The young man was not at all flattered by this attention, believing that
the country boys were making fun of him; but his angry stare was
positive proof to the triplets that he was some great man, Fritz
deciding that he was a general.

"But if he were a general, he would ride upon a splendid horse. He would
not walk," remarked Paul.

"But he would walk sometimes," insisted Fritz, and at that moment they
met a drummer, and again the boys doffed their hats and bowed low.

"If I were a soldier, I would be a drummer," decided Fritz. "No
instrument makes such beautiful music as a drum; and a person must
understand music to be a drummer."

"But a captain is greater than a drummer," said Paul, "and a general is
greater than a captain."

"Yes, people say so, but if you notice, it is the drummer who leads the
way. All the others have to follow him. I always think of a verse that
tells exactly what I think. Shall I say it to you?"

"Yes, if it is not too long," replied both of his companions, and Fritz
repeated it.

"My comrades envy me, I know,
They can deny it not;
For drummer of the regiment
Has been my happy lot.