But they have been merciful to us today in sparing us two soakings, and I have had my own personal share. While we were standing, waiting for the major to come and give us the oath, the captain's eye fell on me. Evidently he pondered for a moment, then he beckoned me out of the ranks. Said he, "I thought you weren't to take the oath." I answered, "I have always meant to take it, sir." "Oh," said he, "then I was misinformed. Well, that is what prevented me from making you sub-squad-leader, and I'll do it today. Just say nothing about it beforehand." So I saluted and stepped back. When we were lined up in the company street again (having first put our sweaters on by our own decision, and then having taken them off by order of the major, who presently took us to regimental drill on the parade ground) the lieutenant announced, "Mr. Godwin will be sub-squad-leader in Squad Eight." So I dropped back into the rear rank, my rear-rank man took my place, Reardon gave place to me, and the other men moved to numbers two and one. In that order we drilled, and good Reardon showed me his duties. To make sure that the change is permanent, Bannister asked the captain, and here I am installed in a very minor office. I am out of the front rank now, but the parades, which it is interesting to watch, are all over, and I shall get acquainted with still another set of our neighbors. On the hike I shall still march on the outside of the column, which gives some freedom of action, and as Knudsen contends, better air. Reardon is very nice about the change; the boys all recognize it as coming from my bluff at giving orders. Yet Reardon showed, as I drill beside him today, that he knows more of the business than I do. Bannister shook his fist at me. "Consarn ye," (he imitates the farmer to perfection) "yer shan't git my job!" "Coming strong!" I answered. Knudsen, with the energy and tact which characterize him, has reorganized the squad on the basis of this change of mine, moving the men about so that he has David as his rear rank man, which means that they sleep in the same tent on the hike, and that Knudsen still has the boy in charge. Of course Bannister agreed to it all. He and I shall tent together.