Bird waved Starbuck to silence. Thaddeus Bird’s first impulse had been to avoid all responsibility by blindly obeying Washington Faulconer’s instructions, but that very impulse allowed Bird to understand just why his brother-in-law had given in to Miriam’s entreaties and appointed him as a major. It was because Washington Faulconer believed that Bird would never dare disobey him. The Colonel evidently dismissed Bird as a safe nonentity who would never detract from his glory. In fact, as Thaddeus Bird suddenly realized, no one was allowed to compete with Washington Faulconer, which was why the Colonel surrounded himself with dullards like Ridley, and why, when a man like Starbuck threatened to show some independence, he was so quickly ejected from the Colonel’s entourage. Even Adam’s scruples were acceptable to Washington Faulconer because they prevented Adam from rivaling his father. Washington Faulconer would surround himself with dull men just so that he could shine all the brighter, and as Thaddeus Bird understood that truth, so he was determined to thwart it. Damn Faulconer, because Major Thaddeus Bird would not be dismissed as a nonentity! “Sergeant Major Proctor!”

“Sir!” The dignified sergeant major marched stiffly from his place behind the color party.

“The Legion will advance on the crossroads at the foot of the hill, Sergeant Major, in columns of company. Then up the farther road,” Bird pointed across the valley. “Give the orders, if you please.”

The sergeant major, who knew exactly how much authority Major Bird was supposed to exercise in the Faulconer Legion, drew himself to his full and impressive height. “Are those the Colonel’s orders, Major, sir?”

“They are the orders of your superior officer, Sergeant Major Proctor.” Now that Bird had made up his mind he seemed to be enjoying himself, for his head was nodding back and forth and his thin mouth was twisted into a sardonic grin. “We shall advance along the Sudley Road, which is that dirt road beyond the crossroads.” Bird pointed northward again, then looked at Starbuck for confirmation. “Is that right?”

“Yes, sir. And Colonel Evans requests that we form up on his left when we cross the farther hill.” Starbuck guessed that was the exact place where Washington Faulconer had said farewell to him.

“Would it not be better, sir…,” Sergeant Major Proctor said, attempting to subdue Pecker Bird’s lunacy.

“Do it!” Bird screamed in sudden rage. “Do it!”

Adam Faulconer had followed Starbuck to Major Bird’s side and now intervened to calm things down. “What are you doing, Uncle?”

“The Legion will advance in column of companies!” Major Bird snapped in a surprisingly loud voice. “Company A will advance first! Companies! ’Shun!”