I slept on a shelf in the corner of the parlor, bequeathed me by Major F., my jovial predecessor, and, if I waked at any time, could put my head through the broken window, arouse my orderly, and ride off to see if I could catch a picket asleep.

We used to spell the word _picquet_, because that was understood to be the correct thing, in that Department at least; and they used to say at post head-quarters that as soon as the officer in command of the outposts grew negligent, and was guilty of a _k_, he was ordered in immediately.

Then the arrangements for ablution were peculiar.

We fitted up a bathing-place in a brook, which somehow got appropriated at once by the company laundresses; but I had my revenge, for I took to bathing in the family washtub.

After all, however, the kitchen department had the advantage, for they used my solitary napkin to wipe the mess-table.