Jerry continued, with his precious drum. The mud-fenced corral was an odd sight as he and Tom hastened through to the gate. The men finally had settled to work. They were in all stages of undress: some of them were washing their faces and handkerchiefs and shirts at the watering troughs, some were shaving, some were sitting and polishing their jacket buttons with their “buff sticks,” which held each button in a slot while rag and powder were used; some were shining their buckles, or whitening their cross-belts with soap-stone, or cleaning their shoes; and a number had their muskets apart and were scouring the rust and dirt from locks, barrels and bayonets.
Pompey was hard at it on the outfits of Lieutenant Smith and Lieutenant Grant.
“Where you gwine, stripes?” he demanded. “’Peahs laike you drummers ain’t got nothin’ to do. I shuah’d laike to jine the music. Jest tootle an’ thumpity-thump while we-all work. Where you gwine now, so importinent? Mebbe Santy Anne done sent fo’ you to s’render.”
“Mind you shine those buttons or you’ll get a whaling,” Jerry answered. “I’ll be back to inspect.”
“You go ’long, stripes,” growled Pompey. “I ain’t no sojer. I’se with the offercers. Who you, to be so uppity? All stripes an’ no rank; that you!”
With Tom, Jerry hurried out.
“Pobrecitos! Aqui, pobrecitos—here, poor little boys,” the kind-hearted women greeted, inviting them to eat. But they had no time for that if they wished to see the town.
Somehow, the people of Amozoc were overcordial to an enemy. The North Americans were invading their country—at Cerro Gordo probably had killed Volunteers from this very place; and yet the citizens smiled and bowed as if to friends. It struck Jerry as a game; he couldn’t put much stock in all that palaver. He remembered the two Manuels.
The town was not anything great to look at. It manufactured saddles and fine inlaid spurs, and the best building was the principal church. The church sat inside a fenced yard shaded by immense yew trees covered with crimson-flowering vines—very curious. Two or three officers were gazing about and talking with the priests. The doors were open. Taking off his cap Jerry sidled in; Tom followed.
“Dare you to climb that,” Tom challenged.