noon
Finally a bugle blew , and Lieutenant Ferrers hastened away to another duty , which was not now so distasteful , since there was soon to be an end of it all . `` I used to think being a soldier was all parading , '' Algy muttered to himself . `` I did n't know that there was about six months of never-ending drill behind each parade . '' Just before the noon mess call Captain Cortland , in passing , called out to Hal . `` Sergeant , it is getting so well on into the fall of the year , now , that Major Silsbee has suggested to me that some of the men of B company would do well to hit the trail into the mountains . '' `` Another practice hike , sir ? '' asked Hal .