"Have you waked up?
Where were you five minutes ago, when I passed this post?
There won't be a prisoner left here by morning.

The long roll wouldn't wake up such a stupid set of fellows." "Stop, sir!" said the astonished sentinel.

"You can't pass this line." "Can't I, you stupid fool?
I have passed it while you were asleep." "I haven't been asleep." "Where have you been, then ?" demanded Tom with terrible energy.
"Been here, sir." "I'll court-martial the whole of you!" "Stop, sir, or I'll fire at you!" added the soldier, as Tom moved on.
"Fire at me! Fire, if you dare, and I'll rid the army of one unfaithful man on the spot!" said the soldier boy, as he raised the musket to his shoulder.
"Don't fire, you fool!" interposed one of the men whom Tom had roused from his slumbers in the entry.

"Don't you see he is an officer ?" "I'll teach you how to perform your duty!" added Tom, as he walked away.
The soldier, governed by the advice of his companion, offered no further objection to the departure of Tom; and he moved off as coolly as though he had just been regularly relieved from guard duty.

He had walked but a short distance before he discovered the camp of a regiment or brigade, which, of course, it was necessary for him to avoid.