“A company fall in!” directed First Sergeant Kelly promptly.

As the men fell in in double rank there were a few cases of confusion, for some of the men were rookies who had joined only recently.

“Sergeant Kelly, instruct the other sergeants to see to it that each man knows his exact place in company formation,” Dick ordered.

“Yes, sir,” replied Kelly.

The corporals reported briskly the absentees, if any, in their squads.  The counting of fours sounded next after inspection of arms.

“A little more snap in answering when fours are counted,” Dick called, loudly enough for all the company to hear.  “Let every man call his own number instantly and clearly.  For instance, when one man has called ‘two’ let the man at his left call ‘three’ without a second’s delay.  In the way of good soldiering this is more important than most of you new men realize.  Lieutenant Terry!”

“Sir,” the first lieutenant responded, stepping forward, saluting.

“Take the company.  Drill in dressings, facings, the manual of arms, wheeling and marching by twos and fours.”

Then, stepping to one side, Prescott let his gaze rove over the company, from one file or rank to another.  Everything that was done badly he noted.  Presently, when the men were standing at ease he related his observations to Lieutenant Noll Terry, who thereupon gave the company further instruction.

Finally, when the company started across the drill ground in column of fours, Dick walked briskly into the barracks building, going to the company office, whither Sergeant Kelly had preceded him.  Kelly, and a corporal and private who were there on clerical duty, rose and stood at attention as the captain entered.

“Rest,” Dick commanded briefly, whereupon the corporal and the private returned to the desk at which they were working, while Dick crossed to the sergeant’s desk.  Seating himself there he gave close attention to the papers that Sergeant Kelly handed him.  Such as required signature Captain Prescott signed.  Then, for fifteen minutes, he busied himself with requisitions for clothing and equipment.  After that other papers required close attention.  Following that several matters of company administration had to be taken up.  Finally, Sergeant Kelly handed Dick a list on which names had been written.

“These seven men have applied for pass from retreat this afternoon until reveille tomorrow morning,” reported Dick’s top.  “I have approved them, subject to your action.”

Reading quickly through the names, Prescott replied: 

“Give six of them pass, but refuse it to Private Hartley.  This forenoon I observed that he saluted officers very indifferently when passing them, and once Hartley had to be spoken to by an officer whom he did not see in time to salute him.  In whose squad is Hartley?”

“In Corporal Aspen’s, sir.”

“Then direct Corporal Aspen to take Hartley aside, at any time suited to the corporal’s convenience this evening.  Have the corporal drill Private Hartley at least twenty minutes in saluting, with, of course, proper intervals for arm rest.”