Page:Into Mexico with General Scott (1920).djvu/85

 much of a song, although as good as most of the Mexican songs. He saw a flag, of blue and gold, which said "First Tennessee Volunteers." A soldier was shaking it out from its folds.

"Well, I'm in the army, anyway," Jerry thought, to himself. "But I guess I'll go on, to the beach, and see what's there."

So although the men hailed him, as the sailors had, only in different language, he shook his head and did not stop.

Pretty soon he came to a cleaner camp, within easy sight of the surf beyond the dunes, and of the ships at anchor off Sacrificios. There were many soldiers, here, too, but more orderly and better clothed. The camp appeared to stretch clear to the beach; and while he was wandering and gazing, somebody challenged him

It was another boy, in uniform—a red-headed boy, spick and span and as smart as a new whip.

"Hey, you! What you doing?"

He wore a tight blue jacket and lighter blue trousers; the front of the jacket was crossed by a lot of red braid, a high collar held his chin up, upon his head was perched a jaunty blue, red-decorated round cap with leather visor, and a short sword hung at his right thigh.

"Nothing special," Jerry answered back.

"Come over till I investigate. We don't allow camp followers in the lines."

Jerry went over.

"I'm not a camp follower," he retorted. The soldiers who heard, laughed.

"Then what's your regiment?"