"Well, Corporal, how do you like the set of our tent now?" insisted Private Dowley. "It looks better this time," assented the corporal. "But, after this, you men, instead of sneering at the kids of the company, will do well to show yourselves as good men." "We're always getting the kids rubbed into us," growled Hooper. "Because they're head and shoulders over you both as soldiers," rejoined Corporal Cotter, turning on his heel. "Even William Green is a lot ahead of you as a soldier." As Dowley turned to glance scowlingly up the street he caught the glance of Captain Cortland, glancing once more down the street. "Your tent is in proper alignment this time, men," nodded the company commander, and went away. Now the creaking of heavy wagons was heard along the trail, accompanied by the loud voices of the drivers. The expedition was accompanied by six heavy wagons, each drawn by four mules. "Water in the brook; wood two hundred yards southeast!" shouted Lieutenant Prescott, who had been sent scouting for these necessities. On pitching camp the first task is always to learn where wood and the best drinking water can be found in the neighborhood. Often the water close at hand is forbidden for cooking and drinking purposes in favor of clear water at a distance. Three of the approaching wagons continued along the trail, while the other three turned in at the side of the grove. Corporal Reynolds and four men were detailed to unload and put up the eight-by-ten khaki-colored tent that was to be occupied by the three company officers. "I notice that the wide stripes don't care about sleeping in pup-houses," grumbled Hooper to his bunkie. "Wide-stripe" is the nick-name sometimes given an officer on account of the fact that the side stripe down the trousers' leg of the blue uniform is much broader than that worn by the non-commissioned officer. Privates wear no stripes on the trousers' leg, with the exception of musicians, who wear two very narrow parallel stripes. Soon after the erection of the little village of tents, the soldiers scattered, though they soon returned with bundles of fire wood. "You had better go and chase the stuff for our fire, Bill," proposed Dowley. "Chase it yourself," retorted Hooper. "Not this trip," retorted Dowley. "It's up to you this time." Hooper swore that he wouldn't, but it ended by his starting tardily after fagots. Dowley was already gaining the ascendancy over Private Bill and making a half servant of him.