This you will find important when you come to
drill with muskets. You will find that it will economize space by
preventing your occupying more room than is necessary. Frank,
will you show Sam Rivers and John Haynes how to hold their
hands?"
"You needn't trouble yourself," said John haughtily, but in too
low a voice, as he supposed, for Mr. Morton to hear. "I don't
want a clodhopper to teach me."
Frank's face flushed slightly, and without a word he passed John
and occupied himself with showing Sam Rivers, who proved more
tractable.
"No talking in the ranks!" said Mr. Morton, in a tone of
authority. "If any boy wishes to ask any explanation of me he may
do so, but it is a breach of discipline to speak to each other."
"My next order will be, 'Faces to the front!' he resumed, after a
pause. "Nothing looks worse than to see a file of men with heads
turned in various directions. The eyes should be fixed straight
before you, striking the ground at about fifteen paces forward."
It required some time to have this direction properly carried
out.
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