As Hinkey had been in a service detachment under Overton's command Hal felt it but just to say to the fellow:
"Hinkey, you've worked harder and more attentively than any man in this detachment."
"Thank you, Sergeant; I've tried to," replied the fellow, with such well-pretended respect that Sergeant Hal almost fell over.
"I almost think I've misjudged the man in thinking him one of our worst," Overton told himself.
It had been well for the boyish young sergeant had he been but a trifle more suspicious of such sudden reform on his enemy's part!
At five in the morning, or almost an hour earlier than usual, every officer and man in this temporary camp was routed out from under his blankets by the sharp, stirring notes of first call to reveille.
Breakfast was hurriedly disposed of, and the simple duties of ordinary "camp police" performed by the time that it was fully light.
And now more labor, for the stage settings must be arranged, that they might all be moved swiftly into place as the need came.
It was noon when the men finished. Then mess call, or "come and get it," as the soldiers facetiously term it, was sounded over the camp, and officer and man alike hastened to the well-earned midday meal.
"We ought to have a huge crowd," spoke Corporal Noll Terry, at camp table.