nd drilled us in
the manual, then took us down on the field and explained battalion
parade, after which he put us through and through and through its simple
evolutions, we blundering all the time. We had merely to march in line,
to march in column, to halt and bring our rifles down together, and to do
the customary movements of the manual in unison. But try as we might, we
couldn't please the captain. For my part, I was as scared as a schoolboy,
fearing to make some slip. But such little ones as I know I made passed
unnoticed; in fact, our part of the line attracts very little of his
attention, so I conclude we do fairly well. Yet in the picture which I
send, of the captain looking at our squad as we march company front, the
camera has caught Squad 8 in a great mistake. The sun, as it lies exactly
along the line of the company, with only the right hands and knees in
full light, shows my part of the line pushed wholly forward out of the
shadow, and the Captain looking at us in disgust. His attitude shows his
fighting quality. "The scrappiest captain in the army," says Knudsen. So
often he has to look back thus and warn us: "Steady!" or "Guide!" or
"Hold back on the left!"

How little you as a spectator would get of what goes on in the ranks on
such an occasion as today's final parade! Suppose you were where I so
often wish you, at the top of the slope above the field, which in spite
of certain unevennesses would look to you fairly level. You would see the
band march down and take its place in the left corner; then away to your
right the companies would appear in their separate columns, and perhaps
you would think they were very interesting as they halted and waited.
Then when the major came and took his stand below you, the music would
strike up, and the three companies would march straight onto the field,
along the bottom of which they would one after another swing into line
and stand in apparently beautiful order. Then an adjutant with a clear
high voice would give orders, and the men would present arms, come to
attention, and then to parade rest. In this position they would remain
while the band, playing a march, would go down the whole line and back
again, the music, when they were once more in place, abruptly stopping.
Then the officers would gather and march forward in line, they would
return, the major would call a command, and the companies would all break
into squads, the rifles coming to the shoulders. To the ri