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?" "They are. Uncle Titus has a bill against Pickford for twenty-seven dollars for building his chimney, and Sandy and Orly were trying to collect it by force of arms." "I will hear more of that another time, Dexter," added Major Lyon, cutting short the story. "I declare, I hardly knew those boys!" "They have had a hard time of it; but I must fall in," said Deck, as he began to turn his horse. "I suppose you are out for a drill, father." "We are not; we are going on duty this time. General Buckner is somewhere in this vicinity, and evidently intends to occupy Bowling Green. Colonel Cosgrove came over to see me this morning. He says Captain Titus's company have got into the Confederate army at last, and have been supplied with arms of a poor quality, though not with uniforms." "His men have been about half-starved while waiting, and that is the reason why Sandy and Orly came home," added the young soldier. "Another time for that, Dexter. Are you all ready to march with your company?" asked the major. "I have my sabre, carbine, and pistols; but I have no blanket, as I see the rest of the men have." "You can be supplied from the wagon in the rear. But fall in," said the major, as he prepared to resume the march. Deck galloped back to the section in which he belonged, where he had only to take his place at the side of Artie, though inside of him, for he was a trifle taller than his cousin. In the infantry, the tallest men are placed on the right, which is always the head of the column, while in the cavalry the tallest are placed in the middle. "What does all this mean, Deck? Didn't I see Sandy and Orly Lyon by that house?" asked Artie. "They are there, whether you saw them or not," replied Deck. "Battalion, at ease, march!"