diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:35:47 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:35:47 -0700 |
| commit | 906982f8a422fec3a42097b7151c6ce7b56304ea (patch) | |
| tree | 7b713f7c6e106d616319a2ac6127dc1be9ce889a /27679-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '27679-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 27679-h/27679-h.htm | 10028 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27679-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 45453 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27679-h/images/illus001.png | bin | 0 -> 26990 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27679-h/images/illus138.png | bin | 0 -> 22908 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27679-h/images/illus206.png | bin | 0 -> 31107 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27679-h/images/illus238.png | bin | 0 -> 31855 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27679-h/images/spine.jpg | bin | 0 -> 13321 bytes |
7 files changed, 10028 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/27679-h/27679-h.htm b/27679-h/27679-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b3fa12b --- /dev/null +++ b/27679-h/27679-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10028 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants, by H. Irving Hancock</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align:baseline; + position: relative; + bottom: 0.33em; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none;} + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} +.cap:first-letter {float: left; clear: left; + margin: -0.2em 0.1em 0; margin-top: 0%; + padding: 0; + line-height: .75em; font-size: 300%; text-align: justify;} + .cap {text-align: justify;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants, by H. Irving +Hancock</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants</p> +<p> or, Handling Their First Real Commands</p> +<p>Author: H. Irving Hancock</p> +<p>Release Date: December 31, 2008 [eBook #27679]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 294px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="294" height="450" alt="Cover" title="" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 296px;"> +<img src="images/illus001.png" width="296" height="450" alt=""Hey, You Idiot!" Howled Hinkey. Frontispiece." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Hey, You Idiot!" Howled Hinkey.<br /><span style="margin-right: 10em;"><i><small>Frontispiece.</small></i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> +<h1>Uncle Sam's Boys<br /> +As Sergeants</h1> + +<h3><small>OR</small><br /> + + +Handling Their First Real<br /> +Commands</h3> + + +<h3>By</h3> +<h2>H. IRVING HANCOCK</h2> + + +<div class='center'><small>Author of Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks, Uncle Sam's Boys on Field Duty, +Uncle Sam's Boys in the Philippines, The Motor Boat Club Series, +The High School Boys' Series, The West Point Series, The +Annapolis Series, The Young Engineers' Series, Etc.</small><br /> + +<br /><br />Illustrated<br /><br /><br /> + + +P H I L A D E L P H I A<br /> +HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY<br /></div> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + +<div class='copyright'> +<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1911, by</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Howard E. Altemus</span><br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents and Book Spine"> +<tr><td align='left'><div class="figright" style="width: 80px;"> +<img src="images/spine.jpg" width="80" height="500" alt="Book Spine" title="" /> +</div></td><td align='left'><div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap">Chapter</span></td><td align='right'><span class="smcap">Page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">"Tipped Off" by Wig-Wag</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Lieutenant "Algy" Joins the Army</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The First Breath Against a Soldier's Honor</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Lieutenant Algy's Inspiration</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Corporal Hal's Admission</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Squad Room Turns Cold</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Racking the New Sergeant</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Astonishment Jolts Mr. Ferrers</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Private Hinkey Delivers His Answer</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sergeant Overton and Discipline</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">When Hinkey Won Good Opinions</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hal Rides into Treachery</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Chasing a Speeding Deserter</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Algy Comes to a Conclusion</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Planning for the Soldier's Hunt</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hal's Gun Makes the Rest Curious</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Big Game and a Night in Camp</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Holding Up a Camp Guard</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_194">194</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">When the Last Cartridge Was Gone</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Eighth Moccasin Appears</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_212">212</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Enemy Has His Innings</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_219">219</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Navy Heard From</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_225">225</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The United States Services Fight Together</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_235">235</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Conclusion</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<h2>Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>"TIPPED OFF" BY WIG-WAG</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>LIEUTENANT POPE, battalion adjutant +of the first battalion of the Thirty-fourth +United States Infantry, looked up from +his office desk as the door swung open and a +smart, trim-looking young corporal strode in.</div> + +<p>Pausing before the desk, the young corporal +came to a precise, formal salute. Then, dropping +his right hand to his side, the soldier stood +at attention.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Corporal Overton."</p> + +<p>"Good morning, sir."</p> + +<p>"What do you wish?"</p> + +<p>"I have been making inquiries, sir," continued +Corporal Hal Overton, "and I am informed +that you have some signaling flags +among the quartermaster's stores."</p> + +<p>"I believe I have," nodded Lieutenant Pope.</p> + +<p>"I have come to ask, sir, if I may borrow +a couple of the flags."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Borrow? Then, Corporal, I take it that +you do not want the flags for duty purposes?"</p> + +<p>"Not immediately for duty purposes, sir. +Corporal Terry and myself would like to practise +at wig-wagging until we become reasonably +expert. Sergeant Hupner is an expert at wig-wagging, +I understand."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," agreed Lieutenant Pope +heartily. "Even in the Signal Corps of the +Army there are few better signalmen than the +sergeant."</p> + +<p>"So I understand, sir. Corporal Terry and +I are delighted at the idea of having the sergeant +instruct us."</p> + +<p>"But what do you want to do, especially, with +flag signaling?" inquired the quartermaster.</p> + +<p>"It is simply, sir, that we want to make ourselves +better soldiers."</p> + +<p>"It is rarely that we find better soldiers than +Terry and yourself," replied the quartermaster, +with a friendly smile. "But you are quite +right, none the less. A soldier can never know +too much of military duties. I see no objection +whatever to your having the flags, but as they +are not a matter of ordinary issue, I think it +better for me to seek Major Silsbee's authority +for issuing them."</p> + +<p>"Would it have been better if I had gone to +the battalion commander in the first place, sir?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No; whenever you wish anything in the +Army it is usually better to go direct to the +officer who has that thing in charge in his department, +save when it is something that you +are expected to draw through your company +officers."</p> + +<p>"It was Captain Cortland who sent me to you, +sir, but he said he had no authority to draw a +requisition for signal flags."</p> + +<p>"You have taken the right course, Corporal. +If Major Silsbee is in his office it will take but +a moment more."</p> + +<p>While the young corporal remained at attention +Lieutenant Pope turned to his telephone +and called for the battalion commander.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Corporal," nodded the lieutenant, +hanging up the receiver. Then he wrote +on a slip of official paper. "Here is an order +on which the quartermaster sergeant will issue +you two signal flags. You are, of course, responsible +for the flags, or for the value."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later Corporal Hal Overton +stepped briskly from the building in which the +quartermaster's stores were kept. Under his +left arm he carried two signal flags, rolled and +attached to short staffs.</p> + +<p>"Noll hasn't shown up yet. I hope he won't +be long," murmured Hal, gazing across the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +parade grounds in the direction of the barracks +of enlisted men. "Bunkie and I have a lot to +do to-day."</p> + +<p>Readers of the preceding volumes in this series +will need no introduction to Corporals Hal Overton +and Noll Terry, of the Thirty-fourth United +States Infantry.</p> + +<p>The headquarters battalion to which these +two earnest young soldiers were attached was +still stationed at Fort Clowdry. Readers of +"<span class="smcap">Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks</span>" are +familiar with the circumstances under which +Overton and Terry first enlisted at a recruiting +office in New York City. These same readers +also know how the two young soldiers put in +several weeks of steady drilling at a recruit +rendezvous near New York, where they learned +the first steps in the soldier's strenuous calling. +Our readers are also familiar with all the many +things that happened during that period of recruit +instruction, and how Hal and Noll, while +traveling through the Rockies on their way to +join their regiment, aided in resisting an attempt +by robbers to hold up the United States +mail train. Our readers are well aware of all +the exciting episodes of that first garrison life, +including the life and death fight that Hal Overton +had with thieves while he was on sentry duty +in officers' row, and of the efforts of one worthless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +character in the battalion to discredit and +disgrace the service of both splendid but new +young soldiers.</p> + +<p>In the second volume, "<span class="smcap">Uncle Sam's Boys +on Field Duty</span>," our readers were admitted to +equally exciting scenes of a wholly different +nature. This volume dealt largely with the +troops while away in rough country, under practical +instruction in the actual duties of soldiers +in the field in war time. Just how soldiers learn +the grim business of war was most fully set forth +in this volume. Among other hosts of entertaining +incidents our readers will recall how Hal, +on scouting duty, robbed the "enemy's" outpost +of rifles, canteens and secured even the corporal's +shoes. Some of Hal's and Noll's other +brilliant scouting successes are therein told, and +it is described how Hal and Noll finally gained +the information that resulted in their own side +gaining the victory in the mimic campaign. That +volume also told how Lieutenant Prescott, aided +by Soldiers Hal and Noll, succeeded at very +nearly the cost of their lives in arresting a notorious +and desperate criminal for the civil authorities, +and how all this was done in the most soldier-like +manner. It was such deeds as the +scouting and the clever arrest that resulted in +the appointment of the two chums as corporals. +Then there was the affair, while the regulars<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +were on duty in summer encampment with the +Colorado National Guard, in which Hal and +Noll, acting under impulses of the highest +chivalry, got themselves into trouble that came +very near to driving them out of the service.</p> + +<p>Since the last rousing scenes in and near Denver, +something more than a year had passed. +It was now the beginning of the fall of the year +following when Corporal Hal Overton, with the +signal flags under his arm, waited near the +parade ground for that other fine young soldier, +Corporal Noll Terry.</p> + +<p>A year of busy life it had been, though in +the main uneventful. Our two young corporals +had spent most of their time since in perfecting +themselves in the soldier's grim game. They +were now looked upon as two of the very finest +and staunchest young soldiers in the service.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there comes Noll at last," muttered +Corporal Overton some minutes later. "And +it's high time, too, if he has any regard for the +sacredness of a soldier's punctuality. But he's +leaving the telegraph office. I wonder if the +dear old fellow has been getting any bad news +from the home town?"</p> + +<p>Corporal Terry, as he came briskly along the +smooth, hard walk of a well-kept military post, +looked every inch as fine a soldier as his chum. +By this time Noll was just as thoroughly in love<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +with all that pertained to the soldier's spirited +life as was Overton.</p> + +<p>"Think I was never coming?" hailed Noll +gayly.</p> + +<p>"I began to wonder if you weren't losing sight +of the sacredness that is supposed to be attached +to a soldier's appointment," said Hal dryly.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I have been so carried away +with a new chance that I've treated you just a +bit shabbily," Corporal Noll admitted.</p> + +<p>"Think no more of it," begged Hal. "I got +the flags."</p> + +<p>"So my eyes tell me."</p> + +<p>"And what have you been up to, Noll?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, the greatest chance!" glowed Terry. +"You know how hard I have been plugging +away at telegraphy in spare time during the +last few months?"</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>"Well, Lieutenant Ray is through with his +tour of duty as officer in charge of our telegraph +station, and Lieutenant Prescott has succeeded +him for the next tour."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I've been over to the telegraph office to interview +Lieutenant Prescott, whom I saw going +in there. Prescott is a grand young officer, isn't +he?"</p> + +<p>"Every man in the battalion knows that," Hal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +agreed heartily, for, indeed, there were no two +more popular young officers in the service than +Lieutenants Prescott and Holmes, of B and C +Companies, respectively.</p> + +<p>Readers of our "<span class="smcap">High School Boys' Series</span>" +and of the "<span class="smcap">West Point Series</span>" know all about +Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes, once leaders +among High School athletes and afterwards +among the brightest and finest of West Point +cadets. Prescott and Holmes were now fully +launched in their careers as Army officers.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Prescott has given me a really +bully chance," Noll went on happily.</p> + +<p>"Did you ask him for it?" suspected Corporal +Hal shrewdly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I—er—er—hinted some, I guess," responded +Noll, with a quiet grin. "But if you +want things in this world aren't you a heap +more likely to get them by asking than by keeping +quiet?"</p> + +<p>"Surely. But go on and tell me what it is +that you got."</p> + +<p>"I haven't exactly got it yet," Noll continued. +"But Lieutenant Prescott is going to recommend +me for it, and ask Captain Cortland's permission."</p> + +<p>"I guess you'll get it, then," nodded Hal +Overton. "Mr. Prescott's superior officers think +so highly of him that he usually doesn't have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +to beg very hard to get what he wants. And—what +is it?"</p> + +<p>"Why, old fellow, I'm to be relieved from +most other duties and placed in charge of the +telegraph office. You know, there are two soldiers +stationed there as day operators, and one +as night operator. And I'm to be there in +charge night and day."</p> + +<p>"Good business," nodded Hal, "if you don't +have to keep up night and day as well."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; I'm to be merely responsible to the +lieutenant for the proper management of the +office. I'm not to be tied down so very closely, +after all, and I'm to have the proper amount of +leave for recreation and all that sort of thing."</p> + +<p>"When do you begin?"</p> + +<p>"Day after to-morrow, at nine in the morning."</p> + +<p>"You won't be on guard duty while this other +detail lasts?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Too bad," muttered Hal. "Of course I may +be wrong, but to me the thorough study of real +guard duty is one of the most important things +in a soldier's profession."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've mastered guard duty pretty well," +broke in Corporal Noll.</p> + +<p>"Then I congratulate you," was Hal Overton's +dry rejoinder. "I feel that I'm only beginning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +to see the real niceties of the work of +the guard."</p> + +<p>"We've an hour left before the next drill," +resumed young Corporal Terry, after glancing +at his watch. "Shall we go over and see if +Sergeant Hupner is ready to start breaking us +in at wig-wagging?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I've been waiting to do," Hal +Overton rejoined.</p> + +<p>"You don't seem to be a bit glad over my +success in getting into telegraphy," complained +Noll.</p> + +<p>"If it seemed that way, then it's because our +tongues were too busy otherwise," Hal answered. +"Noll, I congratulate you from the bottom +of my heart, for you're plumb wild to know +all about telegraphing."</p> + +<p>"Only because it's of use in the military +world," explained Corporal Terry. "I wouldn't +care a straw about being a telegraph operator +in civil life."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't care about being anything else +in civil life, would you?"</p> + +<p>"No," Corporal Noll admitted promptly. +"After a taste of real soldiering in the regular +Army I don't see how on earth a fellow can be +satisfied with any other kind of life. That is, +if a fellow has life, spirit and red blood in him."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hupner proved not only to be disengaged,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +but ready to begin the instruction of +the aspiring young wig-waggers immediately.</p> + +<p>It is really no part of an infantry soldier's +duty to learn telegraphy, but he is trained at +times in the use of the wig-wag signal flags. +In the Army both telegraphy and signaling are +work usually performed by members of the Signal +Corps. In the case of telegraphy, however, at +an infantry post where there is no detachment +of Signal Corps men, then the work at the telegraph +instruments must necessarily fall upon +infantry soldiers, since some of the messages +sent and received at a military post cannot be +intrusted to men who have not taken the oath.</p> + +<p>"You take one of the flags, Corporal Overton," +began Sergeant Hupner, after stepping +from barracks out into the open, "and I'll take +the other at the outset. Corporal Terry can +look on at first. Now, a signalman, at the beginning +of his work, holds the flag straight up before +him—so. Each letter in the alphabet has +its own series of numbers to stand for it. These +numbers are made by dropping the flag so many +times to the right or left of your body. +Thus——"</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hupner described some rapid sweeps +with the flag to right and left.</p> + +<p>"A, B, C, D, E," he spelled along, as he signaled +the letters.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We know that part of it already, Sergeant," +replied Corporal Hal. "We've been studying +the alphabet and the punctuation points in the +book."<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll warrant that you've been studying +the alphabet and everything connected with it," +replied Sergeant Hupner, with a smile. "And +I don't believe you'll need many points from +me in order to become first-class signalmen. +Take this flag, Terry. Now, Overton, stand off +there and signal your full name to me. Spell +out the letters slowly, so that I can criticize +you when necessary."</p> + +<p>Despite his knowledge of the alphabet Hal +naturally made a few blunders at first.</p> + +<p>"Your work lacks snap," remarked Sergeant +Hupner. "Even when you spell slowly you +should bring the flag down smartly to either side. +Like this."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hupner illustrated briskly with his +arms.</p> + +<p>"Now send me the name of your regiment."</p> + + +<p>Hal did better this time.</p> + +<p>"You'll soon have the hang of it," declared +the sergeant encouragingly. "Now, send me +the same thing over again, but with more +speed."</p> + +<p>"Fine!" added Hupner when Hal had obeyed. +"Now, Terry, we'll try you for a few moments. +What is your full name?"</p> + +<p>Noll signaled it, making each letter carefully +with the flag.</p> + +<p>"Now tell me—with the flag—what you think +of to-day's weather."</p> + +<p>"Fine and cool," signaled back Noll.</p> + +<p>Thus the instruction continued. Each young +soldier improved a good deal during that hour.</p> + +<p>"Now, we'll call it off until to-morrow," remarked +the sergeant at last, and turned to re-enter +barracks.</p> + +<p>"How do you like it, Noll?" asked Overton.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's all right," admitted boyish Corporal +Terry. "But I'd rather have telegraphy. I +don't see why you've been so wild over the +wig-wag flags."</p> + +<p>"For just one reason," responded Hal +promptly. "Because it's all a part of the soldier's +life and duty. I mean to know every +phase and detail of the soldier's business that +I can possibly pick up. And I hope you won't +back out, Noll."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, no; I'll stick," agreed Corporal Terry, +though it sounded as if he promised almost reluctantly.</p> + +<p>Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta! The bugler was sounding the +first call for drill. That sent the two boyish +young corporals quickly into barracks with their +signal flags, which they exchanged for their +rifles.</p> + +<p>Their old friend Hyman—no longer Private +Hyman, but now, for three months, Corporal +Hyman—regarded them with indulgent eyes.</p> + +<p>"You kids been out learning how to wave the +shirt?" he queried.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Hal. Then, with pretended +severity, he demanded: "Do you think, Corporal +Hyman, you have chosen a respectful +enough manner in addressing other corporals +who rank you by virtue of prior appointment +to the grade?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nobody takes a corporal seriously except +the corporal himself," drawled Hyman. "A +corporal in the Army is only a small-fry boss. +He's handy to lay the blame on for things, and +he doesn't dare to 'sass' back. Neither does +the corporal dare to 'take it out of' the private +soldiers in his squad, for, if he did, the privates +would report him and have him court-martialed. +Kids, I'm growing rather tired of being a corporal. +I think I'll go to the colonel and——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>But whatever Hyman was going to do he +did not explain, for the notes of assembly rang +out and all the men in the squad room hastened +outside, yet did it with that dignity and seeming +deliberation that the soldier soon acquires.</p> + +<p>Drill was over in something like an hour. Hal +and Noll returned to squad room, where they +spent some little time going over their equipment. +Then they sauntered outside, for there was still +some time before the noon meal at company +mess.</p> + +<p>"Look at Hyman, in that tree over yonder," +said Hal, nodding in the direction.</p> + +<p>Corporal Hyman was sitting on one of the +lower limbs of a tree some four hundred yards +away. It was close to the wall that ran along +the front of the reservation, and overlooked the +road that came up from the town of Clowdry.</p> + +<p>"Yes," grinned Noll. "It's a favorite trick +with old Hyman to get up in a tree like that. +Says he can think better that way than when +he's touching common earth. Hello, he has +jumped down to the wall. There he goes into +the road outside."</p> + +<p>"There was a cloud of dust along the road. +I guess he's talking to some one in a carriage or +an automobile," guessed Hal.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's of no interest to us," mused Noll.</p> + +<p>But in that Corporal Terry was wrong.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's Hyman up on the wall again," reported +Hal.</p> + +<p>"So I see, and he's making motions this way."</p> + +<p>"He's signaling," muttered Hal, watching the +motions of Corporal Hyman's right arm. He +had started with that arm held up before his +face. Now the arm was falling <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'rythmically'">rhythmically</ins> to +left and right. "Why, Hyman is asking, 'Can +you read this?'"</p> + +<p>Then, raising his own arm, Hal signaled back:</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Again Hyman's right arm was moving. Hal +watched closely, spelling out the wig-wagged +signal:</p> + +<p>"Pipe—off—what's—coming. Greatest—ever +happened—in the—Army. Don't—miss—it."</p> + +<p>"Now, what on earth can that be?" queried +Noll.</p> + +<p>"It must be something unusual to rouse enthusiasm +in a man like Hyman," laughed Hal.</p> + +<p>And indeed it was something great that was +coming. Corporal Hyman's wig-wagging arm +was moving again.</p> + +<p>"Hustle—over—to—main—road."</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll were instantly in motion. It +must be confessed that they were eager.</p> + +<p>Little did they guess that the coming event +was of a nature destined soon to have the whole +post at Fort Clowdry by the ears!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>LIEUTENANT "ALGY" JOINS THE ARMY</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IN at the gate down by post number one—in +other words, at the guard house—turned +an extremely large and costly-looking +seven-passenger touring car.</div> + +<p>At the driver's post sat an undersized, +shrewd-looking little Frenchman.</p> + +<p>Behind him, in one of the five seats of the +tonneau sat a dapper-looking young man of +medium height, with a soft, curly little +moustache and dressed in the height of masculine +fashion.</p> + +<p>At post number one the car was halted, apparently +much to the surprise of the solitary +passenger, who leaned indolently forward and +exchanged some words with the sentry.</p> + +<p>"Gracious!" gasped Noll. "He must be a +person of some importance, after all. There's +the sentry presenting arms."</p> + +<p>"And there comes the corporal of the guard, +making a rifle salute," added Hal. "It must +be a new officer joining the regiment."</p> + +<p>"That—an officer?" gasped Noll, in unfeigned +disgust. "Don't libel the good old +Army, Hal."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>Of a sudden the big car shot forward again, +and came up the main road to officers' row at +a smashing clip.</p> + +<p>Then, just as suddenly, it halted beside the +two young corporals.</p> + +<p>"Hello, boys!" greeted the dapper, smiling +little fellow in the tonneau. "Say, I'm afraid +I'm all at sea. I've come to live with you fellows, +but I'm blessed if I haven't already forgotten +what that fellow with the gun told me +down at the porter's lodge."</p> + +<p>"Porter's lodge? Do you mean the guard +house, sir?" Hal asked respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes—if that's what you call it—of +course. Names don't matter much to me. +Never did. Some one over in Washington—the +secretary of something or other—sent me +over here. I'm a new lieutenant, and I believe +I'm to stay at this beastly place."</p> + +<p>At the mention of the word "lieutenant" both +Hal and Noll came to a very formal salute.</p> + +<p>"Now, what do you mean by that?" smiled +the new-comer affably. "Sign of some lodge +on the post? I haven't had time to get into +any of your secret societies yet, of course."</p> + +<p>"We offered you the officer's salute, sir," explained +Corporal Hal.</p> + +<p>"Oh, then you're officers? I guessed as +much," beamed the pleasant young stranger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No; we're corporals, sir," Hal informed him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; seems to me I've heard about corporals. +I'll know more about them later, I dare +say. How are you, anyway, boys?"</p> + +<p>The stranger leaned out over the side of the +car, extending his hand to Corporal Overton, +who could not very well refuse it. Then Noll +came in for a handshake.</p> + +<p>"Of course you understand sir, that we're +below the grade of officers," Hal continued.</p> + +<p>"Oh, pshaw!" replied the still smiling +stranger. "Such things as that don't count. +And I've been warned that the Army is one of +the most democratic places in the world. I +haven't brought any of my 'lugs' here with +me—'pon my word I haven't. I'm Lieutenant +Algernon Ferrers. I hope all of you fellows +will soon like me well enough to call me Algy."</p> + +<p>Though Mr. Ferrers was certainly the biggest +joke in the way of an officer that either of +the young soldiers had ever seen, it was impossible +not to like this pleasant young man.</p> + +<p>"Jump in—won't you, boys?" invited Lieutenant +Ferrers, throwing the nearer door of the +tonneau open. "I'll be tremendously obliged +if you'll pilot me to the right place. Where +do I ring the bell? Of course I've got to give +some one here the glad hand before I can be +shown to my rooms."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>Though they did so with some misgivings Hal +and Noll both stepped into the tonneau.</p> + +<p>"Sit right down, boys," urged Lieutenant +Ferrers amiably.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, sir," explained Hal Overton. +"It would be a bad breach of discipline in this +regiment for any enlisted man to sit in the company +of his officers."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're enlisted men, eh?" queried the +new lieutenant, showing no signs whatever of +feeling taken aback. "I'm glad to say I didn't +have to enlist. My guv'nor has some good +friends at Washington, and I was appointed +from civil life."</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll had already guessed that much +without difficulty. No officer quite like Lieutenant +Ferrers had ever been turned out at West +Point, and surely such a man had never risen +from the ranks. Now, when all the West Point +graduates have been commissioned into the +Army, and all meritorious enlisted men have +been promoted to second lieutenancies, then, if +there be any vacancies left, the President fills +these vacancies in the rank of second lieutenant, +by appointing young men from civil life.</p> + +<p>Generally these appointments from civil life +go to the honor graduates of colleges where +military drill is conducted by an officer of the +Army detailed as instructor. But, occasionally,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +there are more vacancies than these honor graduates +can or will fill—and then political influence +very often plays a part in the appointment +of some young men as lieutenants in the Army.</p> + +<p>"Tell François where to drive, will you?" +begged Lieutenant Ferrers.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe, sir, that Colonel North is at +his office so late in the forenoon," Corporal Hal +replied. "But I think, sir, that Captain Hale, +the regimental adjutant, will be found there."</p> + +<p>"Does Hale assign a fellow's rooms to him?" +queried Lieutenant Ferrers innocently.</p> + +<p>"If you are under orders to join, sir, you +will be expected to report to Colonel North, or +else to the regimental adjutant, who represents +the colonel."</p> + +<p>"I—see," nodded the new lieutenant slowly. +"Will you do me the extreme favor to tell François +where to leave us?"</p> + +<p>Hal leaned forward, indicating the headquarters +building.</p> + +<p>In another moment the big car stopped before +headquarters.</p> + +<p>"Come right on in, fellows, and introduce me, +won't you?" urged Lieutenant Ferrers.</p> + +<p>"I—I am afraid we'd better not," replied +Hal, flushing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see—you've a luncheon appointment, +or something of the sort, eh? Well, never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +mind; glad to have met you. Expect to have +many a good time with you later on. Good fellows, +both of you, I'll wager."</p> + +<p>"Come away from here, Noll," begged Hal, +as soon as Mr. Ferrers had run up the steps and +into the building. "I'm suffocating."</p> + +<p>"I'm green," grinned Noll chokingly, "but +I'd hate to have as much ahead of me to learn +as that new officer has."</p> + +<p>"Oh, perhaps he was joshing us," suggested +Hal.</p> + +<p>"Do you know what I think?"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"I think," responded Noll, struggling hard +to keep his gravity, "that Mr. Ferrers is kidding +himself worse than any one else."</p> + +<p>In the meantime Ferrers had bounded past +an orderly and had broken into the office of +the regimental adjutant.</p> + +<p>"Hello, old chap!" was his joyous greeting +of dignified Captain Hale.</p> + +<p>"Sir?" demanded the regimental adjutant. +"Who the blazes are you, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Name's Ferrers, old chap," responded the +newcomer, lightly, dropping a card down on +the adjutant's desk.</p> + +<p>Captain Hale glanced at the card. Then a +light seemed to dawn on him.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I think it likely you are the Lieutenant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +Ferrers who has been ordered to the Thirty-fourth," +went on Captain Hale.</p> + +<p>"You're a wonderful guesser, old chap. +Now, where do I go to see about my rooms, +housing my servants, storing my cars, etc.?"</p> + +<p>Captain Hale tried to hide his grim smile +as he held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Welcome to the Thirty-fourth, Mr. Ferrers. +And now I think I had better take you to +Colonel North. He has been expecting you."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Algernon Ferrers followed the +broad-backed adjutant into an inner office, +where the very young man was presented to +the grizzled-gray Colonel North. Then, as +quickly as he could, Captain Hale escaped back +to his desk in the outer office.</p> + +<p>Colonel North looked at Mr. Ferrers with a +glance that did not convey absolute approval.</p> + +<p>"Have you been in a train wreck, Mr. Ferrers?" +inquired the colonel.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear me, no. Do I look as bad as that?" +inquired the new lieutenant, with a downward +glance at his faultless attire.</p> + +<p>"But you were due to arrive here at four +o'clock yesterday afternoon, Mr. Ferrers," continued +the colonel. "I was here at my desk, +waiting to receive you."</p> + +<p>"I hope I didn't inconvenience you any," +murmured Ferrers. "You see, Colonel, when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +I got in at Pueblo I ran across some old friends +at the station. They insisted on my staying +over with them for half a day. I couldn't very +well get out of it, you see."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't very well get out of it?" repeated +Colonel North distinctly and coldly. "Wouldn't +it have been enough, Mr. Ferrers, to have told +your friends that you were under orders to be +here at four o'clock yesterday?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I say, now," murmured Mr. Ferrers, +"I hope you're not going to raise any beastly +row about it."</p> + +<p>"That is not language to use to your superior +officer, Mr. Ferrers!"</p> + +<p>"Then you have my instant apology, +Colonel," protested the young man. "But, you +see, these were very important people that I +met—the Porter-Stanleys, of New York. Very +likely you have met them."</p> + +<p>Colonel North now found it hard to repress +a tendency to laugh. But he choked it back.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid, Mr. Ferrers, you do not realize +the seriousness of failing to obey a military order +punctually. More than that, I fear it would +take more time than I have between now and +luncheon to make it plain to you. But I assure +you that you have a great deal, a very +great deal, to learn about the strict requirements +of Army life and conduct."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And you'll find me very keen to learn, sir, +very keen, I assure you. But, since you're good +enough to postpone telling me more about such +little matters, may I ask you, Colonel, who will +show me to my rooms? I shall need quite a +few, for, outside of two chauffeurs—I have five +auto cars you know—I have also four household +servants and a valet."</p> + +<p>"You have—what!" gasped Colonel North.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ferrers patiently repeated the details +concerning the number of his automobiles and +servants.</p> + +<p>"And where are they?" demanded the regimental +commander.</p> + +<p>"I left them over in Clowdry until I send +for them, sir."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ferrers, have you any idea how many +rooms an unmarried second lieutenant has?"</p> + +<p>"A dozen or fifteen, I hope," suggested Mr. +Ferrers hopefully. "A gentleman, of course, +can't live in fewer rooms."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ferrers, an unmarried second lieutenant +lives in bachelor officers' quarters. He has +a parlor, bed-room and bath."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I say now," protested poor Mr. Ferrers +earnestly, "you can't expect me to get along +in any such dog-kennel of a place."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to, Mr. Ferrers."</p> + +<p>"But my servants—my chauffeurs?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No room for them on this post."</p> + +<p>"But I can't keep five cars running without at +least two chauffeurs. And by the way, Colonel, +what kind of a garage do you have here?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever, Mr. Ferrers. You can keep +one small car down at the quartermaster's +stables, but that is the best you can do."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Algernon Ferrers, who instantly +realized that this fine-looking old colonel was +not making game of him, sat back staring, a +picture of hopeless dejection.</p> + +<p>"I had no idea the Army was anything like +as beastly as this," he murmured disconsolately.</p> + +<p>"If you're going to remain in the service, Mr. +Ferrers," returned the colonel, "I'm afraid you +will have to recast many of your ideas. In the +first place, you won't need servants. You'll get +your meals at the officers' mess, and all the servants +needed there are provided."</p> + +<p>"But I must have some one to take care of +even my two poor little rooms," fidgeted Mr. +Ferrers. "I can't undertake to do that myself. +Besides, Colonel, I don't know how to do housework."</p> + +<p>"Some of the work in your rooms you should +and must do yourself," explained Colonel North. +"Such, for example, as tidying up your quarters. +The rougher work you can have done by +a striker."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Striker!" echoed Mr. Ferrers, a gleam of +intelligence coming into his eyes. "No, thank +you, Colonel. Strikers never work. I've heard +my guv'nor talk about strikes in his business."</p> + +<p>"'Striker,'" explained Colonel North, "is +Army slang. Your 'striker' is a private soldier, +whom you hire at so many a dollars a month to +do the rougher work in your quarters. You +make whatever bargain you choose with the +soldier. At this post the bachelor officers usually +pay a striker eight dollars a month."</p> + +<p>"At that price I can afford a lot of 'em," responded +Mr. Ferrers, brightening considerably.</p> + +<p>"An unmarried officer is not allowed to have +more than one striker in this regiment," said +the colonel, whereat Ferrer's face showed his +dismay. "Nor is any soldier obliged to become +your striker. You cannot engage him unless +the soldier is wholly willing. However, a good +many men like the extra pay. You will be assigned +to A company. Direct the first sergeant +of that company to send you a man who is +willing to serve as a striker. And now, Mr. +Ferrers, as you appear to be wholly ignorant of +Army life I think I will give you a mentor."</p> + +<p>Turning to the telephone Colonel North +called:</p> + +<p>"Connect me with Lieutenant Prescott. +Hello, is that you, Mr. Prescott? The regimental<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +commander is speaking. My compliments, +Mr. Prescott, and can you come over to +headquarters? Thank you."</p> + +<p>Ringing off the colonel turned to his very +new young lieutenant, saying:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Prescott is a last year's graduate of the +Military Academy at West Point, and one of +the most capable younger officers I have ever +met. I can think of no man so well qualified to +coach you in the start of your new life, Mr. Ferrers. +You have some baggage with you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir. Two trunks on the car."</p> + +<p>"Then you have uniforms with you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Say 'sir' when answering a superior officer."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"You have your two regulation swords?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. And say!" Ferrers beamed forth, +with enthusiasm, while his eyes lit up. "The +regulation swords are not such a much, so, while +I got them, I also had four other swords made +that are a whole lot handsomer. Wait until you +see me, sir, with the beauty that Tiffany made +to my order—my own design, sir."</p> + +<p>"Doubtless your extra swords will do very +well as ornaments in your quarters, Mr. Ferrers," +replied the colonel, trying very hard to +keep a straight face. "But you will not appear +with any other than the regulation swords."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I say, now——" broke forth Ferrers +anxiously, but the door opened, and Lieutenant +Dick Prescott strode in, looking the perfection +of handsome soldiery.</p> + +<p>"You sent for me, sir?" Prescott asked, coming +to a very formal salute.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mr. Prescott. This young gentleman +is Lieutenant Algernon Ferrers, lately appointed +from civil life. As Mr. Ferrers will +presently be glad to admit that he knows less +than nothing about Army life, I can think of +no one better qualified than you, Mr. Prescott, +to explain to him the nature of military life."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Colonel," replied Prescott +gravely.</p> + +<p>"Kindly take Mr. Ferrers over to the officers' +mess and see that he is made to feel at home +among you youngsters. And advise him, in all +necessary respects, as to what is expected of him +in this regiment."</p> + +<p>"But my rooms, sir? My little dog-kennel?" +urged Ferrers.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Prescott will take you to Lieutenant +Pope, the battalion quartermaster, who will assign +you to quarters. And, Mr. Prescott, make +it a point to introduce Mr. Ferrers to Major +Silsbee and also Captain Ruggles of A company, +for Mr. Ferrers is assigned to that company."</p> + +<p>Prescott saluted smartly in leaving his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +colonel. Ferrers also endeavored to salute, +and imitated badly—with the wrong hand.</p> + +<p>As soon as the door had closed Colonel North +rose, sighed and muttered:</p> + +<p>"With a seeming idiot like that on officers' +row I can see our old and happy life here passing."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Ferrers, after an infinite amount +of coaching by Mr. Prescott, turned out at afternoon +parade. Ferrers did not take his post with +his company, but stood at one side, out of the +way, watching the work with a rather bored +look.</p> + +<p>By the time that the men were dismissed from +parade every enlisted man in barracks appeared +to have heard a lot about Lieutenant Ferrers. +Every man was either telling or listening to +some anecdote about the new young officer, and +roars of laughter rang on all sides, for Algy +Ferrers, during the brief afternoon, had managed, +in spite of Prescott, to make a whole lot +of ridiculous breaks.</p> + +<p>"That young shave-tail won't last two weeks +in the service," predicted Corporal Hyman, +who, though he now belonged in another squad +room, was just now visiting with Sergeant Hupner's +men.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," Noll answered thoughtfully. +"I've seen a lot of worse enlisted men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +licked into shape and become good soldiers. I +don't know why the rule shouldn't work as well +with a new officer."</p> + +<p>Corporal Hal, at this moment, was down at +the further end of the squad room, close to an +open window. Here, where he had plenty of +space for manœuvring, he was practising some +moves with the signal flag, while Sergeant +Hupner stood by criticising.</p> + +<p>"Of all the dizzy young rookies with the waving +shirt I consider you the worst," jeered Corporal +Hyman, stepping over. "Here, I'm going +to take that thing away from you. What you +need, Overton, is rest."</p> + +<p>Hyman made a dive for the signal flag. +Corporal Hal resisted the effort to take it away +from him, and a good-natured scuffle followed. +While it was going on Hal was forced into the +open window.</p> + +<p>Hyman seized the staff, giving it a twist. +Then Hal started to recover it.</p> + +<p>Thus the staff dropped and fell below, just +as young Corporal Overton sprang inward.</p> + +<p>Instantly, however, the boy remembered that +it might drop on some one's head. He wheeled +like a flash, bending out of the window, just as +a howl floated upward.</p> + +<p>"Hey, you idiot!" followed the howl, and the +young corporal saw Hinkey, a new recruit in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +the regiment and company, take off his hat and +rub a rising lump on the top of his head.</p> + +<p>"Look out below, there!" called Corporal +Hal.</p> + +<p>"What else are you going to throw out at +me?" glared Private Hinkey.</p> + +<p>For answer, Corporal Hal sprang over the +window sill, landing lightly on the ground below.</p> + +<p>"Hinkey, I'm mighty sorry," began Overton. +"It was an accident, and——"</p> + +<p>"An accident?" flared Hinkey sulkily. "I +suppose you expect me to believe that you +slammed that flagstaff down and hit me on the +top of the head, and that it was all an accident?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do expect you to believe it," replied +Corporal Hal, his face flushing.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't," came the ugly response, accompanied +by another scowl. "It's a lie, +and——"</p> + +<p>"Be careful, Hinkey!" warned Corporal +Overton, his fine young face paling slightly. +"Passing the lie, you know, don't go in the +Army!"</p> + +<p>"I don't care a hang what goes in the Army," +snarled the private, who was a man some +twenty-eight years of age, dark of complexion +and forbidding of feature. "You've had it in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +for me all along, Corporal Overton. Only yesterday +morning you scorched me at drill."</p> + +<p>"You needed it," was the quiet reply. "And +I used no abusive language."</p> + +<p>"Good thing you didn't," flashed Hinkey. +"And the day before——"</p> + +<p>"Stop your whining and let me look at your +head," advised Corporal Overton. "Whew, +what a bump! Hinkey, I'm truly sor——"</p> + +<p>"Get away from me, and never mind my +head," snapped the other.</p> + +<p>"But man, the flesh is cut, and the bump is +already the size of a hen's egg, and growing. +You must have that attended to at hospital."</p> + +<p>"I'll do what I please about that," retorted +Hinkey.</p> + +<p>"No; you'll do as you're told. You will report +to First Sergeant Gray at once, and ask his +permission to report at hospital without delay."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you think I will," came the disagreeable +retort.</p> + +<p>"I know you will," said Corporal Overton +more sternly, "for it's a military order and you +have no choice but to obey. And, if you think +I did that purposely——"</p> + +<p>"I don't think, Overton. I know you did."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll post you as to your rights in the +matter, Private Hinkey. When you report to +Sergeant Gray for hospital permission, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +you will do at once, you can also state that you +believe I assaulted you purposely. Then Sergeant +Gray will arrange for you to go to Captain +Cortland and make regular complaint +against me."</p> + +<p>"You think I'm a fool, don't you?" jeered +Hinkey.</p> + +<p>"On that point I decline to commit myself."</p> + +<p>"Fine to go and complain against an officers' +pet and boot-lick," laughed Hinkey sullenly. +"No, sir! I'll go to no officer with a charge +against a favored boot-lick!"</p> + +<p>"That's the only way in which you can get +redress."</p> + +<p>"Is it?" demanded Private Hinkey, with a +sudden, intense scowl that made his ill-featured +face look satanic. "Well, you wait and see, +my fine young buck doughboy!"</p> + +<p>"Don't fail to report to Sergeant Gray for +hospital permission," Corporal Hal Overton +called after the fellow. "If you do, you'll be +up against disobedience of orders."</p> + +<p>Private Hinkey, moving away, made a derisive +gesture behind his back, but the boyish +young corporal turned on his heel, stepping off +in another direction.</p> + +<p>"If that kid thinks he can lord it over me," +snarled Private Hinkey under his breath, "he's +due to wake up before long."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nevertheless Private Hinkey had already +learned enough of Army life to feel certain that +he was obliged to go to Sergeant Gray.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing! Go over to hospital and have +that head dressed at once," ordered the first +sergeant. "How did it happen?"</p> + +<p>"The fellow who did it said it was an accident," +replied Hinkey, with an ugly leer.</p> + +<p>"Then report him," urged the first sergeant +of B Company. "I can take care of the offender +if it was done on purpose."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," snapped Private Hinkey. +"So can I."</p> + +<p>"If Hinkey is telling the truth, then there's +the start of a nice little row in that sore head," +thought Gray, glancing after the man headed +for hospital.</p> + +<p>And, indeed, Sergeant Gray was wholly right.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE FIRST BREATH AGAINST A SOLDIER'S HONOR</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>THE night was so quiet, the air so still, that +the single, distant stroke of the town +clock bell over in the town of Clowdry +was distinctly audible.</div> + +<p>Dong! boomed the bell, the vibration reaching +the ears of two or three of the lighter sleepers, +and causing them to stir lightly in their sleep +in Sergeant Hupner's squad room.</p> + +<p>Out on the post, not far away, a dog chose +to bark at that town-clock bell.</p> + +<p>Some one gliding swiftly through the squad +room upset a stool with a loud crash. Yet few +of the soundly sleeping soldiers bothered their +heads about such a series of trivial noises.</p> + +<p>Now, a series of hails began, starting down +at the guard house and running rapidly around +the sentry posts until the sentry pacing near +barracks caught it up and called lustily:</p> + +<p>"Post number six. One o'clock, and all's +well!"</p> + +<p>One man in especial had been stirring on his +cot as though trying to throw off some phantom +of dread. Now instantly after the sentry's hail +this stirring sleeper emitted an excited yell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Wow! Turn out the guard—post number +six!"</p> + +<p>Instantly Sergeant Hupner awoke, sitting up +on his cot.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you, you idiot?" +growled the disturbed sergeant.</p> + +<p>"I've been touched!" wailed the excited +voice.</p> + +<p>It was the voice of Private William Green, +the joke of the squad room, the man who hoarded +his money and carried much of it about with +him.</p> + +<p>"Go to sleep, William," ordered the sergeant +in a more soothing voice. "I've often told you +that one so young shouldn't drink coffee at supper."</p> + +<p>"I've been touched, I tell you!" insisted William +Green, now out of his bed and feeling with +frantic hands under the head of the mattress. +"Don't I know? I tell you, my buckskin pouch +is gone. Some one was in this room and got +it!"</p> + +<p>In a jiffy Sergeant Hupner was out of bed. +His groping right hand found the switch and +turned on the electric lights. Then Hupner +jumped for his uniform trousers and drew them +on.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong, squad room?" called the +voice of the alert sentry outside.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Hupner first went to the door of the +squad room, locked it and dropped the key in +his trousers' pocket. Then the sergeant ran to +an open window.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it's anything worse than a +nightmare of one of the men, sentry. Don't call +the guard until I look about a bit."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>Then Hupner turned to the cot of Corporal +Hal Overton, which was close to the window.</p> + +<p>"Why, Corporal, what ails you?" demanded +the sergeant. "You're shaking and your face +has a frightened look."</p> + +<p>"I—I have just awakened from a pretty bad +dream," Corporal Hal replied sheepishly. "I'll +be over it at once."</p> + +<p>"Turn out, Corporal, and you also, Corporal +Terry. We've got to investigate in this room."</p> + +<p>Hal instantly thrust a leg out. Something +dropped to the floor.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>"Ow!" wailed Private Green. "It wasn't a +dream, after all. I knew it would go off."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hupner, bending low like a flash, +now picked up a revolver from the floor beside +Hal's cot, while Hal himself sat up, staring +rather dazedly at the weapon.</p> + +<p>"How did this come to be in your bed, Corporal +Overton?" demanded the sergeant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't know, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"But it was in your bed. You shook it out +when you went to get up just now."</p> + +<p>"That's the gun," insisted Private William +Green. "I saw it poked into my face by some +one prowling before my cot."</p> + +<p>"Were you so scared that you didn't dare +jump up or say anything?" demanded Hupner, +turning upon Private Green, who had now +reached the vicinity of Hal's cot.</p> + +<p>"Scared, nothing!" grunted Private William. +"I thought I must be dreaming, for there was +no danger in this room. Then I heard something +go smash down the room, like a stool being +tipped over, and then I came altogether out of +my doze, and time I did, too! For I put my +hand under the mattress and my pouch and +money were gone. Whoever poked that gun +toward my head got my money!"</p> + +<p>By this time more than half the men in the +room were sitting up on the edges of their cots. +A few more lay still, though wide awake, while +a few of the hardest sleepers were still in the +Land of Nod.</p> + +<p>"Green, are you sure your money's gone?" +insisted Hupner sternly. It was no light thing +to the reliable old sergeant to find that he had +a thief in his squad room.</p> + +<p>"Come and look for yourself, Sergeant."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Corporals Overton and Terry, dress yourselves," +ordered the sergeant, as he started after +Private William Green. "The rest of you +men needn't dress unless I direct it."</p> + +<p>"Now, look here, Sergeant," insisted Green, +after pulling the mattress bodily from his cot. +"Do you see anything that looks like my buckskin +pouch?"</p> + +<p>There was no pouch to be found on or near +Soldier William's cot.</p> + +<p>"How much money did you have in the +pouch?" demanded Hupner almost angrily.</p> + +<p>"Seven hundred and ten dollars," declared +Green promptly.</p> + +<p>"Whew!"</p> + +<p>To most of the soldiers present that much +money represented a fortune.</p> + +<p>Yet no one in the room thought of doubting +William's assertion. As readers of the preceding +volume know, Green had had considerable money +when he joined the regiment something more +than a year earlier. And William was known +to be one who was constantly adding to his +money by saving his pay.</p> + +<p>Moreover, Private Green had made not a little +by lending money to comrades in the battalion. +He loaned on the time-honored system +of lending among enlisted men in the Army—the +system of "five now but six on pay day."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>There are soldiers in every company—in every +squad room—who always spend their pay within +a few days after receiving it from the paymaster. +As soon as his money is gone, and he needs or +wants more, the improvident soldier turns to +some comrade who saves and lends his money. +The loan is five dollars, but by all the traditions +the borrower must return six on pay day.</p> + +<p>William Green had been making money on +this plan. Some of his wealth Green now had +on deposit at a Denver bank, but much of his +"pile" he always insisted on carrying with him.</p> + +<p>And usually this is a safe enough plan. In +no body of men in the world does honesty average +higher than among the soldiers of the American +regular Army.</p> + +<p>Once in a while, of course, an exceptional +"black sheep" may get in even among soldiers, +and William had often been warned not to keep +so much convertible wealth about his person. +But William trusted his comrades and carried +large sums of cash.</p> + +<p>"Corporal Overton, you take one side of the +room, and Corporal Terry the other. Scan the +floor for any sign of a buckskin pouch."</p> + +<p>"Let me help," begged William.</p> + +<p>"All right," nodded Sergeant Hupner. "And +look, also, for any stool that may be overturned."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>The search was unavailing. No sight was +gained of the buckskin pouch, while every stool +in the room was upright and in place.</p> + +<p>"Does any man here know anything about +Green's buckskin?" demanded Hupner.</p> + +<p>There was no answer.</p> + +<p>Crossing to the window, Sergeant Hupner +called:</p> + +<p>"Sentry, call the corporal of the guard."</p> + +<p>Almost immediately the corporal of the guard +was at hand. Sergeant Hupner informed him +that there had probably been a robbery in the +squad room and stated the known circumstances +briefly.</p> + +<p>Corporal Jason immediately sent a member +of the guard to arouse the officer of the day and +ask him to come to the squad room.</p> + +<p>Soon after Lieutenant Greg Holmes strode +into the room, his sword clanking at his side.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Holmes heard Sergeant Hupner's +report, which was but a short one.</p> + +<p>Then the young officer of the day turned to +Corporal Hal, eyeing him keenly.</p> + +<p>"Corporal Overton, isn't there something you +can tell me about this? You were found awake, +shaking somewhat and with an alarmed look +on your face."</p> + +<p>"That is true, sir," Hal Overton admitted.</p> + +<p>"When Sergeant Hupner directed you to rise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +you did so, and at the same time kicked out of +your bed this revolver, which was discharged."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Corporal," continued Lieutenant Holmes, +"it would look as though you must have some +knowledge of the affair. Bear in mind that I +am not making any charge against you."</p> + +<p>"I—I should hope not, sir," stammered Hal +Overton, his face growing very pallid.</p> + +<p>"What do you know about this matter, Corporal +Overton?" pressed the young officer.</p> + +<p>"Absolutely nothing, sir, more than Sergeant +Hupner has already stated to you, sir. +My condition of apparent fright was due to a +bad dream from which I was at the moment +waking."</p> + +<p>"And you know nothing whatever regarding +the robbery from Private Green?"</p> + +<p>"Absolutely nothing more than the rest, sir," +insisted Hal, though his color continued to rise.</p> + +<p>The young soldier felt that he was half suspected, +and he felt all the awkwardness of innocence—an +awkwardness that real guilt seldom +displays.</p> + +<p>"Men," it was Sergeant Hupner's voice +breaking the stillness now, "if you each want +to clear your own individual selves you will step +forward and volunteer to have your persons +and your belongings searched."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<p>Instantly the men moved forward, and Lieutenant +Holmes glanced away from Hal Overton. +The lieutenant's survey of the lad's face had +not been in the least accusing, but merely a keen +look of inquiry.</p> + +<p>"All the men in the room have come forward +and are willing to be searched, sir," reported +the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Good enough, Sergeant, since they volunteer, +but I would not have them forced without +an order from the post commander. Sergeant, +will you undertake the search?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; shall I have the corporals assist +me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sergeant, and I will lend a general +oversight at the same time."</p> + +<p>That search occupied some forty minutes. +Not only were the persons of the men searched, +but their chests and all their belongings. Hupner +and his two boyish young corporals asked +Lieutenant Holmes to search them himself, which +the officer of the day did.</p> + +<p>"There doesn't appear to be a chance that +Private Green's money is in this room, or in +the possession of any man in the room," remarked +Lieutenant Holmes at last. "Green, you +should have taken sensible advice and deposited +your money, either with the paymaster or at a +bank."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I shall, sir, if I ever get it back," replied +William Green mournfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, there appears to be nothing more that +I can do," continued Lieutenant Holmes. +"However, I will return to the guard house and +call up the commanding officer over the telephone, +reporting the matter. Let your men go +to bed, Sergeant, but you will remain up until +either I return or send you some word through +the corporal of the guard."</p> + +<p>After the officer of the day had gone out, +the men of the squad room looked from one to +another in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"If any fellow took my money for a joke," +announced Private William Green, "I'll call +it all off if he'll be kind enough to return it."</p> + +<p>No one accepted the offer.</p> + +<p>"It's gone, all right, Green, evidently, and +serves you right," said Sergeant Hupner gruffly.</p> + +<p>In the course of a few minutes the corporal +of the guard came back to inform Sergeant Hupner +that a guard would be set, both in the corridor +and outside, to prevent any man from leaving +this squad room during the night. In the +morning, immediately following first call to reveille, +Colonel North, his adjutant and the officer +of the day would visit the squad room together.</p> + +<p>"And that's all there is to it, for to-night, +men," announced Sergeant Hupner. "Every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +man in bed now, for I'm going to switch off the +light."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later some of the soldiers were +asleep, but not all, for presently Hupner's +strong military voice boomed through the room:</p> + +<p>"Stop that whispering! Silence until first +call goes in the morning."</p> + +<p>After first call to reveille did sound in the +morning barely sixty seconds passed when the +door was opened to Colonel North and the two +officers accompanying him.</p> + +<p>Then, indeed, there was a thorough examination. +Each man in the room was questioned +keenly by the colonel himself.</p> + +<p>"Corporal Overton, how do you account for +that revolver being in your bed?"</p> + +<p>Colonel North held up the weapon. It was an +ordinary service revolver, such as is worn by +an orderly when on duty without rifle, and there +were many such revolvers in barracks. No soldier +was supposed to have one of these revolvers, +except by orders, yet it would be easy +enough for any soldier to get one by stealth.</p> + +<p>"I can't account for it, sir," Hal answered. +"I didn't have it myself, or put it in the bed, +and I can only guess that some one else did."</p> + +<p>"Why should any one else do that, Corporal?"</p> + +<p>"Possibly, sir, with a view to making me appear +guilty."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you suspect any one in particular?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I can't imagine why any man in +the room, or in the battalion, should want to +do it."</p> + +<p>"You understand, Corporal Overton, that you +are not under any charge, or even suspicion, of +guilt in the matter," continued the commanding +officer, for Hal in truth was esteemed much too +fine a young soldier to be suspected by his officers +in the present case.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," Hal replied.</p> + +<p>The inquiry was soon over and proved as resultless +as that made alone by Lieutenant Greg +Holmes in the middle of the night. The officers +left and the men prepared to hasten out for +breakfast formation.</p> + +<p>"I never thought Overton would do a trick +like that," remarked a low voice behind the +young corporal, but Hal heard it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can't tell. Sometimes these quiet +fellows are the worst. Still waters run deep, +you know."</p> + +<p>"I suppose other fellows in the squad room +are thinking the same," thought Hal, his heart +throbbing with pain.</p> + +<p>He more than half guessed the truth—that +the seed of suspicion against him was already +sown—that henceforth he would be watched +by nearly all eyes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>LIEUTENANT ALGY'S INSPIRATION</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>LIEUTENANT ALGY FERRERS, the +picture of dejection, sat staring across +his rather tiny parlor in bachelor quarters +at smiling Lieutenant Prescott.</div> + +<p>"I thought the Army was a place for gentlemen," +murmured Algy aghast.</p> + +<p>"At last accounts it was, and I believe still +is," replied the West Pointer, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"But consider that beastly schedule of the +day's work that you've been explaining to me!"</p> + +<p>"What's wrong with it?" asked Lieutenant +Prescott patiently.</p> + +<p>"What's first—what did you call it?"</p> + +<p>"First call to reveille, at 5.50 in the morning?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; what an utterly impossible time for +any gentleman to be out of bed. Unless," added +Algy with a sudden bright thought, "he stays +up until then, and goes to bed after the beastly +row is over."</p> + +<p>"That would hardly do, I'm afraid," Lieutenant +Prescott laughed softly. "You see, the +day is full of duties. Now, sharp at six the +march——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"March? At six in the morning?" gasped +Algy Ferrers, his despair increasing by leaps +and bounds. "Man alive, I wouldn't feel like +crawling—at that time!"</p> + +<p>"The term has confused you," replied Prescott. +"It's the musician of the guard—the +bugler—who plays the march. It's a strain that +is played, the first note beginning just as the +reveille gun is fired, at the minute of six in the +morning. Then, just five minutes later reveille +itself is blown."</p> + +<p>"All that racket will wake me up mornings," +complained Algy sadly.</p> + +<p>"It ought to, for it's an officer's business to +be up by that time."</p> + +<p>"Good heavens!" groaned Algy. "Say, 'pon +my word, I'll hate to have any soldiers see me +when I'm looking as seedy as I'll look at that +time of the day."</p> + +<p>"You won't see them immediately," Prescott +replied.</p> + +<p>"Don't I have to go to my men as soon as +I'm up?"</p> + +<p>"No; officers don't go down to barracks to +see their men rise. Now, listen. Reveille sounds +at 6.05, with assembly and roll-call right afterward. +There's a very brief athletic drill, followed +by recall from the drill at 6.15 o'clock. +At 6.20 mess call for breakfast is sounded.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +Right after breakfast comes police of quarters +and premises. 'Police' is the Army term for +cleaning up and making everything tidy. Then, +just at 7 o'clock the bugler of the guard sounds +sick call. The first sergeant of each company +makes up the sick report, and a corporal marches +the men out who need the doctor—the 'rain-maker,' +we call him in the Army. Now, with +all that happens up to this time the non-commissioned +officers—sergeants and corporals—have +to do."</p> + +<p>"Then I can sleep a little later, can't I?" +proposed Lieutenant Ferrers hopefully.</p> + +<p>"If you do you'll be sure to get yourself in +a scrape. You'll be coming out of your quarters +unshaven, or with your uniform put on too +hastily. Colonel North is a true Tartar with any +officer who doesn't start the day looking like +bandbox goods. And, my dear fellow, it's no +greater hardship for you to be up early than +it is for the enlisted man. Now, at 7.10 in the +morning comes first call to drill. Drill assembly +goes at 7.20."</p> + +<p>"Do I have to be there?"</p> + +<p>"You do, unless excused for some very grave +reason. Recall from drill sounds at 8.20."</p> + +<p>"That means that drill is over, then?" sighed +Algy questioningly.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Then, at 8.30, is fatigue call."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I shall be properly fatigued by that time, +no doubt," confessed Algy wretchedly.</p> + +<p>"You'll soon understand what 'fatigue' is in +the Army," smiled Lieutenant Prescott. "It's +more work, but work that is done without arms."</p> + +<p>"Without arms? With the feet, then?"</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Prescott bit his lip, but answered:</p> + +<p>"By arms this time I mean weapons. First +call to guard mounting comes at 8.50, and guard +mounting assembly at 9. At 10 another drill +begins; at 11 the recall sounds, with recall +from fatigue at 11.30. Mess call for enlisted +men is at noon, and 1 p. m. fatigue call. Drill +call goes again at 1.50, with drill assembly at +2 o'clock. The time spent at these drills varies +according to the nature of the work and the +orders. Recall from fatigue sounds at 5 o'clock. +Parade assembly is at 5.30 at this time of the +year, with retreat and evening gun-fire at 6.10. +Then comes mess call to supper. With that +ends, usually, the working day of the enlisted +man. Tattoo sounds at 9 in the evening, with +call to quarters at 10.45, and taps, or lights out, +at 11 p. m. Except when on guard or special +duty you're not likely to have to be with your +men much after retreat."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should hope not," exclaimed Algy +Ferrers fervently. "By supper time I can see +myself a nervous wreck."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll get used to it," laughed Prescott. +"The rest of us all had to."</p> + +<p>"And at all of those beastly things and jobs +you enumerated, Prescott, I've got to be present +and actually do a lot of work?"</p> + +<p>"A big lot of work, you'll find."</p> + +<p>"And yet they call being an officer in the Army +a gentleman's life."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Prescott, his eyes opening +rather wide. "Don't you consider that one may +be a gentleman and yet be industrious?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I reckon so," sighed Algy Ferrers. +"But it all seems a beastly grind."</p> + +<p>"Then how did your ever come to think of +going into the Army?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't," almost flared up Algy. "It was +the guv'nor. He forced me into it. Said he'd +cut my allowance off altogether, and leave me +out of his will if I didn't get to work. And he +chose the Army for me, and put the whole thing +through. Wasn't it beastly of the guv'nor?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure that it was," smiled Lieutenant +Prescott. "Of course it was different +with me. My father worked, and had to, or +starve. It was the same with me, which may +be why I can look upon the idea of a lot of work +without feeling insulted by fate. But I reckon, +Ferrers, that no man is worth his salt in the +world unless he does work."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p>This was the day after Algy's arrival. +Colonel North and Major Silsbee had not yet +put the new young officer actually at work. +They had allowed him this time of grace to +get settled in his new quarters, and to talk over +his new duties with young Prescott.</p> + +<p>"I can never remember all that long list of +things you told me, dear fellow," complained +Algy. "Won't you do me a great, big favor?"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Write down for me that—er—time table you +laid down for me."</p> + +<p>"No." Lieutenant Prescott's tone was almost +abrupt. "I'll repeat it to you, Ferrers, and you +can write it down for yourself. Get a pencil and +paper."</p> + +<p>"Give me just time for a cigarette before I +take up such exhausting literary work," begged +Algy, reaching for his gold cigarette case. +"Have one, dear fellow?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Ferrers. I don't smoke."</p> + +<p>"Then what do you do with your time?"</p> + +<p>"Work!"</p> + +<p>"What beastly old rot the Army is!" murmured +Algy, lying back in his easy chair and +blowing a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling.</p> + +<p>Rap-tap! sounded at the door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," called Algy. It was Lieutenant +Holmes who entered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Howdy-do, Ferrers?" he hailed the new officer. +"I heard Prescott was here and came to +find him. You'll pardon me, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing to pardon," murmured Algy.</p> + +<p>"Old ramrod," began Lieutenant Holmes, +turning to his chum and addressing him by the +old West Point nickname, "I came to see you +about your pet. He seems to be in increasing +trouble."</p> + +<p>"Who's my pet!" demanded Prescott in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Why, Corporal Overton, of your company."</p> + +<p>"Corporal Overton is not my pet, and you'll +greatly oblige me by not referring to him again +in that fashion, Holmesy," returned the young +lieutenant almost stiffly. "Corporal Overton is +a mighty fine young soldier, and a good soldier +never needs to be his officer's pet; he can stand +on his own merits. But what's the trouble with +Overton? Is he still absurdly suspected of relieving +that simpleton Green of his money?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; there's a strong drift of suspicion that +way among the men of B Company."</p> + +<p>"The idiots!" muttered Prescott impatiently.</p> + +<p>"One of my sergeants has just been telling +me about Overton's present standing in the +company. B Company men have always liked +Overton. In fact, he has been well liked all +through the battalion, but just now many of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +the men don't feel sure about the young fellow," +continued Lieutenant Holmes. "Not a man will +admit that the case is proved, but a good many +of them don't like the looks of things. Especially +are the men disturbed by the fact of that revolver +being in Corporal Overton's bed, and +the fact of his being awake and appearing nervous +when the alarm was given."</p> + +<p>"Greg, you don't believe Overton stole that +simpleton soldier's cash?" cried Prescott.</p> + +<p>"I don't, and I won't," Lieutenant Holmes +replied. "Overton isn't that type of fellow. +He's a soldier all the way through, going and +coming, and the first characteristic of a real soldier +is honesty."</p> + +<p>"Yet you say so many of the men suspect +him?" mused Prescott.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly that they suspect him, but that +they'd like to have the whole matter cleared up +and see daylight through it."</p> + +<p>"From what I know of soldiers," remarked +Lieutenant Prescott thoughtfully, "it looks like +a mean mess for Overton. Really, nothing but +long time, or complete vindication, will ever put +Overton back where he'd like to be in the esteem +of all his comrades."</p> + +<p>"I know it," agreed Holmes. "That's why +I'm telling you all this about one of your own +men."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And I ought to have known it myself," Prescott +reproached himself. "I ought not to have +waited to get the first strong news from an +officer of another company."</p> + +<p>"Why, I suppose it was easier for me to get +this word than it would have been for you. B +Company men are too 'sore' to talk much about +it. But C Company men, as it doesn't affect +any of them, just treat the whole matter as one +of ordinary news."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Dick Prescott rose and began to +pace the floor. He was deeply concerned—not +so much for Hal Overton's sake as for the general +good name of B Company. Moreover, +young Prescott knew that, if any man in his +company were unjustly suspected, it was his +duty, as one of the company officers, to find a +way to set the whole matter straight.</p> + +<p>"What's all the beastly row about, any way?" +queried Lieutenant Algernon Ferrers.</p> + +<p>Holmes explained it briefly.</p> + +<p>"So it's all a row about some seven hundred +dollars, it is?" asked Algy.</p> + +<p>"If you choose to put it that way," replied +Lieutenant Holmes.</p> + +<p>"Then see here, Prescott, old chap," cried +Algy eagerly, "why all this rotten fuss? Why, +I see the way through it as clear as daylight! +I'll set the matter straight in thirty seconds!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>CORPORAL HAL'S ADMISSION</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>LIEUTENANT PRESCOTT paused, looking +sharply at Algy.</div> + +<p>"Ferrers, if you can see a way +through difficulties as easily as you promise, then +you're going to be a valuable man for the Army. +What's your plan?"</p> + +<p>"Why, as I understand it," beamed Ferrers +placidly, "the whole trouble is caused by the +loss of some seven hundred dollars that the Overton +chap got from the simpleton Green?"</p> + +<p>"Seven hundred which some men almost suspect +that Corporal Overton took from Green," +corrected Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>"All the same thing, as far as the really important +details go," beamed Algy. "I'll settle +it out of hand. You know, dear chaps, the +guv'nor owns a few banks in his own name, +and he ships me yellow-backs by the case lots. +Result is, I always have plenty of money, and +am likely to have more than ever now, for there +doesn't seem to be much chance in the Army to +spend it. So——"</p> + +<p>"But what has all this to do with Corporal +Overton's unhappy situation?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All leads up to the point, Prescott, dear +chap," protested Algy. "See how simple it all +really is? I can spare seven hundred dollars +as well as I can a cigarette. I'll hand the +amount to Overton. He'll hand it to Green—and +all the cause of the trouble is removed and +everybody happy."</p> + +<p>"Just like that!" gasped Lieutenant Greg +Holmes ironically, and he appeared to need the +support of the mantel at which he clutched.</p> + +<p>There was a savage look on Lieutenant Prescott's +face as he demanded:</p> + +<p>"Ferrers, are you trying to make game of +me?"</p> + +<p>"Make game of you?" echoed Lieutenant +Algy, with a face so blank, so full of wonderment +and so lacking in guile. "Why, I——"</p> + +<p>He broke off abruptly, going to the top drawer +of a dresser.</p> + +<p>"Money talks," announced Algy, holding out +a long wallet. "There's a few thousand dollars +in this leather. Help yourself to whatever will +square Overton with the individual Green."</p> + +<p>"Put your pocketbook up," replied Prescott +almost brusquely. "And accept my apology at +the same time, Ferrers, if you'll be so good. You +weren't trying to make fun of me; I know it +now. This is simply another buttered piece off +your thick cake of stupidity."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I've never been noted for cleverness; even +the guv'nor admits that to me, in confidence," +confessed Lieutenant Algy. "But why won't +the money do the trick?"</p> + +<p>"Because—oh, why—tell him, won't you, +Holmesy? I'm off to see Captain Cortland."</p> + +<p>Prescott strode away to his company commander +for advice.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you think, sir, I'm a good deal of +a fool to take such a keen interest in this matter +of Overton," suggested the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, an officer who isn't interested +in the men serving under him has done +wrongly in choosing the Army for his profession," +replied Captain Cortland gravely. "I, +too, am disturbed, for, like yourself, Mr. Prescott, +I find it impossible to believe that such a +clean, clear-cut young soldier as Corporal Overton +has been guilty of dishonesty."</p> + +<p>"Can you suggest anything that I can do, +sir?" the young lieutenant asked gravely.</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking over that same matter. +It seems difficult to know what to do. Of +course you can let Corporal Overton see that +he has your confidence, Mr. Prescott. You may +assure him, at any time, that he also has mine, +if you think that will do him any good. But +the only thing that will actually clear up the +matter will be the discovery of the real thief—and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +that's a matter, I fancy, that's going to +be full of difficulty."</p> + +<p>Leaving his captain's house, Lieutenant Prescott +took a walk along one side of the parade +ground. He hoped to encounter Hal, but that +young corporal was half a mile away at the +time, practising signaling under Sergeant Hupner.</p> + +<p>Failing in encountering young Overton, Lieutenant +Prescott remembered that Corporal Noll +Terry, now in charge at the post telegraph station, +was likely to know all about his chum.</p> + +<p>Stepping over to the station, where one operator +was sending a long military dispatch, while +another leaned idly back in his chair, Prescott +found Noll at another table, absorbed in the +study of an instrument that he had taken to +pieces.</p> + +<p>"I want to say a few words to you, Corporal +Terry," announced the young lieutenant, stepping +into a box-like office at the rear of the +larger room.</p> + +<p>Prescott threw himself down at the desk, +while Noll, after saluting, remained standing +at attention.</p> + +<p>"Close the door, Corporal. That's it. Now, +I want to ask you a few questions about your +friend Corporal Overton, and the disappearance +of Private Green's money."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>Noll flushed painfully, though all he answered +was:</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>"Don't misunderstand me, Corporal Terry," +went on the young lieutenant. "I am not making +an official investigation, and I am not looking +for evidence to implicate Corporal Overton +in any crime. I don't mind telling you that I +haven't a particle of belief in Overton's guilt. +The very idea that he would rob any one is opposed +to the common sense of any one who +really knows your friend and his record."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>This time Noll's face was positively beaming +with pleasure.</p> + +<p>"So, you see, you don't need to be in the least +on your guard in what you may say to me," +continued the lieutenant, smiling in his most +friendly way. "I don't mind stating, further, +that my whole interest in this matter is the interest +of an officer who is determined, if possible, +to see a good man cleared from suspicion."</p> + +<p>"What can I tell you, sir?" Noll asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Well, Corporal, the worst evidence pointing +to any presumption of guilt against your comrade +and friend is the finding of the revolver +hidden under his bedclothes. What do you +think of that incident?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I think, sir, that the revolver must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +have been slipped in under the bedclothes by +some one who wanted to throw all the suspicion +on Corporal Overton."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you. Now, was that man an +actual enemy of Corporal Overton's, or did he +merely thrust the revolver into the first bed that +he could in passing?"</p> + +<p>"My own belief, sir, that an actual enemy +of Overton's did it, sir."</p> + +<p>"Now, Corporal Terry, who are the men that +have cots past Corporal Overton's—that is, past +his when traveling away from Green's cot?"</p> + +<p>"Hinkey, Clegg, Danes, Potter, Reed, <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Freeland'">Vreeland</ins> +and myself, sir."</p> + +<p>"With which one of the men you have named +has Corporal Overton had any trouble, either +recently or some time back?"</p> + +<p>"With Hinkey, for one, sir."</p> + +<p>"What was it over?"</p> + +<p>Noll retold the incident of the friendly scuffle +between Corporals Overton and Hyman, and the +dropping of the signal flag, through a window +and upon Private Hinkey's head.</p> + +<p>"Had Overton had trouble with other men?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing more, sir, than that he had once +or twice rebuked Vreeland and Danes for carelessness +in squad drill."</p> + +<p>"What kind of men are Vreeland and Danes, +in your opinion, Corporal?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Careless and happy-go-lucky, but good-hearted +fellows, sir, and likely to be good soldiers +when they've been licked into shape."</p> + +<p>"But neither of them is inclined to be dishonest +or sulky?"</p> + +<p>"From what I have seen of Vreeland and +Danes, sir, I am inclined to answer with a very +positive 'no.'"</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Prescott looked thoughtful, remaining +silent for some moments, while Corporal +Noll Terry stood looking straight ahead.</p> + +<p>"Corporal," said the young officer finally, +"Mr. Holmes has told me what a very thorough +search was made after the alarm had been +given. But no sign of the missing money was +found. Have you any idea on that head? Can +you make even a plausible suggestion as to how +the money was taken care of by the thief?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot, sir."</p> + +<p>"Have you heard any of the men make reasonable +suggestions as to what was done with +the money?"</p> + +<p>"I think I must have heard all the men in +the room talking about it at one time or another, +Lieutenant, but the men are puzzled. They cannot +account for the complete disappearance of +the money."</p> + +<p>"Are you keeping your eyes and ears open +all the time, for any clue in the matter?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, sir!" Noll answered. "And I shan't +cease doing so until the whole mystery is cleaned +up."</p> + +<p>"Good! May I depend upon you, Corporal, +to come to me, at any time, with any information +that you think will help?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and I thank you for the invitation +to do so."</p> + +<p>"If I believed Corporal Overton the guilty +man, and could find evidence that would prove +his guilt and have him bounced out of the service, +then I'd do my whole duty," went on Lieutenant +Prescott. "But I simply can't believe +him guilty, and so I'm prepared to help him at +any time when there's the slightest chance."</p> + +<p>"May I tell Corporal Overton that, sir?" +asked Noll eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but caution him not to mention to +others what I have said to you. You are also +at liberty to tell Overton that Captain Cortland +is wholly convinced of his innocence, and so, I +know, is Lieutenant Hampton. But some of +the men in the company, and more especially +in the squad room, are holding aloof from Corporal +Overton, are they not?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't exactly say that they are doing +it in a mean way, sir; but of course soldiers hate +thieves, and so the merest taint of a suspicion +serves to make some of the men feel rather shy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +about having anything unnecessary to do with +Corporal Overton."</p> + +<p>"Too bad!" murmured Lieutenant Prescott. +Then, in his usual official tone:</p> + +<p>"That is all, Corporal Terry."</p> + +<p>Noll saluted and left the inner office. Almost +immediately afterward Lieutenant Prescott +sauntered out.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Hal, after some brisk practice +at wig-wagging, was on his way back to +barracks with Sergeant Hupner.</p> + +<p>"You're going to make a real signalman, one +of these days, lad," remarked the sergeant, +kindly. "You have the speed, and you don't +lose any of the clearness of your signaling when +you go fast."</p> + +<p>"It's great work," smiled Corporal Hal. +"Just for the moment it makes me almost sorry +that I didn't enlist in the signal corps."</p> + +<p>"The infantry is the real branch of the service—the +real fighting arm," returned Sergeant +Hupner.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I know it, and that's the principal reason +why I chose the infantry before enlisting."</p> + +<p>Together the sergeant and his young corporal +entered the barracks, stepping into their own +squad room.</p> + +<p>There the very first person they met was Private +William Green, looking, still, as though he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +wanted to burst into tears. Green hadn't smiled +once since meeting with his big loss.</p> + +<p>"Good afternoon, Sergeant," was Green's +greeting. He didn't seem to see Hal at all, a +fact that the boyish soldier noted instantly. It +cut like a whip to know that Green really suspected +his young corporal.</p> + +<p>Hal stepped down the length of the squad +room. Some of the men greeted him, though +none very enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>Then Noll came in, drawing his chum aside +and detailing the interview with Lieutenant +Prescott.</p> + +<p>That brightened Hal Overton a good deal. In +the middle of the squad room some of the men +were having a jolly time, and laughing heartily. +Down at the further end of the room, near the +door, mournful William Green kept by himself +and grieved.</p> + +<p>"It's certainly fine to know that one's officers +trust him, anyway," Hal declared.</p> + +<p>"Oh, this abominable business will all be +cleared up before long," Noll Terry predicted +cheerily.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to believe you," Corporal Hal +smiled wistfully.</p> + +<p>"Wait and see!"</p> + +<p>The merriment in the middle of the room was +now going on at its height. Private Clegg,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +who was an excellent storyteller, was relating +one of his very very best, and it bore on Army +life.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll took chairs at one of the writing +tables.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later a wild whoop sounded +from Private William Green.</p> + +<p>"I've got it! I've got it!" he yelled, dancing +about like a crazy Indian.</p> + +<p>"A bat in your belfry? Sure you've got it," +yelled Private Clegg.</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hupner had run over to where Green +was dancing.</p> + +<p>"I've got the money. It has come back to +me," sang William Green joyously.</p> + +<p>In an instant there was a curiosity-inspired +rush that every man in the room shared.</p> + +<p>Private Green now held high aloft over his +head a long envelope whose bulkiness everyone +else could see.</p> + +<p>"It's the money!" he gasped, chokingly.</p> + +<p>"Every man in the room but Green fall in!" +roared Sergeant Hupner's voice. "Corporal +Terry, take charge of the formation!"</p> + +<p>There was a queer, strained hush in the room +for the next few moments. Hardly anything +was heard but the low breathing of the men, +or the few crisp, quiet words of Corporal Noll +as he made the men dress their alignment on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +Corporal Hal, who stood at the right of the +line.</p> + +<p>"Hold your men so," nodded Sergeant Hupner +tersely. "Now, Green, are you sure you +have all your money back?"</p> + +<p>"I—I hope so," faltered Green. "The envelope +is bulky enough."</p> + +<p>"Put it on your cot and let me see it," ordered +Hupner.</p> + +<p>Green had already broken the flap of the envelope, +revealing the edges of a considerable +thickness of banknotes.</p> + +<p>"Why, there's a note here with the bills," +proclaimed the excited soldier.</p> + +<p>"What does the note say?"</p> + +<p>"It says 'Friend, you'll find all your money +here except twenty dollars that I spent. Meant +to keep it all, but found stolen money brings +no pleasure. Hope you'll forgive me.'"</p> + +<p>"What does the writing look like?" demanded +Sergeant Hupner.</p> + +<p>"It ain't written; it's printed," replied Private +Green. "Here, take the note and look at +it."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hupner did glance at the note +briefly, but here he felt he would find no clue. +After all, a man's printing does not closely resemble +his writing.</p> + +<p>"Anything written on the envelope?" demanded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +the sergeant, holding out his hand. +Yes; the envelope contained the inscription, +"Pvt. Wm. Green." That was all; but it wasn't +printed. The words were written in bold, +flowing handwriting. Sergeant Hupner felt a +throb as he glanced at the handwriting on that +envelope. But he knew his duty.</p> + +<p>"Corporal Terry, go to the nearest window +and have the sentry pass the word for the corporal +of the guard!"</p> + +<p>Then Hupner asked one more question:</p> + +<p>"Green, where and how did you find this +envelope?"</p> + +<p>"Just the moment before I helloed. It was +tucked inside my bedding, so that just the end +of the envelope showed."</p> + +<p>Quickly the corporal of the guard was on +hand, accompanied by two privates of the guard. +Sergeant Hupner explained what had happened, +adding:</p> + +<p>"Corporal, I think you'd better send for the +officer of the day."</p> + +<p>That officer of the day, who shortly arrived, +was Lieutenant Ray of C company.</p> + +<p>He listened gravely, while Sergeant Hupner +told the story, then asked a few questions of +Private Green.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant," directed Lieutenant Ray, "start +the envelope passing down the line. Each man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +is to look at the handwriting, and state whether +he recognizes it."</p> + +<p>All this time the men had remained standing +in line, though at ease.</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hupner, with a queer look, passed +the envelope to Corporal Hal Overton, who stood +at the right of the line.</p> + +<p>The instant he glanced at the writing Hal +started, then changed color.</p> + +<p>"Do you know the writing on that envelope, +Corporal Overton?" demanded the officer of the +day, eyeing the young soldier.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Are you positive that you know whose writing +it is, Corporal Overton?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Whose?"</p> + +<p>"Mine, sir," replied Corporal Hal.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE SQUAD ROOM TURNS COLD</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ON the listening men the effect of this admission +was that of a bombshell.</div> + +<p>Yet, because they were soldiers, they +took their bombshell quietly.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Ray was astounded, yet his voice +did not quiver as he asked, briskly:</p> + +<p>"Then, Corporal Overton, you admit having +addressed the envelope?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"When?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, sir."</p> + +<p>"Don't trifle with me, Corporal!"</p> + +<p>"I am not, sir."</p> + +<p>"Yet you admit having addressed it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I believe this to be my writing beyond +a doubt. Yet, sir, I have no recollection +of having written this address. All I know is +that it is my handwriting."</p> + +<p>"Sergeant, dismiss your men," directed +Lieutenant Ray, as he reached out and took the +envelope. "Corporal Overton, you will not +leave the room."</p> + +<p>"Is the corporal under arrest, sir?" asked +Sergeant Hupner, in a quiet voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, Sergeant. But I wish to have him immediately +at hand, in case the company, battalion +or regimental commanders wish to see +him. When the men fall in for supper formation, +if Corporal Overton has not been summoned +by an officer, then let him march to mess +with the rest, but he must return here immediately +after the meal."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Ray withdrew, followed by the +corporal and privates of the guard.</p> + +<p>"I am not forbidden to speak to other men, +am I, Sergeant?" asked Hal Overton, going directly +up to him.</p> + +<p>"You are not in any sense in arrest, Corporal," +replied Hupner, then adding, in a lower +voice:</p> + +<p>"And I hope you'll do some mighty hard +thinking, lad, and be able to give a very straight +account about that envelope."</p> + +<p>"Sergeant, as I am in no way guilty of any +part in the robbery, I do not believe that there +will be much trouble about being able to make +an explanation when I have had time to think."</p> + +<p>"I hope you're right, Overton, for I haven't +an idea in the world that you are, or could be, +a thief."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, +Sergeant."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>Private William Green sat on a stool near +the head of his cot, counting his recovered +money for the third time.</p> + +<p>"Is it all there, Green?" asked Corporal Hal, +going over to the soldier.</p> + +<p>"All but the twenty dollars that it is supposed +to be shy," replied Green rather gruffly +and without looking up.</p> + +<p>"Green, I hope you haven't an idea that I'm +the crook," Hal went on.</p> + +<p>"Of course not. But there's a stack of appearances +against you, just the same," replied +William Green dryly.</p> + +<p>"See here!" Hal spoke sharply, the pain ringing +in his voice. "Do you really believe that I +stole your money in the first place?"</p> + +<p>"I've got most of it back, and I'd rather not +express any opinions, Corporal," was Green's +evasive reply.</p> + +<p>Just at this instant Corporal Noll Terry joined +the pair.</p> + +<p>"William," chuckled Noll, "the men have +got up a new name for you. Instead of calling +you William Green they're going to nickname +you 'Long Green' after this."</p> + +<p>"Let 'em," grunted Private Green briefly, +and without a sign of understanding the slangy +joke.</p> + +<p>Hal turned away, a choking feeling in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +throat, though his outward demeanor was brave +enough.</p> + +<p>"Clegg, and the rest of you," began Overton, +stopping by a group of the soldiers, "will you +all do your best to try to remember some time +when I may have had occasion to address an +envelope to Green?"</p> + +<p>Clegg stopped talking with his comrades, +half-wheeled about, looked the young corporal +steadily in the eyes, then turned back once +more to carry on his talk with the other soldiers.</p> + +<p>Hal Overton's face went deathly pale.</p> + +<p>This was the direct cut, the snub, from his +mates of the squad room.</p> + +<p>After that Hal would make no advances to +any man in the room who did not first signify +that he believed in the hapless corporal.</p> + +<p>"Don't mind 'em, Hal," muttered Noll soothingly, +coming up behind his bunkie at the far +end of the squad room. "They're only human, +and you will have to admit that, just for the +moment, all things being taken into consideration, +that appearances do hit you a bit. But +the whole thing will all be straightened out before +long."</p> + +<p>"Will it?" asked Hal almost listlessly. He +had to speak thus, to prevent the sob in his +throat from getting into his voice. For, soldier +though he was, and a rarely good one, he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +still only a boy in years, and this air of suspicion +in the squad room made all life look wholly +dark to him.</p> + +<p>"Surely all will come right," insisted Noll. +"You've plenty of good friends around here."</p> + +<p>"You and Sergeant Hupner," smiled Corporal +Overton bitterly. "But at least, old +chap, you two make up in quality what you +lack in numbers."</p> + +<p>The call for mess formation rang at last. +Corporal Hal went to his place in the company +line as briskly as ever.</p> + +<p>Just as the men were passing Corporal Hyman +hit Hal a clip on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Buck up, old spinal trouble!" urged Hyman +heartily, in a low voice. "Don't disappoint +every friend and true believer you've got."</p> + +<p>There were a few others who were openly +friendly in the company mess, but Hal could +force only a few mouthfuls of food and a cup +of tea down his throat that night.</p> + +<p>At a little after eight o'clock an orderly of +the guard came striding into the squad room +to inform Overton that Colonel North would see +him at the officers' club.</p> + +<p>Thither Hal went. When he reported he was +directed to a little smoking room that stood just +off the dining room. When Hal knocked and +entered at command he found Colonel North<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +there, flanked by Major Silsbee and B company's +officers.</p> + +<p>Colonel North had the accusing envelope and +the note in the printed scrawl in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Come in, Corporal," called the regimental +commander. "I sent for you to inquire whether +you have yet thought of any way of accounting +for this envelope being in your handwriting."</p> + +<p>"I have not, sir," Hal answered.</p> + +<p>"Take the envelope and look at it."</p> + +<p>Hal Overton obeyed.</p> + +<p>"Do you think it likely, Corporal, that the +writing on that envelope is a forged imitation +of your own handwriting?"</p> + +<p>"It is possible, sir, of course," Hal made +frank, direct reply. "Yet, sir, I am inclined +to believe that the writing is really mine."</p> + +<p>"Hand me back the envelope. Now, go to +the table over there, where you will find an envelope. +Take up the pen and direct another +envelope in just the words that this is addressed."</p> + +<p>"I've done so, sir," replied Hal, a moment +later.</p> + +<p>"Now in the lower corner of the envelope +write the words, 'My own writing, Overton.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I've done it."</p> + +<p>"Bring the envelope to me, Corporal Overton."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>Colonel North now compared the writing on +the two envelopes, then passed them to the other +officers present, who carefully examined these +exhibits.</p> + +<p>"The writings look identical, sir," was Captain +Cortland's comment.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Major Silsbee. The other +younger officers nodded.</p> + +<p>"Corporal," went on Colonel North—and now +there was a world of real sympathy in his voice +as he looked at this fine young soldier—"this +is a very painful happening. Some slight, +surface indications are against you, but to me it +looks as though some one else had hatched up +the circumstances so that they would seem +bound to smite you. Of course, to everyone but +yourself, there is a possibility that you may be +guilty. It may please you, however, to know, +Corporal, that you still possess the confidence +of all your officers."</p> + +<p>"Then, sir, I thank all my officers."</p> + +<p>"In this country, Corporal," continued +Colonel North, "every man is presumed innocent +until he has been proven guilty. In your +own case you are not only not proven guilty, but +you are not even accused. Nor, on any such +evidence as we yet have before us could any accusation +be made with any hope of being able +to prove you guilty. I do not for a moment believe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +you guilty. You have too fine a record as +a soldier for any such belief to find acceptance +without the strongest, most positive proof."</p> + +<p>"There is something that Captain Cortland +and I have had in mind to do for you. The +present time, therefore, seems an especially suitable +one for showing the full measure of our +confidence in you, Corporal. Of course, if any +evidence came up that would sustain a charge +of crime against you, then what we are thinking +of doing could be very easily undone at need. +Corporal Overton, at parade, to-morrow afternoon, +your appointment as sergeant in B company +will be announced."</p> + +<p>Hal started, colored, then turned pale.</p> + +<p>"I—I thank you, sir," he stammered. "But—but——"</p> + +<p>"Well, my man?" inquired the colonel kindly.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, sir, but wouldn't the appointment +be better made at some later date?"</p> + +<p>"Why?" shot out Colonel North.</p> + +<p>"I fear I may not have as much force with +a squad room as a sergeant should have, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then you will have to develop that force," +replied Colonel North dryly. "It's in you, I +know."</p> + +<p>Poor Hal! At any other time this much-wanted +promotion would have been hailed joyfully. +Now it seemed almost like wormwood.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>BACKING THE NEW SERGEANT</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"CORPORAL OVERTON, B company, is +hereby appointed a sergeant in the +same company, the appointment to +take effect immediately. Sergeant Overton's +company commander will assign him to the +charge of a squad room in B company."</div> + +<p>That was published with the orders the very +next afternoon, at parade.</p> + +<p>It came with startling suddenness to most of +the men in B company. Noll was the only one +who had been warned in advance, and he had +held his peace.</p> + +<p>Only one other man in the battalion had +known it, and that was Grimes, the grimly silent +private who sold goods in the quartermaster's +store. Of Grimes, Hal had already purchased +the necessary sergeant chevrons that he +might have them ready.</p> + +<p>"On dismissal of the company Sergeant Overton +will at once report to me," announced Captain +Cortland.</p> + +<p>Hal, therefore, on falling out of ranks, went +directly to his company commander, saluting.</p> + +<p>"You are to have charge of the squad room<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +next to Sergeant Hupner's," began the captain, +pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>"And now, my lad, don't feel at all down +cast over some circumstances that have come +up in barracks," continued the captain, resting +a friendly hand on the new young sergeant's +shoulder. "Take firm charge of your squad +room from the outset. Force your men to respect +as well as obey you. You will have all +the necessary countenance of your officers. Do +your duty as a soldier, as you have always done, +and do not allow yourself to entertain fears of +any kind."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir. I shall do as you direct."</p> + +<p>"I know it, Sergeant Overton. I have confidence +in you. Now, I am going to step down +to your new squad room with you."</p> + +<p>If Hal Overton quaked just a bit as he rested +his right hand on the door of the room in which +he was henceforth to rule, nothing in his bearing +betrayed the fact.</p> + +<p>He threw open the door for Captain Cortland +to pass in ahead of him, at the same time calling +clearly:</p> + +<p>"Squad room, attention!"</p> + +<p>Captain Cortland strode in among his men, +who, halting where they were, faced toward him +and stood at attention.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Men," called Captain Cortland, "this is +your new sergeant. He will be obeyed and respected +accordingly."</p> + +<p>Then Captain Cortland turned and left the +room.</p> + +<p>Corporal Hyman, who belonged in this room, +came forward at once, holding out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you the lucky one, Sergeant!" cried +Hyman. "But I'm glad you got the step up. +You've won it. Well, we're all here. Fall to +and reorganize us, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"There will have to be very little of that, I +imagine, Corporal Hyman," replied the boyish +young sergeant, smiling. "The room has been +running all right, hasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"So-so," laughed Corporal Hyman. "But I +believe that some of these buck doughboys need +a bit of jacking up."</p> + +<p>Corporal Hyman turned, with a grinning face, +toward the men. But none of them were looking +that way at the moment. Every other man +in the room appeared interested in some other +subject than the new sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Go for 'em," muttered Hyman grimly under +his breath. "It's a shame for you to have to +stand for this sort of thing, kid! Pound 'em +into shape. Make 'em stand around for you."</p> + +<p>"I will, in matters of discipline and routine, +whenever necessary," Sergeant Hal answered,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +in an equally low voice. "But if the men don't +care for me personally that's another matter. +I'll never persecute any soldier just because he +doesn't like me."</p> + +<p>"It's all that cursed misunderstanding over +'Long Green,'" muttered Corporal Hyman. +"Of course you can't very well make a yell +about it, but I see several fights on my hands +from right now on, until I've gotten these buck +doughboys licked into a proper appreciation of +the new boss of their squad room."</p> + +<p>"Don't have any fights on my account, Hyman," +urged Sergeant Hal.</p> + +<p>"Well, I won't, then," came the dry retort. +"I'll have a few good fights on my own account, +then, for it's a personal grievance when the men +turn down a man that I like."</p> + +<p>The conversation was interrupted, at that moment, +by the in-coming of First Sergeant Gray.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad over your rise, Overton," beamed +the first sergeant. "And it has come quickly. +I'm here to warn you for guard duty. You'll +report at guard mount to-morrow morning as +sergeant of the guard."</p> + +<p>"That does come rather speedily, doesn't it?" +laughed Hal. "Who is to be officer of the day +to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Ferrers," responded Sergeant +Gray gravely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What? The joke to be officer of the day?" +exploded Corporal Hyman.</p> + +<p>"Corporal," came the first sergeant's swift, +serious rebuke, "whenever you allude to your +superior officers you'll do so with the utmost +respect."</p> + +<p>"My flag's down," replied Corporal Hyman. +"I surrender. But, Sergeant, is there anything +in the blue book of rules against my going away +in a corner for a quiet laugh."</p> + +<p>"No," rejoined Sergeant Gray stiffly, and Hyman +left them.</p> + +<p>"Of course you understand, Sergeant Overton," +went on Sergeant Gray, "that a little +more than the usual responsibility will devolve +upon you to-morrow. You know how new Lieutenant +Ferrers is to the Army. You may be +able quietly to prevent him from doing something +foolish—some little hint that you can give +him you know."</p> + +<p>"I'll have my eyes open," Sergeant Hal promised.</p> + +<p>Sergeant Gray warned two other men in the +room to report for guard duty in the morning, +then went to Sergeant Hupner's room to warn +others. Hal turned out the squad at mess call. +By this time the new young sergeant had sewed +on his new chevron, the outward sign of his promotion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<p>Through most of the evening Hal and Hyman +sat apart by one of the writing tables, chatting +by themselves. Since the men had shown open +dislike of the new sergeant Hal did not force +himself upon them. Finally, however, the fun +started by some of the men becoming altogether +too rough and noisy.</p> + +<p>"Squad room attention!" shouted Sergeant +Hal, leaping to his feet. Corporal Hyman, too, +jumped up.</p> + +<p>All of the men came instantly to attention. +Some of them looked merely curious, but a few +glared back at their new sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Some of you men have been more noisy and +rough than is warranted by a proper sense of +freedom in barracks," Hal said quietly but +firmly. "Fun may go on, but all real disorder +will cease at once, and not be resumed. That +is all."</p> + +<p>Hal turned to resume his seat at the table. +But from three or four men in the center of the +room, as they turned away, came a muffled +groan.</p> + +<p>That sign of insubordination brought the +young sergeant to his feet once more in an instant. +His under lip trembled slightly, but he +strode in among the men.</p> + +<p>"Men, I've something to say to you," announced +the new sergeant coolly. "I intend to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +preserve discipline in this squad room, though +I don't expect to do it like a martinet. Some of +you groaned, just now, when my back was +turned. Soldiers of the regular Army are men +of courage. No real man fights behind another +man's back. Has any man here anything that +he wishes to say to my face?"</p> + +<p>It was a tense moment. Three or four of the +men looked as though tempted to "say a lot."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hal, his hands tightly gripped, +stood facing them, waiting.</p> + +<p>Nearly a score of feet away Corporal Hyman +stood negligently by. There was nothing aggressive +in his manner, but he was ready to go +to the support of his sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Has any man here anything that he wishes +to say to me?" Hal repeated.</p> + +<p>Still silence was preserved.</p> + +<p>"Then let us have no more child's play by +those who are old enough to be men twenty-four +hours in a day," warned Overton crisply.</p> + +<p>He hadn't said much, but his look, his tone +and manner told the men that he was in command +in that room, and that he intended to keep +the command fully in his own hands.</p> + +<p>There was no further trouble that night, +though the young sergeant could not escape the +knowledge that he was generally disliked here.</p> + +<p>When guard-mounting assembly sounded at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +nine the next morning Sergeant Hal Overton +marched the new guard on to the field.</p> + +<p>Battalion Adjutant Wright was on hand, but +Lieutenant Algy Ferrers, the new officer of the +day, was absent.</p> + +<p>The adjutant turned, scanning the ground between +there and officers' row. There was no +sign of Lieutenant Ferrers, and in the Army +lack of punctuality, even to the fraction of a +minute, is a grave offense.</p> + +<p>"Orderly," directed Adjutant Wright, turning +to a man, "go to Lieutenant Ferrers' quarters +and direct him, with my compliments, to +come here as quickly as he possibly can."</p> + +<p>The orderly departed on a run. But he soon +came back, alone.</p> + +<p>"Sir, Lieutenant Ferrers is not in his quarters?"</p> + +<p>"Not in quarters? Did you look in at the +officers' club, too?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Lieutenant Ferrers' bed was not +slept in last night, so his striker told me."</p> + +<p>Adjutant Wright fumed inwardly, though he +turned to Hal to say:</p> + +<p>"Sergeant, inspect the guard."</p> + +<p>A little later Hal marched his new guard +down to the guard house. Lieutenant Ferrers +had not yet been found, and there was a storm +brewing.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>ASTONISHMENT JOLTS MR. FERRERS</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was nearly four in the afternoon when the +sentry on post number one called briskly:</div> + +<p>"Sergeant of the guard, post number +one!"</p> + +<p>"What is it, sentry?" asked Hal, stepping +briskly out of the guard house.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Ferrers is approaching, Sergeant," +replied the sentry, nodding his head +down the road.</p> + +<p>An auto car bowled leisurely up the road +toward the main entrance to the post. In it, +at the wheel, sat Lieutenant Algy Ferrers, who +was supposed to be officer of the day. He was +driving the one car that he had been allowed +to store on post.</p> + +<p>Algy looked decidedly tired and bored as he +drove along.</p> + +<p>"Halt the lieutenant, sentry."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>Just as the lieutenant turned his car in at +the gate, the sentry, instead of coming to present +arms, threw his gun over to port arms, calling:</p> + +<p>"Halt, sir. Sergeant of the guard, post number +one."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + +<p>Algy, with a look of astonishment on his face, +slowed the car down and stopped. Sergeant +Hal approached, giving him the rifle salute.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's in the wind, Sergeant?" demanded +Algy, reaching in a pocket for his cigarette +case.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon for stopping you, sir, but +the adjutant directed me to ask you to report +to him immediately upon your return, sir."</p> + +<p>"All right; I'll drop around and see Wright +as soon as I put my car up and get a bath," +replied Lieutenant Algy, striking a match.</p> + +<p>"Beg your pardon, sir; don't light that cigarette +until you've driven on."</p> + +<p>"Now how long since sergeants have taken +to giving officers orders?" inquired Mr. Ferrers +in very great astonishment.</p> + +<p>"The guard always has power to enforce the +rules, sir. And smoking is forbidden when addressing +the guard on official business."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I daresay you're right, Sergeant," assented +Algy, dropping his match out of the car. +"Very good; I'll see Wright within an hour +or so."</p> + +<p>"But the order was explicit, sir, that you are +to report to the adjutant at once. If you'll pardon +the suggestion, Lieutenant, I think it will +be better, sir, if you drive straight to the adjutant's +office."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, all right," nodded Algy indifferently. +"'Pon my word, it takes a fellow quite a while to +get hold of some of these peculiar Army customs. +Even an officer is likely to be ordered +about a good deal as though he were a dog. Eh, +Sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"I have never felt like a dog, sir, since entering +the Army."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I dare say Wright is quite proper in his +order, you know. I'll go up and drop in on +him right now."</p> + +<p>Both sergeant and sentry saluted again as +this very unusual officer turned on the speed and +went driving lazily up to headquarters' building.</p> + +<p>Algy Ferrers had his cigarette going by the +time that he stepped leisurely into the adjutant's +office.</p> + +<p>"Some one told me you wanted to see me, +Wright," began Algy.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Wright wheeled around briskly +upon his subordinate.</p> + +<p>"I want to see you, Mr. Ferrers, only to pass +you on to the colonel. I'll tell him that you're +here."</p> + +<p>Adjutant Wright stepped into the inner office, +nodding his head at the colonel, then wheeled +about.</p> + +<p>"Colonel North will see you, sir."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>Algy took three quick whiffs of his cigarette, +then tossed it away. He had already gained an +idea that a young officer does not go into his +colonel's presence smoking.</p> + +<p>"So you're here, sir?" demanded Colonel +North, looking up from his desk as Algy came +to a halt before him.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I'm here, Colonel—or most of me is. +My, how seedy I feel this afternoon! Do you +know, Colonel, I'm almost persuaded to cut out +social——"</p> + +<p>"Silence, Mr. Ferrers!" commanded Colonel +North very coldly. "Concern yourself only with +answering my questions. Yesterday afternoon +you were warned that you would be officer of +the day to-day."</p> + +<p>"Bless me, so I was," assented Algy mildly.</p> + +<p>"Yet this morning you failed to be present +at guard-mount."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. I'll tell you how it happened."</p> + +<p>"Be good enough to tell me without delay."</p> + +<p>"Colonel, did you ever hear of the Douglas-Fraziers, +of Detroit?"</p> + +<p>"Answer my question, Mr. Ferrers!"</p> + +<p>"Or the Porterby-Masons, of Chicago?" pursued +Algy calmly. "Both families are very old +friends of our family. They and some others +were very much interested in my being a soldier, +and——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You being a soldier!" exploded the irate +colonel under his breath.</p> + +<p>"And so they and some others who were on +their way to the coast on a special train had +their train switched off at Clowdry last night. +They expected to get in at eight, but it was +eleven when they arrived last night. However, +sir, they telephoned right up to me and tipped +me off to join them at once at the Clowdry Hotel. +So what could I do?"</p> + +<p>"Eh?" quivered Colonel North, who seemed +momentarily all but bereft of speech.</p> + +<p>"What could I do, sir? Of course I couldn't +turn down such old friends. Besides, there were +some fine girls with the party. And it was too +late, Colonel, to go waking you over the telephone, +so I just went down to the quartermaster's +stable and got my car out and was mighty +soon in Clowdry."</p> + +<p>"There might have been nothing very serious +in that, Mr. Ferrers, had you returned in time +for guard-mount this morning."</p> + +<p>"But I simply couldn't. Don't you understand?" +pleaded Algy with good-natured patience.</p> + +<p>"No, sir! I don't understand!" thundered +Colonel North. "All I understand, sir, is that +you have disgraced yourself and your regiment +by failing to report as the officer of the day."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let me explain, sir," went on Algy, with a +slight wave of his hand. "When I got to the +hotel the Douglas-Fraziers had ordered dinner. +They were starved. I had a pretty good appetite +myself. Dinner lasted until half past one. +Then we had a jolly time, some of the girls singing +in the hotel parlor. After they'd turned in, +between three and four in the morning, the men +insisted on hearing how well I was coming along +in the Army."</p> + +<p>"They did?" inquired the colonel, with an +irony that was wholly thrown away on Algy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. And then we sat down to play +cards. First thing we knew it was ten in the +morning. Then we had breakfast, and the ladies +got downstairs before the meal was over. The +Douglas-Frazier train couldn't pull out until +three thirty this afternoon. So, after they'd +gone to so much trouble to see me, and had put +up such a ripping time for me, of course I had +to stay in town to see them off."</p> + +<p>"Naturally," assented Colonel North with fine +sarcasm.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you understand it, Colonel, and +so there's not a bit of harm done, after all. I'm +an ignoramus about guard duty, anyway, and +I'll wager the guard got on better without me, +after all. And now, Colonel, since I've given you +a wholly satisfactory explanation as to why I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +simply couldn't be here to-day, if you've nothing +more to say to me, sir, I'll go to my quarters, +get into my bath and then tumble into bed, +for I'm just about dead for slee——"</p> + +<p>Colonel North rose fiercely, looking as though +he were threatened with an attack of apoplexy.</p> + +<p>"Stop all your idiotic chatter, Mr. Ferrers, +and listen to me with whatever little power of +concentration you may possess. Your conduct, +sir, has been wholly unfitting an officer and a +gentleman. If I did my full duty I'd order you +in arrest at once, and have you brought to trial +before a general court-martial. You have visited +upon yourself a disgrace that you can't wipe +out in a year. You have—but what's the use? +You wouldn't understand!"</p> + +<p>"I'm a little dull just now, sir," agreed Algy. +"But after a bath and a long night's sleep I'll +be as fresh as ever."</p> + +<p>"You'll have neither bath nor sleep!" retorted +the colonel testily. "You'll go to your quarters +and get into your uniform without a moment's +delay. You'll be back here in fifteen minutes, +or I'll order you in arrest. And you'll +finish out your tour of guard duty. You'll be on +duty and awake, sir, until the old guard goes off +to-morrow morning. More, you'll remain all that +time at the guard house, so that the sergeant of +the guard can be sure that you are awake."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Good heavens!" murmured Algy.</p> + +<p>"Further, Mr. Ferrers, until further orders, +you will not step off the limits of the post without +express permission from either myself or +Major Silsbee. Now, go to your quarters, sir—and +don't dare to be gone more than fifteen minutes."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Prescott, hearing some one move +in Mr. Ferrers' rooms, looked in inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I'm in an awful hurry. I've got +to get back to that beastly colonel," explained +Algy.</p> + +<p>"Beastly? Colonel North is a fine old brick!" +retorted Prescott indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Well, he has an—er—most peculiar temper +at times," insisted Algy. "Why, he seemed +positively annoyed because I had obeyed the +social instinct and had gone away to meet old +friends of our family."</p> + +<p>"Have you any idea what you did to-day?" +demanded Lieutenant Prescott. "Ferrers, +you've been guilty of conduct that is sufficient +to get an officer kicked out of the service for +good and all."</p> + +<p>"And just between ourselves," sputtered Algy, +"I don't believe the officer would lose much +by the operation. Have you any idea of the +social importance of the Douglas-Fraziers and +of the——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, hang the Douglas-Fraziers and all their +works," uttered Prescott disgustedly. "Algy, +are you ever going to become a soldier?"</p> + +<p>"You're as bad as the colonel!" muttered +Ferrers. "What the Army needs is a little +more exact understanding of social life and its +obligations."</p> + +<p>"Let me help you on with your sword," interrupted +Prescott dryly. "You're getting it +tangled up between your legs."</p> + +<p>"I'm excited, that's why," returned Ferrers. +"It all comes of having a colonel who understands +nothing of the social life. There; now +I'm ready, and I must get away on the bounce."</p> + +<p>"I'll walk along with you and explain the +nature of your offense of to-day, if you don't +mind," proposed Prescott.</p> + +<p>Algy Ferrers reported at Colonel North's +office and soon came out.</p> + +<p>"Now I'm off," cried Ferrers gayly, as he +came out again.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe you've ever been anything +else but 'off,'" murmured Prescott, as he stood +in front of headquarters and watched Algy, who +was actually walking briskly.</p> + +<p>As Lieutenant Prescott stood there Colonel +North came out. The younger officer wheeled, +saluting respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Prescott, if you've nothing important<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +on this evening, will you drop down to the guard +house for a little while? You may be able to +prevent Mr. Ferrers from doing something that +will compel me to resort to almost as strong +measures as I would adopt with a really responsible +being."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I'll pay Mr. Ferrers a visit soon +after dinner."</p> + +<p>"Of course, the young man has to break in +at guard duty some time," continued the regiment's +commander. "But I am very glad to +know that young Overton is sergeant of the +guard to-night. He will prevent anyone from +stealing the guard house!"</p> + +<p>"I rather think Sergeant Overton would, sir. +He's pretty young, but he's an all-around soldier."</p> + +<p>"I wish," muttered the colonel, as he turned +to stride toward his own quarters, "that Overton +were the lieutenant and Mr. Ferrers the +sergeant. Then I could reduce <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Ferrer'">Ferrers</ins> and +get the surgeon to order him into hospital!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>PRIVATE HINKEY DELIVERS HIS ANSWER</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>THANKS to a most capable sergeant of +the guard, Lieutenant Algy got through +his balance of the tour of guard duty +without setting the post on fire.</div> + +<p>There was no rest, however, for the irresponsible +young lieutenant.</p> + +<p>For three successive mornings Ferrers had +to grub hard at drill, with Lieutenant Prescott +standing by to coach him.</p> + +<p>Then, on the fourth morning, Lieutenant Algy +was ordered out to take A Company on a twenty-mile +hike over rough country.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant Reed knows the whole route and +will be a most capable guide, Mr. Ferrers," explained +Captain Ruggles. "We shall look for +you to be back by five o'clock this afternoon. +Don't use your men too hard. Now, I'll stand +by to see you start the company."</p> + +<p>With a brave determination to show how +worthy he was of trust, Lieutenant Algy stepped +briskly over to A Company, which rested in +ranks in platoon front. Drawing his sword, he +commanded:</p> + +<p>"Attention!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thereupon he put the company through half +a dozen movements of the manual of arms, next +marching the company away in column of fours. +The regulars, of course, responded like clockwork. +They made a fine appearance as they +started off under their freakish second lieutenant. +Ere they had gone far Ferrers swung them +into column of twos at the route step.</p> + +<p>"He's doing that almost well," muttered Captain +Ruggles under his breath. "I believe the +young cub is trying to be a soldier, after all."</p> + +<p>It still lacked much of two in the afternoon +when Captain Ruggles, leaving his quarters, saw +his company marching back.</p> + +<p>"Gracious! How did the youngster ever get +the men over the ground in this time?" wondered +Captain Ruggles, glancing at his watch. +"And he hasn't used the company up, either. +The men move as actively as though they had +just come from bed and a bath."</p> + +<p>Captain Ruggles walked rapidly over toward +barracks. Lieutenant Ferrers threw his company +into column of platoons, faced them about +and brought the men to a halt. Then he wheeled +about, saluting Captain Ruggles.</p> + +<p>"Any further orders, sir?" inquired Algy.</p> + +<p>"No, Lieutenant. Dismiss the company."</p> + +<p>As soon as the men had started barrackwards, +Captain Ruggles asked the lieutenant:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How did you manage it, Ferrers, to bring +the men back in such fine condition and so early +in the day?"</p> + +<p>"Just a matter of good judgment, Captain," +beamed Algy.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I changed the orders a bit, sir, to meet the +conditions that I discovered."</p> + +<p>"Conditions?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Captain. The day proved to be extremely +warm. I marched the men for about +six miles; it may have been nearer seven. +Curiously enough, Sergeant Reed and I disagreed +on that point. He said we had gone +about a mile and a half."</p> + +<p>"Well? What next?"</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, I found it so warm that I couldn't +march with any comfort at all. Now, I don't +believe an officer should expect his men to go +where he isn't willing to go himself, and as for +myself I didn't want to go any further. So I +halted the company and——"</p> + +<p>"And——"</p> + +<p>"Why, Captain," smiled Lieutenant Ferrers, +"I just let the men enjoy themselves under the +trees until it was time to have their dinner on +the field rations they'd taken along."</p> + +<p>"And then?"</p> + +<p>"Why, then, sir, I marched them back here.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +I'll take them out again some day when the +weather is cooler, and——"</p> + +<p>Captain Ruggles acted a good deal like a +man who is about to lose his temper.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ferrers," came his rasping order, "go +to your rooms! Remain there until you hear +from Colonel North, Major Silsbee or myself."</p> + +<p>"Why, what on earth have I done now?" +gasped the astonished young man.</p> + +<p>"Go to your rooms, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Now, what ails good old Ruggles? Isn't the +Army the queerest old place on the map of the +moon?"</p> + +<p>Within fifteen minutes Algy Ferrers, sitting +back in an easy chair in his quarters, glancing +out of a window with a look of absolute boredom, +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'receive'">received</ins> a telephone call.</p> + +<p>"Colonel North's compliments, and will you +come to his house at once?" was the brief message.</p> + +<p>"Now, I shouldn't wonder if old Ruggles had +forgotten to mind his own business," muttered +Algy disconsolately, as he reached for his fatigue +cap.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ferrers," was the colonel's stern greeting, +"every day your conduct becomes more incomprehensible!"</p> + +<p>"And every day, sir, I might say," retorted +the young man pleasantly, "the Army becomes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +harder to understand. I don't wish to be guilty +of any impertinence, sir, but wouldn't it be well +to have a law enacted that officers from civil +life should be appointed wholly from clerks, +who have learned how to keep office hours and +never do any thinking for themselves?"</p> + +<p>"There might be some advantage in that plan, +Mr. Ferrers," replied the colonel grimly. "And +I can't help feeling that you would give infinitely +more satisfaction here if you had first been +trained a bit in one of your father's many offices. +I don't suppose you have the least idea, sir, of +what a grave offense you have committed to-day?"</p> + +<p>"I expected to be praised, sir," replied Algy +almost testily, "for having been highly humane +to the men under my command."</p> + +<p>"Humane!" exploded Colonel North. "Bah! +Mr. Ferrers, do you imagine that our regulars +are so many weaklings, that they have to come +in when it rains, or stay in when the sun shines? +Bah! You have been guilty of gross disobedience +of orders, and you are an officer, sir—supposed +to be engaged in teaching obedience to +enlisted men. That is all, sir—you may go to +your quarters!"</p> + +<p>By the time that young Mr. Ferrers reached +his own quarters he found Lieutenant Prescott +there, though the latter did not say a word about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +Colonel North having ordered him to make the +call.</p> + +<p>Algy immediately started in upon what was, +for him, a furious tirade.</p> + +<p>"Do you know, dear chap," he wound up, +"I can't always understand a man like old Papa +North. Sometimes I think he's just a beast!"</p> + +<p>But Prescott's laughing advice was:</p> + +<p>"Hold yourself in, Ferrers; your hoops are +cracked."</p> + +<p>"Bah!" stormed Lieutenant Algy. "An +Army post is a crazy place for a fellow to go +when looking for sympathy or reason."</p> + +<p>In the meantime A Company's men had spread +the joke through enlisted men's barracks.</p> + +<p>"What's the use!" growled Private Hinkey to +a group of private soldiers. "Ferrers is just a +plumb fool, and all the colonels in the world +can't ever make anything else of him. Ferrers is +a born idiot!"</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hal Overton paused just at the edge +of the group.</p> + +<p>"Hinkey," the boyish non-com. observed +dryly, "if that's your opinion, you'll show a lot +of wisdom and good sense in keeping it to yourself."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you shut up!" sneered Hinkey. "No +one spoke to you. Move on. Your opinions are +not wanted here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<p>Words cannot convey the intent in Hickey's +words, though it was plain enough to all who +stood near by.</p> + +<p>Hinkey plainly sought to convey that no man +in barracks had any use for Sergeant Overton, +a man as good as convicted of having robbed +Private William Green.</p> + +<p>Nor did Hal, by any means, miss the intended +slur. Yet he was above taking up any quarrel +on personal grounds.</p> + +<p>"Hinkey," rebuked the young sergeant, +"you're not answering a non-commissioned officer +with the proper amount of respect."</p> + +<p>"What's the use?" jeered the ugly soldier. "I +don't feel any."</p> + +<p>"Silence, my man!"</p> + +<p>"Then since you're putting on airs just because +of your chevrons, you'd better set an example +of silence yourself. Then your lesson +will wash down all the better."</p> + +<p>The other soldiers in the group took no part +in the conversation. They did not attempt to +"show sides," but Sergeant Hal knew that they +were looking on and listening with keen interest.</p> + +<p>It would never do for this boy who was a +sergeant to "back down" before such an affront, +both to himself and to good discipline.</p> + +<p>"He's trying to make me mad, so that I'll +make it seem like a personal affair," thought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +Hal Overton swiftly. "I'll keep cool and fool +the fellow!"</p> + +<p>Hinkey, after glaring defiantly and contemptuously +at the young sergeant, turned on +his heel and started away.</p> + +<p>"Halt, there, my man!" ordered Sergeant +Hal coolly, yet at the same time sternly.</p> + +<p>Hinkey kept on as though he had not heard.</p> + +<p>Without an instant's hesitation, his manner +still cool but his face white and set, Sergeant +Overton leaped after his man, laying a hand +heavily on the private's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I halted you, my man!"</p> + +<p>"Did you?" said Hinkey. "I didn't hear it."</p> + +<p>With that, he slipped out from under Hal +Overton's detaining grasp, turned his back and +once more started onward.</p> + +<p>"Careful there, Hinkey!" called one of the +soldiers warningly.</p> + +<p>But the sullen soldier was now beyond any +sense of caution.</p> + +<p>As Hal again grabbed him, this time with both +hands, and swinging him about, Hinkey thrust +his face menacingly close to Overton's.</p> + +<p>"What do you want, Overton? Maybe I've +got it."</p> + +<p>"Attention!"</p> + +<p>"I'm listening," growled Hinkey, his whole +carriage slouching.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Stand at attention!"</p> + +<p>"Hinkey, you're wholly disrespectful and insubordinate!"</p> + +<p>Out of the corner of his eye the soldier saw +his late companions silently drawing nearer.</p> + +<p>"If I'm disrespectful, I'm disrespectful to +nothing!" he retorted derisively.</p> + +<p>Then he added with more insulting directness:</p> + +<p>"Or to less than nothing!"</p> + +<p>"Hinkey, are you going to stand at attention +and be silent until I'm through with you?"</p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p>Again he tried to free himself from the boyish +sergeant's grasp, but this time he found it +harder than he had expected.</p> + +<p>"Stand at attention, man!"</p> + +<p>"I'll see you in Tophet first! And take your +hands off of me, unless you want to start trouble +at once!"</p> + +<p>"Hinkey, you are making a fearful mistake in +forgetting yourself! I'll give you this one +chance to come to your senses."</p> + +<p>"And if you don't take your hands off of me +you'll lose your senses—if you ever had any!"</p> + +<p>Hal's answer was to tighten his grip until +the other winced. Then Private Hinkey delivered +his answer. Suddenly wrenching himself +free, by the exercise of his full strength, he let +his fist fly at Sergeant Overton's face.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>SERGEANT OVERTON AND DISCIPLINE</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>JUST how it all happened Private Hinkey +was never afterwards able to figure out +to his own satisfaction.</div> + +<p>Instead of his blow landing, the soldier found +himself on his own back on the grass—and he +fell with a bump that jarred him.</p> + +<p>"You chevroned cur! I'll make you eat that +blow!" yelled Hinkey, beside himself with rage.</p> + +<p>Then he leaped to his feet, fairly quivering +with the great passion that had seized him.</p> + +<p>"Slosson! Kelly! Take hold of Hinkey! +He's under arrest," announced the boyish sergeant.</p> + +<p>Hinkey made a dive at Hal, but the two soldiers, +hearing themselves summoned, and knowing +the penalties of disobedience, threw themselves +between the sulky brute and the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Let me at him!" screamed Hinkey, struggling +with the two comrades who now held him.</p> + +<p>"Be silent, you fool!" warned Slosson. +"You'll get yourself in stiff before you know +what you're about."</p> + +<p>"What do I care?" panted Hinkey. "The +cur coward! He doesn't dare face me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If the sergeant came at ye once wid his +fists, ye'd know better—as soon as ye knew anything," +jeered Private Kelly.</p> + +<p>"The sarge is a scrapper—few like him in +'ours' when he turns himself loose," supplemented +Slosson.</p> + +<p>"Then let go of me, and let the cur turn himself +loose," pleaded Hinkey, fighting furiously +with his captors. "Let him show me if he +dares."</p> + +<p>Into such a passion was he working himself +that Hinkey seemed likely to tear himself away +from the two soldiers who sought to restrain +him.</p> + +<p>But Hal had sense enough to keep his own +hands out of the affair.</p> + +<p>"Meade, get in there and help," he directed.</p> + +<p>Then, with Hinkey growing rapidly angrier +and putting forth more strength, there was battle +royal.</p> + +<p>When it was over Hinkey had a bleeding nose, +a cut lip, one eye closed and his uniform all +but torn from him.</p> + +<p>But he panted and surrendered, at last—a +prisoner.</p> + +<p>"What's this all about, Sergeant Overton?" +demanded First Sergeant Gray, hastening to the +spot.</p> + +<p>"I've placed Hinkey under arrest, Sergeant,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +for disrespectful speech against an officer, for +disrespectful answers to myself and for insubordination."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't act without strong cause, I +know, Sergeant Overton," replied First Sergeant +Gray. "Hustle Private Hinkey down to +the guard house, then."</p> + +<p>"Forward with him, men," ordered Hal.</p> + +<p>Hinkey would have started the fight all over +again, but he realized the weight of discipline +and numbers, and felt that it would give his +enemy too much satisfaction.</p> + +<p>So, with much growling and many oaths, +Hinkey submitted to being marched down to the +guard house.</p> + +<p>To the sergeant of the guard Hal explained +the charge. The sergeant of the guard promptly +sent for Lieutenant Hayes, of C Company, who +was officer of the day.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hayes listened attentively to the charge +preferred by Sergeant Overton. Hinkey, too, +who was behind a barred door in one of the cells, +listened with darkening brow.</p> + +<p>"It's all rot!" raged the arrested soldier. +"It's all a personal matter, and Overton has +vented his spite on me."</p> + +<p>"Silence, my man!" ordered Lieutenant +Hayes sternly. "And when you refer to Sergeant +Overton, call him by his title.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>"</p> + +<p>"I won't shut up until I've had my say!" +raged Private Hinkey, gripping with both +hands the bars of the cell door. "Lieutenant——"</p> + +<p>"Silence, or you'll have disrespectful language +to the officer of the day added to the other +charges against you," warned Lieutenant +Hayes, stepping over to the cell door. "Not +another word out of you, Hinkey."</p> + +<p>In the old days the prisoner would have been +locked up until the next general court-martial +convened. But in these newer days the plan +is to have as many offenses as possible tried +before summary court.</p> + +<p>A summary court consists of one officer, who +must, when practicable, be of field officer's rank.</p> + +<p>So, at nine the next morning, Private Hinkey +was arraigned before Major Silsbee. All the +necessary witnesses were there, too.</p> + +<p>Hinkey, of course, claimed that it had all been +an affair of personal spite on the part of Sergeant +Overton.</p> + +<p>This claim Hinkey was given a fair opportunity +to prove, but he failed to do so.</p> + +<p>"I commend Sergeant Overton for his soldierly +attitude in the matter," declared Major +Silsbee when summing up. "Sergeant Overton +behaved with an amount of decision and of moderation +that is remarkable in so young a non-commissioned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +officer. Sergeant Overton thereby +demonstrated his fitness to command men. Private +Hinkey's conduct, from start to finish, as +testified to by the witnesses, was gross and indefensible. +Such conduct in a soldier of the regular +Army is nothing short of disgraceful."</p> + +<p>Then followed the sentence.</p> + +<p>For disrespectful allusions to Lieutenant Ferrers, +uttered in the presence of other enlisted +men, Private Hinkey was sentenced to forfeit +fifteen dollars of his pay. For disrespect and +insubordination, as evinced toward Sergeant +Overton, and for resisting arrest, he was fined +twenty-five dollars more of his pay.</p> + +<p>Thus Private Hinkey would be obliged to +work for the United States for nothing during +nearly the next three months of his service.</p> + +<p>Further, he was sentenced to one week's confinement +at the guard house, and to perform +fatigue labor on the post.</p> + +<p>Then, still under guard, Hinkey was marched +back to the guard house.</p> + +<p>His sentence, which, of course, the fellow regarded +as tyranny pure and simple, filled his +heart with black hatred against the boyish sergeant. +At first sight it may seem strange, but +the outcome of the whole affair was to raise +Hal Overton considerably in the esteem of his +comrades at Fort Clowdry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>As his service in the Army lengthens the soldier +acquires a trained sense of justice.</p> + +<p>A non-commissioned officer is never allowed +to lay hands in anger on any man beneath him +in rank, save to restrain a drunken or crazy +man, or in defense of himself or of another non-com. +or officer.</p> + +<p>But Hinkey had struck at Hal, and the latter, +had he been so inclined, would have been +justified in leaping upon the private and beating +him into submission. Instead, he had ordered +disinterested soldiers to bring about the +submission and the arrest.</p> + +<p>More, Major Silsbee's comments on the case +had been repeated by the witnesses to other +comrades in barracks.</p> + +<p>A soldier soon comes to realize, if he is a +reasonable man, that his officers always endeavor +to work out impartial justice. Therefore, +Major Silsbee's comments had greatly +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'strenghtened'">strengthened</ins> Hal's reputation among his soldier +comrades.</p> + +<p>This does not mean that all suspicion against +Sergeant Overton was forgotten, but the men +now remembered that Hinkey had been the most +active and bitter poisoner of minds against Hal. +So, now, reaction had its natural effect—somewhat +in Hal Overton's favor.</p> + +<p>The fourth day of Hinkey's imprisonment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +Sergeant Hal had charge of the guard that +controlled the seven prisoners, in all, who were +now working out guard house terms.</p> + +<p>Hinkey now managed to come close to the +young sergeant in command of the fatigue +party.</p> + +<p>"You may think you've won out," growled +Private Hinkey.</p> + +<p>"My man," spoke Hal almost kindly, "I've +no desire to see you get into more trouble. Attend +to your fatigue duty!"</p> + +<p>"You may think you've won out," repeated +Hinkey. "But wait!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>WHEN HINKEY WON GOOD OPINIONS</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>GREAT news came to Fort Clowdry these +days.</div> + +<p>All summer the War Department had +been considering the advisability of holding a +military tournament at Denver. An enormous +religious organization of young people of both +sexes was to hold its convention in that city.</p> + +<p>In the same week two great secret societies +were also to hold annual meetings in Denver.</p> + +<p>Thus there would be an unusually large crowd +in this handsome, hustling city of the Rockies.</p> + +<p>The War Department, in its efforts to conduct +the Army like any other great business enterprise, +occasionally "advertises" in the way +of holding a military tournament.</p> + +<p>These tournaments, at which seats are provided +for many thousands of spectators, show +in graphic splendor the work of all the different +branches of the military service.</p> + +<p>It is the experience of the War Department +that each tournament, if held under conditions +that will draw a huge crowd of spectators, always +results in a rush of the most desirable recruits +for the Army.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + +<p>Soldiers always take a keen interest in these +tournaments. It means to them the excitement +of travel and change, and the prospect of winning +applause that is so dear to the average +human heart.</p> + +<p>It also means, for men of known good conduct, +a welcome amount of leave to wander +about the big city on the outskirts of which the +tournament is held. There are many other reasons +why men of the Regular Army always welcome +these affairs.</p> + +<p>All four of the companies at Fort Clowdry +were to go to Denver, save for a detail of ten +men from each company, who were to be left +behind to guard government property at the +fort.</p> + +<p>"Hinkey," announced Captain Cortland, +meeting that sullen soldier, "I don't suppose +you have figured on being allowed to go to Denver +with your company."</p> + +<p>"I suppose, sir, that I'm slated for the post +guard," replied Hinkey, saluting.</p> + +<p>"My man, you've recently been guilty of conduct +grossly unbecoming a soldier. But you've +served your guard house period, and you'll be +busy, for many weeks yet to come, in working +out the fines imposed against you. For breaches +of discipline it is the intent of the authorities +to provide sufficient punishment. It is not,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +however, the purpose to keep on punishing a +man. You may be glad, therefore, to know that +you are to be allowed to go to Denver with your +company."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir; I am glad," replied Private +Hinkey, saluting very respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Then look carefully to your conduct until +the time comes to start," admonished Captain +Cortland.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir. I most certainly shall."</p> + +<p>Then, as he watched the back of Captain Cortland, +a peculiarly disagreeable smile came to +Hinkey's lips.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I'll be careful!" he muttered. +"And I am glad of the chance—far more glad +than you can guess, Cap. A trip like this will +give me ten times the chance I'd have here at +Clowdry to get even with that cheeky young +kid sergeant, Overton!"</p> + +<p>Thereafter Hinkey fairly dreamed of the military +journey that was so near at hand.</p> + +<p>All was bustle and activity on the military +reservation. Soldiers taking part in a military +tournament require almost as many "properties" +and "stage settings" as are needed by a +big theatrical company.</p> + +<p>For the tournament is, actually and purposely, +a big theatrical display. It is intended to show +all the excitement, snap and glamour of the soldier's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +life and his deeds of high skill and great +daring.</p> + +<p>Then came the day when the battalion, with +drum-major and band at its head, marched away +with colors bravely flying, and boarded the train +at the little, nearby station.</p> + +<p>The train left soon after nine in the morning.</p> + +<p>Private Hinkey was greatly disappointed at +this. He had hoped that the command might +travel by night. He had dreamed of catching +Sergeant Hal on a platform, and of hurling him +from the moving car without his crime being +seen of other eyes.</p> + +<p>"But no matter!" muttered the brute to himself. +"I know the programme at the tournament, +and there'll be a lot of chances—more +than I can use, as I need but one!" the sullen +fellow finished grimly under his breath.</p> + +<p>It was late in the afternoon when the train +was shunted upon a siding not far from the +great ball grounds on which the tourney was to +be held. There was no crowd here as yet, and +no crashing of brass or flourish of trumpets. +The battalion, at route step, moved into the +grounds. Here ranks were broken and arms +stacked. Then, by detachments, each under an +officer, or non-commissioned officer, the men were +hustled off to attend to an enormous amount of +swift, skilful labor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>At one far-end of the grounds the full-sized +Army tents were erected, with cook tents, mess +and hospital tents, and all, for the men were to +live comfortably in the brief time that they +were to be here.</p> + +<p>Engineer and cavalry troops were already on +the field, the engineers having arrived first of +all, in order to lay the grounds out for the work +in hand. Artillery and Signal Corps men, and +a small detachment of ordnance troops, were +due to arrive before dark.</p> + +<p>By supper time the hard-worked soldiers had +some right to feel tired. It was not until nine +in the evening that the men were through for +that day. Then a few of the men of best conduct +were given passes to leave camp and visit +Denver until midnight.</p> + +<p>Private Hinkey was not one of these men. +He did not even want to go, for he had worked +like a beaver, and was thoroughly tired out. +It had seemed, since reaching the grounds, as +though Hinkey had been determined to show +how good and industrious a soldier he could be.</p> + +<p>"That man is working to reinstate himself +in the good conduct grade," remarked Lieutenant +Hampton, calling Hinkey's tireless industry +to Captain Cortland's attention.</p> + +<p>"Then he'll have all the chance he wants," +replied the captain. "We don't want to keep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +any man down, or to give him a dog's name—with +apologies to the dog."</p> + +<p>As Hinkey had been in a service detachment +under Overton's command Hal felt it but just +to say to the fellow:</p> + +<p>"Hinkey, you've worked harder and more +attentively than any man in this detachment."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Sergeant; I've tried to," replied +the fellow, with such well-pretended respect +that Sergeant Hal almost fell over.</p> + +<p>"I almost think I've misjudged the man in +thinking him one of our worst," Overton told +himself.</p> + +<p>It had been well for the boyish young sergeant +had he been but a trifle more suspicious +of such sudden reform on his enemy's part!</p> + +<p>At five in the morning, or almost an hour +earlier than usual, every officer and man in this +temporary camp was routed out from under his +blankets by the sharp, stirring notes of first call +to reveille.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was hurriedly disposed of, and the +simple duties of ordinary "camp police" performed +by the time that it was fully light.</p> + +<p>And now more labor, for the stage settings +must be arranged, that they might all be moved +swiftly into place as the need came.</p> + +<p>It was noon when the men finished. Then +mess call, or "come and get it," as the soldiers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +facetiously term it, was sounded over the camp, +and officer and man alike hastened to the well-earned +midday meal.</p> + +<p>"We ought to have a huge crowd," spoke +Corporal Noll Terry, at camp table.</p> + +<p>"We ought to, but we won't," predicted Sergeant +Hupner.</p> + +<p>"Why not, Sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"You didn't take a pass to go to town, last +night?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"Well, Sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"The town is billed from one end to another +with posters of the show," continued Hupner.</p> + +<p>"Meaning our tournament?"</p> + +<p>"No, Terry. Of course, our show is billed, +too, but the show I'm alluding to is Howe and +Spangleton's Great Combined Circuses."</p> + +<p>"Are they showing in Denver to-day?" asked +Sergeant Overton.</p> + +<p>"Yes, siree," replied Hupner, with emphasis. +"And you know what these western towns are +when a truly big circus works this far west. +The circus will be selling standing-room at +double prices, and this show of ours will be +performed to two or three hundred small kids +whose hearts are broken because they didn't +have the price of a circus ticket."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We ought to have had some other date in +the week, then," spoke up another man at table.</p> + +<p>"Oh," grimaced Hupner, "the War Department +thinks a whole lot of its regulars, of +course, so I don't suppose any one over at Washington +could picture the troops being called +upon to show their best work to empty benches +that would hold twenty thousand spectators."</p> + +<p>That same news, and that same impression +had reached the artillery, the cavalry, the ordnance +detachment, the engineers and the men +of the Signal Corps. The officers, likewise, +shook their heads. All were greatly disappointed +to think that the Army had to compete +with the sawdust, the tinsel, the gay music +and the dash and whoop-la of the circus.</p> + +<p>Yet one man in this Regular Army encampment +felt wholly satisfied with himself.</p> + +<p>That man was Private Hinkey.</p> + +<p>He knew the programme of the tournament, +and the secret of this sullen wretch's great industry +was known at least to himself.</p> + +<p>"I've got it all fixed to rid the regiment of +that kid sergeant," the brute in uniform exulted +to himself. "Exit Kid Overton from the +Thirty-fourth!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>HAL RIDES INTO TREACHERY</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>AT one-thirty the gates of the ball grounds +were thrown open.</div> + +<p>A long programme lay before the assembled +regulars, so the tournament was to begin +at two o'clock.</p> + +<p>The same performance was to be repeated in +the evening, under brilliant electric lighting.</p> + +<p>As they left the camp tables, however, the +men moved about rather dejectedly.</p> + +<p>The unexpected competition with the big circus +had spoiled their hopes of winning round +after round of delighted applause from huge +crowds.</p> + +<p>Yet barely were the gates to the grounds open +when the soldiers began to take notice.</p> + +<p>In an instant after opening there was a big +rush at the gates. Men and women, boys and +girls, crowded and jostled to get into the +grounds.</p> + +<p>"They'll stop coming in two minutes, at this +rate," grumbled Sergeant Hupner.</p> + +<p>Yet he proved a poor prophet. By quarter +of two nearly <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'everyone'">every one</ins> of the more than twenty +thousand seats for spectators had been filled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +Five minutes after that not a seat could be had, +even by squeezing. Just before two o'clock ten +thousand more spectators had crowded in, standing +wherever they could find the space.</p> + +<p>Outside the crowd still pressed. Thousands +simply had to be turned away.</p> + +<p>Every officer present now wore a quiet smile +that hid his delight under an orderly appearance.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if the circus has a crowd like +this?" gasped Sergeant Hupner, his astonished +gaze roving over the densely packed masses of +humanity.</p> + +<p>An artillery band was playing at its loudest +and gayest.</p> + +<p>"I wonder," repeated Sergeant Hupner, "if +the circus is playing to a crush like this."</p> + +<p>No; it wasn't. Over under the Howe and +Spangleton big-top, with its plain and reserved +seats for eighteen thousand people, consternation +prevailed.</p> + +<p>The Army had proved the winning attraction +for Denver's amusement-seeking crowds!</p> + +<p>Only some eleven hundred and fifty people +had paid to see the afternoon performance at the +circus. In chagrin, the management hurriedly +passed in free some two hundred more loungers +on the lot.</p> + +<p>"I never even dreamed of a streak of luck<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +like this!" grumbled Proprietor Howe to his +partner, Spangleton.</p> + +<p>"I hope we'll never meet it again. What has +struck us this blow under the belt?"</p> + +<p>"The confounded regular Army," growled +Howe. "I've just telephoned over, and I hear +that folks are packed in so tightly at the Army +show that the people are able to breathe only +half the usual number of times to the minute."</p> + +<p>"Then they'll hit us just as bad to-night," +growled Spangleton. "Howe, with the Army +to play against, we'd save money by pulling +down our tents now and striking the rails for +the next stand."</p> + +<p>Just a minute or so before two o'clock the artillery +band left the bandstand and marched +back to camp.</p> + +<p>Now, all in an instant, the military parade +formed.</p> + +<p>At the head was the cavalry band, followed +by a squadron (two troops or companies) of +splendidly mounted fighting men, their accoutrements +jingling.</p> + +<p>As the cavalry, its band blaring joyously, +passed out before the people, the Signal Corps +men followed on foot. Now the artillery, preceded +by a mounted band that was just now +silent, swung into line. Right behind the artillery, +with its men perched up on the seats, their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +arms folded, or else driving the horses from +saddles, came more men on foot, the ordnance +detachment.</p> + +<p>Now a third band, the Thirty-fourth's, +marched on to the scene, silent, like the artillery +musicians. After the third band in the line +came the first battalion of the Thirty-fourth—at +its head Colonel North and Major Silsbee, +with their respective staffs, all on horseback. +And now behind them marched, with the precise, +easy rhythm of the foot soldier, the four +companies, A, B, C and D, all moving like so +many fine, automatic, easy-jointed machines.</p> + +<p>The mounted detachments had brought forth +rounds of rousing applause as they swept by, +but when the infantrymen—the real, solid, +fighting wall of the Army came in view, its +men moving with the perfectly gaited, steady +whump, whump! of superbly marching men, the +spectators began to yell in frantic earnest.</p> + +<p>The cavalry band ceased its stirring strain. +Instantly the mounted drum major of the artillery +swung about on his horse, holding up his +baton, then bringing it down with the signal, +"play."</p> + +<p>As the artillery band blazed forth in a glory +of rousing melody the noise of people's feet +increased.</p> + +<p>By the time that the infantry marched past<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +the central portion of the great mass of civilians +it was the turn of the Thirty-fourth's band. +Every spectator, nearly, was now standing, +stamping, waving. Cheer after cheer went up.</p> + +<p>It seemed as though human enthusiasm could +not know greater bounds. Faint echoes must +have reached the distant, nearly empty circus +big-top. Yet the breathless thousands had +caught, as yet, but the first tame pageantry of +this glimpse of the glory of armed men.</p> + +<p>Just before B company, as it swung along at +the good old regular gait, one excited onlooker +hurled a well-filled wallet—the only sign left +him for showing his utter enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>File after file of foot soldiers stepped over +this wallet, yet, if one of the infantrymen knew +it was there, not one of them let any sign escape +him. Discipline was absolutely perfect. These +marching men of rifle and bayonet swept on, +heads up, eyes straight forward, every file in +flawless, absolute alignment.</p> + +<p>And so the wallet was passed over and left +behind while the crowd, staring at this unexpected +scene of soldierly discipline, went wilder +than before, in a frantic acclaim that was +granted from the soul.</p> + +<p>A policeman, standing at the edge of the +crowd, picked up the wallet, returning it to its +somewhat disappointed owner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the parade had swept around the field, +each band playing in its turn, the crowd settled +back with a sigh, as though satisfied that the +greatest sight on the programme had been witnessed.</p> + +<p>Yet hardly was there a pause. A troop +of cavalry came forward, now, at the trot. All +the evolutions of the school of the troop, +mounted, were now gone through with. All +the swift, bewildering changes of the cavalryman's +manual of arms were exhibited.</p> + +<p>Single riders and squads exhibited some of +the prettiest work of the cowboy, for the American +cavalryman has learned his riding and his +daring from the best work of generations of +cowboys.</p> + +<p>Men rode two, and then three horses, at once, +standing on bareback and leaping their animals +over gates, ditches and hedges.</p> + +<p>Down at the far end of the wheel a squad +of cavalrymen halted, dismounted, unlimbered +their carbines, and began firing at a squad of +cavalrymen who galloped toward them from the +other extremity of the field. Three of the men +fired upon toppled and fell from their saddles to +the dust with wonderful realism, while startled +"ohs!" came from the eager onlookers.</p> + +<p>Just behind this detachment rode more cavalrymen +at the gallop. Three of these men, without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +seeming effort, swung down from their saddles, +while their mounts still galloped, picked +up the "dead or wounded," and then these +horses, guided by their riders, wheeled and +made fast time with the mock "casualties" to +the rear.</p> + +<p>It was a wonderful sight. Now, the audience +began to come somewhere near its actual limits +of enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>Other yet more wonderful feats of skill and +precision by the cavalry followed. Ere the +"yellow-legs" had retired, momentarily, from +the field of display, every small boy in the crowd—and +many a large one—had decided that the +life of the trooper must be his.</p> + +<p>Then the flying artillery came on to the field, +amid clouds of dust, the urgings of drivers, the +sharp commands of officers and the pealing commands +of bugles. For the first time in their +lives the spectators realized how like lightning +the American artillery moves, and how speedily +it gets into deadly action. It was a pity that +none of the fine marksmanship with the field +cannon could be shown. The audience had to +be satisfied with salvo after salvo fired with +blank cartridges at imaginary enemies.</p> + +<p>Then next the scene swiftly changed to a well-simulated +one of battle, in which all arms engaged. +"Under heavy fire" the engineers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +threw a bridge swiftly across a wide ditch representing +a stream. While this was going on +Signal Corps men laid wires and had telephone +and telegraph instruments in operation from the +firing line to the rear.</p> + +<p>More of it came when the squadron of cavalry, +at one end of the field, and backed by the signal +and ordnance detachments, now bearing +rifles, impersonated a hostile advance, firing +volleys and "at will" at the artillery and infantry, +posted to repulse them.</p> + +<p>It took the breath of the spectators away. +For now they gazed upon the grim realities of +war, save for the actual deaths and manglings +which all knew must follow such fierce firing +when done in reality.</p> + +<p>It was some minutes afterward before the +smoke cleared away from over the field sufficiently +to allow all to see the next spectacles. +But all onlookers now felt the need of a brief +rest from such sensations.</p> + +<p>There were a host of features to the rousing +programme, and not a spectator but thrilled and +throbbed, and thanked his lucky stars that he +was here, at the show, the spectacle of a lifetime!</p> + +<p>Feature after feature followed, in a swiftly-moving, +tightly-packed programme lasting three +hours. The riot drill, showing with vivid effect<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +how a battalion of regular infantry can +move through a densely packed mob, brought +forth tumultuous cheers. When the cheering +had subsided such shouts as these were offered +by excited spectators:</p> + +<p>"Bring your anarchists here to-night, and +show them this!"</p> + +<p>"Never get into a riot unless you go with the +regulars!"</p> + +<p>It was truly an Army afternoon. All such +afternoons are, for the average American knows +truly nothing about his own Army. When he +sees it actually at work he becomes, for the time +at least, an "Army crank."</p> + +<p>There were many features in which only one, +or a few men, figured importantly. One of these +was now about to be offered. On the programme +it bore the title, "the bicycle dispatch +rider."</p> + +<p>No name was set opposite this title, but the +man who had been selected for the work was +Sergeant Hal Overton.</p> + +<p>At the far side of the field the scene had been +arranged. It represented a hill road, over +which the dispatch bearer must ride at breakneck +speed. For picturesque purposes Hal wore +a surgeon's field case, hanging over one shoulder +by a strap. In actual war time his real dispatches +would have been hidden somewhere in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +his clothing, his shoes, or what-not place of concealment.</p> + +<p>Of a sudden the Thirty-fourth's band turned +loose into a dashing gallop played at faster time +than usual. It was the signal for Sergeant Hal +to mount his wheel and ride as for life.</p> + +<p>Something in the speed, the dash, the evident +purpose of the young soldier caught the hearts +of the spectators as soon as Hal started. He +had not gone fifty yards on his way before the +cheering once more burst forth.</p> + +<p>At the outset were some little gaps in the +path, representing brooks and rills. Over these +Sergeant Hal sped as if they did not exist, while +little upward spurts of water helped out the illusion.</p> + +<p>Ahead of the young military bicyclist now +appeared a plain fence, some four feet high. +Hal Overton rode at this with all the speed his +flying feet could impart to the pedals. He appeared +bent on violent collision with the fence.</p> + +<p>Indeed, he rode at the palings as though he +could not stop. Yet, when almost in the act of +collision, Sergeant Hal made a flying leap from +his wheel, which he tossed over the fence. In +two incredibly swift movements he was over the +fence. His wheel hardly seemed to have fallen +at all, so swiftly did the young sergeant have it +going again. He made a flying leap to the saddle,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +and was again pedaling desperately, while +five or six shots to the rear filled out the illusion +of a dispatch bearer being pursued by enemies.</p> + +<p>That trick at the fence instantly took hold of +the younger male portion of the audience. Denver +boys saw wherein young soldiers were +taught things about bicycle riding that were not +known among civilians.</p> + +<p>Hardly was Sergeant Hal going at full speed +again when another obstacle loomed up in his +way. This was an intrenchment front, sloping +as he approached it, but with a sheer drop of +some three feet on the other side.</p> + +<p>Straight up the slope dashed Hal Overton. +For a fraction of a second, as he left the top of +the barrier, his wheel looked more like an odd +airship, but now the forward wheel struck the +ground beyond once more, the rear wheel swiftly +following, and the dispatch rider was going onward +faster than ever.</p> + +<p>The small boys now led in the noise that came +from the spectators' seats.</p> + +<p>Just ahead lay the greatest peril of the path +for the military dispatch rider. Here, in the +hill scene, had been cut an actual gully, some +eighteen feet deep, and fully twelve feet across.</p> + +<p>Just a few minutes before a squad of soldiers +had placed across this gully the trunk of a tree, +shorn of its limbs and trimmed down close.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>As Sergeant Hal now approached this tree +trunk, which was not, at its thickest part, more +than a foot in diameter, his purpose dawned +upon the watching thousands.</p> + +<p>This tree trunk represented the only possible +way of getting over the gully.</p> + +<p>Surely, the young rider would slow down, dismount, +take the wheel on his shoulders and +cross the slim bridge on foot.</p> + +<p>But the crackling out of more shots behind +him told the onlookers that the young dispatch +rider in Uncle Sam's khaki uniform must make +great haste.</p> + +<p>Hal lay on harder than ever on his pedals. +His speed carried to the onlookers the reality +of a desperate race of life and death.</p> + +<p>Close to the nearer edge of the gully stood a +solitary figure, that of Corporal Noll Terry, who +had had charge of the men laying the tree trunk +across the gully.</p> + +<p>Noll still stood by, watching, ready to be at +hand if anything happened. One other man +watched, though from a considerable distance.</p> + +<p>This man was Private Hinkey, who alone +knew the secret of his willing industry since +reaching this camp.</p> + +<p>Hinkey, unseen by others, had managed +treacherously to "fix" the log in a manner that +had defied detection.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 297px;"> +<img src="images/illus138.png" width="297" height="450" alt="Sergeant Hal's Forward Wheel Struck the Log." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Sergeant Hal's Forward Wheel Struck the Log.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There'll be an end to the sergeant kid, in +two seconds more!" gloated the rascal.</p> + +<p>Sergeant's Hal's forward wheel struck the +log, throwing full weight upon it. There was +a snapping crackle, then a shriek from thousands.</p> + +<p>For the log had snapped in two, and Sergeant +Hal Overton, thrown head downward, was on +his way to a broken neck at the bottom of the +gully.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>CHASING A SPEEDING DESERTER</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>INSTEAD of one, there were two flying +bodies headed toward the gully's bottom. +Corporal Noll Terry, standing there, had +heard the ominous crackle of snapping wood.</div> + +<p>If there is one thing that a soldier is taught +above another, it is to think and move swiftly +at a critical moment.</p> + +<p>Noll saw the tree trunk sag downward, in just +the fraction of a second ere it broke.</p> + +<p>Nor did Corporal Terry wait to see more.</p> + +<p>With his eyes on his bunkie, Terry made a +prompt leap downward.</p> + +<p>He had the advantage of landing on his feet. +He was jarred, but there was no time to stop to +think of that.</p> + +<p>At a bound he was far enough forward, his +arms outstretched, to swing hold of head-downward +Hal Overton.</p> + +<p>The impact might have been too much. Sergeant +Hal might even yet have landed on his +head. But, as he threw him arms around Hal, +Corporal Terry threw himself over backward.</p> + +<p>He fell with a thump, but was shaken up—no +bones broken.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sergeant Hal landed on top of his bunkie +unhurt.</p> + +<p>In an instant they separated, each leaping to +his feet.</p> + +<p>The falling halves of the tree trunk had fallen +perilously close to the boyish non-coms., yet by +a stroke of good fortune neither of the comrades +had been struck.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, old bunkie! The best ever!" +glowed Hal, as without a backward look he raced +to pick up his wheel. "Hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit," gasped Noll, his wind jarred +out of him for the moment.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll finish the ride!"</p> + +<p>To the thrilled, throbbing spectators there did +not come a thought of "accident."</p> + +<p>Clearly this whole splendid scene had been +only a glimpse of practical military training.</p> + +<p>It had all been planned, of course, so the +audience supposed, that the tree trunk should +snap and that the other young sergeant should +be there to perform the swift work of rescue.</p> + +<p>Even at that it was a wonderful sight, and +again the spectators were on their feet, cheering +more hoarsely than ever.</p> + +<p>Yet hardly had they started to cheer when, +some how, in a way they did not quite grasp, +Sergeant Hal Overton had climbed up out of +the gully, carrying his wheel with him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now he was mounted again! On the further +side of the gully the young Army dispatch rider +was racing forward again.</p> + +<p>His wheel, somewhat damaged by the fall, +was moving stiffly now, but Overton put into +his pedaling every ounce of energy left to him.</p> + +<p>In another moment he was out of sight, his +dispatch-bearing ride ended, and the band leader +stopped his musicians.</p> + +<p>In this startling scene the onlookers felt that +they had viewed the best piece of individual +daring of the afternoon.</p> + +<p>Little did they guess that they had seen the +failure of a scoundrel's dastardly attempt to +end Sergeant Overton's life.</p> + +<p>But grizzled old Colonel North, of the Thirty-fourth +United States Infantry, knew better.</p> + +<p>"Cortland," he remarked, turning to B Company's +captain, "just as soon as the last number +is over I want you to make an instant and +red-hot investigation of that accident to Sergeant +Overton. Report to me as soon as you +have even the trace of a suggestion to make."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and I have one suggestion to make +now," replied Captain Cortland.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I ask you, sir, to oblige me very greatly +by promising a warrant at once for Corporal +Terry's promotion to sergeant."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"By Jove, young Terry earned it!" agreed +Colonel North.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and, to my way of thinking, he +did more. He proved that B Company cannot +afford to be without a sergeant of his proved +calibre."</p> + +<p>"Go to Wright, the battalion adjutant, then, +and tell him, with my compliments, to prepare +an order at once, for reading at the dress parade +which is to end up the afternoon's show."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>"And, Cortland, ask Wright, as a personal +favor to me, to read the order slowly and distinctly, +so that the audience can grasp the fact +that they've witnessed a deed of heroism and +its prompt reward in the Army."</p> + +<p>"A splendid idea, sir!"</p> + +<p>At the close of the afternoon's fast and furious +work came a spectacle such as doubtless no +one in the audience had ever seen before.</p> + +<p>The three fighting arms of the service—artillery, +cavalry and infantry—combined at dress +parade.</p> + +<p>The ceremony, as enacted that afternoon, possessed +all the fervor and solemnity of a religious +rite.</p> + +<p>When it came to the publication of orders appointing +Corporal Oliver Terry a sergeant in +recognition of unusual bravery and judgment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +in saving a comrade's life, only a small percentage +of the on-looking, listening thousands +grasped the importance or meaning of the promotion +of one young soldier.</p> + +<p>No matter! All would read about it in the +Denver papers the next morning.</p> + +<p>At the firing of retreat gun three military +bands combined in the playing of "The Star +Spangled Banner."</p> + +<p>Then, as the troops marched off, all was over +as far as the audience was concerned.</p> + +<p>Captain Cortland, however, had no sooner +dismissed his company than he turned back to +the field, to go to the gully to investigate the +matter of the broken log. Lieutenant Prescott +went with him.</p> + +<p>Over back of one of the cook tents, however, +a plain soldier man was already arriving at +the truth.</p> + +<p>"Hinkey, come over here!" called Private +Slosson.</p> + +<p>There was something in this soldier's voice +which made Private Hinkey feel that perhaps +it would not be altogether wise to disregard +this request that sounded so much to him like +an order.</p> + +<p>"Hinkey," continued Private Slosson, "'twas +a near escape from breaking his neck that Sergeant +Overton had this afternoon."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's no concern of mine, I guess," murmured +Hinkey.</p> + +<p>"Then it ought to be," retorted Private Slosson +with considerable warmth. "Hinkey, you +had me guessing yesterday and this forenoon, +you were so full of industry. And that put me +in mind. I saw you coming down from near +the gully this morning, and you had something +hidden under your coat."</p> + +<p>The fingers that held Hinkey's cigarette began +to tremble.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, Slosson?"</p> + +<p>"Well, first of all, the thing you had under +your coat was a saw. I saw you hide something +under the woodpile here, but I'm so dumb that +I didn't think much of it at the time. Now, the +log over the gully was a spruce log, wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>"Well, I do," replied Slosson, "and we +haven't been using much spruce timber around +here, either. So I looked over the saw. Hinkey, +between the teeth is quite a little bit of what +looks mighty like spruce sawdust. Queer, ain't +it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Private Hinkey, +speaking bravely, though his face now looked +bloodless and his lips were quivering.</p> + +<p>"Spruce sawdust in the saw you handled," +continued Slosson mercilessly. "And say, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +saw cut in the log over at the gully was pasted +with putty, and then bark bits stuck on, to hide +the cut. Wasn't that the way it was done?"</p> + +<p>"How should I know?" snarled Private +Hinkey, trying to glare back into the accusing +eyes of Private Slosson.</p> + +<p>"Why I asked," continued the latter soldier, +"was because I've just been taking a look at +the service clothes you wore this morning, and +I find putty marks in several places on the +trousers."</p> + +<p>Hinkey realized that he had been unmasked. +Moreover, only one look into Slosson's eyes was +needed for making sure that the accusing soldier +was not going to keep still about it.</p> + +<p>With a sudden snarl of rage, Hinkey sprang +forward, driving his hard right fist squarely +into Slosson's left eye and knocking that soldier +down.</p> + +<p>Then, without loss of a second, Hinkey made +a dive for the nearest gate of the grounds. As +he ran at top speed Private Hinkey then and +there, so far as he was personally concerned, +ended his connection with the regular Army of +the United States.</p> + +<p>Private Slosson, holding his eye and feeling +weak and dizzy, shouted:</p> + +<p>"Some one run after Hinkey, B Company, +and catch him!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>The call brought several men, among them +Lieutenant Hampton, of B Company.</p> + +<p>"What has Hinkey done?" demanded the lieutenant, +running up.</p> + +<p>"He knocked me down, and then deserted, +sir."</p> + +<p>"Why, my man?"</p> + +<p>"Because he fixed the tree trunk in the way +that nearly cost Sergeant Overton his life, and +I just showed Hinkey that I had all the proof. +You'll not see the fellow again, sir, unless you're +swift."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Hampton bounded to the gateway. +Down the street he saw Private Hinkey, running +like a deer and already near a street corner.</p> + +<p>Hal Overton was the only sergeant close +enough for the lieutenant's purpose.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant Overton, take four men, pursue +Hinkey and bring him back here," ordered Lieutenant +Hampton.</p> + +<p>Hal reached the gateway just in time to see +Hinkey running around the street corner.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling Hal and four soldiers were hot-foot +after the suspected deserter.</p> + +<p>But Hinkey was out of sight now. As he +reached the middle of the block into which he +had turned, a man in his shirt sleeves, standing +idly in a doorway called out softly:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Jump in behind me, comrade, if you're in +trouble and being chased."</p> + +<p>Hinkey stopped pantingly, giving the man a +swift look. That glance was enough to show the +deserting soldier that he had met a kindred +spirit.</p> + +<p>"Thanks. I'll accept," muttered Hinkey, +darting into the doorway.</p> + +<p>The man who had hailed him pulled the door +shut just before Sergeant Hal and four soldiers +ran around the corner above.</p> + +<p>"What's that soldier been doing that ran by +here so fast?" called the citizen in shirt sleeves.</p> + +<p>"Which way did he go?" asked Hal swiftly, +halting just an instant.</p> + +<p>"See the next corner?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Your man turned there—to the left. You +fellows will have to double your speed if you're +ever going to catch that soldier."</p> + +<p>"Put on all the steam you can, men," Hal +called back over his shoulder as he once more +started in what he believed to be pursuit.</p> + +<p>Chuckling softly, the citizen opened the door, +closed it again and went inside to tell Hinkey +why he had saved him.</p> + +<p>It was a full hour before Sergeant Hal Overton +again reported back at camp on the +grounds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>He had come back at last, forced to admit himself +baffled.</p> + +<p>"You did all you could, Sergeant," replied +Captain Cortland, who had just returned to the +company street. "Hinkey will be caught, sooner +or later."</p> + +<p>Then, turning to First Sergeant Gray, who +had just come up, Captain Cortland smiled as +he added:</p> + +<p>"Sergeant Gray, I wonder if Hinkey is still +running. If he runs long enough he'll probably +fall in with some muck-raking magazine +writer, who'll get out of Hinkey a startling story +of why some soldiers insist on deserting the +Army."</p> + +<p>"Captain," replied Sergeant Gray, "I could +tell those magazine writers a good deal about +why men desert from the Army, sir. But the +magazine writers wouldn't want my story of +why men desert."</p> + +<p>"What would your story be, Sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, I'd tell those writers—and prove +it by the records—that the men who desert from +the Army are the same worthless, skulking vagabonds +who are always getting bounced out of +jobs in civil life because they're no good anywhere."</p> + +<p>"That's the whole story, Sergeant Gray," +nodded Captain Cortland.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know it, sir; I haven't been in the Army +all these years not to have found out that much."</p> + +<p>Just then Noll Terry appeared on the scene, +wearing his newly won sergeant's chevrons.</p> + +<p>Captain Cortland's inquiry into the cause of +the accident to Sergeant Overton was concluded +by taking the sworn testimony of Private Slosson. +The papers were then filed away to be +used in case the deserter Hinkey should be apprehended.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>ALGY COMES TO A CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>HINKEY, secure in his new retreat, with +a new-found "friend" who wanted the +services of a man of Hinkey's stripe, +was not found.</div> + +<p>The evening programme of the military +tournament was carried out before all the spectators +who could wedge themselves into the +grounds, and once more the big circus played to +a small crowd.</p> + +<p>In the morning the Thirty-fourth entrained +and returned to Fort Clowdry.</p> + +<p>While in Denver, Lieutenant Ferrers, though +he had accompanied the battalion, had been employed +in duties that kept him out of the public +eye.</p> + +<p>Once back at the post, however, Ferrers was +warned by both battalion and regimental commanders +that he must buckle down at once to +learn his duties as an officer.</p> + +<p>"I had an idea that being an officer was a +good deal more of a gentleman's job," Algy +sighed to Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>"An officer's position in the Army is a hard-working +job," Prescott rejoined. "However,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +there's nothing in that fact to make it difficult +for an officer to be a gentleman, too. In fact, +he must be an all-around gentleman, or get out +of the service."</p> + +<p>"But gentlemen shouldn't be expected to work—at +least, not hard," argued Algy Ferrers.</p> + +<p>"Now, where on earth did you get that idea?" +laughed Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>"All the fellows I used to know were gentlemen," +protested Algy, "and none of them ever +worked."</p> + +<p>"Then what were they good for?" demanded +Lieutenant Prescott crisply.</p> + +<p>"Eh?" breathed Ferrers, looking puzzled.</p> + +<p>"If they didn't work, if they didn't do anything +real in the world, what were they good +for? What was their excuse for wanting to +live?" insisted Prescott.</p> + +<p>"Prexy, old chap, I'm afraid you're an anarchist," +gasped Algy, looking almost humanly +distressed.</p> + +<p>"No; you're the anarchist," laughed the +other lieutenant, "for no anarchist ever wants +to work. Come, now, Ferrers, buck up! Go +over the drill manual with me."</p> + +<p>For two days Algy did seem inclined to +buckle down to the hard work of learning how +to command other men efficiently. Then one +night he fell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>That is to say, he went off the reservation +without notifying any of his superior officers.</p> + +<p>At the sounding of drill assembly the next +morning, every officer on post was present with +the one exception of young Mr. Ferrers.</p> + +<p>"Where's that hopeless idiot now?" muttered +Colonel North peevishly, for he had come down +to see the battalion drill.</p> + +<p>"I haven't the least idea, sir," replied Major +Silsbee.</p> + +<p>"Send an orderly up to his quarters, Major."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>But, as both major and colonel had suspected, +Ferrers wasn't in his quarters. Nor was he +anywhere else on post apparently.</p> + +<p>It was five o'clock that afternoon when Lieutenant +Ferrers, in civilian dress, passed the +guard house in returning on post.</p> + +<p>"Wanted—at the adjutant's office—am I?" +queried Algy. "Oh, yes; I imagine I am. +Queer place, this Army."</p> + +<p>With a sigh of resignation, but appearing not +in the least alarmed, Ferrers went to the office +of the regimental adjutant.</p> + +<p>"You've been away again without leave, and +skipped battalion drill and several other duties," +said the adjutant dryly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Ferrers promptly. "But +I've got a good excuse."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You'll find Colonel North in the next room +ready to hear what your excuse can be."</p> + +<p>"I suppose he'll scold me again," murmured +Algy resignedly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; all of that," admitted the adjutant +dryly. "Better go in at once, and take your +medicine, for the colonel is about ready to leave +and go over to his house."</p> + +<p>As Algy entered Colonel North's office the +older man lifted his head and looked rather +coldly at Mr. Ferrers.</p> + +<p>Algy brought up his hand in a tardy salute, +then stood there.</p> + +<p>But the colonel only continued to look at him. +Ferrers fidgeted until he could endure the +silence no longer.</p> + +<p>"You—you wanted to speak to me, sir?" +stammered Algy, the frigid atmosphere disconcerting +him.</p> + +<p>"I never wanted to speak to a man less in +my life," rejoined Colonel North icily.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir. Then I'll be going."</p> + +<p>"Stop, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Eh, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ferrers, I'll listen to whatever you +have to say."</p> + +<p>"It's all about my being away to-day, I suppose, +sir," Algy went on lamely. What he had +considered a most excellent excuse on his part<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +now suddenly struck him as being exceedingly +lame.</p> + +<p>Again Colonel North's lips were tightly compressed. +He merely looked at this young officer, +but Algy found that look to be the same thing +as acute torment.</p> + +<p>"Y-yes, sir; I was away to-day sir."</p> + +<p>"Further than Clowdry, Mr. Ferrers?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, yes, sir," admitted Algy promptly. +"Took the train, in fact, sir, and ran up to +Ridgecrest. The Benson-Bodges have a new +mountain estate of their own up there. Just +heard about it the other day, sir. Wrote Benson-Bodge +himself, and got a letter yesterday +evening. Old Bense invited me to come up and +visit himself and family, and not to stand on +ceremony. So I didn't."</p> + +<p>"No; you didn't stand on any ceremony, Mr. +Ferrers," was the colonel's sarcastic response. +"Not even the ceremony of formality of obtaining +leave."</p> + +<p>"But it was all right this time, sir. Quite all +right, sir," went on Algy Ferrers with more confidence. +"I rather think you know who the +Benson-Bodges are, sir? Most important people. +A man in the Army can't afford to ignore +them, sir—so I didn't."</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about the people you +name, Mr. Ferrers, and I don't want to."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Pardon me, sir, won't you?" demanded +Algy beamingly, "but for once I am quite certain +you are wrong, sir. Really an Army man +can't afford not to know the Benson-Bodges. +Old Bense is a cousin of the President. Old +Bense has tremendous influence at Washington."</p> + +<p>"Then I wonder, Mr. Ferrers, if your friend +has influence enough at Washington to save +your shoulder-straps for you?"</p> + +<p>"Eh, sir? What's that? What do you +mean, sir?" asked Algy, again looking puzzled +and uneasy.</p> + +<p>"I am going to make my meaning very clear, +Mr. Ferrers. To-day's conduct is merely the +winding up affair of many discreditable pieces +of conduct in your part. You have proved, +conclusively, that you are not fit to be an officer +in the Army."</p> + +<p>"Not fit to——" repeated Algy slowly. Then +broke into a laugh as he added: "That's a good +joke, sir."</p> + +<p>"Is it?" inquired Colonel North, raising his +eyebrows. "Then I trust that you will enjoy +every chapter in the joke, Mr. Ferrers. I am +going to order you to your quarters, in arrest. +And, as I'm afraid you don't really know what +arrest means, I'm going to place a sentry before +your door to see that you don't go out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>"For how long, sir?"</p> + +<p>"For as long as may be necessary, Mr. Ferrers. +Having placed you in arrest I shall report +your case through the usual military channels +and recommend that you be tried by a general +court-martial. I am of the opinion, Mr. +Ferrers, that the court-martial will find you +guilty and recommend that you be dishonorably +dismissed from the service."</p> + +<p>"Dishonorably dis——" gasped Algy, feeling +so weak that he suddenly dropped down +into a chair, unbidden. "Gracious! But that +will strike the guv'nor hard! See here, sir," +the impossible young officer went on, more spiritedly, +as he realized the impending disgrace, +"if you're going to do anything as beastly and +rough as that, sir—pardon, sir—then I won't +stand for it!"</p> + +<p>"What will you do, then?" demanded North.</p> + +<p>"Sooner than stand for being tried, like an +ordinary pickpocket, Colonel, I'll resign!"</p> + +<p>"It is not usual, Mr. Ferrers, to allow an officer +to resign when he's facing serious charges."</p> + +<p>"But I'll resign just the same, sir. Pardon +me, sir, but I don't care what you say, now. +Things have come to a pass where I've simply +got to strike back for myself, sooner than see +my family troubled by the idea of my being +tried."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But if your resignation is not accepted, Mr. +Ferrers?"</p> + +<p>"It will have to be, won't it, if I say that I +simply won't bother to stay in the beastly old +Army any longer?"</p> + +<p>"No; a resignation doesn't have to be accepted, +and the fact that you are under charges +will operate to prevent the consideration of your +resignation until after your trial."</p> + +<p>Algy Ferrers looked mightily disturbed over +that information.</p> + +<p>"Are you serious about wanting to resign and +getting out of the Army, Mr. Ferrers?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; very much in earnest."</p> + +<p>Colonel North thought for a few moments. +Then he replied:</p> + +<p>"Very good, Mr. Ferrers. You are of no +service whatever in the Army, I am sorry to +say, though I doubt if you could possibly understand +why you are of no use here. If you write +your resignation before leaving this room, I will +see that the resignation is forwarded, and I will +then drop all idea of preferring charges against +you."</p> + +<p>Colonel North made room at his own desk, +after providing the stationery. Algy wrote his +resignation as an officer of the Army, signing +it with a triumphant flourish.</p> + +<p>"I am very glad to have this resignation, Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +Ferrers," declared Colonel North, speaking +more gently at last.</p> + +<p>"You can't be any more glad than I am to +write it, sir," Algy replied, his face now beaming. +"I am glad to cut loose from it all. From +the very first day I've been coming more and +more to the conclusion, sir, that the Army is no +place for a gentleman!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>PLANNING FOR THE SOLDIERS' HUNT</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"I'LL go away on the eleven o'clock train +to-morrow, sir," stated Algy, as he rose +to go. "I won't bother about the few +things in my room until I go to Denver and engage +a man. Then I'll send my man here to +pack up whatever of my belongings are worth +having."</div> + +<p>"Do you really imagine you can leave the +post to-morrow, Mr. Ferrers?" demanded the +colonel, a good deal astonished.</p> + +<p>"Yes; can't I?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ferrers, you are of the Army until your +resignation has been accepted in the usual +way."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you accepted it, Colonel?"</p> + +<p>"I have no authority to do so. Your resignation +will have to go to Washington through +the usual military channels, and can be accepted +only by the authority of the President."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that will be all right," declared Algy +promptly. "I'll get my friend, Benson-Bodge, +to attend to that."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid he can't do it for you, young +man. Mr. Ferrers, you will have to remain at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +this post, and perform all your duties, until +the acceptance of your resignation comes in due +form, and through the usual channels. And if +you absent yourself from post again, without +leave, I'll use the telegraph to make sure that +your resignation is refused and that you are +obliged to stand trial."</p> + +<p>It took Mr. Ferrers until the next morning to +recover his good spirits.</p> + +<p>Then, immediately after the first drill—which +he attended on time—Algy went over to the post +telegraph station, where he picked up a blank +and wrote this message to his father:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"You'll be glad to know that I'll be with you +after a few days more. Have resigned from +this beastly Army."</p></div> + +<p>Sergeant Noll Terry was in charge of the office. +He looked the message over gravely, then +said:</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, sir, but I am afraid that I cannot +allow this message to go without the written +approval of the post commander."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter now?" asked Algy.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, sir, but you have referred to +the Army in slighting terms. I am certain that +Colonel North would censure me if I allowed +this message to go."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But I'm an officer—yet—so what right have +you to refuse to send it, Sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"It will have to be approved by Colonel +North, or his adjutant, before I can allow it to +be sent, sir," replied Noll firmly.</p> + +<p>"Humph! But it's high time to get out of +the Army when a chap can't even write his own +telegrams!"</p> + +<p>However, Ferrers thought it over for a few +moments. Then he wrote this new message:</p> + +<p>"Expect me home, soon. Have resigned from +the Army."</p> + +<p>"Is a chap allowed to send a message like +that?" Algy inquired plaintively.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Lieutenant," Noll replied, and +handed the message over to a soldier operator.</p> + +<p>A glance at the clock in the room told Lieutenant +Ferrers that he had a little time to spare +before he was due at his next bit of duty. He +put in the time strolling about the post. When +he saw the brisk, trim-looking soldiers, and received +their salutes in passing, Algy began almost +to regret the Army that he had given up. +Then the remembrance of gay times in the set +where he had once been something of a favorite +consoled him, and he looked forward to being +where he did not have to answer to a colonel as +a boy does to a schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"'Pon my word, I think I could like the Army<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +very well, if they weren't so beastly strict about +everything," murmured Algy to himself.</p> + +<p>Finally a bugle blew, and Lieutenant Ferrers +hastened away to another duty, which was not +now so distasteful, since there was soon to be an +end of it all.</p> + +<p>"I used to think being a soldier was all +parading," Algy muttered to himself. "I +didn't know that there was about six months +of never-ending drill behind each parade."</p> + +<p>Just before the noon mess call Captain Cortland, +in passing, called out to Hal.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant, it is getting so well on into the +fall of the year, now, that Major Silsbee has +suggested to me that some of the men of B +company would do well to hit the trail into the +mountains."</p> + +<p>"Another practice hike, sir?" asked Hal.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly, Sergeant. The enlisted men of +this post, to say nothing of the officers, would +appreciate some supplies of game in place of +the regular issues of beef and mutton. Major +Silsbee has suggested that I allow some of the +men of B company to form themselves into a +hunting party and go away on leave into the +mountains."</p> + +<p>"That would be fine for the men who get +away, sir," agreed Hal, his eyes shining at the +thought.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How would you like, Sergeant, to make up +such a party and head it?" continued Captain +Cortland.</p> + +<p>"I head the hunting party? I would like it +immensely, sir, but for one objection. I am not +an experienced hunter."</p> + +<p>"But you are a non-commissioned officer who +would be sure to preserve whatever discipline +may be needed on a hunting trip, and that is +the matter of greatest importance. As to experience +in hunting, there are some highly experienced +hunters in B company, and you could +include them in your party."</p> + +<p>"How much discipline is needed, sir, with a +hunting party?"</p> + +<p>"Not too much," replied Captain Cortland. +"A soldier's hunting party is something of a +picnic affair, and discipline is relaxed as much +as possible. You want just enough discipline +to keep order and make the men pull together. +For, on one of these hunting parties, recollect +that the men are actually expected to bag +enough game, and to bring it back with them."</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Captain, and I shall be delighted +if I can persuade enough of the really +useful men to go with me. But I suppose you +know, sir, that there is still a good deal of suspicion +felt about me in barracks."</p> + +<p>As Hal said this he flushed a bit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, that old affair, Sergeant, of Private +Green and his missing money?" replied the captain. +"Sergeant, no suspicion ever justly directed +itself against you, and you must deny, +even to yourself, that any of the suspicion still +lingers in the minds of any of the men."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>"But you haven't answered me as to whether +you will head the hunting party."</p> + +<p>"I shall do it gladly and eagerly, sir."</p> + +<p>"Very good; then pick out about fourteen +men to go with you, and make sure that they +all wish to go, as no soldier is compelled to go +on a hunting trip against his own wishes. It +will take you about two days to reach the hunting +grounds, Sergeant, and about two days more +to get back. So you shall have fourteen days' +leave, which will give you about ten days of +actual hunting."</p> + +<p>"I thank you again, sir."</p> + +<p>"Go and find your men."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir. May I include Sergeant +Terry?"</p> + +<p>"If he can arrange for relief at the telegraph +station."</p> + +<p>In his spare time during the rest of the day +Sergeant Hal Overton was extremely happy. He +was busy interviewing soldiers, and in finding +out who were the most experienced hunters, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +there was big game to be had up in the mountains.</p> + +<p>Noll was invited first of all. Terry succeeded +in arranging for relief from telegraph duties, +so that he could go.</p> + +<p>Corporal Hyman proved to be one of the +skilled hunters, and he at once agreed, besides +suggesting others who should be invited.</p> + +<p>"It's a great picnic, Kid Sergeant; you don't +know what bully fun it is until you get there," +Hyman assured Hal.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Ferrers dropped in at the officers' +club well ahead of the dinner hour that evening.</p> + +<p>"Yes, fellows," he drawled, "I'm going back +to life and civilization. No more of this boarding +school and chain-gang life for me."</p> + +<p>The other officers present laughed good-humoredly.</p> + +<p>"Yet, just as sure as you're alive, Ferrers, +the day will come, and before long, when you'll +wish yourself back once more among the regulars' +uniforms."</p> + +<p>"Maybe," sniffed Algy doubtfully.</p> + +<p>An orderly appeared in the doorway, yellow +envelope in hand.</p> + +<p>"Telegram for Lieutenant Ferrers," he announced.</p> + +<p>"Right here, my man. Thank you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>Algy tore open the envelope, after apologizing, +and glanced at the bottom of the message.</p> + +<p>"It's from the guv'nor," he announced. "I +expect he's getting ready to kill the fatted calf +against my arrival home."</p> + +<p>Then Algy fell to reading the message. As +he started his brows puckered. Once he gasped. +Then, at the end, he burst forth:</p> + +<p>"My, but the guv'nor seems almost annoyed," +cried Algy, his face reddening.</p> + +<p>"Anything serious?" inquired Holmes politely.</p> + +<p>"Read it aloud to the rest, old chap," begged +Algy, passing the telegram to Lieutenant +Holmes. This was the message that the latter +thereupon read aloud:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"You blithering young idiot! I worked like +blazes to get you into the Army, in order to +give you one last chance to grab at a little manhood. +I've set the government machinery going +at Washington, and your resignation won't +be accepted. Within a day or two you'll receive +orders to report at the Infantry School at +Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. There you'll have +to work sixteen hours out of every twenty-four, +but it will make a man of you if anything can, +and you'll learn all about becoming a real infantry +officer. Don't send me any more news<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +about resigning. If you quit the Army, or are +kicked out of it, I'll separate you forever from +every cent of my money.</p> + +<div class='sig'>"(Signed) Donald Ferrers."<br /> +</div></div> + +<p>There was silence in the club parlor, until it +was broken by Algy, who wailed plaintively:</p> + +<p>"That's the guv'nor. That's the guv'nor +every time. Says he'd separate me from every +cent of his money. And he'd do it, too! Fellows, +I'm afraid I've simply got to like the +Army."</p> + +<p>"That's your trump card, now, Algy," observed +Jerrold, of A company.</p> + +<p>"Some class about your father, Ferrers, isn't +there?" asked Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's a fine old fellow," replied Algy +loyally. "But he has a confoundedly abrupt +way about him sometimes. You see, he didn't—er—start +life exactly as a gentleman. He +had to work hard most of his life to get what +money he has, and I suppose—well, I guess his +hard work has made him pig-headed to some +extent."</p> + +<p>Now that he knew that he would have to stay +in the Army, young Ferrers found himself hating +it worse than ever.</p> + +<p>Nor did the information that his comrades +offered him console him any. He was assured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +that there would be no doubt about his learning +all of his military duties at Fort Leavenworth—if +he lived to get through the ordeal.</p> + +<p>In the Army there is an officers' school for +every branch of the service. Officers attend as +"student officers"; the course is severe, but the +officer seldom fails to learn whatever he goes +to such a school to learn.</p> + +<p>Two days later there were two officers leaving +the post.</p> + +<p>Algy went down to the station to take up his +journey to the new station in Kansas. Despite +his seeming inability to learn to be a soldier, +Ferrers had made himself well enough liked +personally, so many of the officers accompanied +him as far as the Clowdry station.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Prescott was going with the hunting +party. He had succeeded in procuring +leave for hunting, and in getting himself invited +to go along with Sergeant Hal Overton's party.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>HAL'S GUN MAKES THE REST CURIOUS</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"OH, my, but that smells good!"</div> + +<p>The words came in a sort of ecstasy +from the lips of Sergeant Noll Terry, +as, gun in hand, he tramped into camp with +Corporal Hyman and three others.</p> + +<p>"Bear meat," said Slosson briefly. "Sergeant +Overton and Lieutenant Prescott brought +it in just before noon with their compliments."</p> + +<p>"Where are they now?"</p> + +<p>"Somewhere out in the world," replied Private +Kelly, nodding at the mountain tops beyond. +"They went out to see how much more +they could get."</p> + +<p>Slosson had mentioned the sergeant before +the lieutenant, but that was not an unpardonable +breach of etiquette, out here in the wilds.</p> + +<p>More especially was it proper because Sergeant +Hal, and not the handsome, fine, young +West Pointer, commanded this camp and detachment.</p> + +<p>"Where are your mates, Sarge?" inquired +Slosson.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I left my crowd," smiled Noll. "They +won't be in for an hour yet, in all probability."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Get anything, any of you?" queried Kelly.</p> + +<p>"Not a thing, up to the time I quit," sighed +Noll.</p> + +<p>"Humph! We've all got to get a brace on +us," muttered Slosson. "This is our third day +in camp, and what have we killed so far? Just +enough meat to satisfy the appetites we've developed +up here in the hills!"</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hal Overton's hunting detachment +of the Thirty-fourth was now encamped up in +the highest points, almost, of all the Colorado +Rockies.</p> + +<p>Entraining, the party had gone some sixty +miles over the rails. At the station where the +men detrained two heavy Army wagons had +been awaiting them, these wagons having been +sent on two days ahead.</p> + +<p>On the first day after leaving the railway the +hunting detachment had marched some eighteen +miles; on the second day fifteen miles had been +covered, and now camp was pitched more than +ninety miles from Fort Clowdry.</p> + +<p>The little village of wall tents stood some fifty +feet away from where Privates Slosson and +Kelly were now busy getting the evening meal.</p> + +<p>There was still about an hour of daylight left. +It was not expected that many of the hunters +would be in much before the sun went down +behind the western tops.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's chilly to-night," announced Sergeant +Terry, standing back and watching the two soldiers +at work.</p> + +<p>"It's hot," grumbled Slosson, piling on more +wood and stirring one of the open cook fires.</p> + +<p>"All a matter of where you happen to be +standing," laughed Noll, diving into the tent +that he and Hal occupied. When Sergeant Terry +came out again he had on his olive tan overcoat.</p> + +<p>Three days of incessant hunting had been indulged +in. "Enjoyed" would have been the +word, only that so far the men of the detachment +had not struck very heavy luck with the +game.</p> + +<p>It was not Hal's fault. He, confessedly, was +not an experienced hunter in the Rockies. Corporal +Hyman was an old hand at the hunt, and +there were other soldiers in the detachment who +could find the wild game when there was any +to be found. Up to date, however, the game had +been scarce. A few mountain antelope and some +smaller animals—but these the hungry hunters +had eaten as fast as they bagged.</p> + +<p>The party consisted of Sergeants Overton and +Terry, Corporals Hyman and Cotter, twelve privates +and Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>Mr. Prescott was not a detailed member of +the detachment. He had secured leave from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +the post and had asked to be accepted as a guest. +For this reason the young West Pointer did +not attempt to command in camp. Each morning +the officer accompanied which ever party of +hunters he chose.</p> + +<p>Every day two of the soldiers were left behind +for the double duty of watching the camp and +of cooking the morning and evening meals. For +the noon meal, or in place thereof, the hunters +carried such dry food as they could stow away +in their pockets.</p> + +<p>"How big was the bear before you cut him +up?" asked Noll, standing about and watching +the cooks.</p> + +<p>"About a hundred and thirty pounds, I +guess," replied Slosson.</p> + +<p>"How far away from here did they shoot +him?"</p> + +<p>"Over a mile."</p> + +<p>"Hm! Hal must have had a long, heavy +pack."</p> + +<p>"The lieutenant was carrying the carcass when +they reached camp," retorted Private Kelly. +"The lieutenant did his full share in packing +the meat in. That lieutenant ain't a dude."</p> + +<p>"I know he isn't," Noll nodded quietly. +"Still I didn't suppose Hal would feel like letting +an officer make a pack animal of himself."</p> + +<p>"Your bunkie ain't no dude, either, Sarge,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +continued Kelly. "Him and the lieutenant are +two men of pretty near the same color."</p> + +<p>"White isn't a color, anyway," laughed Noll.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it isn't," assented Private Kelly.</p> + +<p>Noll turned to look at the descending sun.</p> + +<p>"My, I don't believe I've ever been as hungry +as I am now," complained Noll.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing, Sarge, until the rest of the +crowd comes in," grinned Slosson.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's easy enough for you fellows to +say," grunted Noll. "You two have been in +camp all day, and you had a big, filling, hot meal +at noon. All I had at noon was a hard tack +and a half."</p> + +<p>"You could have carried more," insisted +Slosson.</p> + +<p>"I had more, but I didn't find water anywhere +and hard tack is abominably dry stuff to get +down without help."</p> + +<p>"Go over to the bucket and help yourself +to water now, Sarge," suggested Private Kelly +teasingly.</p> + +<p>"I think I will," agreed Noll, turning.</p> + +<p>"Take a lot of it," urged Slosson. "Water, +when you get enough of it, is mighty filling."</p> + +<p>"I'll brain you, if you go on making fun +of a hungry man," warned Sergeant Noll Terry, +as he reached for the dipper hanging on a nail +driven into a tree trunk.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That would look like losing your temper," +retorted Kelly. "Now, what are you mad with +us for, Sarge? Haven't we been in camp all +day, working like Chinamen just so you fellows +can have something to eat when you get back +from the day's stroll?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm back," argued Noll.</p> + +<p>"And you'll eat, Sarge, when the rest eat."</p> + +<p>"What's in that oven?" queried Noll, pausing +before an Army cookstove.</p> + +<p>"Mince pie," remarked Kelly quietly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you fiend!" growled Sergeant Noll. "To +torment a hungry man with lies like that!"</p> + +<p>"Lies, eh?" roared the soldier. "A Kelly to +stand by and have a sergeant boy tell him his +mother raised a family of liars. Ye sassenach, +take one peep—and then may yer stomach cave +in before the meal's laid!"</p> + +<p>Kelly cautiously opened the oven door for a +brief moment, affording Noll an instant's +glimpse of three browning pies.</p> + +<p>"And there's six more of them hid here," +added Kelly tantalizingly.</p> + +<p>"And you have the cruel nerve to tell that +to a man dying of starvation?" demanded Sergeant +Noll with heat. "Kelly, it takes me four +seconds to get my overcoat off, and only two +seconds to get off the blouse underneath!"</p> + +<p>"At that rate, how long would it take you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +to undress altogether?" demanded Kelly indifferently. +"For the last five minutes I've had +my eyes on ye. I've been thinking how fine ye'd +look in grave clothes."</p> + +<p>"I don't have to take off many clothes, Kelly, +to be down to fighting trim enough to thrash +you!"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't take advantage of ye," protested +Kelly generously. "Sure it would be no victory +for a Kelly to whip a dying man."</p> + +<p>"What's the fight about, men?" inquired a +jolly voice.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Prescott had entered camp unnoticed. +Instantly the soldiers straightened up, +raising their hands to their caps in salute. Mr. +Prescott returned their salutes. On first meeting +the officer in the morning the men saluted +him, then again when he returned from the day's +hunt. For the rest of the time, at Lieutenant +Prescott's own request, they treated him like +one of themselves.</p> + +<p>"This sassenach is threatening to murder me, +Lieutenant," complained Kelly, "just because I +showed him a pie and wouldn't let him eat it +on the spot."</p> + +<p>"That would be enough to make me commit +murder, too, if I weren't a guest here," replied +the lieutenant gravely, as he reached down the +dipper and helped himself to a drink from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +water bucket. "How many pies have you +there?"</p> + +<p>"Nine, sir, when the three in the oven come +out."</p> + +<p>"What kind?"</p> + +<p>"Mince."</p> + +<p>"Um-um-um!" quoth the officer.</p> + +<p>"The sun's going so low now, Kelly, that +I'm minded to let you live another day," broke +in Sergeant Noll.</p> + +<p>"Aw, that's just because there's company +present," growled Kelly, with a side glance at +the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Supper ready?" hailed a distant voice.</p> + +<p>"Will be, when you come in and fetch the +wood to cook with," Slosson hailed back through +his hands.</p> + +<p>A growl of desperation came from the party +headed by Corporal Hyman. Then in they +tramped, but they carried only their rifles.</p> + +<p>"What have ye been doing the long day?" +demanded Kelly, with a keen look at the party.</p> + +<p>"Getting up an appetite for supper," retorted +Corporal Hyman.</p> + +<p>"But the game?"</p> + +<p>"'Twas so heavy we gave up carrying it," +grinned Corporal Hyman.</p> + +<p>"The boys back in barracks have had their +mouths watering for game for days," grunted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +Slosson. "How'll we ever break the news to +'em?"</p> + +<p>The soldiers shook their heads blankly.</p> + +<p>"Want a suggestion as to the gentlest way +of breaking the news back home, Slosson?" inquired +Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>"We'd surely be grateful for it, sir," answered +Slosson.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll coax Sergeant Overton to wire +back requesting full rations for seventeen days +for seventeen men."</p> + +<p>"It'd be a bad trick, sir."</p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"The post commissary sergeant would be that +mad he'd poison the grub, sir, before shipping +it."</p> + +<p>"I believe he would," agreed Mr. Prescott +thoughtfully. "For the men back in barracks +are looking for at least four tons of game food."</p> + +<p>Bang! Bang!</p> + +<p>"Hello! What's that?" cried Noll, starting +up and listening.</p> + +<p>"Queer question for a soldier to be askin'," +mocked Private Kelly.</p> + +<p>Bang-bang-bang!</p> + +<p>"Wirra, but that feller can't stop to take +breath between his shooting," remarked Private +Kelly.</p> + +<p>"Those shots," declared Lieutenant Prescott,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +"sound out in the direction where I left Sergeant +Overton."</p> + +<p>"He's struck something," declared Noll gleefully.</p> + +<p>"Some of us had better go out there," hinted +Lieutenant Prescott, rising from the campstool +that he had brought out from his tent. "Either +the sergeant is in trouble, or else he's bagging +a wagonload of game."</p> + +<p>"Bang-bang!" sounded the distant rifle.</p> + +<p>"He's moving, anyway, whoever he is," declared +Sergeant Noll.</p> + +<p>"Hello, there!"</p> + +<p>"'Lo yerselves!" yelled back Kelly.</p> + +<p>Another group of men came, and right after +them the remainder of the hunters save one.</p> + +<p>Bang-bang!</p> + +<p>"Now we know it's Sergeant Overton out +there," announced Lieutenant Prescott. Then +he turned to Noll.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant Terry, you're in charge. What are +you going to do about it?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>BIG GAME AND A NIGHT IN CAMP</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"IT'S a bad time to follow through the +woods," remarked Corporal Cotter. +"There goes the sun behind the tops."</div> + +<p>"It'll be dark within five or six minutes +more," said Noll. "If Hal Overton is running +about in the woods, I think the best thing to +do will be to run two lanterns up to the tree top, +so that Overton can locate the camp. Then, if +he's in any further difficulty, he'll fire the rifle +signal. What do you think, lieutenant?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," replied Mr. Prescott promptly. +"You're in temporary command here, Sergeant +Terry."</p> + +<p>"Run up the camp lights, Johnson," Noll directed.</p> + +<p>These lights, a red and a green one, were +quickly run up on halyards to almost the top of +a tall fir tree.</p> + +<p>It was quickly dark, but camp now waited +to learn the meaning of so many shots.</p> + +<p>"Hey, there's Dinkelspiel's Comet let loose +in the sky!" announced Private Johnson.</p> + +<p>"Wrong! It's Overton waving a torch from a +tree top," returned Noll, studying the flame<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +sweeps of the distant torch that waved. "Johnson +get hold of the halyards and raise and lower +the lanterns two or three times to let Sergeant +Overton know that we see his signal."</p> + +<p>The distant signalman now began waving his +torch from right to left, following the regular +code.</p> + +<p>"Send—here—all—men—can—spare," read +Sergeant Terry, following the torch's movements +with his eyes. "Will—signal—time—to—time—till—men—arrive. +Overton."</p> + +<p>"He must be in trouble," cried Hyman.</p> + +<p>"No; he's struck game," retorted Noll. +"Johnson, raise and lower the lanterns three +times to show Sergeant Overton that his signal +has been read. Now, then, we'll all get out +there on a hike—a fast hike. But we'll have +to leave some one here who can read further +signals. Lieutenant, do you mind, sir, watching +further signals?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes," agreed young Mr. Prescott, +laughing, "if you feel that I'll be of no use +on the hike. But if you asked me what I'd like, +I'd rather go with you."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir. Corporal Hyman, you will +remain here and watch for further signals. +Kelly and Slosson, of course, will stay by the +supper. The rest—forward!"</p> + +<p>"Guns, Sergeant?" called one of the men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Two of you bring rifles, in case of trouble. +The rest had better be unencumbered. Forward."</p> + +<p>Having located his bunkie's direction, Noll +had little difficulty in finding the way. Most of +the time they were within sight of the torch that +moved from time to time.</p> + +<p>"Hel-lo, bun-kie!" hailed Noll when the party +was within an eighth of a mile of the tree.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Glad you're here."</p> + +<p>From the subsequent movements of the torch +the approaching party knew that Overton was +going down the tree. Then they saw him coming +over the ground.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" hailed Noll.</p> + +<p>"Nothing. I've just come down," retorted +Sergeant Hal.</p> + +<p>"What have you been doing?"</p> + +<p>"Killing game," replied Sergeant Overton, +as he headed toward them.</p> + +<p>"What kind?"</p> + +<p>"How much?"</p> + +<p>"All you'll want to lug back," chuckled Sergeant +Hal gleefully. "Come on, now, and I'll +show you. You see," Sergeant Hal continued, +as the party joined him, "I got a sight at a +fine antelope buck to windward and only four +hundred yards away. I brought him down the +first shot."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, come now, Sarge!" teased Private +Johnson.</p> + +<p>"I fired two shots, but the first toppled him," +insisted Hal. "Come, look here."</p> + +<p>Hal Overton halted under the trees, pointing +with his torch.</p> + +<p>It was certainly a fine, sleek, heavy buck to +which Hal pointed.</p> + +<p>"But you didn't need all of us to carry it in, +did you?" demanded one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly," laughed Hal happily. "Swing +on to the buck, a couple of you, and come along. +I'll tell you the rest. Just after I fired the second +shot I heard a growl close to me. Less +than a hundred yards away I heard a sound of +paws moving toward me. Then I saw him. +There he is."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Overton's torch now lit up the carcass +of a dead brown bear, one of the biggest +that any of them had ever seen.</p> + +<p>"And right behind him," went on Hal, "was +Mrs. Bruin. I can tell you, my nerve was beginning +to ooze. But I fired—and here's the +lady bear."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hal led his soldier friends to the +second bear carcass.</p> + +<p>"But it wasn't more than a second or two +later," laughed Hal, though some of the soldiers +now noticed the quiver in his voice, "that I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +began to think some one had locked me in with +a menagerie and turned the key loose. Just +beyond were a he-bear and two more females, +and they were plainly some mad and headed +toward me."</p> + +<p>"Whew!" whistled Lieutenant Prescott. +"What did you do?"</p> + +<p>"Shook with the buck fever," admitted the +boyish sergeant, with a laugh. "I'm not joking, +either. I didn't expect to get back to camp +alive, for it was growing dark in here under +the trees, and I knew I couldn't depend on my +shooting. I'm almost afraid I closed my eyes +as I fired and kept firing. But, anyway——"</p> + +<p>Hal stopped, holding his torch so as to show +the carcass of another male bear. Not many +yards away lay two females.</p> + +<p>"An antelope and five bears!" gasped Lieutenant +Prescott. "Sergeant Overton, you've +qualified for the sharpshooter class in two minutes!"</p> + +<p>"I don't claim any credit for the last three +bears," insisted Hal. "I simply don't know +how I hit 'em. It wasn't marksmanship, anyway."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" spoke Prescott almost sharply. +"It was clever shooting and uncommonly brave +work."</p> + +<p>"Brave, sir?" retorted Hal, laughingly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +"Lieutenant, do you note how my teeth are still +chattering? I'm shaking all over, still, for that +matter."</p> + +<p>"Talk until morning light comes, and you +can't throw any discredit either on your shooting +or your nerve, Sergeant Overton. If you +won't take a young officer's word for it," answered +Mr. Prescott, "then ask any of the old, +buck doughboys in this outfit."</p> + +<p>"It's a job an old hunter'd brag about," +glowed one of the soldiers.</p> + +<p>Forgetting, for the time, their hunger, the +men wandered from one carcass to another, examining +them to see where the hits had been +made.</p> + +<p>"If you men are not going to get together +soon, to pick up these animals, I'll have to tote +'em all myself," Prescott reminded them. +"Terry, will you swing on under this bear with +me?"</p> + +<p>The two managed to raise it.</p> + +<p>"Here, Lieutenant, that's not for you to do," +remonstrated Sergeant Overton. "Let me take +hold of your end."</p> + +<p>"I'm not a weakling, thank you," retorted +Mr. Prescott. "I'll do my share, and I recommend +you to proclaim that any man who doesn't +do his share doesn't eat to-night. But as for +you, Sergeant Overton, I shall have a bad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +opinion of this outfit if they let you carry anything +more than your rifle back to camp this +night."</p> + +<p>And that motion was carried unanimously. +Sergeant Hal was forced to go ahead as guide, +while the others, the lieutenant included, +buckled manfully to their burdens.</p> + +<p>Not infrequently they had to halt and rest, +for the carcasses were fearfully heavy, even for +men as toughened as regulars.</p> + +<p>Yet, finally, they did manage to get Hal's +prizes back to camp.</p> + +<p>"Another day or two like this, and we needn't +be ashamed to face the men back at Clowdry," +observed Lieutenant Prescott complacently. +"Six bears and a buck antelope in one day is +no fool work, even if one man did do it all."</p> + +<p>"But you killed the bear this morning, sir," +urged Sergeant Hal.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sergeant; after you had fired the first +shot and had crippled the beast so that it +couldn't get away from me."</p> + +<p>Not even to gloat over the big haul of game, +however, could the men wait any longer for +their long-deferred evening meal.</p> + +<p>There was a general washup, after which the +entire party went to table.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Prescott permitted one concession +to his rank. He sat at table with the enlisted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +men, but he had one end of the board all to himself.</p> + +<p>Two ruddy campfires now shed their glow +over the table. It was a rough scene, but one +full of the sheer joy of outdoor, manly life.</p> + +<p>"I hope, Kelly, that the long wait hasn't encouraged +to-night's bear meat to dry up in the +pans," remarked the lieutenant pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"No fear o' that, sir," replied the soldier +cook. "Instead, the meat had simmered so long +in its own juices that a thin pewter fork would +pick it to pieces."</p> + +<p>"How much meat is there?" asked Private +Johnson, whereat all the men laughed as happily +as schoolboys on a picnic.</p> + +<p>"Never ye fear, glutton," retorted Kelly. +"There's more meat than any seventeen giants +in the fairy tales could ever eat at one sitting."</p> + +<p>And then on it came—great hunks of roast +bear meat, flanked with browned potatoes and +gravy; flaky biscuits, huge pats of butter, bowls +heaped with canned vegetables. Pots of steaming +coffee passed up and down the table.</p> + +<p>Hunters in the wilds get back close to nature, +and have the appetites of savages. These men +around the camp table ate, every man of them, +twice as much as he could have eaten back at +company mess at Fort Clowdry.</p> + +<p>Then, to top it all, came more coffee and mince<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +pie in abundance. Nor did these hardy hunters, +after climbing the mountain trails all day, fear +the nightmare. Their stomachs were fitted to +digest anything edible!</p> + +<p>It was over at last, and pipes came out here +and there, though not all of the soldiers smoked.</p> + +<p>Hal Overton was one of those who did not +smoke. He had brought out his rubber poncho +and a blanket, and had placed these on the frosty +ground at some distance from one of the campfires.</p> + +<p>"You are looking rather thoughtful, Sergeant," +observed Lieutenant Prescott, strolling +over to Overton. "I hope I am not interrupting +any train of thought."</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"May I sit down beside you?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hal moved over, making plenty of +room on his blanket. Officer and non-com. +stretched themselves out comfortably, each resting +on one elbow.</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, Sergeant," continued Mr. +Prescott, "you were thinking of something very +particular when I came along."</p> + +<p>"I was just thinking, sir, how jolly this life +is, and for that matter, how jolly everything +connected with the Army is. I was wondering +why so many young fellows let their earlier manhood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +slip by without finding out what an ideal +place the Army is."</p> + +<p>"But what is especially jolly just now, Sergeant," +replied the lieutenant, "is the hunting. +Now, men don't have to enter the Army in order +to have all the hunting they want."</p> + +<p>"But we're drawing our pay while here," returned +Overton. "And we are having our expenses +paid, too. The man in civil life doesn't +get that. If he hunts, he must do it at his own +expense. Then there's another point, sir. In +the case of the average hunting party of men +from civil life it must be hard to find a lot of +really good fellows, who'll keep their good nature +all through the hardships of camping. For +instance, where, in civil life, could you get together +seventeen fellows, all of them as fine fellows +and as agreeable as we have here? But +I beg the lieutenant's pardon. I didn't intend +to include him as one of the crowd, for the rest +are all enlisted men."</p> + +<p>"I want to be considered one of the crowd," +replied the young officer simply.</p> + +<p>"But you're not an enlisted man, sir."</p> + +<p>"No; but I've cast my lot with the Army +for life, and so, I trust, have most of you enlisted +men. Therefore we all belong together, +though not all can be officers. For that matter, +I imagine there are a good many men in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +ranks of our battalion who wouldn't care to be +officers. Many soldiers are of a happy-go-lucky +type, and wouldn't care to burden themselves +with an officer's responsibilities. Yet I +certainly want to be, as far as good discipline +will permit, one of the crowd along with all +good, staunch and loyal soldiers, whatever their +grades of rank may be."</p> + +<p>This was seeing the commissioned officer of +Uncle Sam's Army in a somewhat different +light, even to one as keen and observing as Hal +Overton.</p> + +<p>In garrison life it is very seldom that the enlisted +man gets a real glimpse of the "man +side" of the officer. The requirements of military +discipline are such that officers and enlisted +men do not often mingle on any terms of equality. +This fact, as far as the American Army +goes, is based on the military experience of ages +that, when officers and men mingle on terms of +too much equality, discipline suffers sadly. It +is this intimacy of officers and men that keeps +many National Guard organizations from reaching +greater efficiency.</p> + +<p>Men have served through a whole term of enlistment +in the regular Army without realizing +how friendly a really good and capable officer +always feels toward the really good enlisted men +under his command. The captain of a company,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +is, in effect, the father of his company, and +his time must be spent largely in looking after +the actual welfare and happiness of his men. +In this work the captain's lieutenants are his +assistants.</p> + +<p>Soon the night grew much colder in this high +altitude. Now the wood was heaped on one +fire, and around this blazing pile soldiers sat +or stretched themselves on blankets and ponchos. +It is at such a time that the soldier's +yarns crop up. Story after story of the military +life was told. All in good time Lieutenant +Prescott contributed his share, from anecdotes +of the old days at West Point.</p> + +<p>Then it became so late that Sergeant Hal announced +that Johnson and Dietz would have +the camp detail for the day following. This +meant, also, that Johnson and Dietz would therefore +divide between them the duty of watching +over the camp through the night.</p> + +<p>It was Johnson who took the first trick of the +watch, while the others turned in in their tents.</p> + +<p>Holding his rifle across his knees, mainly as +a matter of form, Johnson sat down by the campfire, +while his drowsy comrades turned in in +their tents and slept the sleep of the strong in +that clear, crisp Colorado air.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>HOLDING UP A CAMP GUARD</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>HALF an hour before daylight was due +everyone in the camp was stirring.</div> + +<p>The two new cooks for the day had +their work cut out for them. Other soldiers +busied themselves with hauling wood and water.</p> + +<p>Then, too, the four horses belonging to the +transport wagons had to be curried, watered +and fed.</p> + +<p>By the time these first duties were out of the +way broad daylight had come and breakfast +was ready.</p> + +<p>The meal over "police," or cleaning up, was +performed as carefully as in barracks.</p> + +<p>The hunters were now ready to set out, for, +in the meantime, the antelope and bears killed +the afternoon before had been skinned and the +meat hung up in the dry, cool air.</p> + +<p>"Anybody in this outfit been wearing moccasins?" +queried Corporal Hyman, strolling +back into camp.</p> + +<p>No one admitted it.</p> + +<p>"Then we've been having visitors in the +night," continued Hyman. "No less than four +of them, either, for the prints are right under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +that tree over there, and they lead down to the +trail."</p> + +<p>"Moccasins? Indians, then?" thrilled Private +William Green, who was one of the hunting +party.</p> + +<p>"Sorry to spoil your dream of glory in an +Indian fight, Green," laughed the lieutenant, +"but the last Indian in these parts died years +ago."</p> + +<p>"But what can the moccasins mean?" pondered +Sergeant Hal aloud. "If there have +been visitors about, and honest ones, they would +naturally let themselves be announced. Dietz, +you had the last trick of watch?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Did you see or hear any prowlers?"</p> + +<p>"Nary one, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Corporal Hyman, take me over to the moccasin +prints. Lieutenant, do you mind taking +a look at them, too, sir?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Prescott stepped over in the wake of Hyman +and Overton.</p> + +<p>"There are the prints," declared the corporal, +pointing. "On account of the hard ground +they're not very distinct, but there were four +of the fellows."</p> + +<p>"More likely five," supplemented Lieutenant +Prescott, pointing to still another set of footmarks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here are other prints over here," called Sergeant +Overton. "Aren't these still a different +set?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed both the lieutenant and Corporal +Hyman.</p> + +<p>"Then there were at least six men prowling +about here while we slept in the night," concluded +Hal.</p> + +<p>"And here is one of the trails," called the +lieutenant, "leading toward camp."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we follow the trail?" suggested the +young sergeant.</p> + +<p>They did so, halting at the end of the trail.</p> + +<p>"From here I can see where the stool of the +guard rested near the fire," continued Overton. +"From that it would seem fair to conclude that +one of the prowlers got this far, found our guard +awake, and then retired."</p> + +<p>"It would be interesting to know who our +visitors were," nodded Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>"I've changed my mind about going hunting +to-day," went on Sergeant Hal. "While the +rest of you are out after game I am going to +remain right here."</p> + +<p>"The camp is guarded by two reliable men," +remarked Mr. Prescott.</p> + +<p>"True enough, sir, but they're not real +guards, for both will have their hands full with +camp housework," objected the boyish sergeant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +"They can't do real guard duty, or else we'd +all have to turn to get the evening meal in a +rush. So I've decided to remain behind to-day."</p> + +<p>"And, on the whole, I think you're wise to +do it, Sergeant," approved the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>So, while the main party hied itself away soon +after, Hal Overton remained behind with the +two camp duty men.</p> + +<p>Having a couple of good books in his tent, +Sergeant Hal donned his olive tan Army overcoat, +spread a poncho and a pair of blankets +on the ground and lay down to read.</p> + +<p>But his rifle and ammunition belt rested beside +him.</p> + +<p>The morning passed without any event, other +than two or three times Sergeant Overton +paused long enough in his reading to do some +brief scouting past the camp.</p> + +<p>Nothing came of it, however. At noon Hal +ate with Dietz and Johnson.</p> + +<p>"The chuck is better back in camp," laughed +the young sergeant. "But I've heard a gun +half a dozen times this morning, and each time +I've been curious to know how the hunting luck +is running."</p> + +<p>"Nobody will beat the haul you made yesterday, +Sarge," offered Private Dietz.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'd like to see several of the fellows beat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +it," rejoined Overton. "I certainly hope to see +both wagons go back loaded to the top with +game. I don't want to have the only military +command I ever enjoyed being the head of go +back stumped."</p> + +<p>"We're not stumped, with five bear carcasses," +hinted Private Johnson.</p> + +<p>"Those carcasses might afford two meat +meals to the garrison," speculated Sergeant +Overton. "But what we want to do is to take +back so much game flesh that no man in Fort +Clowdry will want to hear game meat mentioned +again before next spring."</p> + +<p>"Huh! By that time the old Thirty-fourth +will probably be in the Philippines," retorted +Dietz, forking eight ounces more of wood-broiled +bear steak to his tin plate.</p> + +<p>"I wonder!" cried Hal, his eyes blazing with +eagerness.</p> + +<p>"Crazy to get out to the islands, Sarge?"</p> + +<p>"Humph! I put in three years there with +the Thirty-fourth," grunted Dietz. "I'll never +kick at a transfer to another regiment whenever +the regiment I'm in gets the islands +route."</p> + +<p>"What have you against the Philippines?" +Hal wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Well, Sarge, don't you enjoy this cool, crisp, +bracing air up here in the hills?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Certainly. Who wouldn't? This air is +bracing—life-giving."</p> + +<p>"Nothing like it in the Philippines," answered +Dietz. "It's hot there—hot, you understand."</p> + +<p>"Yet I've been told that a soldier always +needs his blankets there at night," objected +Hal.</p> + +<p>"Yes; if you have to sleep outdoors, then you +need your full uniform on, including shoes and +leggings, and you wrap yourself up tight in your +blanket. But that isn't to keep warm; it's to +keep the mosquitoes from eating you alive. So, +after you get done up in your blanket, you +put a collapsible mosquito net over your head +to protect your face and neck. Then there's +a trick you have to learn of wrapping your +hands in under your blanket in such a way that +the skeeters can't follow inside. After you've +been in the islands a few weeks you learn how +to do yourself up so that the skeeters can't get +at your flesh."</p> + +<p>"Then that ought to be all right," smiled +Hal hopefully.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but you never heard a Filipino skeeter +holler when he's mad. When they find they +can't get at you then about four thousand settle +on your net and blanket and sing all night. +You've got to be fagged out before you can +sleep over the racket those little pests make."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess the whole trick can be learned," +predicted Overton.</p> + +<p>"The night trick can be learned after a +while," agreed Dietz. "But, in the daytime, +there's nothing that can be done to protect you. +You simply have to suffer. Then the hot days! +Why, Sarge, I've marched north up the tracks +of the Manila & Dagupan railroad, carrying +fifty pounds of weight, on days when the sun +sure beat down on us at the rate of a hundred +and forty degrees Fahrenheit."</p> + +<p>"Yet you're alive, now," observed Overton.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; just as it happens."</p> + +<p>"But surely there's some marching in the +shade, too?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; sometimes you spend the whole +day, everyday for a fortnight, hiking through +the dense jungles after a gang of bolomen or +Moros or ladrones. Shade enough there in the +jungle, but it has a Turkish bath beaten to a +plum finish. You drip, drip, drip with perspiration, +until you'd give a week's pay to be out +in the sun for ten minutes with a chance to get +dried off."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to like it, just the same," retorted +Hal. "I know I am. And, if the natives put +up any real trouble for us, then we'll see some +actual service. That's what a very young soldier +always aches for, you know, Dietz."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, and it's sure fun fighting those brown-skinned +little Filipino goo-goos," grunted the +older soldier. "First they fire on you, and then +you and your comrades lie down and fire back. +After you've had a few men hit the order comes +to charge. Then you all rise and rush forward, +cheering like the Fourth of July. You have to +go through some tall grass on the way, and, +first thing you know, a parcel of hidden bolo +men jump up right in front of you. They use +their bolos—heavy knives—to slit you open at +the belt line. Ugh! I'd sooner fight five men +with guns than step on one of those bolo men in +the jungle!"</p> + +<p>"Just the same," voiced the young sergeant, +"the sooner the Thirty-fourth is ordered to the +island the better I'll like it. I'm wild to see +some of the high foreign spots."</p> + +<p>"Wish I could give you all the chances that +are coming to me in my service in the Army," +grunted Private Dietz, as he rose from the table.</p> + +<p>The afternoon was one of harder work for +the two camp duty men. Hal tried to read +again, but found his thoughts too frequently +wandering to the Philippines.</p> + +<p>The afternoon waxed late, at last, though +still there was no sign of the hunters. Once in +a while a gun had been heard at some distance, +and that was all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<p>All the time Sergeant Hal had trailed his rifle +about camp with him. Now, tiring of reading, +he went to his tent, standing his rifle against +the front tent pole.</p> + +<p>Hearing a swift step the young sergeant +reached the tent flap in time to see a roughly-dressed, +moccasined white man running away +with Hal's Army rifle.</p> + +<p>Then, in the same instant, he heard a voice +call:</p> + +<p>"Throw your hands up there, man!"</p> + +<p>"Holding me up with my own gun, are you?" +raged Private Dietz.</p> + +<p>"Yes; and we've got the other chap's lead-piece, +too. Up with your hands, both of you."</p> + +<p>Hal dropped back behind the flap of his tent, +peering out through a little crack in the canvas.</p> + +<p>There were now seven men outside, all strangers, +all rough-looking and all moccasined.</p> + +<p>Between them they had the three rifles belonging +in camp that day.</p> + +<p>"Bring out that other fellow, the kid sergeant," +commanded the same voice, after Dietz +and Johnson, hopelessly surprised, had hoisted +their hands skyward.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" growled Sergeant Hal, his eyes +snapping. "I don't like the idea of surrendering +the camp that I command!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>WHEN THE LAST CARTRIDGE WAS GONE</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>WHATEVER was to be done would have +to be done in a very few seconds.</div> + +<p>For one of the rifle-armed strangers +had started briskly for the tent that concealed +the boyish sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Whatever happens, he isn't going to get me +alive, if I can help it!" quivered young Overton. +"I'd sooner be killed at once than disgrace my +chevrons."</p> + +<p>Two swift steps backward, and Sergeant Hal +caught up his revolver.</p> + +<p>With this in his right hand, and stepping +panther-like, he returned to the fallen tent flap.</p> + +<p>The approaching man with the rifle bent forward, +sweeping the tent flap aside.</p> + +<p>"Come out, Sarge!" he ordered.</p> + +<p>"If I have to," retorted Hal, setting his +teeth.</p> + +<p>Grasping the revolver by the barrel end, he +sprang through, before the other fellow could +comprehend what was happening.</p> + +<p>"Look out, there!" yelled one of the invaders, +coming up behind the man with the rifle.</p> + +<p>It was too late.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>Crack! It was a fearful blow, the butt of +the heavy Army revolver landing on the fellow's +jaw and fracturing it.</p> + +<p>"O-o-o-h!"</p> + +<p>It was a wail of fearful agony, but under the +circumstances Sergeant Overton could not afford +to regret it.</p> + +<p>The stricken man staggered back.</p> + +<p>Hal poised for a bound, intending to snatch +the rifle from him.</p> + +<p>As the fellow dropped back, however, his companion +coming up behind him was in time to +snatch the rifle, turning the muzzle on Overton.</p> + +<p>There being not a second to lose, and the fight +unequal, Hal darted, instead, back to his tent +pole.</p> + +<p>There hung a mirror that he had used in +shaving.</p> + +<p>It took but an instant to get this. Then Hal +raced for a tree thirty feet away.</p> + +<p>Dropping the small mirror into a pocket, Overton +started to climb the tree.</p> + +<p>"Come down out of that tree, or we'll bring +you down!" roared an ugly voice.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to drop me, then, if you want +me," taunted Hal coolly.</p> + +<p>He was a dozen feet up the trunk by the time +that the man who now held that rifle gained the +base of the tree.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Coming down, you——?" called the ruffian +with an oath.</p> + +<p>"No," responded Hal. "Coming up?"</p> + +<p>"Come down, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>"Some mistake," sneered Hal, still climbing. +"I'm headed for the roof."</p> + +<p>Below him he heard a threatening click as +the bolt of the rifle was thrown back.</p> + +<p>"Hey! Don't shoot the kid—yet," ordered +another voice. "He'll come down when he sees +what we can do to him. He hasn't any show."</p> + +<p>So the fellow under the tree went back to +join his six companions.</p> + +<p>Dietz and Johnson were still holding up their +hands. This fact was no reflection on their +courage. They were trained fighting men, and +had sense enough to realize when the enemy had +"the drop" on them.</p> + +<p>"You two soldiers," ordered the leader of +the ruffians, "lie down on your faces and hold +your hands behind your backs for tying."</p> + +<p>Neither soldier, however, stirred as yet.</p> + +<p>"You heard that, Sergeant?" called <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Deitz'">Dietz</ins> +dryly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Hal.</p> + +<p>"What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"You fellows get down on your faces—flop!" +broke in the leader of the ruffians. +"That's what you'll do!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Will you be kind enough to shut up?" retorted +Private Dietz coolly. "We're taking our +orders from the sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Let him come down here and give the orders, +then," jeered the leader of the invaders.</p> + +<p>"You'd better give in, Dietz and Johnson," +order Sergeant Hal. "You can't do anything +and I don't want to see you killed."</p> + +<p>"That's your order, then, is it, sergeant?" +inquired Private Johnson.</p> + +<p>"Yes; it can't be helped."</p> + +<p>Dietz and Johnson, therefore, lay down as +directed. Some of the scoundrels who were not +armed busied themselves with tying the soldiers, +and this work the miscreants did with a thoroughness +that spoke eloquently of practice.</p> + +<p>But the diversion gave Hal a chance to do +something that had popped into his head at the +instant when he had stepped back for the mirror.</p> + +<p>The sun was still sufficiently high for him to +catch the rays strongly on his small mirror.</p> + +<p>Now, in the Army signaling work, one branch +has to do with heliographing; that is, flashing +a message by means of reflected rays of the +sun's light.</p> + +<p>Swiftly enough the young sergeant caught the +flash, and found to his delight that he was able +to throw a fairly long flash.</p> + +<p>"Camp in hands of ruffians. Help quick!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 299px;"> +<img src="images/illus206.png" width="299" height="450" alt="The Mirror Was Shot From Hal's Hand." title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Mirror Was Shot From Hal's Hand.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<p>Despite his tremendous excitement, Sergeant +Overton endeavored to steady his right hand +enough to enable him to send the message quite +clearly.</p> + +<p>Again and again he flashed the message, until +one of the invaders, glancing up at the tree top, +caught sight of the work that was going on.</p> + +<p>"That kid's trying to send word to some one," +guessed the leader. "Here, cub, hand me that +rifle."</p> + +<p>Crack!</p> + +<p>Smash!</p> + +<p>It was a true shot, though how much of it was +due to luck Sergeant Hal could not surmise.</p> + +<p>But the glass was shot from his hand, the +splintered bits falling to the ground.</p> + +<p>"Next shot for you, kid!" warned the marksman +below.</p> + +<p>"Yes?" mocked Overton.</p> + +<p>"Surest thing in the world? Coming down, +or shall I bring you down?"</p> + +<p>Crack!</p> + +<p>Hal drew his own weapon up, firing as the +sight passed the human target.</p> + +<p>It was a close shot, the revolver bullet carrying +away the fellow's cloth cap.</p> + +<p>"I'm firing too high," spoke Hal as composedly +as though he did not feel any excitement. +"I'll fire for your belt line after this."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> + +<p>That was too much for the ruffian's composure. +He turned, running in a zig-zag line.</p> + +<p>So Hal held his fire, awaiting results for a +moment. As he waited he felt for his revolver +ammunition.</p> + +<p>Then he made a sickening discovery. He had +no revolver ammunition beyond the five cartridges +remaining in the cylinder of his weapon.</p> + +<p>As for the invaders, they had more than three +hundred rounds of rifle ammunition now at their +disposal.</p> + +<p>And they had fled to cover, too, but now Sergeant +Overton had the uncomfortable conviction +that three rifles were trained on him.</p> + +<p>"Now, come down out of that tree on the +double quick!" commanded the leader of the +invaders.</p> + +<p>"My coming will suit myself only," boasted +Hal in a tone conveying ten times the confidence +that he felt.</p> + +<p>"That shot of yours may start help this way," +continued the leader threateningly. "We ain't +going to take any chances. Start on the second, +or we'll begin shooting, and keep it up until +we tumble you out of that tree."</p> + +<p>"You may fire whenever ready," mocked Hal. +"Every shot you fire will be a signal that will +make my friends come faster."</p> + +<p>Bang! It was the leader himself who fired.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +The bullet clipped off a leaf within an inch of +Sergeant Overton's ear.</p> + +<p>Crack! The boyish young sergeant was all +there with the grit. He fired straight back at +the leader, the bullet striking the rock before +the other's face.</p> + +<p>Now two more shots clipped close to the young +soldier. Hal answered with one.</p> + +<p>But he tried to steady himself. He realized +that he had but three fighting shots left, and +that he must make them count.</p> + +<p>"But maybe three are enough to last me as +long as I'm going to live, anyway," reflected +Sergeant Overton grimly.</p> + +<p>There was not much comfort in that thought, +but Hal drew himself around more behind the +tree trunk in order to shield himself as much +as possible, although the tree trunk would be +no real protection from bullets.</p> + +<p>The Army bullet, at an ordinary range, will +pierce three solid feet of standing oak.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>THE EIGHTH MOCCASIN APPEARS</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"GIVE it up?" queried the leader.</div> + +<p>"I answered you before on that +head," retorted Sergeant Overton.</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool, kid. We don't want to hurt +you. All we want is that revolver."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to give it up," rejoined Hal.</p> + +<p>"You'd better!"</p> + +<p>"It isn't mine to give, anyway. It belongs +to the United States Government."</p> + +<p>"Uncle Sam will never see that revolver +again," declared the leader of the invaders, with +profane emphasis. "And you'll never see your +friends again if you don't hit it fast for the +ground."</p> + +<p>"I'm here until further orders."</p> + +<p>"You've got your orders!"</p> + +<p>"I don't take any orders from you," retorted +Hal with fine scorn.</p> + +<p>"Open up on the fool, boys—all together!"</p> + +<p>Three spurts of flame jetted out from the cover +that the ruffians had taken.</p> + +<p>Hal steadied his arm by resting it across a +branch before him, and fired back, his aim, as +before, at the leader.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> + +<p>He had the satisfaction of seeing that rascal's +head duck below cover.</p> + +<p>Though he could not know it then, Overton +had clipped a lock of hair from the fellow's +hatless head.</p> + +<p>Another volley, which Hal answered with another +shot.</p> + +<p>"What do you fellows want with guns if you +can't shoot better!" hailed Overton derisively.</p> + +<p>He didn't want them to shoot any better, but +he was trying to anger them and thus make +their shooting wilder.</p> + +<p>"It won't take us more than half a minute +more to get you," flung back the leader.</p> + +<p>Now that fellow raised himself, exposing himself +more, but getting a solid left-hand rest for +his rifle.</p> + +<p>Hal could see and feel that the rifle was +pointed fairly at him.</p> + +<p>On the instinct of the moment the young sergeant +fired. And he would have scored, had +he not seen the other two riflemen leaving their +cover also to get a better aim. That realization +spoiled his shot.</p> + +<p>"Gracious! That was my last cartridge, +too!" groaned the young sergeant inwardly.</p> + +<p>The realization made him feel creepy. It is +one thing to fight bravely, when one has the +fighting tools and a knowledge of their use. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +it is quite another thing to face the certainty of +being helpless with so many armed foes bent +on one's destruction.</p> + +<p>None the less, summoning up all his courage, +Hal broke the revolver at the breech, allowing +the ejector to shed the empty shells on the ground +underneath.</p> + +<p>With lightning motions Hal went through the +sham of filling his cylinder with fresh cartridges.</p> + +<p>"No use, little man! No use at all. If you +had any more cartridges you'd get me now—but +you can't. Come on, boys! We'll go under +the tree and smoke him out!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the leader moved boldly from +cover, exposing the whole length of his body.</p> + +<p>It would have made a splendid mark for as +expert a shot as Sergeant Hal Overton. The +soldier boy did raise his revolver, as though +to shoot, but the leader, coolly confident, continued +to come forward.</p> + +<p>Of course Hal could not shoot, and the rest +seeing that, also came out from cover.</p> + +<p>Chuckling, all but the one whose jaw Hal had +injured, the wretches moved forward, halting +just under the tree.</p> + +<p>"Coming down now?" demanded the leader, +directing the muzzle of his stolen rifle up the +tree.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," mimicked Hal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ever hear what the treed 'coon said to Davy +Crockett?" inquired the scoundrel facetiously.</p> + +<p>"If it's a chestnut I'll stand hearing it +again," proposed the young sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Well, friend, when the raccoon saw Davy +pointing his gun upward, he called down: 'Don't +shoot, Davy! I'll come down.'"</p> + +<p>"Great!" mocked young Overton.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to do like the 'coon?"</p> + +<p>Hal's answer was to raise his right hand suddenly +and hurling his now useless revolver.</p> + +<p>There was no time to dodge. One of the +riflemen below received the impact of the descending +weapon squarely on top of his head +and he keeled over, falling into a bush.</p> + +<p>"You said all you wanted was my revolver," +announced Sergeant Hal. "Well, you have it. +Now on your way with it."</p> + +<p>The dropped revolver had been picked up by +another of the crowd, and now two men raised +their guns to shoot Hal Overton out of the tree.</p> + +<p>But their leader struck down their guns.</p> + +<p>"None of that, unless we have to," he commanded. +"The sergeant's a game one, and he's +not to blame for trying to defend his camp. He +can't do any more harm now, and I won't have +him hurt unless he forces us to do it. Now, +then, young man, are you coming down out of +that tree?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why?" challenged Hal. "You said that all +you wanted was my revolver. You have that +now, and all the rifles in camp. What do you +need of me?"</p> + +<p>"We've got to slip away from here quick," retorted +the leader with a deceptive show of good-nature +and fair-mindedness. "But do you think, +Sergeant, we're going to be fools enough to +dust out of here and leave you to come down +out of the tree and trail us along, then come back +here for help and bag us all. No, no, young +man! We know the regulars, and we're not +going to leave any cards in the hands of the +fighting line of the Army."</p> + +<p>"But it's so comfortable up here," objected +Hal.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to give you, Sergeant, until I +count three. Then, if you haven't started, we'll +simply have to bring you down like a cantankerous +grizzly. Or, if you start and then stop +again, we'll shoot just the same. We can't afford +to waste any more time talking."</p> + +<p>Where had Hal seen this man before? Where +and when had he heard that voice?</p> + +<p>Face and voice both seemed strangely familiar, +yet, to save him, Overton could not place the +fellow at that moment.</p> + +<p>"One!" counted the leader, and Hal saw three +rifle muzzles pointed at him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Two!"</p> + +<p>"All right! I'm the 'coon. Be with you in +a minute, Davy Crockett," laughed Sergeant +Hal Overton.</p> + +<p>It was hard luck, but the soldier boy felt that +he had made all the fight that could be expected +of any one. There seemed no sense in being +killed for sheer stubbornness, now that he had +not a ghost of a chance of fighting back.</p> + +<p>Having once started groundward, Overton +continued to descend rapidly.</p> + +<p>As he reached the last limb on his descent he +took a swift slide and landed among his captors.</p> + +<p>"Good boy," mimicked the leader of the invaders. +"Now continue to be sensible. Just +lie down on your face and put your hands behind +your back the way your two men did. Nothing +happened to them and nothing worse will +happen to you."</p> + +<p>The wretch's words were smooth and oily. +To Hal it really looked as though this fellow +respected gameness enough not to take it out +on a defenseless enemy.</p> + +<p>So Hal lay face downward and gave up his +hands for binding.</p> + +<p>Wrap! wrap! He felt the cord passing swiftly +around his wrists, and then an extra turn was +taken around his ankles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your name's Overton, isn't it?" asked the +leader with a wicked grin on his face.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then you're the man we want."</p> + +<p>"From the way you acted I judged that you +wanted me," mocked Hal dryly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but we wanted you for more than general +reasons. In fact, we want you, most of all, +for purely personal reasons. Or, at least, one +of our fellows does. Here he comes."</p> + +<p>An eighth man of the wretched crew now came +swiftly forward from the hiding that he had +kept from the first.</p> + +<p>As he came he chuckled maliciously, and Hal +Overton knew that sinister laugh.</p> + +<p>Then the fellow halted, bending over the prostrate, +tied young sergeant.</p> + +<p>The face was the face of that evil deserter +from the Army—ex-Private Hinkey!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>THE ENEMY HAS HIS INNINGS</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"I'D much better have stayed up the tree +and been shot out of it!" flashed through +Sergeant Hal's startled brain.</div> + +<p>"Howdy!" jeered Hinkey, leering wickedly. +"Didn't expect to see me, did you?"</p> + +<p>"No," Hal admitted frankly.</p> + +<p>"It's my inning now, Overton."</p> + +<p>"It looks like it."</p> + +<p>"And I'm to have my own way with you—you +officers' boot-lick!"</p> + +<p>"That's a lie, Hinkey, and you know it!" +broke in the deep, indignant voice of Private +Dietz. "Overton's a man, first, last and always. +He's worth a million of your kind."</p> + +<p>"Good!" added Private Johnson valiantly. +"And true, too! I never realized it until to-day, +either."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you both hold your tongues," ordered +Hinkey, glaring over at the pair of bound soldiers +who lay beyond. "You fellows are no +good, either. No man that'll stay in the Army +is any good."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to know why you left, Hinkey," +jeered Dietz. "I've wondered a lot about that."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, have you?" snarled Hinkey. "Nobody +but a boot-lick would stay in the Army, and I +don't lick any man's boots, not for the whole +Army."</p> + +<p>"Come, hurry up, Hink, and have your grudge +satisfied, and come along. We don't want to be +caught by a lot of soldiers. All the shooting +we've done here will be sure to attract the +hunters."</p> + +<p>"No it won't," rejoined Hinkey. "We trailed +the hunting parties, and they went out in three +squads, in three different directions. Now, any +of the hunters that hear a lot of firing will only +think that one of the other parties has run into +a lot of game."</p> + +<p>This was true. Hal Overton hadn't thought +of it before in that light. And, in addition, it +was rather unlikely that any of the hunters +had chanced to see his mirror-thrown signals +in the short time that had passed before the glass +had been shot from his hands.</p> + +<p>The rascal floored by the revolver which the +sergeant had thrown was now coming to, for +one of the crew had been dashing water in his +face.</p> + +<p>Not far away sat the man whose jaw Hal +had damaged. He was groaning a bit, despite +his efforts to make no fuss.</p> + +<p>"Look at our two mates this sergeant boy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +has put out of action," growled Hinkey, trying +to inflame his comrades.</p> + +<p>"They were hit in fair fight," replied the +leader. "The sergeant kid doesn't belong to +our side, but I don't hold his fighting grit against +him."</p> + +<p>"You'd hold anything and everything against +him if you knew him as well as I do," retorted +Hinkey.</p> + +<p>He was still standing over his young victim, +gazing down gloatingly at him.</p> + +<p>"And now the time has come to square matters +up with you, younker," went on Hinkey +tauntingly. "It's all my way now."</p> + +<p>Hal looked up at him steadily, but without +speaking. The boy knew better than to say +anything foolish that would needlessly anger +this brute, who now held the situation all in his +own hands.</p> + +<p>"Well, why don't you talk back, Overton?" +demanded Hinkey sneeringly.</p> + +<p>Just the ghost of a smile flickered over Overton's +face.</p> + +<p>"Laughing at me, are you?" yelled Hinkey, +trying to work himself into a more brutal rage.</p> + +<p>Hal spoke at last.</p> + +<p>"No," he answered.</p> + +<p>"If you ain't laughing," continued the brute, +"what are you doing?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Just thinking how sorry I am for you," Hal +flashed back coolly.</p> + +<p>"Sorry?" echoed the fellow bitterly. "You'd +better waste your sorrow on yourself! What +are you feeling badly about me for?"</p> + +<p>"I was thinking," went on Hal slowly, and +with no trace of taunt in his voice, "what a sad +come-down you have had. You were in the +Army, wearing its uniform, and with every right +to look upon yourself as a man. You could have +gone on being trusted. You could have raised +yourself. Instead, you have followed a naturally +bad bent and made yourself a thousand times +worse than you ever needed to be. Hinkey, do +you wonder that I'm sorry for you, when I find +that you have fallen outside of an honest man's +estate?"</p> + +<p>"Good! Tell him some more, Sarge," came +from Dietz.</p> + +<p>"Do you hear that?" raged Hinkey, turning +and catching his new leader's eye. "Do you +hear what the boot-lick insinuates about the new +crowd I've joined?"</p> + +<p>"It's your affair—your battle, Hinkey," replied +the leader grimly. "Don't try to drag us +in."</p> + +<p>"You're making such a beast of yourself, +Hinkey, that even your own gang don't respect +you," taunted Johnson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A crowd of Colorado wild-cats couldn't respect +such a fellow," supplied Dietz.</p> + +<p>With a snarl Hinkey ran over to where Dietz +and Johnson lay, giving each a hard kick. The +soldiers suffered the violence in silence.</p> + +<p>"You two mind your own affairs," warned +Hinkey savagely. "Don't turn me against you. +I don't want to give either of you as bad a dose +as I've planned for this sergeant boy."</p> + +<p>"Hurry up, Hinkey," warned the leader impatiently. +"You're wasting time that's worth +more to us than money. You said that if we'd +capture this boy for you, you'd cart him away +on your back, to settle with him later. Now do +it!"</p> + +<p>"All in a minute," promised the deserter. +"But, first of all, are you going to take the other +two soldiers with you?"</p> + +<p>"No. We don't need 'em."</p> + +<p>"Then I don't want this fellow Overton to go +along with us with his eyes open. He'd know +our whole route if he managed to get away from +us, and then he'd bring the regulars down on +us. You don't want that?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll stun this sergeant boy, and I'll +do it so hard that he won't open his eyes in +ten miles of traveling," promised Hinkey.</p> + +<p>With that he turned to Hal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Overton, I'm going to hit you, and I'm +going to hit you so hard that you won't even +see stars. Close your eyes if you're afraid to +see the blow coming!"</p> + +<p>But Hal merely opened his eyes the wider, +smiling back with a confidence in himself that +maddened the brute.</p> + +<p>With a snarl like a panther's Hinkey crouched +over the young sergeant, holding his hand high +before striking.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>THE NAVY HEARD FROM</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>LOOKING up at that hand Hal Overton +saw a spot of blood appear suddenly in +the middle of the palm.</div> + +<p>In the same moment there came the sharp +crack of a rifle.</p> + +<p>The blow never descended on Overton's upturned +face.</p> + +<p>Instead, Hinkey uttered a startled yell, tottered +to his feet, then threw himself over on +his face.</p> + +<p>For, following that first shot, came a volley of +them, accompanied by the whistling of bullets +through the camp.</p> + +<p>The leader of the invaders pitched and fell, +shot through the hip.</p> + +<p>"Take to cover, boys!" roared the stricken +leader. "Take my rifle, too. Defend yourselves. +The soldiers are down on us!"</p> + +<p>But Sergeant Hal, after that first moment of +joyous surprise, felt a thrill of astonishment.</p> + +<p>The bullets that were whistling through camp +had not the sound of Army missiles!</p> + +<p>Yet the young sergeant had no time to speculate +on this discovery, for now he heard a voice,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +and a wholly strange one, shout, as the volley +ceased:</p> + +<p>"You men surrender, if you don't want to be +riddled. If you start to make a move away +from camp we'll drop every one of you before +any man can reach cover. We mean business!"</p> + +<p>"Hello! What's going on here? Halt! Deploy, +there! Lie down! Ready—load—aim!"</p> + +<p>That was Noll Terry's voice, and the young +sergeant was right on his word like a flash.</p> + +<p>While the first party was hidden behind cover +to the northward, Sergeant Noll and his men +had come up from the westward.</p> + +<p>"We're friends," hailed that same voice from +northward. "Who are you over to the westward? +Who commands there?"</p> + +<p>"Sergeant Oliver Terry, United States +Army," Noll called back.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Sergeant! Stay in command. +We'll back up any move you make," came from +northward.</p> + +<p>"Do you rascally prowlers surrender?" called +Noll.</p> + +<p>"It's about the only thing that seems left to +do," sullenly admitted the leader of the invaders.</p> + +<p>"Then hold up your hands and step away +from those rifles," ordered Noll.</p> + +<p>That command was obeyed, except by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +man whose head had been battered by Hal's flying +revolver.</p> + +<p>"Have they any other weapons, Hal?" called +Sergeant Noll.</p> + +<p>"So far as I know they haven't," Sergeant +Hal answered.</p> + +<p>"You to the north!" called Noll.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, there!" came the good-natured answer.</p> + +<p>"Will you move in, covering the prisoners +with your rifles?"</p> + +<p>"Gladly, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Thank you."</p> + +<p>Out of brushwood cover to the northward +stepped three men. One was a middle-aged +man, a mountaineer if dress and manner went +for anything.</p> + +<p>With him, supporting this guide on each side +were two tall, very straight young men who appeared +to be about twenty-three years of age +each. These younger men were nattily though +plainly attired in corduroy, with leggings and +caps.</p> + +<p>"Just stand right there, and hold the prisoners, +please," directed Sergeant Terry.</p> + +<p>Then Noll's next step was to move in with his +own men, four in number.</p> + +<p>"Get the handcuffs," directed Noll. "I think +we've enough to go around."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + +<p>So saying Noll stepped over to his chum, +quickly freeing him.</p> + +<p>"Get up, Sergeant Overton," cried Noll, as +he cut the last cord at his chum's ankles. "And +now I turn the command over to you."</p> + +<p>Most of the prisoners took their capture in an +ugly mood. Their leader, however, affected, +coolly, to regard it all as the fortunes of the +game.</p> + +<p>"Here don't handcuff any of the disabled +men," directed Sergeant Hal. "Green, you +stand as a guard over those wounded. It's +bad enough to be hurt, without having one's +hands fixed so that he can't aid himself any +in his misery."</p> + +<p>"You want Hinkey ironed, don't you?" inquired +Noll.</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"But he's an Army deserter."</p> + +<p>"If he gets away from where he's sitting he'll +be only the remains of one," returned Sergeant +Overton dryly. "But Hinkey is wounded, and +he'll need his hands free in order to look after +himself."</p> + +<p>Hinkey, however, did not deign to notice this +grace by so much as a look or a word.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with these fellows?" +asked Noll presently.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't rest with me," Hal replied. "This<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +is a purely military matter, and I shall wait to +get Lieutenant Prescott's orders."</p> + +<p>"Then Prescott belongs with this camp?" +queried the taller, finer-looking of the pair of +young strangers who had given Hal his first +aid.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Prescott is with this camp; yes, +sir," Hal replied, laying considerable emphasis +on the title.</p> + +<p>"We're friends of his," explained the same +stranger. "So, if you don't mind, we'll just +wait for him."</p> + +<p>"If you're friends of Lieutenant Prescott, +then make yourselves very much at home, sir," +Hal answered cordially. "Any friend of Lieutenant +Prescott has B company for his friends +also."</p> + +<p>Johnson and Dietz, who had been freed right +after Sergeant Hal, were now busy once more +with preparations for the extra meal.</p> + +<p>"Had we better provide for three extra plates, +Sarge?" inquired Johnson, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"It looks very much that way," smiled Hal. +"And be sure to have a great plenty of everything. +Vreeland will help you, as you've lost +some time."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later the footsteps of others +were heard approaching camp. Then in came +Lieutenant Prescott, with Corporal Cotter and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +five men. They were carrying two antelope and +a fine, big bear.</p> + +<p>But the instant that Lieutenant Prescott +caught sight of the strangers he dropped everything, +rushing forward with outstretched hands.</p> + +<p>"By all that's wonderful! Dave Darrin! +Dan Dalzell!"</p> + +<p>Then the soldiers were treated to the unexpected +spectacle of their lieutenant embracing +the two young men in corduroy.</p> + +<p>Soon after, however, Mr. Prescott wheeled +about, one friend on either side of him.</p> + +<p>"Attention! Men, the gentleman on my right +is Midshipman David Darrin, United States +Navy, and the gentleman on my left, Midshipman +Daniel Dalzell, also of the Navy. They +are to be treated with all the respect and courtesy +due to their rank."</p> + +<p>Readers of the "<span class="smcap">High School Boys' Series</span>" +and of the "<span class="smcap">Annapolis Series</span>" will recall these +two splendid young Naval officers, first as High +School athletes, and later among the most famous +of the midshipmen at the United States +Naval Academy.</p> + +<p>"But how on earth did a lucky wind come +up to blow you out this way?" asked Lieutenant +Prescott.</p> + +<p>"Good fortune ruled it that we should be assigned +to duty on the China station," replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +Midshipman Darrin. "So we're journeying +across the continent to San Francisco, on our +way. But our orders allowed us time enough +to stop over a fortnight on the way. Dick, did +you imagine we'd go through Colorado without +stopping to see you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not," glowed Lieutenant Prescott. +"When did you arrive at Clowdry?"</p> + +<p>"Day before yesterday. Ever since then +we've been on the way. As soon as we reached +the end of the rail part of the journey here we +engaged Mr. Sanderson as our guide. While +coming along this afternoon we saw something +like helio signals flashing in the air. The message +was one for help, so we hustled along, our +guide piloting. And, from some things I've +heard and observed since arrival, Dick, I imagine +we got here just about in time."</p> + +<p>"As you always did," laughed Lieutenant +Prescott. "But, now that I've got my breath +back from my delight—Sergeant Overton, what +is the meaning of prisoners in camp? And +where did you find Hinkey?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't you hear quite a lot of firing, sir?" +asked Sergeant Hal.</p> + +<p>"Firing? Considerable, but I thought some +party nearer in had struck such a haul of game +as you landed last night, Sergeant. Go on and +tell me about it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<p>This Hal did, and it was all news to the lieutenant, +for neither he nor any member of his +hunting party had seen the helio signals.</p> + +<p>Just as the brief spirited tale was finished the +remainder of the hunting party came in, one +of them being a private of hospital corps. To +this man was entrusted the attending of the injured +invaders.</p> + +<p>Hinkey fairly cowered before the scorn that +was apparent in the eyes of all his former comrades.</p> + +<p>The evening meal was now nearly ready. By +Hal's direction another table was set up for +Lieutenant Prescott and his guests.</p> + +<p>Then came the early, cool night. Prescott +and his Naval friends sat apart for an hour, +talking over the old times. Then, at last, they +came over and joined the soldiers.</p> + +<p>"May I ask a question, Lieutenant?" inquired +Sergeant Hal, saluting.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"What is to be done with the prisoners?"</p> + +<p>"You are in command here, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"But isn't this a greater military matter, sir, +than the mere command of a hunting camp?"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I need to take command, Sergeant. +But I will offer you a suggestion, if you +wish."</p> + +<p>"If you will be so kind, sir."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, this general group of prisoners belong +to the civil authorities. You will find a jail and +a sheriff very near the point where we left the +train."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. And Hinkey?"</p> + +<p>"He is a prisoner of the United States Army. +You can put him in charge of the same sheriff, +asking him to hold Hinkey until a guard from +Fort Clowdry arrives to take him. A wire to +the post can be sent from the station."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir. Then I think I will detail +Sergeant Terry, a driver and a guard of six men +to escort the prisoners to the sheriff. The hospital +man had better go along, too, and the injured +men can travel in the wagon."</p> + +<p>"That disposition will do very well, Sergeant. +But Sergeant Terry and his men will very likely +be away four days altogether."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>Saluting, and including the young Naval officers +in his salute, Sergeant Overton went over +to explain the plan to Noll.</p> + +<p>"What very boyish youngsters those two sergeants +are," remarked Midshipman Darrin.</p> + +<p>"Young, yes, but as seasoned and good men +as we have in the company or the regiment," +replied Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>"They certainly look like fine soldiers," +agreed Midshipman Dalzell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They'll look very much like fine young officers, +one of these days, or I miss my guess by +a mile," answered Prescott. "Colonel North is +very proud of these two boys, and so are Major +Silsbee and Captain Cortland."</p> + +<p>In the morning the three wounded men were +placed in one of the two wagons belonging to +camp. Though their hands were left free, all +three had their feet shackled to staples inside +the wagon.</p> + +<p>The other five prisoners stood sulkily behind +the wagon. Noll assembled the guard at the +side of the trail.</p> + +<p>"Climb up on the wagon, hospital man," +called Noll. "Start ahead, driver. Squad, by +twos, right, forward march."</p> + +<p>Then the party started out.</p> + +<p>Two of the remaining soldiers were detailed +for camp, as usual. The other enlisted men +went off in a hunting party by themselves.</p> + +<p>All except Sergeant Hal. He had been invited +to go with Lieutenant Prescott and the latter's +friends, and had gladly accepted.</p> + +<p>Sanderson, the guide, having been paid by his +Naval employers, had already taken the trail.</p> + +<p>"I hope you bring us luck, Dave and Dan," +announced Lieutenant Prescott, as the party +started. "We are still far shy of the amount +of game we want to take back to the post."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>THE UNITED STATES SERVICES FIGHT TOGETHER</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>FOR more than an hour Midshipman Darrin +and Sergeant Overton had been away +from the rest of the party, seeking +tracks or other signs of wild game.</div> + +<p>"Sergeant," spoke Midshipman Darrin, at +last, "I hope you won't be offended by the +opinion I have formed of you."</p> + +<p>"What is that, sir?" asked Hal Overton.</p> + +<p>"I've been watching you a bit, and I've come +to the conclusion that you're an uncommonly +fine and keen soldier."</p> + +<p>"Not much chance in that for offense, sir," +laughed the boyish sergeant.</p> + +<p>"But you're of the Army," said Mr. Darrin, +"and I don't know whether you believe that +a sailor is a judge of a soldier."</p> + +<p>"Quite naturally, sir," laughed Hal, "I am +wholly willing to believe in the value of your +judgment. And I have another reason."</p> + +<p>"What is that, Sergeant!"</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, you're a very particular friend of +Lieutenant Prescott's, and we men of B company +are ready to believe in any one whom +Lieutenant Prescott likes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You have another very fine fellow for an +officer in your regiment," Mr. Darrin went on. +"And that is Greg Holmes—pardon me, Lieutenant +Holmes. He's as fine, in every way, as +Mr. Prescott himself."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Lieutenant Holmes is as popular +with the men as any officer in the regiment can +be."</p> + +<p>"You see," smiled Mr. Darrin reminiscently, +"when Dalzell, Prescott, Holmes and myself +were youngsters—or smaller youngsters than +we are now—we were all chums together in the +same High School."</p> + +<p>Then, finding a ready and appreciative listener +Midshipman Darrin plunged into the recounting +of many of the former adventures of +that famous group of schoolboys once known +as Dick & Co., whose doings were fully set +forth in the "<span class="smcap">High School Boys' Series</span>."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hal heard, also, of Tom Reade and +Harry Hazelton, the two remaining members of +Dick & Co., whose adventures, after leaving +school, are now being set forth in the "<span class="smcap">Young +Engineers' Series</span>."</p> + +<p>But Overton did not hear about the sweethearts +of these former High School chums. +Sweethearts were too sacred to be discussed +with comparative strangers.</p> + +<p>"Now, Prescott informs me that you two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +young sergeants intend to work for commissions +from the ranks," said Mr. Darrin, after a +while.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; that was our idea in entering the +service."</p> + +<p>"I hope, heartily, Sergeant Overton, that both +you and your friend win out with your ambitions."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>"I have a very particular reason for wishing +you that luck," smiled Midshipman Darrin, +"and you are at liberty, Sergeant, to ask me +what it is."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>"I want to see both yourself and Sergeant +Terry succeed because I don't believe the service +can afford to be without two such unusually +good officers as you and Sergeant Terry would +make."</p> + +<p>Hal flushed, tried to utter his thanks, and +found himself confused, for Midshipman Darrin, +who was taller, was gazing down at him +with a very friendly look in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"My hand has been itching for something all +day," the young Naval officer went on. "Sergeant, +I want to shake hands with you, if you +don't mind."</p> + +<p>Their hands met in hearty clasp.</p> + +<p>"I shall have Prescott keep me posted regarding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +you two young men," went on Dave +Darrin. "And, when you two are officers, if +you are ever near any craft on which I'm on +duty I want you to promise me that you'll come +to visit me."</p> + +<p>"You know how much delight that would give +both Sergeant Terry and myself, sir."</p> + +<p>"Attention—to the job!" suddenly muttered +Dave Darrin, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>Their long tramp had taken them alongside +a low ledge.</p> + +<p>As Darrin spoke in that low voice he raised +his hunting rifle quickly, bringing the butt to +his shoulder with a jerk.</p> + +<p>He fired—straight at a bear, not more than +five feet over their heads and at a total distance +of only about ten feet.</p> + +<p>But in that same instant the big, brown brute +moved, and the bullet intended for his heart +merely clipped away a bit of hair at the bottom +of the animal's belly.</p> + +<p>Bruin's first move had been to get away from +danger, but now, at the shot, he became very +much angered.</p> + +<p>A second, swift leap, and the big animal +jumped downward, landing on Midshipman +Darrin's chest and bearing him to the earth.</p> + +<p>"Lie still, sir!" gasped Sergeant Hal.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 298px;"> +<img src="images/illus238.png" width="298" height="450" alt=""Lie Still, Sir!" Gasped Sergeant Hal." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Lie Still, Sir!" Gasped Sergeant Hal.</span> +</div> + +<p>There was but a single cartridge in Overton's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +rifle. He clicked the bolt, then aimed all in a +flash.</p> + +<p>In his agitation Hal succeeded only in grazing +the top of the animal's back.</p> + +<p>But <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Bruin'">bruin</ins>, crouched on Darrin's body, raised +his head and turned it snarlingly toward Hal.</p> + +<p>Everything that was to be done must be done +in a moment. Fortunately, the young sergeant +wore his bayonet in scabbard at his belt.</p> + +<p>Like a flash Sergeant Overton fixed that +bayonet to the muzzle of his rifle, bruin regarding +him with a hostile glitter in his eyes, while +Midshipman Darrin, whose rifle had been hurled +just out of his reach, had the presence of mind +to lie utterly still.</p> + +<p>"Now, we'll see what you'll do, bruin!" quivered +Hal, making a swift lunge for the animal's +side.</p> + +<p>What bruin did was to leap away from the +midshipman's prostrate body. Despite the +bear's lumbering body and shambling gait he +can be spry enough at need.</p> + +<p>Hal's thrust, therefore, failed to land directly, +but merely ripped along the animal's coat.</p> + +<p>The momentum that followed the miss caused +Sergeant Hal Overton to fall forward to his +knees. And now the enraged bruin made +straight for him.</p> + +<p>There was time to do but one thing. Sergeant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +Hal made a lunge direct at the bear's +eyes.</p> + +<p>With that menace of cold steel before his eyes +the bear dodged to one side, then rose to his +hind feet.</p> + +<p>Rising, Hal took his stand on the defensive, +for now bruin was determined on a finish fight.</p> + +<p>Straight at Bruin's heart lunged Hal, but +it was a game at which two could play.</p> + +<p>Bruin's massive left paw, backed by +prodigious strength, swept the bayoneted rifle +aside, fairly wrenching it from Overton's grasp.</p> + +<p>So now the bear was ready, either for embrace +or pursuit of this now helpless enemy.</p> + +<p>Midshipman Dave Darrin, U. S. N., at the +instant when he found the weight of the bulky +animal removed from his body, had crawled +noiselessly away for a few feet.</p> + +<p>Now Darrin dropped to one knee, the rifle at +ready. Aiming with the utmost coolness, the +young Naval officer fired.</p> + +<p>Straight and true went the bullet this time +into Bruin's heart.</p> + +<p>The big mass swayed, then fell. There was +barely a gasp to signal the bear's end of life.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant," remarked the midshipman coolly, +"your conduct just now fully confirmed what I +said about your being a valuable man for the +Army."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I probably wouldn't have been in the Army +much longer, sir, if you hadn't got your rifle and +fired just as you did," retorted the boyish sergeant.</p> + +<p>"And I couldn't have reached my rifle if you +hadn't shown the very unusual nerve to try to +whip a bear in a bayonet charge."</p> + +<p>"I know a good deal better, now, Mr. Darrin, +how useless a bayonet attack is against a bear. +Though Sergeant Terry and I once made a good +haul of bear's meat with bayonets when at too +close quarters with bears."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to tell me about that as you go +along," remarked the young Naval officer.</p> + +<p>Noting the locality well, they left the bear +where it had fallen, to be taken up a little later.</p> + +<p>"Hello, sir. There are other shots from our +party," cried Overton, as three rifle reports rang +out not far away. "That seems to show, sir, +that they're meeting with luck, too."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>AFTER that, through the days to come, +the luck seemed to boom.</div> + +<p>At the end of four days young Sergeant +Terry and his guard returned, having +turned over all the prisoners to the sheriff of +Blank County.</p> + +<p>Noll had also wired the post at Fort Clowdry, +and had received the post adjutant's answer that +a guard would be sent to bring Private Hinkey +back for trial on the charge of desertion.</p> + +<p>"The sheriff knew all the prisoners at once, +all except Hinkey," Sergeant Noll reported back +to his chum and to Lieutenant Prescott. "The +leader of the gang is a half-popular fellow with +some classes here in the mountains. Despite +the fact that he's a desperado, he is often surprisingly +good-natured, and always game when +he loses. His name is Griller—Butch Griller, +he's called. His crew are called the Moccasin +Gang, because Griller has always preferred that +his men wear moccasins instead of shoes. Shoes +may give out in the wilds, but moccasins can +always be made whenever an antelope is killed."</p> + +<p>"The Moccasin Gang?" repeated Lieutenant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +Prescott. "Why, I've heard stories about that +desperate crowd. But what were they doing +around our camp?"</p> + +<p>"Griller told me about that before we reached +town," Sergeant Noll continued. "Griller and +his men, it seems, were being pursued by the +sheriff of the next county. He trailed them to +a cabin where they had stopped and made such +a complete surprise that Griller and his gang +got away only by jumping through the windows +without their arms. Then they traveled fast. +When they found that there were soldiers here, +the Moccasins hoped that they could get some +of our arms and ammunition. Thus provided, +they hadn't much doubt of being able to provide +themselves with more fighting hardware. And +they'd have gotten away, too, if it hadn't been +that Butch Griller had promised Hinkey a chance +for revenge on Sergeant Overton."</p> + +<p>"But how did Hinkey come to be with them?" +broke in Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>"Griller told me about that, sir," Noll replied. +"Griller said he was standing on the +stoop of a house in Denver, near the ball +grounds, at the time when Hinkey deserted and +made his break to get away. Griller was in +Denver, on the quiet, to get more men together. +When he saw Hinkey running, he sized him up +as a man just deserted, and felt that Hinkey<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +would be useful to him. So he called to +Hinkey, shoved him inside the house, and then, +when——"</p> + +<p>"Say, but I remember that! And now I recall +where I saw Griller before. He told me +that Hinkey had rushed on and turned the next +street corner below. That threw me off the +track," muttered Sergeant Hal.</p> + +<p>"Well, his new man Hinkey brought him no +luck," laughed Lieutenant Prescott. "And the +Moccasins won't do much more harm, unless +they manage to break jail."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they'll get away from that +sheriff, anyway, sir," remarked Sergeant Noll +grimly.</p> + +<p>Noll Terry and the members of his guard were +in time to do some more hunting before the +happy soldiers' holiday came to an end.</p> + +<p>When the expedition set out on its return +both of the big transport wagons carried all +the wild game meat that could be packed into +them, and officers' and enlisted men's messes +at Fort Clowdry celebrated in joyous fashion.</p> + +<p>Ex-Private Hinkey, the deserter, was soon +tried by general court-martial, and sentenced +to be dismissed from the service, to forfeit all +pay and allowances and to serve two years at a +military prison.</p> + +<p>It was Lieutenant Prescott who gave one of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +the crowning sensations just toward the close +of Hinkey's trial.</p> + +<p>Just before the battalion had left Fort +Clowdry to go to the military tournament at +Denver, First Sergeant Gray had asked every +soldier in B Company to turn in a slip on which +was written the name and address of his nearest +relative or friend.</p> + +<p>As such data was already on file, the men +had wondered not a little at the request, but +they had complied. And now Lieutenant Prescott +informed the members of the court that it +had been a ruse of his.</p> + +<p>These slips, together with the clumsily printed +note that had accompanied the return of Private +William Green's money, and also the envelope +addressed to Green, which latter Hal +had admitted as his writing—all, just before the +start of the hunting trip, had been forwarded +by Lieutenant Prescott to a famous writing expert +in the east.</p> + +<p>Word had finally come from the expert to the +effect that the envelope had really been addressed +by Sergeant Hal, as that young soldier +admitted. The printed note to Green, however, +had been fashioned, the expert stated positively, +by the same man who had turned in the written +name and address of the "nearest friend" of +ex-Private Hinkey.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> + +<p>With this report the expert had sent a curiously +drawn chart showing resemblances between +Hinkey's admitted handwriting and the +printed note to Green. There were also photographs, +made with the aid of the microscope, +showing pronounced similarities of little strokes +and flourishes that were alike, both in Hinkey's +admitted handwriting and in the turns given to +some of the letters of the printed note.</p> + +<p>Summing up all the evidence, the expert's report +stated positively that Hinkey was the one +who had fashioned the note to Green.</p> + +<p>Finding that he could no longer deny his guilt, +Hinkey was finally driven to confession before +the court.</p> + +<p>He had hated Sergeant (then Corporal) Overton +with such an intensity, Hinkey confessed, +that he had found himself willing to stop at nothing +that would damage the young soldier in any +way.</p> + +<p>The envelope that Hal had addressed in his +own handwriting, it now turned out, was one +that he had so addressed at the request of Sergeant +Gray to enclose an official communication +that Gray had delivered to Private Green some +weeks before.</p> + +<p>On finding this envelope, and realizing how +it would implicate Hal Overton, Hinkey had +even gone to the extreme of returning Green's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +money, when he might safely have kept and +spent it.</p> + +<p>The reason why the money had not been found +during the search that had immediately followed +the discovery of the robbery in the squad room +was equally simple. Hinkey, the afternoon before +the robbery, had made the discovery of +a secret hiding place under the floor beside his +cot. That hiding place had been made, at great +trouble, by some soldier formerly living in the +squad room, and Hinkey's discovery of it had +been accidental.</p> + +<p>Now that he was in the mood for confessing, +Hinkey also described how he had slipped the revolver +lightly under Sergeant Hal's blanket in +passing Overton's cot.</p> + +<p>So the mystery was wholly cleared up at last, +and when ex-Private Hinkey departed to begin +his term of imprisonment the Army was well rid +of one who was in no sense fit to be the comrade +of any honest man wearing Uncle Sam's soldier +uniform.</p> + +<p>Late in the fall the Colorado courts sent Griller +and his crew to the penitentiary for long +terms.</p> + +<p>Immediately after Hinkey's trial, Lieutenant +Prescott, who had gone to all the trouble to +secure the evidence, drew up a brief statement, +setting forth Sergeant Hal Overton's complete<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +innocence of the squad-room robbery and declaring +who the scoundrel was.</p> + +<p>This statement was published, by direction of +Colonel North, in the orders of the day.</p> + +<p>Then, of course—human nature always works +this way—even those of the soldiers who had +most honestly believed in young Overton's guilt, +now swarmed around him to assure him that +they had never for an instant believed it possible +that he could be otherwise than a most +honest and wonderful soldier. Not they! Oh, +no! Now that they knew who the real culprit +was, these victims of human nature were ready +to cross their hearts that they had known all +along that Overton was absolutely guiltless; and +they had even suspected, all along, who would +turn out by and by to be the villain.</p> + +<p>As has been said, this is human nature, and +therefore not to be sneered at. In fact, nearly +all of the men who protested so loudly to Hal +Overton had the actual grace to believe themselves—as +is always the case.</p> + +<p>Private William Green, however, had been +cured, ever since the return of most of his +money, of the bad habit of carrying so much +around with him. Seldom after that was he +to be caught with more than a hundred dollars.</p> + +<p>To Sergeant Hal it seemed impossible to +thank Lieutenant Prescott sufficiently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span></p> + +<p>For, though the young soldier, even if he had +not been vindicated so handsomely, would have +lived down most of the suspicion in time, yet +all of the stain would never have vanished had +it not been for Lieutenant Prescott.</p> + +<p>Soldiers, from the very fact of living in isolated +little communities of their own, are somewhat +prone to gossip over purely garrison and +regimental affairs. So some of the story would +always have clung about Sergeant Overton's +reputation among his own kind.</p> + +<p>"But you've stopped all of that forever, Lieutenant," +protested Hal gratefully when calling, +by permission, at Mr. Prescott's quarters.</p> + +<p>"I am glad I have then, my lad," smiled back +the young lieutenant. "I'm glad for your sake, +Sergeant, and, if you wish, you may consider +that I took much of the trouble on your account +personally. But I had also a still greater motive +in doing what I did."</p> + +<p>"What was that, sir, if I may ask?"</p> + +<p>"My own love of the service," replied Lieutenant +Dick Prescott impressively. "What +would the service ever amount to, Sergeant, if +we allowed our best, brightest and most loyal +men to be downed by suspicions against them +that clearly had no base? What honest man +would care to enter or to stay in the ranks of +the Army if he did not feel sure that his officers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +would work to see him righted and enjoying his +proper place in the esteem of his comrades. So, +Sergeant, don't try too hard to thank me. +Whatever I did for you personally, I did it ten +times more for the good of the tried, old, true-blue +United States Army."</p> + +<p>Then, after a pause, Mr. Prescott went on:</p> + +<p>"I've had my attention attracted to you more +than ever, both yourself and Sergeant Terry. +I see even new possibilities in you as soldiers. +Do you know why?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Prescott laughed lightly, though +there was a slight mist in his eyes as he answered:</p> + +<p>"It may be news to you, Sergeant, but my +good old schoolboy friend, now Mr. Darrin, +of the Navy, has taken almost as much of a +liking to you two youngsters as though you were +pet younger brothers of his. Darrin watched +you both often while he was here, after we returned +from the hunting trip. He spoke of you +frequently, and seemed to have noticed so many +excellencies in both yourself and Sergeant Terry +that I grew ashamed of my own slight powers +of observation. Of course, you don't know anything +of the old days when Mr. Darrin, Mr. +Dalzell, Mr. Holmes and myself were all devoted +chums."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I think I do, sir," Sergeant Hal rejoined.</p> + +<p>"You do? How?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Darrin told me a lot that day he and I +spent some hours hunting together. He told +me a lot about your old schoolboy days."</p> + +<p>"That's only another proof of how much Darrin +likes you, then," pursued the young lieutenant +warmly. "Darrin isn't usually very talkative +with new acquaintances. But what I was +going to say was that, back in our schooldays, +I often made a great reputation for wisdom +just because I accepted Darrin's wise estimates +of human nature and people. So now Darrin's +praises of you two young sergeants have made +me feel that I have missed a lot of what I should +have observed about you both."</p> + +<p>"Both Terry and myself will feel highly honored +over such good opinions of us, sir," Hal +replied.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't talk quite so freely if I didn't +know that you're both so level-headed that a +little praise will make better, instead of worse +soldiers of you, Sergeant Overton. Of course, +as one of your officers, I understand that both +of you young sergeants are working onward and +forward with the hope of one day winning commissions +in the line of the Army. I wish you +every kind of good luck, Overton. Here's my +hand on it. And some day I hope to be able<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +to offer you my hand again—when, wearing the +shoulder straps, you come into an officers' mess, +somewhere, as a fellow-member of that mess."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Darrin made both Terry and myself +promise, sir, that if we ever win commissions, +we'll visit him on his ship as soon after as possible."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell are on their way +to China by this time," continued Lieutenant +Prescott. "From the China station their next +detail will undoubtedly be the Philippine station. +And that's where, after a while, this regiment +will be due to go."</p> + +<p>And that is just where the Thirty-fourth Regiment +did go, as will be discovered in the next +volume in this series, which is published under +the title: "<span class="smcap">Uncle Sam's Boys in the Philippines</span>; +Or, Following the Flag Against the +Moros."</p> + +<p>Not only did our two young sergeant friends +taste all the joys of life and residence in these +romantic tropical possessions of the United +States, but they were destined also to see and +take part in a lot of spirited fighting against +brown enemies of the United States.</p> + +<p>But these adventures must be reserved for the +next volume.</p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">The End</span></h3> +<div class='footnotes'><h3>Footnote</h3><div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> It would be an excellent idea to reproduce the wig-wag +alphabet, with full directions for its use, in this volume of +Mr. Hancock's, were it not for the fact that alphabet and +directions have just been published in "The Battleship Boys' +First Step Upward," which is the second volume in Frank Gee +Patchin's Battleship Boys' Series. Readers, therefore, who +would like to pick up this fascinating art of signaling messages +from distant points will do well to consult Mr. Patchin's +volume for simple and explicit directions.—<span class="smcap">Editor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></span></p></div> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> + +<h2>HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY'S</h2> + +<h3> +Best and Least Expensive<br /> +<span class="u">Books for Boys and Girls</span><br /> +</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Motor Boat Club Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are +wonderfully entertaining, and they are at the same time sound +and wholesome. No boy will willingly lay down an unfinished +book in this series.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>7 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +Sold by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price.<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +Henry Altemus Company<br /> +1326-1336 Vine Street Philadelphia<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p> +<h2>Battleship Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</h3> + +<p>These stories throb with the life of young Americans on to-day's +huge drab Dreadnaughts.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New Ratings in European Seas.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or, Upholding the American Flag in a Honduras Revolution.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE WARDROOM; Or, Winning their Commissions as Line Officers.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>7 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS WITH THE ADRIATIC CHASERS; Or, Blocking the Path of the Undersea Raiders.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>8 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' SKY PATROL; Or, Fighting the Hun from above the Clouds.</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Range and Grange Hustlers</h2> + +<h3>By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</h3> + +<p>Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on +great ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the +books of this series, once he has made a start with the first +volume.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or, The Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a Packers' Combine.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or, Following the Steam Plows Across the Prairie.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or, The Conspiracy of the Wheat Pit.</div> + + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span></p> +<h2>Submarine Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By VICTOR G. DURHAM</h3> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Square Dollar Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise Steal.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In the Lists Against the Crooked Land Deal.</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The College Girls Series</h2> + +<h3>By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.</h3> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 GRACE HARLOWE'S FIRST YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SECOND YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 GRACE HARLOWE'S THIRD YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 GRACE HARLOWE'S FOURTH YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN TO OVERTON CAMPUS.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 GRACE HARLOWE'S PROBLEM.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>7 GRACE HARLOWE'S GOLDEN SUMMER.</div> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid +on receipt of only 50 cents each.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span></p> +<h2>Pony Rider Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</h3> + +<p>These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.</p> + +<div class="hang1">1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the +Lost Claim.—2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The +Veiled Riddle of the Plains.—3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN +MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail.—4 THE +PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby +Mountain.—5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, +Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.—6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS +IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.—7 THE PONY +RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of +Bright Angel Gulch.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Boys of Steel Series</h2> + +<h3>By JAMES R. MEARS</h3> + +<p>Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story +is full of adventure and fascination.</p> + +<div class="hang1">1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of +the Shaft.—2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the +Diamond Drill Shift.—3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; +Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.—4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE +STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder Pits.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Madge Morton Books</h2> + +<h3>By AMY D. V. CHALMERS</h3> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 MADGE MORTON—CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 MADGE MORTON'S SECRET.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 MADGE MORTON'S TRUST.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> +<h2>West Point Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + + +<p>The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young +Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Annapolis Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted +in these volumes.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Young Engineers Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + + +<p>The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High +School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry +Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksand.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a Pick.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> +<h2>Boys of the Army Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + + +<p>These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States +Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master +pen.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States Army.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against the Moros.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>7 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>8 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE GREAT MARNE DRIVE; Or, Putting Old Glory in the Forefront in France.</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Dave Darrin Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ; Or, Fighting With the U. S. Navy in Mexico.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow.</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Meadow-Brook Girls Series</h2> + +<h3>By JANET ALDRIDGE</h3> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS.</div> + + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p>All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid +on receipt of only 50 cents each.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> +<h2>High School Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.</p> + +<p>Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating +volumes.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Grammar School Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar +school boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>High School Boys' Vacation Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"</p> + +<p>This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the +country over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the +publishers, making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, +Tom Reade, and the other members of Dick & Co. are the most +popular high school boys in the land. Boys will alternately thrill +and chuckle when reading these splendid narratives.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co.'s Rivals on Lake Pleasant.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails."</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> +<h2>The Circus Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON</h3> + +<p>Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely +interesting and exciting life.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the Sawdust Life.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The High School Girls Series</h2> + +<h3>By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M.</h3> + +<p>These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the +reader fairly by storm.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the Ways.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Automobile Girls Series</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA DENT CRANE</h3> + +<p>No girl's library—no family book-case can be considered at all +complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.</p> + +<div class="hang1">1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer +Parade.—2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; +Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.—3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS +ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.—4 +THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out +Against Heavy Odds.—5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM +BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies.—6 THE +AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the +Plots of Foreign Spies.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors corected.</p> +<p>Page 260, Uncle Sam's Boys Series, the numbers skip five. (Uncle Sam's Boys +on Their Mettle). This was retained.</p> +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 27679-h.txt or 27679-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/7/27679">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/6/7/27679</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution.</p> + + + +<pre> +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a> + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a> + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/27679-h/images/cover.jpg b/27679-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1ebed7f --- /dev/null +++ b/27679-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/27679-h/images/illus001.png b/27679-h/images/illus001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..977866a --- /dev/null +++ b/27679-h/images/illus001.png diff --git a/27679-h/images/illus138.png b/27679-h/images/illus138.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d853fad --- /dev/null +++ b/27679-h/images/illus138.png diff --git a/27679-h/images/illus206.png b/27679-h/images/illus206.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d75f8a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/27679-h/images/illus206.png diff --git a/27679-h/images/illus238.png b/27679-h/images/illus238.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dc734a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/27679-h/images/illus238.png diff --git a/27679-h/images/spine.jpg b/27679-h/images/spine.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f44df56 --- /dev/null +++ b/27679-h/images/spine.jpg |
