Presently Shorty came out, and ostentatiously fell into line at a distance from Si. It was the first time they had not stood shoulder to shoulder.
The Orderly-Sergeant looked down the line, and called out:
"Here, Corp'l Klegg, you're not fit to go. Neither are you, Shorty. Step out, both of you."
"Yes, I'm all right," said Shorty. "Feet's got well. I kin outwalk a Wea Injun."
"Must've bin using some Lightning Elixir Liniment," said the Orderly-Sergeant incredulously.. "I saw you both limping around like string-halted horses not 15 minutes ago. Step out, I tell you."
"Captain, le' me go along," pleaded Si. "You never knowed me to fall out, did you?"
"Captain, I never felt activer in my life," asserted Shorty; "and you know I always kept up. I never played sore-foot any day."
"I don't believe either of you're fit to go," said Capt. McGillicuddy, "but I won't deny you. You may start, anyway. By the time we get to the pickets you can fall out if you find you can't keep up."
"The rebel calvary's jumped a herd of beef cattle out at pasture, run off the guard, and are trying to get away with them," the Orderly-Sergeant hurriedly explained as he lined up Co. Q. "We're to make a short cut across the country and try to cut them off. Sir, the company's formed."
"Attention, Co. Q!" shouted Capt. McGillicuddy. "Right face!—Forward, file left!—March!"