of sore
feet, and were noticed limping, although Paul had tried to make sure
that each fellow started out with the right kind of shoes for tramping.

It kept him busy giving advice, and showing the wounded fellows just how
to alleviate their suffering. Andy Flinn finally took his shoes off, and
trudged along in his bare feet. But then, Andy had known many a time in
his past when he did not own a pair of shoes, and his soles were
calloused to the point where small stones made no impression.

It was about four o'clock, and there had begun to arise a complaint of
weariness along the whole line, when Paul edged up to William.

He had been over this part of the road on his wheel lately, just to get
an idea as to the lay of the land. Hence he knew that the ideal place
for the first camp was close by, and presently the cheery sound of the
bugle electrified the entire detachment.

CHAPTER XII

A CAMP BY THE ROADSIDE

"Let me have a tent, will you, somebody?" cried Jud Elderkin.

"Me for the cooking outfit!" sang out Bobolink, though his knowledge of
affairs connected with the preparing of food was extremely limited,
owing to lack of experience. But then Bobolink, as well as all the rest
of the troop, would be considerably wiser before they slept again under
a roof.

Many hands made light work, and the contents of the supply wagon were
soon distributed to the several patrols. There were two tents for each,
four fellows sleeping under each canvas shelter.

Paul was busy from the minute the procession turned into the woods
bordering the road. He had to see that the right situations were
selected for putting up the tents, in case a sudden downpour of rain
came upon them. A mistake in this particular might result in having a
pond around the sleepers, and add a soaking to their blankets and
clothes.

But Paul had figured on this during the previous visit made here. He had
even marked off the position he wished every tent to occupy, and this
made it easier.

Many of the scouts were really proficient in erecting the canvas
shelters, and in a very brief time the scene began to present quite a
martial appearance, such as half a dozen tents in a bunch must always
make.

Each had a waterproof fly over the whole, which was calculated to shed
rain _if let alone_. Besides there were a couple of other open covers
put up, which would be useful in case of rain, one for storing things,
the other as a mess tent, where meals