Captain Ruggles walked rapidly over toward barracks. Lieutenant Ferrers threw his company into column of platoons, faced them about and brought the men to a halt. Then he wheeled about, saluting Captain Ruggles.
"Any further orders, sir?" inquired Algy.
"No, Lieutenant. Dismiss the company."
As soon as the men had started barrackwards, Captain Ruggles asked the lieutenant:
"How did you manage it, Ferrers, to bring the men back in such fine condition and so early in the day?"
"Just a matter of good judgment, Captain," beamed Algy.
"What do you mean?"
"I changed the orders a bit, sir, to meet the conditions that I discovered."
"Conditions?"
"Yes, Captain. The day proved to be extremely warm. I marched the men for about six miles; it may have been nearer seven. Curiously enough, Sergeant Reed and I disagreed on that point. He said we had gone about a mile and a half."