'well , ' the sergeant continued , 'it did n't hardly take no time at all fer them dummies in the palvanum t ' figger out which way the wind was blowin ' , so they come here to the army compounds an ' tole the soljers that they 'd be more'n happy t ' go back t ' payin ' 'em what they 'd been a-payin ' 'em back afore the pay-cut , but the soljers said no .