"You'll learn in no time," said the old soldier, when his off time came to an end. "You've crowded a dozen lessons into one."
"And I feel it," said Darry. "I'm going in to rest." And he went, followed by Joe. All told, the boys had enjoyed the drill very much.
Joe was somewhat worried when bedtime came and still nothing had been heard of his brother. Yet Colonel Fairfield told him not to mind the prolonged absence.
"But should not your quartermaster be here?" asked the boy.
"He may come in to-morrow morning," answered the colonel.
The next day dawned cloudy, and by noon a steady rain was falling. The boys hardly knew what to do, and, after watching a drill and some performances in the gymnasium, went back to the living quarters. They had hardly entered when there came a shout from the guard at the stockade.
"Captain Moore is coming, with the quartermaster!" was the cry.
"Hurrah, it's Will!" shouted Joe, and ran out despite the rain to welcome his brother.
Soon the soldiers came up, mud-stained and tired. They embraced half of Company A, and in their midst was the quartermaster of the regiment, with two attendants. Each of these three carried heavy saddle-bags, filled with government money for the soldiers, for payday was now due.
"Joe!" cried Captain Moore, as he dismounted and caught his brother by the hand. "I am glad to see you safe and sound."