The two platoons, drawn up in one rank with a slight interval between, were soon in readiness.
"March your platoons," called Captain Foster.
"F company, fours left, march," ordered Noll.
"H company, fours left, march," followed Hal.
Off into the night moved a compact column of men in fours, a sergeant at the head of each platoon, and the two lieutenants on the flanks. Captain Foster noted the start with approval. The column moved on down the road, past the escort wagons, which then fell in at the rear.
"Give the men the route step, now," murmured Captain Foster, going past Hal up to the head of the line.
"Route step, march," ordered Lieutenant Hal. In another moment the men of the leading platoon had also fallen into the route step.
"We'll march four miles to the first halt," said Captain Foster, falling in beside Noll.
The road turned to the right, heading west. When the first halt was called the column stopped on a lonely stretch of the highway, in sight of the Rio Grande. After ten minutes the column started again. There were frequent halts, after that, but soon after daylight had come the column made its last halt just outside the village of Agua Dulce.
Now camp was quickly made. A soldier, no matter how fatigued, is never too tired to eat. Several score of little fagot fires were soon blazing briskly, and over these coffee was made and bacon fried. The next meal would be furnished by the company cook. Within half an hour after pitching tents breakfast had been eaten, and much progress made with unpacking the escort wagons.