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in the watery gravy.
    Harry laughed. “We may be eating field mice before this is over. Best enjoy what you got right now.”
    â€œWell, what I got ain’t enough,” Leighton grumped.
    Billy sat quietly, the food on his tray untouched. “You gonna eat any of that dismal grub, Billy Boy?” asked Leighton.
    Billy shook his head. “Reckon I ain’t much hungry.” He held out his tray. Leighton reached over, stabbed the boiled beef, and shoved it into his mouth.
    â€œI’ll likely starve to death before I see a bullet,” Leighton said.
    â€œWager you’ll take a bullet sooner. Take you more’n a fortnight to starve with all that fat you got on you,” said Josh.
    Harry jumped to his feet. “Enough of this fool talk! Ain’t nobody here gonna take a bullet. Besides, we got to figure out where we’re sleeping tonight.” He glanced at Billy. “If you ain’t gonna eat, then come with me.”
    Captain Martin introduced himself as the officer of the day and, when Harry asked for bedding for himself and the five others, he checked his log and tossed three wool blankets on the table.
    Billy stared at the small stack. He glanced at Harry.
    â€œMay we have three more blankets, sir?” Harry asked, a perplexed look on his face.
    Captain Martin smirked. “Privates don’t ask questions.” He dismissed them both with a wave of his hand.
    â€œHarry,” Billy asked as he followed him across the field, “you thinkin’ ’bout how we gonna stay warm at night?”
    â€œSleep in everything but your boots,” he chuckled. “Good thing it’s August and not November. Looks like the army ain’t interested in giving us lowly privates proper bedding.”
    Billy stood on the edge of the bank and looked out over the mudflats below. A rivulet ran through the center of the marsh. “Smell the sea, Harry?”
    â€œTide’s out. That’s the Fore River below us. Flows into Casco Bay over there. When the tide comes in, she fills right up and covers all that mud.”
    â€œThis here tent’s eighteen feet wide,” hollered Charlie from inside the white canvas. “Just paced it out.” He blew a low whistle as he walked over to the campfire and sat down. “Some fella said we’ll be sleeping twelve men to a tent when we’re inthe field. Said there’s only one way to fit everyone—everyone’s got to point his feet to the center.”
    Billy smiled. He liked Charlie. He was older than the others, but he was friendly and all, and right smart.
    â€œWell, I’m pointin’ these big feet to bed.” Leighton stared at the blankets still folded on the ground, reached over, and flung one over this shoulder. “Guess we got to partner up. So who’s gonna share a blanket with me? You, Harry?”
    â€œSorry, Leighton,” he answered. “Josh, you being the smallest, you go on and sleep with Leighton.”
    â€œNot by a darned sight!” Josh placed his hands on his hips. “Leighton, you’re my best friend and all, but like as not your big ol’ body’s gonna roll over and squash me dead.”
    â€œWhy don’t I just squash you dead right now.”
    â€œI’m sleeping with Jeb.”
    â€œI’ll share with you, Leighton,” Billy said.
    Leighton laughed and let out a huge sigh. “You’re all right, Billy—better’n the whole lot of ’em.”
    Billy stood in front of the fire and watched a heavy mist creep through the camp. Drizzle seeped through his clothes, chilling him. Finally he ducked into the tent and found Leighton on his knees spreading the blanket across a floor of hay before he crashed his bulky frame down on top of it. Billy sat down beside him, pulled off his boots, and rested his chin on his knees.
    â€œLeighton?” he asked quietly.
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œYou scared of