Lieutenant Greg Holmes, only a few months out of West Point, drew a "blank" that made his face look gloomy. Lieutenant Holmes was the only officer in the battalion who was to remain behind. He was to have command of the guard that was to take care of the post in the absence of the troops.
CHAPTER XXI
THE PRICE OF BEING A MAN
THE occasion was the encampment of the Colorado National Guard, and the scene was a few miles outside of Denver.
Here was some of the real glory of the soldier's life!
At the head of the line rode two troops of cavalry belonging to the regular Army.
Immediately behind these yellow-legs an awe-inspiring drum-major strode along, his glittering, ball-tipped staff going through many smart movements. Right behind him came the Thirty-fourth U. S. Infantry Band, crashing out a soul-stirring march.
At the heels of the band rode Colonel North, Major Silsbee and staff, a splendid, soldierly looking lot in saddle.
Then the head of A Company, Captain Ruggles commanding. B Company next, and to B Company fell the honor of being color company and escorting the Flag. C and D behind—the whole khaki-clad battalion moving at easy swing, and yet in the straight, precise lines that only regulars know how to display, however close near-soldiers may imagine they come in excellence. Over all, in brisk cadence, and in exact time to the spirited music ahead, sounded the steady whump! whump! whump! of the exactly gaited feet of regulars on the march.