All which the tall soldier performed scientifically and quickly. Yet Frank saw that it took even him much longer to load lying than standing. What, then, could he hope to do?
What he did was this. He deliberately got upon his feet, and with the balls singing around him, proceeded unconcernedly with his loading.
"Down!" called Atwater to him; "down! You're making a target of yourself!"
Frank resolutely went on with his loading.
"Down, there! down, Frank!" shouted Captain Edney.
Frank shouted back,—
"I can't load unless I stand up, sir!"
"Never mind that! Down!" repeated his captain, peremptorily.
"I've got my cartridge down, any way," said Frank, triumphantly, dropping again behind the log.
"Why don't you obey orders?" cried Gray.