“How do you do, lieutenant?” Captain Powers rubbed his sleepy eyes.
“Captain,” the lieutenant’s voice rang out, “Major-General Bumble will be ready to inspect your organization in”—he looked at his wrist-watch—“two hours.”
“Very well, sir.” Captain Powers returned the lieutenant’s salute. He again rubbed his eyes and turned to Sergeant Harriman.
“Harriman, have the men got up immediately, police up, and be ready to stand inspection in one hour and a half.”
“Aye, aye, sir.” Sergeant Harriman saluted sharply.
“And Harriman.”
“Sir!”
“Pass the word on to the sergeants of the other platoons. We officers have had a pretty hard night of it, and I am going to try and get some sleep before the general returns.”
Sergeant Harriman ran through the bunk houses, informing the other platoon sergeants of their fortune.
That finished, he returned to his own bunk house, and, starting along the row of sleeping men, unerringly picked the corporals of the squads and instructed them to awaken their squads.