uld have arrived before
our changing into reception-clothes was completed, and we would
partially block it with our waterproof sheeting.

I must mention that in the early days we had no real uniforms, but used
to parade in blue dungarees and white cloth hats. They certainly made
the men look "_uniform_," but "_uniformly hideous_," and none of us
would be seen in them by a pretty girl, for a king's ransom. As soon
as afternoon parade was dismissed, we would dive for our quarters, and
re-don our "civvies" until next parade. The "cocky" would be
resplendent again in his soft collar and red tie, and the city clerk in
starched collar and cuffs.

Sometimes, however, there was a variation in time between the watches
of the sergeant-major on the parade-ground and the guard at the gate.
Visitors would be let in too soon, and innocently curious dames would
wonder what these rows of stables were for, and wandering in that
direction, would suddenly beat a blushing retreat at the revelation of
hundreds of young men getting into respectable clothes who had no other
place in which to change. Even if you did put a blanket or W. P. sheet
over the entrance, there were no tacks, or nails, and it always fell
down at the most awkward moments. However, the visitors soon got wise,
and in about half an hour the boys who had callers would be proudly
showing their friends, by the name above the feed-box, that the
previous occupant of their quarters was the famous "Highflyer," winner
of scores of cups, etc.

There were a good lot of us there from other states, and _we_ had no
special callers, but there were always girls who came out to see a
Sergeant Martin or some such name not on the rolls. "Couldn't we find
him for you?" If we did happen to find a sergeant of that name, he
would not happen to be the one she wanted, then we would offer to do
the honors of the camp, and as she would not like the hamper brought
for her friend to be wasted, an acquaintance was soon struck up. Some
boys were too shy, but nearly all of us had visitors after we had been
in camp a week or two.

The town had appointed a soldiers' entertainment committee, and they
gave us a concert every night in the Y. M. C. A. tent. These were
high-class shows, but most of us preferred to go into the town though
we only had leave till six o'clock.

Some of us used to stay in town till midnight, trusting to our
ingenuity in bluffing the guard. Many were the dodges used