The regiment was formed in line, but there were two vacancies in the section to which he belonged.
Fred and Ben had answered to their names at roll call.

On some pretence they had asked permission to leave the line for a few moments, and that was the last that had been seen of them.
"Where do you suppose they are ?" said Tom to Hapgood.
"I don't know.

I hain't got much confidence in Ben's pluck, and I shouldn't wonder if he had run away." "But that is desertion." "That's just what you may call it; and I've seen men shot for it." The regiment remained in line several hours before the order came to move.
At daylight, while the men were still standing in the road, four soldiers, attended by a staff officer, conducted the two missing men of Company K into the presence of the regiment.
"These men say they belong to your regiment," said the officer, saluting the little colonel.
Captain Benson immediately claimed them, and Fred and Ben were ordered into the ranks.
"Cowards--are you ?" said the captain.

"You shall take your places in the ranks, and at the right time we will settle this case." "I enlisted without my father's consent, and you can't hold me if I don't choose to stay," replied Fred Pemberton.
"Next time you must ask your father before you come.

It is too late to repent now." "I'm going home." "No, you're not.