Page:Into Mexico with General Scott (1920).djvu/156

 deep; and Sergeant Mulligan turned it over to Captain Gore.

"Number off!" the captain ordered.

The men numbered.

"Shoulder—arms! To the rear, open order—march! Front!"

Now the company was in opened ranks. The lieutenants and the first sergeant quickly passed behind, examining the cartridge boxes to see that all were filled.

"Fix—bayonets!"

"Close order—march!"

To the color had been sounded.

"By the right flank—right face—forward—march! "And Company B marched to its position at the head of the Fourth Regiment, for it was the color company.

Jerry followed. He had no idea of being left behind; he determined to keep his eyes upon Lieutenant Grant, and he paid no attention to the whereabouts of Pompey.

General Worth, stately and handsome, his black eyes flashing, was sitting his horse. Colonel Garland, of the First Brigade, issued sharp orders, which were repeated by the galloping brigade adjutant to the regimental commanders, and by them to the company officers. The gunfire among the hills had waxed tremendous. The General Pillow brigade of Volunteers was about to move.

General Worth lifted his sword—his orders had meant "Forward!" The companies broke into platoons and away they tramped, at quick step, in long column again, the fifes and drums playing merrily.