Deck and Artie did not forget the favorable mention of their names, and they electioneered very zealously for the choice of Tom Belthorpe as first lieutenant. In the case of the former, perhaps Deck was unconsciously influenced by the fact that he had a very pretty sister, who had manifested no little interest in him since he had attacked the ruffian who held her as a prisoner. In fact, Tom had two pretty sisters; but this fact affected Lieutenant Gadbury more than any other person.
When the squadron had advanced a short distance, Major Lyon wheeled his horse, and faced his command, who were marching as usual on the road by fours. He had learned his lesson well at the camp; for the squadron had been thoroughly drilled from the beginning, up to the point where the "school of the battalion" had been their practice.
"Battalion, halt!" he commanded, with a voice loud enough and clear enough to be heard far back of the place where the order was given.
Captain Gordon declared that he had not caught the major in a single error or slip since he had begun to exercise the squadron. The command was repeated by the subordinate officers, and the force came to a full halt. Deck had stopped by the side of the road, to await the coming up of his section, and his father called him as soon as he had halted the battalion.
The young man had been on a military errand for the major, rather than for his father, who insisted that his two sons should fare precisely the same as other soldiers of the companies. There was to be no favoritism on account of relationship. Deck could not report the result of his errand while the commander was marching at the head of his column, for the new companies had not reached the free-and-easy stage which came later.
Deck saluted the major as though they had never met before in their lives, and his father acknowledged it. Then the private reported the result of his mission.
"You have been making some stay at this house we are passing," continued Major Lyon, as he glanced back at the two boys who were still standing there.
"Found a fight going on in the house, and I went in on account of a call for help," replied Deck.
"But that is Pickford's house, and no ruffians would attack him," suggested the major. "Are these Titus's boys standing here?"