As they watched and conversed, the infantry company reached the broad expanse of packed earth and low grass that surrounded the tiny railyard and the road beside it, then began shaking itself out from marching order into formation amidst much shouting and gesturing of guidons. The railroad workers, who'd paused in their hurried labors to gawk, were chivvied back to work by their bosses. Idle townsponies drifted closer to watch. The infantry company, for its part, seemed to ignore the civilians.