nine in the morning
For the tournament is , actually and purposely , a big theatrical display . It is intended to show all the excitement , snap and glamour of the soldier 's life and his deeds of high skill and great daring . Then came the day when the battalion , with drum-major and band at its head , marched away with colors bravely flying , and boarded the train at the little , nearby station . The train left soon after nine in the morning . Private Hinkey was greatly disappointed at this . He had hoped that the command might travel by night . He had dreamed of catching Sergeant Hal on a platform , and of hurling him from the moving car without his crime being seen of other eyes .