No doubt some of our young readers will be interested to know what he had to do. The following were some of his duties:-- At daybreak the _drummer's call_ was beat by the drums of the guard-tent. Frank, though once so profound a sleeper, had learned to wake instantly at the sound; and, before any of his comrades were astir, he snatched up his drum, and hurried from the tent. That call was a signal for all the drummers to assemble before the colors of the regiment, and beat the reveille. Then Frank and his fellow-drummers practised the _double-quick_ for two hours. Then they beat the _breakfast call_. Then they ate their breakfast. At eight o'clock they had to turn out again, and beat the _sergeant's call_. At nine o'clock they beat for _guard mounting_. Then they practised two hours more at _wheeling_, _double-quick_, _etc_. They then beat the _dinner call_. Then they had the pleasure of laying aside the drumsticks, and taking up the knife and fork once more. After dinner more _calls_ and similar practice. The time from supper (five o'clock) until the beat for the evening roll-call (at eight), the drummers had to themselves. After that the men were dismissed for the night, and could go to bed if they chose,--all except the drummers, who must sit up and beat the _tattoo at nine_. That is the signal for the troops to retire. Then come the _taps_ (to extinguish lights), beat by each drummer in the company, going down the line of tents. There were other calls besides those mentioned, such as the company _drill call_, the _adjutants call_, to _the color_, _etc._, all of which were beat differently; so that, as you see, the drummer boy's situation was no sinecure. He found his watch of great assistance to him, in giving him warning of the moment to be ready for the stated calls. Although evidently a new watch, it had been well regulated, and it kept excellent time. The secret donor of this handsome present was still undiscovered. Sometimes he suspected the colonel, sometimes Captain Edney; then he surmised that it must somehow have come to him from home. But all his conjectures and inquiries on the subject were alike in vain; and he enjoyed the exquisite torment of feeling that he had a lover somewhere who was unknown to him. XI. A CHRISTMAS FROLIC. Christmas came. The men had a holiday, but no turkeys, no plum puddings, except such as had come to individuals in private boxes from home. The sight of these boxes was not very edifying to those who had none. Frank, who was once more in communication with his friends, had expected such a box, and been disappointed. "You just come along with me, boys," said Seth Tucket, "and we'll lay in for as merry a Christmas as any of 'em. It may come a little later in the day; but patient waiters are no losers,--as the waiter said when he picked the pockets of the six gentlemen at dinner."