Every man dressed swiftly. As soon as he got his clothing on each soldier turned up his bedding according to the regulations.
There was some "policing" of the room done. That is, everything was made shipshape and tidy. Last of all, and within a very few minutes from the start, the men made their way briskly to the sinks, where soap and water, comb and brush, put on the finishing touches. A sergeant, two corporals and nearly a score of men were now as neat and clean as soldiers must ever be.
"What was that row in the night, Corporal? Do you know?" Hal asked.
"What row in the night?" asked Corporal Cotter.
"Why, there was a lot of shooting, and a call for the corporal of the guard to post number six."
"First I've heard of it," replied Corporal Cotter. "But we'll know before long. Now, step lively, rook, for you're on duty with the rest to-day."
By the time that Sergeant Gray's squad room emptied at the call of the bugle it was instantly plain outside that something unusual was going on.
A and D Companies, as they fell in, proved each to be twenty men short.
"There are extra guards out, and a picket down the road to town," muttered Private Hyman, who stood next to Hal in the ranks.
"What does it mean?" asked Hal Overton, but instantly his thoughts went back to the shots and the excitement of the night.