Secular and religious education had effaced the throat-grappling instinct, or else firm finance held in check the passions.
He had grown to regard himself merely as a part of a vast blue demonstration.

His province was to look out, as far as he could, for his personal comfort.

For recreation he could twiddle his thumbs and speculate on the thoughts which must agitate the minds of the generals.
Also, he was drilled and drilled and reviewed, and drilled and drilled and reviewed.
The only foes he had seen were some pickets along the river bank.

They were a sun-tanned, philosophical lot, who sometimes shot reflectively at the blue pickets.

When reproached for this afterward, they usually expressed sorrow, and swore by their gods that the guns had exploded without their permission.