To the Rover boys all this was very interesting, and they learned with comparative ease. Only one of the awkward squad seemed to have difficulty in marching just right, a lad named White.
"Don't lag behind, White!" cried Dan Soppinger, sharply. "Step right out as if you meant it;" and after that White did a little better.
While the drilling was in progress, Colonel Colby came down to the gymnasium to look on. He was pleased with the general results.
"I think you are doing very well, boys," he said. "Of course, you can't learn to become first-class soldiers in a day. It takes hard practising to do anything just right."
"When do we get guns?" questioned Andy, after the drilling had come to an end.
"You won't get guns until you have learned how to march and how to turn properly," answered Dan. "Then, when you do get guns, you'll have to go in for the manual of arms."
"And how about learning how to shoot?" questioned Jack.
"That will come still later—after you have had experience in marching and in handling your guns."
"Whoop! Me for a real soldier boy!" cried Andy, his eyes sparkling, and then he began to hum a bit of doggerel he had made up on the spur of the moment.
"Johnny, get your musket—