But then its weight was much less of an impediment than when they left Camp Dick Robinson.
They employed the very brief halt of the regiment in swabbing out the barrels of their muskets very carefully, and removing the last traces of moisture from the nipples and hammers.
"At last I stand a show of getting some return from this old piece of gas-tube for the trouble it's been to me," said Kent Edwards, as he ran a pin into the nipple to make assurance doubly sure that it was entirely free.

"Think of the transportation charges I have against it, for the time I have lugged it around over Ohio and Kentucky, to say nothing of the manual labor and the mental strain of learning and practising 'present arms,' 'carry arms,' 'support arms,' and such military monkey-shines under the hot sun of last Summer!" He pulled off the woolen rag he had twisted around the head of the rammer for a swab, wiped the rammer clean and bright and dropped it into the gun.

It fell with a clear ring.

Another dextrous movement of the gun sent it flying into the air.

Kent caught it as it came down and scrutinized its bright head.