Another five minutes and it was necessary to brush the perspiration out of their eyes.
Assuredly the officers felt the heat as much.

Yet from time to time Captain Prescott fell out from his place at the head of the company and allowed the line to march by, observing every good, indifferent or bad feature of their marching, and correcting what he could by low spoken commands.

Whenever the last of the company had passed Prescott ran along by the marching men until he had gained the head.

If the men suffered acute discomfort in marching Prescott experienced more suffering in running under that hot sun.

But he was intent only on the idea of having the best company in what he fondly hoped would turn out to be the best regiment in the Army.
For some minutes Greg had been aware that Sergeant Mock, of his company, was hobbling along.