While roll-call was going on company commanders stepped briskly along inspecting their companies.
As the muster of each company was completed the first petty officer commanded, "count off!" "One, two, three, four! One, two, three four!" went the count along each company line.

Then the first petty officer of each company wheeled about, saluted his company commander, and reported: "Sir, all present or accounted for!" Company commanders next corrected the alignment on the right center company of each line.
Battalion commanders, seeing the divisions of their respective battalions aligned, faced about, while the battalion adjutants took post to right and rear.

The brigade adjutant then faced about, saluted the brigade commander, reporting: "Sir, the brigade is formed." Receiving the word from his superior, the brigade adjutant next read the orders, after which he was ordered to take his post.
While this was going on Midshipman Cranthorpe had formed his awkward squad to the rear, behind the first battalion.
Now orders rang out crisply for battalion commanders to take charge.
Thereupon each battalion commander marched his command in column of squads into the mess hall; battalion commanders preceding their battalions, company commanders preceding their companies and the junior officers of each company following the company.

Last of all came Midshipman Cranthorpe's awkward squad.
And very awkward, indeed, these young men felt.

Each had a burning conviction that he was being watched curiously by hundreds of pairs of eyes.