Corporal Parker deliberately turned to the wondering group behind him.
“Jim and Tom, you know what we agreed on, if 251 this should prove to be my old commander. You two wore the gray, but you are true blue now.”
At this reminder, two of the company without a word rode forward and placed themselves beside the corporal.
“Now, we’ll face the other way.”
His suggestion was followed. The three wheeled their animals around, so that their riders, like the footmen, were in a line confronting Colonel Briggs and his astonished company.
“Dress,” said the corporal, looking down and moving his mule about until the alignment would have drawn a compliment from a West Point cadet.
“Now, boys, are your shooting irons ready?”
“They gin’rally air,” was the significant response of one of the men.
“All right, colonel,” added the corporal making a military salute; “everything being in readiness please let the skirmish proceed.”
Colonel Briggs emitted a forceful exclamation.