rifles, extracts the bullets and replaces the cartridges. Bill is marched to the execution grounds. He is aware of everything that has happened. The grave is dug. When the soldiers fire Bill pretends to be shot, and after dusting off the stretcher with his hat collapses upon it. Not wanting to be buried alive he springs away quickly and attempts to escape. Then he is put into the mouth of a cannon and shot into the enemy's camp. He escapes again and returns to General Fairfax, who decides to execute Bill himself. He starts to prod Bill with his sword when Bill wakes up from his dream and finds the saloon-keeper poking him in the ribs with a long stick. Written by
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