Chapter XXIV. A Chapter from Hardee

by Horatio Alger

　　A few rods east of the post-office, on the opposite side of thestreet, was a two-story building used as an engine-house, Thesecond story consisted of a hall used for company meetings. Thisthe fire company obligingly granted to the boys as a drill-roomduring the inclement season, until the weather becamesufficiently warm to drill out of doors.On the Monday afternoon succeeding the preliminary meeting at theacademy, about thirty boys assembled in this hall, pursuant to anotice which had been given at school and posted up at the tavernand post-office.At half-past two Frank entered, accompanied by Mr. Morton.Some of the boys were already acquainted with him, and came up tospeak. He had a frank, cordial way with boys, which secured theirfavor at first sight."Well, boys," said he pleasantly, "I believe I am expected tomake soldiers of you.""Yes, sir," said Charles Reynolds respectfully: "I hope we shalllearn readily and do credit to your instructions.""I have no fear on that score," was the reply. "Perhaps you mayhave some business to transact before we commence our lessons. Ifso, I will sit down a few minutes and wait till you are ready."A short business meeting was held, organized as before.John Haynes reported that he had spoken to his father, and thequestion of allowing the boys the use of the muskets belonging tothe town would be acted upon at the next meeting of theSelectmen. Squire Haynes thought that the request would begranted."What are we going to do. this afternoon?" asked Robert Ingalls."I can answer that question, Mr. Chairman," said Henry Morton."We are not yet ready for muskets. I shall have to drill youfirst in the proper position of a soldier, and the military step.Probably it will be a week before I shall wish to place musketsinto your hands. May I inquire how soon there will be a meetingof the Selectmen?"John Haynes announced that the next meeting would be held in lessthan a week."Then there will be no difficulty as to the muskets," said Mr.Morton.Wilbur Summerfield reported that he had extended an invitation toboys not connected with the academy to join the company. Severalwere now present. Dick Bumstead, though not able to attend thatday, would come to the next meeting. He thought they would beable to raise a company of fifty boys.This report was considered very satisfactory.Tom Wheeler arose and inquired by what name the new company wouldbe called."I move," said Robert Ingalls, "that we take the name of theRossville Home Guards.""If the enemy should invade Rossville, you'd be the first torun," sneered John Haynes."Not unless I heard it before you," was the quick reply.There was a general laugh, and cries of "Bully for you, Bob!"were heard."Order!" cried the chairman, pounding the table energetically."Such disputes cannot be allowed. I think we had better deferobtaining a name for our company till we find how well we arelikely to succeed."This proposal seemed to be acquiesced in by the boys generally.The business meeting terminated, and Mr. Morton was invited tocommence his instructions."The boys will please form themselves in a line," said theteacher, in a clear, commanding voice.This was done.The positions assumed were, most of them, far from military. Somestood with their legs too far apart, others with one behind theother, some with the shoulders of unequal height. Frank alonestood correctly, thanks to the private instructions he hadreceived."Now, boys," said Mr. Morton, "when I say 'attention!' you mustall look at me and follow my directions implicitly. Attention andsubordination are of the first importance to a soldier. Let mesay, to begin with, that, with one exception, you are allstanding wrong."Here there was a general shifting of positions. Robert Ingalls,who had been standing with his feet fifteen inches apart,suddenly brought them close together in a parallel position. TomWheeler, who had been resting his weight mainly on the left foot,shifted to the right. Moses Rogers, whose head was bent over soas to watch his feet, now threw it so far back that he seemed tobe inspecting the ceiling. Frank alone remained stationary.Mr. Morton smiled at the changes elicited by his remarks, andproceeded to give his first command."Heels on the same line!" he ordered.All the boys turned their heads, and there was a noisy shufflingof feet."Quit crowding, Tom Baldwin!" exclaimed Sam Rivers in an audibletone."Quit crowding, yourself," was the reply. "You've got more roomthan I, now.""Silence in the ranks!" said the instructor authoritatively."Frank Frost, I desire you to see that the boys stand at regulardistances." This was accomplished."Turn out your feet equally, so as to form a right angle witheach other. So."Mr. Morton illustrated his meaning practically. This was verynecessary, as some of the boys had very confused ideas as to whatwas meant by a right angle.After some time this order was satisfactorily carried out."The knees must be straight. I see that some are bent, as if theweight of the body were too much for them. Not too stiff! Rivers,yours are too rigid. You couldn't walk a mile in that way withoutbecoming very tired. There, that is much better. Notice myposition."The boys, after adjusting their positions, looked at the rest tosee how they had succeeded."Don't look at each other," said Mr. Morton. "If you do you willbe certain to make blunders. I notice that some of you arestanding with one shoulder higher than the other. The shouldersshould be square, and the body should be erect upon the hips.Attention! So!""Very well. Haynes, you are trying to stand too upright. You mustnot bend backward. All, incline your bodies a little forward.Frank Ingalls is standing correctly.""I don't think that's very soldierly," said John Haynes, who feltmortified at being corrected, having flattered himself that hewas right and the rest were wrong."A soldier shouldn't be round-shouldered, or have a slouchinggait," said the instructor quietly; "but you will find when youcome to march that the opposite extreme is attended with greatinconvenience and discomfort. Until then you must depend upon myassurance."Mr. Morton ran his eye along the line, and observed that most ofthe boys were troubled about their arms. Some allowed them tohang in stiff rigidity by their sides. One, even, had his claspedbehind his back., Others let theirs dangle loosely, swinging nowhither, now thither.He commented upon these errors, and added, "Let your arms hangnaturally, with the elbows near the body, the palm of the hand alittle turned to the front, the little finger behind the seam ofthe pantaloons. This you will find important when you come todrill with muskets. You will find that it will economize space bypreventing your occupying more room than is necessary. Frank,will you show Sam Rivers and John Haynes how to hold theirhands?""You needn't trouble yourself," said John haughtily, but in toolow a voice, as he supposed, for Mr. Morton to hear. "I don'twant a clodhopper to teach me."Frank's face flushed slightly, and without a word he passed Johnand occupied himself with showing Sam Rivers, who proved moretractable."No talking in the ranks!" said Mr. Morton, in a tone ofauthority. "If any boy wishes to ask any explanation of me he maydo 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 apause. "Nothing looks worse than to see a file of men with headsturned in various directions. The eyes should be fixed straightbefore you, striking the ground at about fifteen paces forward."It required some time to have this direction properly carriedout. Half an hour had now passed, and some of the boys showedsigns of weariness."I will now give you a little, breathing-spell for ten minutes,"said Mr. Morton. "After this we will resume our exercises.'The boys stretched their limbs, and began to converse in ananimated strain about the lesson which they had just received.At the expiration of ten minutes the lesson was resumed, and someadditional directions were given.It will not be necessary for us to follow the boys during theremainder of the lesson. Most of them made very creditableprogress, and the line presented quite a different appearance atthe end of the exercise from what it had at the commencement."I shall be prepared to give you a second lesson on Saturdayafternoon," announced Mr. Morton. "In the meantime it will bewell for you to remember what I have said, and if you should feelinclined to practice by yourselves, it will no doubt make yourprogress more rapid."These remarks were followed by a clapping of hands on the part ofthe boys--a demonstration of applause which Mr. Mortonacknowledged by a bow and a smile."Well, how do you like it?" asked Frank Frost of Robert Ingalls."Oh, it's bully fun!" returned Bob enthusiastically. "I feel likea hero already.""You're as much of one now, Bob, as you'll ever be," said Wilburgood-naturedly."I wouldn't advise you to be a soldier," retorted Bob. "You'retoo fat to run, and would be too frightened to fight.""I certainly couldn't expect to keep up with those long legs ofyours, Bob," said Wilbur, laughing.The boys dispersed in excellent humor, fully determined topersevere in their military exercises.