"I then lay down by the side of the road, and in a few moments Sam whispered:
"'Bill, I wonder what's the number of this post?'
"'I'm sure I don't know,' I replied.
"'Well, how am I going to find out?' he inquired. 'If some one should happen to come along without the countersign, and I should want to call the corporal, I would be in a nice fix, wouldn't I?'
"Sam said this in such a perfectly cool and unconcerned manner, that I could not help admiring him.
"Just then I heard a faint shout:
"'Twelve o'clock! Number one. All's well.'
"'There,' I whispered; 'the sentries are passing the call. Now look sharp.'
"The call passed the round of the sentinels, until number eight was called, but a short distance from us. Then came a pause.