About noon
He glanced all over me with a playful eye and said , `` You must have a carbine the first time our ordnance-wagon finds us . Drop back , now , into the ranks . '' I did so ; but I felt sure I should ride beside him again as soon as he could make an opportunity ; for it was plain that by a subtle unconfessed accord he and _ she _ had chosen me to be a true friend between them . About noon , while taking a brief rest to give our horses a bite , we were joined by an ambulance carrying Major Harper 's brother and some freight which certainly was not hospital stores . When we remounted , this vehicle moved on with us , in the middle of the column , and I was called to ride beside it and tell all about the arrival of Miss Harper and her nieces at Hazlehurst , and their journey from Brookhaven to camp . Ned Ferry rode on the side opposite me and I noticed that all the fellows nearest the ambulance were choice men ; Sergeant Jim was not there , but Kendall was one , and a young chap on a large white-footed pacer was another . Having finished my task I had gathered my horse to fall back to my place at the rear , when my distinguished auditor said , `` I 'm acquainted with your mother , you know . ''