his written
orders, started the loading of the truck, and went out swinging his shoes
by the strings till he found a shop where he could make a swap, the camp
exchange being closed. Forty-five miles over the road again, he dozing in
a nest he made among the overcoats, and arriving in time to go to bed at
Taps.

The overcoats will keep us safe from now on. But the hard work of the
past two days has knocked out a few more men. Hale, who felt the cold
night so severely, proves to be threatened with bronchitis, and has been
sent in to the hospital. Hageman, with digestion on strike, has to leave
us for good. I may mention men to you for the first time, but you must
understand that I have acquaintance with a great many now, and when in
future I hear their cities mentioned, Kansas City, Cleveland, wherever
else, I shall always remember that I have friends there.

--(_Afternoon._) We finished the morning with some genuine outpost work.
The first battalion, going early, set a circle of outposts to the west,
which our battalion, going later, had to find and relieve. While it was
interesting from a military standpoint, I can scarcely hope to make it
picturesque to you. Supposing an enemy ready to drop on us, we had to
keep out of his sight while watching for him, and also to ferret out
sentry posts which for the same reason had been pretty carefully hidden,
and to which our directions were the vaguest. It was all done with
thoroughness and care; we had the usual bogs to cross and brooks to jump;
we found our men in hollows, thickets, and even in trees; and finally to
our joy (for the day was hot and we were mostly sleepy from yesterday) we
were brought home, fed, and allowed to snooze.

Some of the indefatigables begged for the day and have gone to Canada,
which is but three miles away. But most of us are content to loll in camp
and rest up, especially considering the fact that tomorrow we are again
to be the advance guard. This being for the second time in succession,
seems to us something of a compliment, and H company is proud.

I hear someone coming and saying, "Mr. Godwin is wanted at the head of
the street." The lieutenant!

(_Evening._) Yes, it was Lieutenant Pendleton, of whom, by the way, I
have seen very little for some time. For we go very much by platoons, as
you have noticed; and he having command of the first is out of my ken.
But whenever I have seen him he is always the same, very cool,
inscrutable, accurate,