The corporal clapped his hand to his side as if to raise a sword, and then realizing that he had no such weapon, said in a remarkably conciliatory tone:
“I told Colonel Allen that you were well acquainted with the interior of the fort, and he would speak with you a few moments.”
“Well, if you’d said that in the first place I would have been willing; but when you jumped down on me as if I was one of these recruits, I wasn’t goin’ to stand it.”
“If you are willin’ to come, follow me.”
“Am I to go with you?” Isaac asked pleadingly, and the corporal hesitated an instant before replying:
“Yes, lad, I don’t reckon it’ll do any harm, and it may give you an insight into the way we manage military affairs.”
CHAPTER VI. A SQUAD OF FOUR.
Isaac was in high glee at thus being permitted to visit headquarters, for even though he went there only by permission of Corporal ’Lige and not because his presence was desired, it seemed to him that it was in a certain degree a recognition of the possible fact that he was really a soldier.
Nathan Beman, however, did not appear to think there was any compliment in the invitation. Naturally of a suspicious nature, he fancied in some way this visit might work to his harm, and, in addition, he was displeased by the air of superiority which was observable in the corporal when he addressed any remark to the lad.
The old soldier walked several paces in advance of the boys, and did not appear to think it necessary he should look around to see if they were following, for in his mind a request to visit headquarters was the same as an imperative command, and one which no sane person would venture to disobey.