VOLUNTEER TROOPS AT LARNED 



quarters an' started straggling off toward the 

 stables, an' I followed 'em to see what they were 

 up to. They went into the stable an' went to 

 saddling their horses to go somewheres. By and 

 by the lieutenant got his horse saddled an' called 

 back into the stable: 'Are you all ready there, 

 boys?' Some were ready, an' come leadin' their 

 horses out; but one fellow called back to him: 

 'Don't you get in such a rush there now, for I've 

 got to put my spurs on yet.' Another fellow said : 

 'I've got a notion not to go, for I told the ser- 

 geant not to put my name on this detail.' 'Oh, 

 yes, John, you'd better come along. We'll have 

 a good time,' said the lieutenant, kind of coaxing 

 him. 



"Well, after callin' back again to the man who 

 hadn't got his spurs on, an' getting the answer 

 that he was about ready, instead of giving his 

 commands in military style, to 'Lead into line!' 

 'Count fours!' 'Prepare to mount!' 'Mount!' 

 'Form ranks!' an' then move out 'by fours,' how 

 do you suppose he did it? Well, sir, he just says: 

 'Well, get on your horses, boys,' an' climbed onto 

 his horse, an' started off, saying as he looked back 

 over his shoulder: 'Come ahead, fellows.' An' 

 they straggled off after him. 



"Well, they're good enough men, on an aver- 

 age, I guess," continued Tom, "an' will make good 

 soldiers if they just had the right sort of officers 

 over 'em; for good officers make good soldiers, an' 



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