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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants, by H. Irving
+Hancock
+
+
+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
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants
+       or, Handling Their First Real Commands
+
+
+Author: H. Irving Hancock
+
+
+
+Release Date: December 31, 2008  [eBook #27679]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 27679-h.htm or 27679-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/7/27679/27679-h/27679-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/7/27679/27679-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS
+
+Or
+
+Handling Their First Real Commands
+
+by
+
+H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+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.
+
+Illustrated
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Hey, You Idiot!" Howled Hinkey.
+
+_Frontispiece._]
+
+
+
+Philadelphia
+Henry Altemus Company
+
+Copyright, 1911, by
+Howard E. Altemus
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                              PAGE
+    I. "TIPPED OFF" BY WIG-WAG                          7
+   II. LIEUTENANT "ALGY" JOINS THE ARMY                23
+  III. THE FIRST BREATH AGAINST A SOLDIER'S HONOR      42
+   IV. LIEUTENANT ALGY'S INSPIRATION                   54
+    V. CORPORAL HAL'S ADMISSION                        63
+   VI. THE SQUAD ROOM TURNS COLD                       77
+  VII. RACKING THE NEW SERGEANT                        85
+ VIII. ASTONISHMENT JOLTS MR. FERRERS                  93
+   IX. PRIVATE HINKEY DELIVERS HIS ANSWER             103
+    X. SERGEANT OVERTON AND DISCIPLINE                112
+   XI. WHEN HINKEY WON GOOD OPINIONS                  119
+  XII. HAL RIDES INTO TREACHERY                       127
+ XIII. CHASING A SPEEDING DESERTER                    142
+  XIV. ALGY COMES TO A CONCLUSION                     153
+   XV. PLANNING FOR THE SOLDIER'S HUNT                162
+  XVI. HAL'S GUN MAKES THE REST CURIOUS               172
+ XVII. BIG GAME AND A NIGHT IN CAMP                   182
+XVIII. HOLDING UP A CAMP GUARD                        194
+  XIX. WHEN THE LAST CARTRIDGE WAS GONE               203
+   XX. THE EIGHTH MOCCASIN APPEARS                    212
+  XXI. THE ENEMY HAS HIS INNINGS                      219
+ XXII. THE NAVY HEARD FROM                            225
+XXIII. THE UNITED STATES SERVICES FIGHT TOGETHER      235
+ XXIV. CONCLUSION                                     244
+
+
+
+
+Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+"TIPPED OFF" BY WIG-WAG
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Good morning, Corporal Overton."
+
+"Good morning, sir."
+
+"What do you wish?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I believe I have," nodded Lieutenant Pope.
+
+"I have come to ask, sir, if I may borrow a couple of the flags."
+
+"Borrow? Then, Corporal, I take it that you do not want the flags for
+duty purposes?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, indeed," agreed Lieutenant Pope heartily. "Even in the Signal
+Corps of the Army there are few better signalmen than the sergeant."
+
+"So I understand, sir. Corporal Terry and I are delighted at the idea of
+having the sergeant instruct us."
+
+"But what do you want to do, especially, with flag signaling?" inquired
+the quartermaster.
+
+"It is simply, sir, that we want to make ourselves better soldiers."
+
+"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."
+
+"Would it have been better if I had gone to the battalion commander in
+the first place, sir?"
+
+"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."
+
+"It was Captain Cortland who sent me to you, sir, but he said he had no
+authority to draw a requisition for signal flags."
+
+"You have taken the right course, Corporal. If Major Silsbee is in his
+office it will take but a moment more."
+
+While the young corporal remained at attention Lieutenant Pope turned to
+his telephone and called for the battalion commander.
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
+
+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.
+
+"Noll hasn't shown up yet. I hope he won't be long," murmured Hal,
+gazing across the parade grounds in the direction of the barracks of
+enlisted men. "Bunkie and I have a lot to do to-day."
+
+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.
+
+The headquarters battalion to which these two earnest young soldiers
+were attached was still stationed at Fort Clowdry. Readers of "UNCLE
+SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS" 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 character in the battalion to discredit
+and disgrace the service of both splendid but new young soldiers.
+
+In the second volume, "UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY," 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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+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 with all that
+pertained to the soldier's spirited life as was Overton.
+
+"Think I was never coming?" hailed Noll gayly.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Think no more of it," begged Hal. "I got the flags."
+
+"So my eyes tell me."
+
+"And what have you been up to, Noll?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Every man in the battalion knows that," Hal 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.
+
+Readers of our "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES" and of the "WEST POINT SERIES"
+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.
+
+"Lieutenant Prescott has given me a really bully chance," Noll went on
+happily.
+
+"Did you ask him for it?" suspected Corporal Hal shrewdly.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Surely. But go on and tell me what it is that you got."
+
+"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."
+
+"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
+to beg very hard to get what he wants. And--what is it?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Good business," nodded Hal, "if you don't have to keep up night and day
+as well."
+
+"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."
+
+"When do you begin?"
+
+"Day after to-morrow, at nine in the morning."
+
+"You won't be on guard duty while this other detail lasts?"
+
+"No."
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, I've mastered guard duty pretty well," broke in Corporal Noll.
+
+"Then I congratulate you," was Hal Overton's dry rejoinder. "I feel that
+I'm only beginning to see the real niceties of the work of the guard."
+
+"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?"
+
+"That's what I've been waiting to do," Hal Overton rejoined.
+
+"You don't seem to be a bit glad over my success in getting into
+telegraphy," complained Noll.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"You wouldn't care about being anything else in civil life, would you?"
+
+"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."
+
+Sergeant Hupner proved not only to be disengaged, but ready to begin
+the instruction of the aspiring young wig-waggers immediately.
+
+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.
+
+"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----"
+
+Sergeant Hupner described some rapid sweeps with the flag to right and
+left.
+
+"A, B, C, D, E," he spelled along, as he signaled the letters.
+
+"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]
+
+"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."
+
+Despite his knowledge of the alphabet Hal naturally made a few blunders
+at first.
+
+"Your work lacks snap," remarked Sergeant Hupner. "Even when you spell
+slowly you should bring the flag down smartly to either side. Like
+this."
+
+Sergeant Hupner illustrated briskly with his arms.
+
+"Now send me the name of your regiment."
+
+Hal did better this time.
+
+"You'll soon have the hang of it," declared the sergeant encouragingly.
+"Now, send me the same thing over again, but with more speed."
+
+"Fine!" added Hupner when Hal had obeyed. "Now, Terry, we'll try you for
+a few moments. What is your full name?"
+
+Noll signaled it, making each letter carefully with the flag.
+
+"Now tell me--with the flag--what you think of to-day's weather."
+
+"Fine and cool," signaled back Noll.
+
+Thus the instruction continued. Each young soldier improved a good deal
+during that hour.
+
+"Now, we'll call it off until to-morrow," remarked the sergeant at last,
+and turned to re-enter barracks.
+
+"How do you like it, Noll?" asked Overton.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, no; I'll stick," agreed Corporal Terry, though it sounded as if he
+promised almost reluctantly.
+
+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.
+
+Their old friend Hyman--no longer Private Hyman, but now, for three
+months, Corporal Hyman--regarded them with indulgent eyes.
+
+"You kids been out learning how to wave the shirt?" he queried.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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----"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Look at Hyman, in that tree over yonder," said Hal, nodding in the
+direction.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Well, it's of no interest to us," mused Noll.
+
+But in that Corporal Terry was wrong.
+
+"There's Hyman up on the wall again," reported Hal.
+
+"So I see, and he's making motions this way."
+
+"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 rhythmically to left and right. "Why, Hyman is asking,
+'Can you read this?'"
+
+Then, raising his own arm, Hal signaled back:
+
+"Yes."
+
+Again Hyman's right arm was moving. Hal watched closely, spelling out
+the wig-wagged signal:
+
+"Pipe--off--what's--coming. Greatest--ever happened--in the--Army.
+Don't--miss--it."
+
+"Now, what on earth can that be?" queried Noll.
+
+"It must be something unusual to rouse enthusiasm in a man like Hyman,"
+laughed Hal.
+
+And indeed it was something great that was coming. Corporal Hyman's
+wig-wagging arm was moving again.
+
+"Hustle--over--to--main--road."
+
+Hal and Noll were instantly in motion. It must be confessed that they
+were eager.
+
+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!
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[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.--EDITOR.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+LIEUTENANT "ALGY" JOINS THE ARMY
+
+
+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.
+
+At the driver's post sat an undersized, shrewd-looking little Frenchman.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Gracious!" gasped Noll. "He must be a person of some importance, after
+all. There's the sentry presenting arms."
+
+"And there comes the corporal of the guard, making a rifle salute,"
+added Hal. "It must be a new officer joining the regiment."
+
+"That--an officer?" gasped Noll, in unfeigned disgust. "Don't libel the
+good old Army, Hal."
+
+Of a sudden the big car shot forward again, and came up the main road to
+officers' row at a smashing clip.
+
+Then, just as suddenly, it halted beside the two young corporals.
+
+"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."
+
+"Porter's lodge? Do you mean the guard house, sir?" Hal asked
+respectfully.
+
+"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."
+
+At the mention of the word "lieutenant" both Hal and Noll came to a very
+formal salute.
+
+"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."
+
+"We offered you the officer's salute, sir," explained Corporal Hal.
+
+"Oh, then you're officers? I guessed as much," beamed the pleasant young
+stranger.
+
+"No; we're corporals, sir," Hal informed him.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"Of course you understand sir, that we're below the grade of officers,"
+Hal continued.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Though they did so with some misgivings Hal and Noll both stepped into
+the tonneau.
+
+"Sit right down, boys," urged Lieutenant Ferrers amiably.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+"Tell François where to drive, will you?" begged Lieutenant Ferrers.
+
+"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."
+
+"Does Hale assign a fellow's rooms to him?" queried Lieutenant Ferrers
+innocently.
+
+"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."
+
+"I--see," nodded the new lieutenant slowly. "Will you do me the extreme
+favor to tell François where to leave us?"
+
+Hal leaned forward, indicating the headquarters building.
+
+In another moment the big car stopped before headquarters.
+
+"Come right on in, fellows, and introduce me, won't you?" urged
+Lieutenant Ferrers.
+
+"I--I am afraid we'd better not," replied Hal, flushing.
+
+"Oh, I see--you've a luncheon appointment, or something of the sort, eh?
+Well, never 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."
+
+"Come away from here, Noll," begged Hal, as soon as Mr. Ferrers had run
+up the steps and into the building. "I'm suffocating."
+
+"I'm green," grinned Noll chokingly, "but I'd hate to have as much ahead
+of me to learn as that new officer has."
+
+"Oh, perhaps he was joshing us," suggested Hal.
+
+"Do you know what I think?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"I think," responded Noll, struggling hard to keep his gravity, "that
+Mr. Ferrers is kidding himself worse than any one else."
+
+In the meantime Ferrers had bounded past an orderly and had broken into
+the office of the regimental adjutant.
+
+"Hello, old chap!" was his joyous greeting of dignified Captain Hale.
+
+"Sir?" demanded the regimental adjutant. "Who the blazes are you, sir?"
+
+"Name's Ferrers, old chap," responded the newcomer, lightly, dropping a
+card down on the adjutant's desk.
+
+Captain Hale glanced at the card. Then a light seemed to dawn on him.
+
+"Oh! I think it likely you are the Lieutenant Ferrers who has been
+ordered to the Thirty-fourth," went on Captain Hale.
+
+"You're a wonderful guesser, old chap. Now, where do I go to see about
+my rooms, housing my servants, storing my cars, etc.?"
+
+Captain Hale tried to hide his grim smile as he held out his hand.
+
+"Welcome to the Thirty-fourth, Mr. Ferrers. And now I think I had better
+take you to Colonel North. He has been expecting you."
+
+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.
+
+Colonel North looked at Mr. Ferrers with a glance that did not convey
+absolute approval.
+
+"Have you been in a train wreck, Mr. Ferrers?" inquired the colonel.
+
+"Oh, dear me, no. Do I look as bad as that?" inquired the new
+lieutenant, with a downward glance at his faultless attire.
+
+"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."
+
+"I hope I didn't inconvenience you any," murmured Ferrers. "You see,
+Colonel, when 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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Oh, I say, now," murmured Mr. Ferrers, "I hope you're not going to
+raise any beastly row about it."
+
+"That is not language to use to your superior officer, Mr. Ferrers!"
+
+"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."
+
+Colonel North now found it hard to repress a tendency to laugh. But he
+choked it back.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"You have--what!" gasped Colonel North.
+
+Mr. Ferrers patiently repeated the details concerning the number of his
+automobiles and servants.
+
+"And where are they?" demanded the regimental commander.
+
+"I left them over in Clowdry until I send for them, sir."
+
+"Mr. Ferrers, have you any idea how many rooms an unmarried second
+lieutenant has?"
+
+"A dozen or fifteen, I hope," suggested Mr. Ferrers hopefully. "A
+gentleman, of course, can't live in fewer rooms."
+
+"Mr. Ferrers, an unmarried second lieutenant lives in bachelor officers'
+quarters. He has a parlor, bed-room and bath."
+
+"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."
+
+"You'll have to, Mr. Ferrers."
+
+"But my servants--my chauffeurs?"
+
+"No room for them on this post."
+
+"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?"
+
+"None whatever, Mr. Ferrers. You can keep one small car down at the
+quartermaster's stables, but that is the best you can do."
+
+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.
+
+"I had no idea the Army was anything like as beastly as this," he
+murmured disconsolately.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"'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."
+
+"At that price I can afford a lot of 'em," responded Mr. Ferrers,
+brightening considerably.
+
+"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."
+
+Turning to the telephone Colonel North called:
+
+"Connect me with Lieutenant Prescott. Hello, is that you, Mr. Prescott?
+The regimental commander is speaking. My compliments, Mr. Prescott, and
+can you come over to headquarters? Thank you."
+
+Ringing off the colonel turned to his very new young lieutenant, saying:
+
+"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?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir. Two trunks on the car."
+
+"Then you have uniforms with you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Say 'sir' when answering a superior officer."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You have your two regulation swords?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, I say, now----" broke forth Ferrers anxiously, but the door opened,
+and Lieutenant Dick Prescott strode in, looking the perfection of
+handsome soldiery.
+
+"You sent for me, sir?" Prescott asked, coming to a very formal salute.
+
+"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."
+
+"Thank you, Colonel," replied Prescott gravely.
+
+"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."
+
+"But my rooms, sir? My little dog-kennel?" urged Ferrers.
+
+"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."
+
+Prescott saluted smartly in leaving his colonel. Ferrers also
+endeavored to salute, and imitated badly--with the wrong hand.
+
+As soon as the door had closed Colonel North rose, sighed and muttered:
+
+"With a seeming idiot like that on officers' row I can see our old and
+happy life here passing."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," Noll answered thoughtfully. "I've seen a lot of
+worse enlisted men licked into shape and become good soldiers. I don't
+know why the rule shouldn't work as well with a new officer."
+
+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
+manoeuvring, he was practising some moves with the signal flag, while
+Sergeant Hupner stood by criticising.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+Hyman seized the staff, giving it a twist. Then Hal started to recover
+it.
+
+Thus the staff dropped and fell below, just as young Corporal Overton
+sprang inward.
+
+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.
+
+"Hey, you idiot!" followed the howl, and the young corporal saw Hinkey,
+a new recruit in the regiment and company, take off his hat and rub a
+rising lump on the top of his head.
+
+"Look out below, there!" called Corporal Hal.
+
+"What else are you going to throw out at me?" glared Private Hinkey.
+
+For answer, Corporal Hal sprang over the window sill, landing lightly on
+the ground below.
+
+"Hinkey, I'm mighty sorry," began Overton. "It was an accident, and----"
+
+"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?"
+
+"I certainly do expect you to believe it," replied Corporal Hal, his
+face flushing.
+
+"Well, I don't," came the ugly response, accompanied by another scowl.
+"It's a lie, and----"
+
+"Be careful, Hinkey!" warned Corporal Overton, his fine young face
+paling slightly. "Passing the lie, you know, don't go in the Army!"
+
+"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 for me all along, Corporal
+Overton. Only yesterday morning you scorched me at drill."
+
+"You needed it," was the quiet reply. "And I used no abusive language."
+
+"Good thing you didn't," flashed Hinkey. "And the day before----"
+
+"Stop your whining and let me look at your head," advised Corporal
+Overton. "Whew, what a bump! Hinkey, I'm truly sor----"
+
+"Get away from me, and never mind my head," snapped the other.
+
+"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."
+
+"I'll do what I please about that," retorted Hinkey.
+
+"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."
+
+"Perhaps you think I will," came the disagreeable retort.
+
+"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----"
+
+"I don't think, Overton. I know you did."
+
+"Then I'll post you as to your rights in the matter, Private Hinkey.
+When you report to Sergeant Gray for hospital permission, which 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."
+
+"You think I'm a fool, don't you?" jeered Hinkey.
+
+"On that point I decline to commit myself."
+
+"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!"
+
+"That's the only way in which you can get redress."
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"If that kid thinks he can lord it over me," snarled Private Hinkey
+under his breath, "he's due to wake up before long."
+
+Nevertheless Private Hinkey had already learned enough of Army life to
+feel certain that he was obliged to go to Sergeant Gray.
+
+"Sure thing! Go over to hospital and have that head dressed at once,"
+ordered the first sergeant. "How did it happen?"
+
+"The fellow who did it said it was an accident," replied Hinkey, with an
+ugly leer.
+
+"Then report him," urged the first sergeant of B Company. "I can take
+care of the offender if it was done on purpose."
+
+"That's all right," snapped Private Hinkey. "So can I."
+
+"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.
+
+And, indeed, Sergeant Gray was wholly right.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE FIRST BREATH AGAINST A SOLDIER'S HONOR
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Out on the post, not far away, a dog chose to bark at that town-clock
+bell.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"Post number six. One o'clock, and all's well!"
+
+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.
+
+"Wow! Turn out the guard--post number six!"
+
+Instantly Sergeant Hupner awoke, sitting up on his cot.
+
+"What's the matter with you, you idiot?" growled the disturbed sergeant.
+
+"I've been touched!" wailed the excited voice.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+"What's wrong, squad room?" called the voice of the alert sentry
+outside.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Very good, Sergeant."
+
+Then Hupner turned to the cot of Corporal Hal Overton, which was close
+to the window.
+
+"Why, Corporal, what ails you?" demanded the sergeant. "You're shaking
+and your face has a frightened look."
+
+"I--I have just awakened from a pretty bad dream," Corporal Hal replied
+sheepishly. "I'll be over it at once."
+
+"Turn out, Corporal, and you also, Corporal Terry. We've got to
+investigate in this room."
+
+Hal instantly thrust a leg out. Something dropped to the floor.
+
+Bang!
+
+"Ow!" wailed Private Green. "It wasn't a dream, after all. I knew it
+would go off."
+
+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.
+
+"How did this come to be in your bed, Corporal Overton?" demanded the
+sergeant.
+
+"I don't know, Sergeant."
+
+"But it was in your bed. You shook it out when you went to get up just
+now."
+
+"That's the gun," insisted Private William Green. "I saw it poked into
+my face by some one prowling before my cot."
+
+"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.
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Come and look for yourself, Sergeant."
+
+"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."
+
+"Now, look here, Sergeant," insisted Green, after pulling the mattress
+bodily from his cot. "Do you see anything that looks like my buckskin
+pouch?"
+
+There was no pouch to be found on or near Soldier William's cot.
+
+"How much money did you have in the pouch?" demanded Hupner almost
+angrily.
+
+"Seven hundred and ten dollars," declared Green promptly.
+
+"Whew!"
+
+To most of the soldiers present that much money represented a fortune.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Corporal Overton, you take one side of the room, and Corporal Terry the
+other. Scan the floor for any sign of a buckskin pouch."
+
+"Let me help," begged William.
+
+"All right," nodded Sergeant Hupner. "And look, also, for any stool that
+may be overturned."
+
+The search was unavailing. No sight was gained of the buckskin pouch,
+while every stool in the room was upright and in place.
+
+"Does any man here know anything about Green's buckskin?" demanded
+Hupner.
+
+There was no answer.
+
+Crossing to the window, Sergeant Hupner called:
+
+"Sentry, call the corporal of the guard."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Soon after Lieutenant Greg Holmes strode into the room, his sword
+clanking at his side.
+
+Lieutenant Holmes heard Sergeant Hupner's report, which was but a short
+one.
+
+Then the young officer of the day turned to Corporal Hal, eyeing him
+keenly.
+
+"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."
+
+"That is true, sir," Hal Overton admitted.
+
+"When Sergeant Hupner directed you to rise you did so, and at the same
+time kicked out of your bed this revolver, which was discharged."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"I--I should hope not, sir," stammered Hal Overton, his face growing
+very pallid.
+
+"What do you know about this matter, Corporal Overton?" pressed the
+young officer.
+
+"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."
+
+"And you know nothing whatever regarding the robbery from Private
+Green?"
+
+"Absolutely nothing more than the rest, sir," insisted Hal, though his
+color continued to rise.
+
+The young soldier felt that he was half suspected, and he felt all the
+awkwardness of innocence--an awkwardness that real guilt seldom
+displays.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"All the men in the room have come forward and are willing to be
+searched, sir," reported the sergeant.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes, sir; shall I have the corporals assist me?"
+
+"Yes, Sergeant, and I will lend a general oversight at the same time."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I shall, sir, if I ever get it back," replied William Green mournfully.
+
+"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."
+
+After the officer of the day had gone out, the men of the squad room
+looked from one to another in bewilderment.
+
+"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."
+
+No one accepted the offer.
+
+"It's gone, all right, Green, evidently, and serves you right," said
+Sergeant Hupner gruffly.
+
+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.
+
+"And that's all there is to it, for to-night, men," announced Sergeant
+Hupner. "Every man in bed now, for I'm going to switch off the light."
+
+Ten minutes later some of the soldiers were asleep, but not all, for
+presently Hupner's strong military voice boomed through the room:
+
+"Stop that whispering! Silence until first call goes in the morning."
+
+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.
+
+Then, indeed, there was a thorough examination. Each man in the room was
+questioned keenly by the colonel himself.
+
+"Corporal Overton, how do you account for that revolver being in your
+bed?"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Why should any one else do that, Corporal?"
+
+"Possibly, sir, with a view to making me appear guilty."
+
+"Do you suspect any one in particular?"
+
+"No, sir; I can't imagine why any man in the room, or in the battalion,
+should want to do it."
+
+"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.
+
+"Thank you, sir," Hal replied.
+
+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.
+
+"I never thought Overton would do a trick like that," remarked a low
+voice behind the young corporal, but Hal heard it.
+
+"Oh, you can't tell. Sometimes these quiet fellows are the worst. Still
+waters run deep, you know."
+
+"I suppose other fellows in the squad room are thinking the same,"
+thought Hal, his heart throbbing with pain.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+LIEUTENANT ALGY'S INSPIRATION
+
+
+LIEUTENANT ALGY FERRERS, the picture of dejection, sat staring across
+his rather tiny parlor in bachelor quarters at smiling Lieutenant
+Prescott.
+
+"I thought the Army was a place for gentlemen," murmured Algy aghast.
+
+"At last accounts it was, and I believe still is," replied the West
+Pointer, with a smile.
+
+"But consider that beastly schedule of the day's work that you've been
+explaining to me!"
+
+"What's wrong with it?" asked Lieutenant Prescott patiently.
+
+"What's first--what did you call it?"
+
+"First call to reveille, at 5.50 in the morning?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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----"
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"All that racket will wake me up mornings," complained Algy sadly.
+
+"It ought to, for it's an officer's business to be up by that time."
+
+"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."
+
+"You won't see them immediately," Prescott replied.
+
+"Don't I have to go to my men as soon as I'm up?"
+
+"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.
+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."
+
+"Then I can sleep a little later, can't I?" proposed Lieutenant Ferrers
+hopefully.
+
+"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."
+
+"Do I have to be there?"
+
+"You do, unless excused for some very grave reason. Recall from drill
+sounds at 8.20."
+
+"That means that drill is over, then?" sighed Algy questioningly.
+
+"Yes. Then, at 8.30, is fatigue call."
+
+"I shall be properly fatigued by that time, no doubt," confessed Algy
+wretchedly.
+
+"You'll soon understand what 'fatigue' is in the Army," smiled
+Lieutenant Prescott. "It's more work, but work that is done without
+arms."
+
+"Without arms? With the feet, then?"
+
+Lieutenant Prescott bit his lip, but answered:
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, I should hope not," exclaimed Algy Ferrers fervently. "By supper
+time I can see myself a nervous wreck."
+
+"Oh, you'll get used to it," laughed Prescott. "The rest of us all had
+to."
+
+"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?"
+
+"A big lot of work, you'll find."
+
+"And yet they call being an officer in the Army a gentleman's life."
+
+"Yes," replied Prescott, his eyes opening rather wide. "Don't you
+consider that one may be a gentleman and yet be industrious?"
+
+"Oh, I reckon so," sighed Algy Ferrers. "But it all seems a beastly
+grind."
+
+"Then how did your ever come to think of going into the Army?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"Write down for me that--er--time table you laid down for me."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Thank you, Ferrers. I don't smoke."
+
+"Then what do you do with your time?"
+
+"Work!"
+
+"What beastly old rot the Army is!" murmured Algy, lying back in his
+easy chair and blowing a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling.
+
+Rap-tap! sounded at the door.
+
+"Come in," called Algy. It was Lieutenant Holmes who entered.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Nothing to pardon," murmured Algy.
+
+"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."
+
+"Who's my pet!" demanded Prescott in surprise.
+
+"Why, Corporal Overton, of your company."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes; there's a strong drift of suspicion that way among the men of B
+Company."
+
+"The idiots!" muttered Prescott impatiently.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"Greg, you don't believe Overton stole that simpleton soldier's cash?"
+cried Prescott.
+
+"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."
+
+"Yet you say so many of the men suspect him?" mused Prescott.
+
+"Not exactly that they suspect him, but that they'd like to have the
+whole matter cleared up and see daylight through it."
+
+"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."
+
+"I know it," agreed Holmes. "That's why I'm telling you all this about
+one of your own men."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"What's all the beastly row about, any way?" queried Lieutenant Algernon
+Ferrers.
+
+Holmes explained it briefly.
+
+"So it's all a row about some seven hundred dollars, it is?" asked Algy.
+
+"If you choose to put it that way," replied Lieutenant Holmes.
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+CORPORAL HAL'S ADMISSION
+
+
+LIEUTENANT PRESCOTT paused, looking sharply at Algy.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Seven hundred which some men almost suspect that Corporal Overton took
+from Green," corrected Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"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----"
+
+"But what has all this to do with Corporal Overton's unhappy
+situation?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Just like that!" gasped Lieutenant Greg Holmes ironically, and he
+appeared to need the support of the mantel at which he clutched.
+
+There was a savage look on Lieutenant Prescott's face as he demanded:
+
+"Ferrers, are you trying to make game of me?"
+
+"Make game of you?" echoed Lieutenant Algy, with a face so blank, so
+full of wonderment and so lacking in guile. "Why, I----"
+
+He broke off abruptly, going to the top drawer of a dresser.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Because--oh, why--tell him, won't you, Holmesy? I'm off to see Captain
+Cortland."
+
+Prescott strode away to his company commander for advice.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Can you suggest anything that I can do, sir?" the young lieutenant
+asked gravely.
+
+"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 that's a matter, I fancy, that's going to be full of
+difficulty."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+Prescott threw himself down at the desk, while Noll, after saluting,
+remained standing at attention.
+
+"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."
+
+Noll flushed painfully, though all he answered was:
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+This time Noll's face was positively beaming with pleasure.
+
+"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."
+
+"What can I tell you, sir?" Noll asked eagerly.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Why, I think, sir, that the revolver must have been slipped in under
+the bedclothes by some one who wanted to throw all the suspicion on
+Corporal Overton."
+
+"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?"
+
+"My own belief, sir, that an actual enemy of Overton's did it, sir."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Hinkey, Clegg, Danes, Potter, Reed, Vreeland and myself, sir."
+
+"With which one of the men you have named has Corporal Overton had any
+trouble, either recently or some time back?"
+
+"With Hinkey, for one, sir."
+
+"What was it over?"
+
+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.
+
+"Had Overton had trouble with other men?"
+
+"Nothing more, sir, than that he had once or twice rebuked Vreeland and
+Danes for carelessness in squad drill."
+
+"What kind of men are Vreeland and Danes, in your opinion, Corporal?"
+
+"Careless and happy-go-lucky, but good-hearted fellows, sir, and likely
+to be good soldiers when they've been licked into shape."
+
+"But neither of them is inclined to be dishonest or sulky?"
+
+"From what I have seen of Vreeland and Danes, sir, I am inclined to
+answer with a very positive 'no.'"
+
+Lieutenant Prescott looked thoughtful, remaining silent for some
+moments, while Corporal Noll Terry stood looking straight ahead.
+
+"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?"
+
+"I cannot, sir."
+
+"Have you heard any of the men make reasonable suggestions as to what
+was done with the money?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Are you keeping your eyes and ears open all the time, for any clue in
+the matter?"
+
+"Yes, sir!" Noll answered. "And I shan't cease doing so until the whole
+mystery is cleaned up."
+
+"Good! May I depend upon you, Corporal, to come to me, at any time, with
+any information that you think will help?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and I thank you for the invitation to do so."
+
+"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."
+
+"May I tell Corporal Overton that, sir?" asked Noll eagerly.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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 about having anything
+unnecessary to do with Corporal Overton."
+
+"Too bad!" murmured Lieutenant Prescott. Then, in his usual official
+tone:
+
+"That is all, Corporal Terry."
+
+Noll saluted and left the inner office. Almost immediately afterward
+Lieutenant Prescott sauntered out.
+
+In the meantime, Hal, after some brisk practice at wig-wagging, was on
+his way back to barracks with Sergeant Hupner.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"The infantry is the real branch of the service--the real fighting arm,"
+returned Sergeant Hupner.
+
+"Yes; I know it, and that's the principal reason why I chose the
+infantry before enlisting."
+
+Together the sergeant and his young corporal entered the barracks,
+stepping into their own squad room.
+
+There the very first person they met was Private William Green, looking,
+still, as though he wanted to burst into tears. Green hadn't smiled
+once since meeting with his big loss.
+
+"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.
+
+Hal stepped down the length of the squad room. Some of the men greeted
+him, though none very enthusiastically.
+
+Then Noll came in, drawing his chum aside and detailing the interview
+with Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+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.
+
+"It's certainly fine to know that one's officers trust him, anyway," Hal
+declared.
+
+"Oh, this abominable business will all be cleared up before long," Noll
+Terry predicted cheerily.
+
+"I'd like to believe you," Corporal Hal smiled wistfully.
+
+"Wait and see!"
+
+The merriment in the middle of the room was now going on at its height.
+Private Clegg, who was an excellent storyteller, was relating one of
+his very very best, and it bore on Army life.
+
+Hal and Noll took chairs at one of the writing tables.
+
+A few minutes later a wild whoop sounded from Private William Green.
+
+"I've got it! I've got it!" he yelled, dancing about like a crazy
+Indian.
+
+"A bat in your belfry? Sure you've got it," yelled Private Clegg.
+
+Sergeant Hupner had run over to where Green was dancing.
+
+"I've got the money. It has come back to me," sang William Green
+joyously.
+
+In an instant there was a curiosity-inspired rush that every man in the
+room shared.
+
+Private Green now held high aloft over his head a long envelope whose
+bulkiness everyone else could see.
+
+"It's the money!" he gasped, chokingly.
+
+"Every man in the room but Green fall in!" roared Sergeant Hupner's
+voice. "Corporal Terry, take charge of the formation!"
+
+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 Corporal Hal, who stood at the right of the line.
+
+"Hold your men so," nodded Sergeant Hupner tersely. "Now, Green, are you
+sure you have all your money back?"
+
+"I--I hope so," faltered Green. "The envelope is bulky enough."
+
+"Put it on your cot and let me see it," ordered Hupner.
+
+Green had already broken the flap of the envelope, revealing the edges
+of a considerable thickness of banknotes.
+
+"Why, there's a note here with the bills," proclaimed the excited
+soldier.
+
+"What does the note say?"
+
+"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.'"
+
+"What does the writing look like?" demanded Sergeant Hupner.
+
+"It ain't written; it's printed," replied Private Green. "Here, take the
+note and look at it."
+
+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.
+
+"Anything written on the envelope?" demanded 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.
+
+"Corporal Terry, go to the nearest window and have the sentry pass the
+word for the corporal of the guard!"
+
+Then Hupner asked one more question:
+
+"Green, where and how did you find this envelope?"
+
+"Just the moment before I helloed. It was tucked inside my bedding, so
+that just the end of the envelope showed."
+
+Quickly the corporal of the guard was on hand, accompanied by two
+privates of the guard. Sergeant Hupner explained what had happened,
+adding:
+
+"Corporal, I think you'd better send for the officer of the day."
+
+That officer of the day, who shortly arrived, was Lieutenant Ray of C
+company.
+
+He listened gravely, while Sergeant Hupner told the story, then asked a
+few questions of Private Green.
+
+"Sergeant," directed Lieutenant Ray, "start the envelope passing down
+the line. Each man is to look at the handwriting, and state whether he
+recognizes it."
+
+All this time the men had remained standing in line, though at ease.
+
+Sergeant Hupner, with a queer look, passed the envelope to Corporal Hal
+Overton, who stood at the right of the line.
+
+The instant he glanced at the writing Hal started, then changed color.
+
+"Do you know the writing on that envelope, Corporal Overton?" demanded
+the officer of the day, eyeing the young soldier.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Are you positive that you know whose writing it is, Corporal Overton?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Whose?"
+
+"Mine, sir," replied Corporal Hal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE SQUAD ROOM TURNS COLD
+
+
+ON the listening men the effect of this admission was that of a
+bombshell.
+
+Yet, because they were soldiers, they took their bombshell quietly.
+
+Lieutenant Ray was astounded, yet his voice did not quiver as he asked,
+briskly:
+
+"Then, Corporal Overton, you admit having addressed the envelope?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"When?"
+
+"I don't know, sir."
+
+"Don't trifle with me, Corporal!"
+
+"I am not, sir."
+
+"Yet you admit having addressed it?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Sergeant, dismiss your men," directed Lieutenant Ray, as he reached out
+and took the envelope. "Corporal Overton, you will not leave the room."
+
+"Is the corporal under arrest, sir?" asked Sergeant Hupner, in a quiet
+voice.
+
+"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."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+Lieutenant Ray withdrew, followed by the corporal and privates of the
+guard.
+
+"I am not forbidden to speak to other men, am I, Sergeant?" asked Hal
+Overton, going directly up to him.
+
+"You are not in any sense in arrest, Corporal," replied Hupner, then
+adding, in a lower voice:
+
+"And I hope you'll do some mighty hard thinking, lad, and be able to
+give a very straight account about that envelope."
+
+"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."
+
+"I hope you're right, Overton, for I haven't an idea in the world that
+you are, or could be, a thief."
+
+"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Sergeant."
+
+Private William Green sat on a stool near the head of his cot, counting
+his recovered money for the third time.
+
+"Is it all there, Green?" asked Corporal Hal, going over to the soldier.
+
+"All but the twenty dollars that it is supposed to be shy," replied
+Green rather gruffly and without looking up.
+
+"Green, I hope you haven't an idea that I'm the crook," Hal went on.
+
+"Of course not. But there's a stack of appearances against you, just the
+same," replied William Green dryly.
+
+"See here!" Hal spoke sharply, the pain ringing in his voice. "Do you
+really believe that I stole your money in the first place?"
+
+"I've got most of it back, and I'd rather not express any opinions,
+Corporal," was Green's evasive reply.
+
+Just at this instant Corporal Noll Terry joined the pair.
+
+"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."
+
+"Let 'em," grunted Private Green briefly, and without a sign of
+understanding the slangy joke.
+
+Hal turned away, a choking feeling in his throat, though his outward
+demeanor was brave enough.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+Hal Overton's face went deathly pale.
+
+This was the direct cut, the snub, from his mates of the squad room.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 still only a boy in years, and
+this air of suspicion in the squad room made all life look wholly dark
+to him.
+
+"Surely all will come right," insisted Noll. "You've plenty of good
+friends around here."
+
+"You and Sergeant Hupner," smiled Corporal Overton bitterly. "But at
+least, old chap, you two make up in quality what you lack in numbers."
+
+The call for mess formation rang at last. Corporal Hal went to his place
+in the company line as briskly as ever.
+
+Just as the men were passing Corporal Hyman hit Hal a clip on the
+shoulder.
+
+"Buck up, old spinal trouble!" urged Hyman heartily, in a low voice.
+"Don't disappoint every friend and true believer you've got."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 there, flanked by Major Silsbee and B
+company's officers.
+
+Colonel North had the accusing envelope and the note in the printed
+scrawl in his hand.
+
+"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."
+
+"I have not, sir," Hal answered.
+
+"Take the envelope and look at it."
+
+Hal Overton obeyed.
+
+"Do you think it likely, Corporal, that the writing on that envelope is
+a forged imitation of your own handwriting?"
+
+"It is possible, sir, of course," Hal made frank, direct reply. "Yet,
+sir, I am inclined to believe that the writing is really mine."
+
+"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."
+
+"I've done so, sir," replied Hal, a moment later.
+
+"Now in the lower corner of the envelope write the words, 'My own
+writing, Overton.'"
+
+"Yes, sir; I've done it."
+
+"Bring the envelope to me, Corporal Overton."
+
+Colonel North now compared the writing on the two envelopes, then passed
+them to the other officers present, who carefully examined these
+exhibits.
+
+"The writings look identical, sir," was Captain Cortland's comment.
+
+"Yes," agreed Major Silsbee. The other younger officers nodded.
+
+"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."
+
+"Then, sir, I thank all my officers."
+
+"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 you guilty. You have too fine a record as a soldier for any
+such belief to find acceptance without the strongest, most positive
+proof."
+
+"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."
+
+Hal started, colored, then turned pale.
+
+"I--I thank you, sir," he stammered. "But--but----"
+
+"Well, my man?" inquired the colonel kindly.
+
+"Pardon me, sir, but wouldn't the appointment be better made at some
+later date?"
+
+"Why?" shot out Colonel North.
+
+"I fear I may not have as much force with a squad room as a sergeant
+should have, sir."
+
+"Then you will have to develop that force," replied Colonel North dryly.
+"It's in you, I know."
+
+Poor Hal! At any other time this much-wanted promotion would have been
+hailed joyfully. Now it seemed almost like wormwood.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+BACKING THE NEW SERGEANT
+
+
+"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."
+
+That was published with the orders the very next afternoon, at parade.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"On dismissal of the company Sergeant Overton will at once report to
+me," announced Captain Cortland.
+
+Hal, therefore, on falling out of ranks, went directly to his company
+commander, saluting.
+
+"You are to have charge of the squad room next to Sergeant Hupner's,"
+began the captain, pleasantly.
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I shall do as you direct."
+
+"I know it, Sergeant Overton. I have confidence in you. Now, I am going
+to step down to your new squad room with you."
+
+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.
+
+He threw open the door for Captain Cortland to pass in ahead of him, at
+the same time calling clearly:
+
+"Squad room, attention!"
+
+Captain Cortland strode in among his men, who, halting where they were,
+faced toward him and stood at attention.
+
+"Men," called Captain Cortland, "this is your new sergeant. He will be
+obeyed and respected accordingly."
+
+Then Captain Cortland turned and left the room.
+
+Corporal Hyman, who belonged in this room, came forward at once, holding
+out his hand.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"So-so," laughed Corporal Hyman. "But I believe that some of these buck
+doughboys need a bit of jacking up."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I will, in matters of discipline and routine, whenever necessary,"
+Sergeant Hal answered, 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Don't have any fights on my account, Hyman," urged Sergeant Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+The conversation was interrupted, at that moment, by the in-coming of
+First Sergeant Gray.
+
+"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."
+
+"That does come rather speedily, doesn't it?" laughed Hal. "Who is to be
+officer of the day to-morrow?"
+
+"Lieutenant Ferrers," responded Sergeant Gray gravely.
+
+"What? The joke to be officer of the day?" exploded Corporal Hyman.
+
+"Corporal," came the first sergeant's swift, serious rebuke, "whenever
+you allude to your superior officers you'll do so with the utmost
+respect."
+
+"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."
+
+"No," rejoined Sergeant Gray stiffly, and Hyman left them.
+
+"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."
+
+"I'll have my eyes open," Sergeant Hal promised.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Squad room attention!" shouted Sergeant Hal, leaping to his feet.
+Corporal Hyman, too, jumped up.
+
+All of the men came instantly to attention. Some of them looked merely
+curious, but a few glared back at their new sergeant.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Men, I've something to say to you," announced the new sergeant coolly.
+"I intend to 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?"
+
+It was a tense moment. Three or four of the men looked as though tempted
+to "say a lot."
+
+Sergeant Hal, his hands tightly gripped, stood facing them, waiting.
+
+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.
+
+"Has any man here anything that he wishes to say to me?" Hal repeated.
+
+Still silence was preserved.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+There was no further trouble that night, though the young sergeant could
+not escape the knowledge that he was generally disliked here.
+
+When guard-mounting assembly sounded at nine the next morning Sergeant
+Hal Overton marched the new guard on to the field.
+
+Battalion Adjutant Wright was on hand, but Lieutenant Algy Ferrers, the
+new officer of the day, was absent.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+The orderly departed on a run. But he soon came back, alone.
+
+"Sir, Lieutenant Ferrers is not in his quarters?"
+
+"Not in quarters? Did you look in at the officers' club, too?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Lieutenant Ferrers' bed was not slept in last night, so his
+striker told me."
+
+Adjutant Wright fumed inwardly, though he turned to Hal to say:
+
+"Sergeant, inspect the guard."
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+ASTONISHMENT JOLTS MR. FERRERS
+
+
+IT was nearly four in the afternoon when the sentry on post number one
+called briskly:
+
+"Sergeant of the guard, post number one!"
+
+"What is it, sentry?" asked Hal, stepping briskly out of the guard
+house.
+
+"Lieutenant Ferrers is approaching, Sergeant," replied the sentry,
+nodding his head down the road.
+
+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.
+
+Algy looked decidedly tired and bored as he drove along.
+
+"Halt the lieutenant, sentry."
+
+"Very good, Sergeant."
+
+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:
+
+"Halt, sir. Sergeant of the guard, post number one."
+
+Algy, with a look of astonishment on his face, slowed the car down and
+stopped. Sergeant Hal approached, giving him the rifle salute.
+
+"Well, what's in the wind, Sergeant?" demanded Algy, reaching in a
+pocket for his cigarette case.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Beg your pardon, sir; don't light that cigarette until you've driven
+on."
+
+"Now how long since sergeants have taken to giving officers orders?"
+inquired Mr. Ferrers in very great astonishment.
+
+"The guard always has power to enforce the rules, sir. And smoking is
+forbidden when addressing the guard on official business."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"I have never felt like a dog, sir, since entering the Army."
+
+"Oh, I dare say Wright is quite proper in his order, you know. I'll go
+up and drop in on him right now."
+
+Both sergeant and sentry saluted again as this very unusual officer
+turned on the speed and went driving lazily up to headquarters'
+building.
+
+Algy Ferrers had his cigarette going by the time that he stepped
+leisurely into the adjutant's office.
+
+"Some one told me you wanted to see me, Wright," began Algy.
+
+Lieutenant Wright wheeled around briskly upon his subordinate.
+
+"I want to see you, Mr. Ferrers, only to pass you on to the colonel.
+I'll tell him that you're here."
+
+Adjutant Wright stepped into the inner office, nodding his head at the
+colonel, then wheeled about.
+
+"Colonel North will see you, sir."
+
+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.
+
+"So you're here, sir?" demanded Colonel North, looking up from his desk
+as Algy came to a halt before him.
+
+"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----"
+
+"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."
+
+"Bless me, so I was," assented Algy mildly.
+
+"Yet this morning you failed to be present at guard-mount."
+
+"Yes, sir. I'll tell you how it happened."
+
+"Be good enough to tell me without delay."
+
+"Colonel, did you ever hear of the Douglas-Fraziers, of Detroit?"
+
+"Answer my question, Mr. Ferrers!"
+
+"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----"
+
+"You being a soldier!" exploded the irate colonel under his breath.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Eh?" quivered Colonel North, who seemed momentarily all but bereft of
+speech.
+
+"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."
+
+"There might have been nothing very serious in that, Mr. Ferrers, had
+you returned in time for guard-mount this morning."
+
+"But I simply couldn't. Don't you understand?" pleaded Algy with
+good-natured patience.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"They did?" inquired the colonel, with an irony that was wholly thrown
+away on Algy.
+
+"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."
+
+"Naturally," assented Colonel North with fine sarcasm.
+
+"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
+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----"
+
+Colonel North rose fiercely, looking as though he were threatened with
+an attack of apoplexy.
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Good heavens!" murmured Algy.
+
+"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."
+
+Lieutenant Prescott, hearing some one move in Mr. Ferrers' rooms, looked
+in inquiringly.
+
+"Oh, but I'm in an awful hurry. I've got to get back to that beastly
+colonel," explained Algy.
+
+"Beastly? Colonel North is a fine old brick!" retorted Prescott
+indignantly.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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----"
+
+"Oh, hang the Douglas-Fraziers and all their works," uttered Prescott
+disgustedly. "Algy, are you ever going to become a soldier?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Let me help you on with your sword," interrupted Prescott dryly.
+"You're getting it tangled up between your legs."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'll walk along with you and explain the nature of your offense of
+to-day, if you don't mind," proposed Prescott.
+
+Algy Ferrers reported at Colonel North's office and soon came out.
+
+"Now I'm off," cried Ferrers gayly, as he came out again.
+
+"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.
+
+As Lieutenant Prescott stood there Colonel North came out. The younger
+officer wheeled, saluting respectfully.
+
+"Mr. Prescott, if you've nothing important 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."
+
+"Yes, sir; I'll pay Mr. Ferrers a visit soon after dinner."
+
+"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!"
+
+"I rather think Sergeant Overton would, sir. He's pretty young, but he's
+an all-around soldier."
+
+"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 Ferrers and get the surgeon to order him
+into hospital!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+PRIVATE HINKEY DELIVERS HIS ANSWER
+
+
+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.
+
+There was no rest, however, for the irresponsible young lieutenant.
+
+For three successive mornings Ferrers had to grub hard at drill, with
+Lieutenant Prescott standing by to coach him.
+
+Then, on the fourth morning, Lieutenant Algy was ordered out to take A
+Company on a twenty-mile hike over rough country.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"Attention!"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+It still lacked much of two in the afternoon when Captain Ruggles,
+leaving his quarters, saw his company marching back.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Any further orders, sir?" inquired Algy.
+
+"No, Lieutenant. Dismiss the company."
+
+As soon as the men had started barrackwards, Captain Ruggles asked the
+lieutenant:
+
+"How did you manage it, Ferrers, to bring the men back in such fine
+condition and so early in the day?"
+
+"Just a matter of good judgment, Captain," beamed Algy.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I changed the orders a bit, sir, to meet the conditions that I
+discovered."
+
+"Conditions?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Well? What next?"
+
+"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----"
+
+"And----"
+
+"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."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"Why, then, sir, I marched them back here. I'll take them out again
+some day when the weather is cooler, and----"
+
+Captain Ruggles acted a good deal like a man who is about to lose his
+temper.
+
+"Mr. Ferrers," came his rasping order, "go to your rooms! Remain there
+until you hear from Colonel North, Major Silsbee or myself."
+
+"Why, what on earth have I done now?" gasped the astonished young man.
+
+"Go to your rooms, sir!"
+
+"Now, what ails good old Ruggles? Isn't the Army the queerest old place
+on the map of the moon?"
+
+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,
+received a telephone call.
+
+"Colonel North's compliments, and will you come to his house at once?"
+was the brief message.
+
+"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.
+
+"Mr. Ferrers," was the colonel's stern greeting, "every day your conduct
+becomes more incomprehensible!"
+
+"And every day, sir, I might say," retorted the young man pleasantly,
+"the Army becomes 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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"I expected to be praised, sir," replied Algy almost testily, "for
+having been highly humane to the men under my command."
+
+"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!"
+
+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
+Colonel North having ordered him to make the call.
+
+Algy immediately started in upon what was, for him, a furious tirade.
+
+"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!"
+
+But Prescott's laughing advice was:
+
+"Hold yourself in, Ferrers; your hoops are cracked."
+
+"Bah!" stormed Lieutenant Algy. "An Army post is a crazy place for a
+fellow to go when looking for sympathy or reason."
+
+In the meantime A Company's men had spread the joke through enlisted
+men's barracks.
+
+"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!"
+
+Sergeant Hal Overton paused just at the edge of the group.
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, you shut up!" sneered Hinkey. "No one spoke to you. Move on. Your
+opinions are not wanted here."
+
+Words cannot convey the intent in Hickey's words, though it was plain
+enough to all who stood near by.
+
+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.
+
+Nor did Hal, by any means, miss the intended slur. Yet he was above
+taking up any quarrel on personal grounds.
+
+"Hinkey," rebuked the young sergeant, "you're not answering a
+non-commissioned officer with the proper amount of respect."
+
+"What's the use?" jeered the ugly soldier. "I don't feel any."
+
+"Silence, my man!"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"He's trying to make me mad, so that I'll make it seem like a personal
+affair," thought Hal Overton swiftly. "I'll keep cool and fool the
+fellow!"
+
+Hinkey, after glaring defiantly and contemptuously at the young
+sergeant, turned on his heel and started away.
+
+"Halt, there, my man!" ordered Sergeant Hal coolly, yet at the same time
+sternly.
+
+Hinkey kept on as though he had not heard.
+
+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.
+
+"I halted you, my man!"
+
+"Did you?" said Hinkey. "I didn't hear it."
+
+With that, he slipped out from under Hal Overton's detaining grasp,
+turned his back and once more started onward.
+
+"Careful there, Hinkey!" called one of the soldiers warningly.
+
+But the sullen soldier was now beyond any sense of caution.
+
+As Hal again grabbed him, this time with both hands, and swinging him
+about, Hinkey thrust his face menacingly close to Overton's.
+
+"What do you want, Overton? Maybe I've got it."
+
+"Attention!"
+
+"I'm listening," growled Hinkey, his whole carriage slouching.
+
+"Stand at attention!"
+
+"Hinkey, you're wholly disrespectful and insubordinate!"
+
+Out of the corner of his eye the soldier saw his late companions
+silently drawing nearer.
+
+"If I'm disrespectful, I'm disrespectful to nothing!" he retorted
+derisively.
+
+Then he added with more insulting directness:
+
+"Or to less than nothing!"
+
+"Hinkey, are you going to stand at attention and be silent until I'm
+through with you?"
+
+"No!"
+
+Again he tried to free himself from the boyish sergeant's grasp, but
+this time he found it harder than he had expected.
+
+"Stand at attention, man!"
+
+"I'll see you in Tophet first! And take your hands off of me, unless you
+want to start trouble at once!"
+
+"Hinkey, you are making a fearful mistake in forgetting yourself! I'll
+give you this one chance to come to your senses."
+
+"And if you don't take your hands off of me you'll lose your senses--if
+you ever had any!"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SERGEANT OVERTON AND DISCIPLINE
+
+
+JUST how it all happened Private Hinkey was never afterwards able to
+figure out to his own satisfaction.
+
+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.
+
+"You chevroned cur! I'll make you eat that blow!" yelled Hinkey, beside
+himself with rage.
+
+Then he leaped to his feet, fairly quivering with the great passion that
+had seized him.
+
+"Slosson! Kelly! Take hold of Hinkey! He's under arrest," announced the
+boyish sergeant.
+
+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.
+
+"Let me at him!" screamed Hinkey, struggling with the two comrades who
+now held him.
+
+"Be silent, you fool!" warned Slosson. "You'll get yourself in stiff
+before you know what you're about."
+
+"What do I care?" panted Hinkey. "The cur coward! He doesn't dare face
+me."
+
+"If the sergeant came at ye once wid his fists, ye'd know better--as
+soon as ye knew anything," jeered Private Kelly.
+
+"The sarge is a scrapper--few like him in 'ours' when he turns himself
+loose," supplemented Slosson.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+But Hal had sense enough to keep his own hands out of the affair.
+
+"Meade, get in there and help," he directed.
+
+Then, with Hinkey growing rapidly angrier and putting forth more
+strength, there was battle royal.
+
+When it was over Hinkey had a bleeding nose, a cut lip, one eye closed
+and his uniform all but torn from him.
+
+But he panted and surrendered, at last--a prisoner.
+
+"What's this all about, Sergeant Overton?" demanded First Sergeant Gray,
+hastening to the spot.
+
+"I've placed Hinkey under arrest, Sergeant, for disrespectful speech
+against an officer, for disrespectful answers to myself and for
+insubordination."
+
+"You wouldn't act without strong cause, I know, Sergeant Overton,"
+replied First Sergeant Gray. "Hustle Private Hinkey down to the guard
+house, then."
+
+"Forward with him, men," ordered Hal.
+
+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.
+
+So, with much growling and many oaths, Hinkey submitted to being marched
+down to the guard house.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"It's all rot!" raged the arrested soldier. "It's all a personal matter,
+and Overton has vented his spite on me."
+
+"Silence, my man!" ordered Lieutenant Hayes sternly. "And when you refer
+to Sergeant Overton, call him by his title."
+
+"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----"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+A summary court consists of one officer, who must, when practicable, be
+of field officer's rank.
+
+So, at nine the next morning, Private Hinkey was arraigned before Major
+Silsbee. All the necessary witnesses were there, too.
+
+Hinkey, of course, claimed that it had all been an affair of personal
+spite on the part of Sergeant Overton.
+
+This claim Hinkey was given a fair opportunity to prove, but he failed
+to do so.
+
+"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 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."
+
+Then followed the sentence.
+
+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.
+
+Thus Private Hinkey would be obliged to work for the United States for
+nothing during nearly the next three months of his service.
+
+Further, he was sentenced to one week's confinement at the guard house,
+and to perform fatigue labor on the post.
+
+Then, still under guard, Hinkey was marched back to the guard house.
+
+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.
+
+As his service in the Army lengthens the soldier acquires a trained
+sense of justice.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+More, Major Silsbee's comments on the case had been repeated by the
+witnesses to other comrades in barracks.
+
+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 strengthened Hal's reputation among his
+soldier comrades.
+
+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.
+
+The fourth day of Hinkey's imprisonment Sergeant Hal had charge of the
+guard that controlled the seven prisoners, in all, who were now working
+out guard house terms.
+
+Hinkey now managed to come close to the young sergeant in command of the
+fatigue party.
+
+"You may think you've won out," growled Private Hinkey.
+
+"My man," spoke Hal almost kindly, "I've no desire to see you get into
+more trouble. Attend to your fatigue duty!"
+
+"You may think you've won out," repeated Hinkey. "But wait!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+WHEN HINKEY WON GOOD OPINIONS
+
+
+GREAT news came to Fort Clowdry these days.
+
+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.
+
+In the same week two great secret societies were also to hold annual
+meetings in Denver.
+
+Thus there would be an unusually large crowd in this handsome, hustling
+city of the Rockies.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I suppose, sir, that I'm slated for the post guard," replied Hinkey,
+saluting.
+
+"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, 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."
+
+"Thank you, sir; I am glad," replied Private Hinkey, saluting very
+respectfully.
+
+"Then look carefully to your conduct until the time comes to start,"
+admonished Captain Cortland.
+
+"Thank you, sir. I most certainly shall."
+
+Then, as he watched the back of Captain Cortland, a peculiarly
+disagreeable smile came to Hinkey's lips.
+
+"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!"
+
+Thereafter Hinkey fairly dreamed of the military journey that was so
+near at hand.
+
+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.
+
+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 life and his deeds of high skill and great daring.
+
+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.
+
+The train left soon after nine in the morning.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Then he'll have all the chance he wants," replied the captain. "We
+don't want to keep any man down, or to give him a dog's name--with
+apologies to the dog."
+
+As Hinkey had been in a service detachment under Overton's command Hal
+felt it but just to say to the fellow:
+
+"Hinkey, you've worked harder and more attentively than any man in this
+detachment."
+
+"Thank you, Sergeant; I've tried to," replied the fellow, with such
+well-pretended respect that Sergeant Hal almost fell over.
+
+"I almost think I've misjudged the man in thinking him one of our
+worst," Overton told himself.
+
+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!
+
+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.
+
+Breakfast was hurriedly disposed of, and the simple duties of ordinary
+"camp police" performed by the time that it was fully light.
+
+And now more labor, for the stage settings must be arranged, that they
+might all be moved swiftly into place as the need came.
+
+It was noon when the men finished. Then mess call, or "come and get it,"
+as the soldiers facetiously term it, was sounded over the camp, and
+officer and man alike hastened to the well-earned midday meal.
+
+"We ought to have a huge crowd," spoke Corporal Noll Terry, at camp
+table.
+
+"We ought to, but we won't," predicted Sergeant Hupner.
+
+"Why not, Sergeant?"
+
+"You didn't take a pass to go to town, last night?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I did."
+
+"Well, Sergeant?"
+
+"The town is billed from one end to another with posters of the show,"
+continued Hupner.
+
+"Meaning our tournament?"
+
+"No, Terry. Of course, our show is billed, too, but the show I'm
+alluding to is Howe and Spangleton's Great Combined Circuses."
+
+"Are they showing in Denver to-day?" asked Sergeant Overton.
+
+"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."
+
+"We ought to have had some other date in the week, then," spoke up
+another man at table.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+Yet one man in this Regular Army encampment felt wholly satisfied with
+himself.
+
+That man was Private Hinkey.
+
+He knew the programme of the tournament, and the secret of this sullen
+wretch's great industry was known at least to himself.
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+HAL RIDES INTO TREACHERY
+
+
+AT one-thirty the gates of the ball grounds were thrown open.
+
+A long programme lay before the assembled regulars, so the tournament
+was to begin at two o'clock.
+
+The same performance was to be repeated in the evening, under brilliant
+electric lighting.
+
+As they left the camp tables, however, the men moved about rather
+dejectedly.
+
+The unexpected competition with the big circus had spoiled their hopes
+of winning round after round of delighted applause from huge crowds.
+
+Yet barely were the gates to the grounds open when the soldiers began to
+take notice.
+
+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.
+
+"They'll stop coming in two minutes, at this rate," grumbled Sergeant
+Hupner.
+
+Yet he proved a poor prophet. By quarter of two nearly every one of the
+more than twenty thousand seats for spectators had been filled. 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.
+
+Outside the crowd still pressed. Thousands simply had to be turned away.
+
+Every officer present now wore a quiet smile that hid his delight under
+an orderly appearance.
+
+"I wonder if the circus has a crowd like this?" gasped Sergeant Hupner,
+his astonished gaze roving over the densely packed masses of humanity.
+
+An artillery band was playing at its loudest and gayest.
+
+"I wonder," repeated Sergeant Hupner, "if the circus is playing to a
+crush like this."
+
+No; it wasn't. Over under the Howe and Spangleton big-top, with its
+plain and reserved seats for eighteen thousand people, consternation
+prevailed.
+
+The Army had proved the winning attraction for Denver's
+amusement-seeking crowds!
+
+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.
+
+"I never even dreamed of a streak of luck like this!" grumbled
+Proprietor Howe to his partner, Spangleton.
+
+"I hope we'll never meet it again. What has struck us this blow under
+the belt?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Just a minute or so before two o'clock the artillery band left the
+bandstand and marched back to camp.
+
+Now, all in an instant, the military parade formed.
+
+At the head was the cavalry band, followed by a squadron (two troops or
+companies) of splendidly mounted fighting men, their accoutrements
+jingling.
+
+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 arms folded, or
+else driving the horses from saddles, came more men on foot, the
+ordnance detachment.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+As the artillery band blazed forth in a glory of rousing melody the
+noise of people's feet increased.
+
+By the time that the infantry marched past 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+A policeman, standing at the edge of the crowd, picked up the wallet,
+returning it to its somewhat disappointed owner.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Men rode two, and then three horses, at once, standing on bareback and
+leaping their animals over gates, ditches and hedges.
+
+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.
+
+Just behind this detachment rode more cavalrymen at the gallop. Three of
+these men, without 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.
+
+It was a wonderful sight. Now, the audience began to come somewhere near
+its actual limits of enthusiasm.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Then next the scene swiftly changed to a well-simulated one of battle,
+in which all arms engaged. "Under heavy fire" the engineers 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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!
+
+Feature after feature followed, in a swiftly-moving, tightly-packed
+programme lasting three hours. The riot drill, showing with vivid
+effect 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:
+
+"Bring your anarchists here to-night, and show them this!"
+
+"Never get into a riot unless you go with the regulars!"
+
+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."
+
+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."
+
+No name was set opposite this title, but the man who had been selected
+for the work was Sergeant Hal Overton.
+
+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 his clothing, his shoes, or
+what-not place of concealment.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The small boys now led in the noise that came from the spectators'
+seats.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+This tree trunk represented the only possible way of getting over the
+gully.
+
+Surely, the young rider would slow down, dismount, take the wheel on his
+shoulders and cross the slim bridge on foot.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Noll still stood by, watching, ready to be at hand if anything happened.
+One other man watched, though from a considerable distance.
+
+This man was Private Hinkey, who alone knew the secret of his willing
+industry since reaching this camp.
+
+Hinkey, unseen by others, had managed treacherously to "fix" the log in
+a manner that had defied detection.
+
+[Illustration: Sergeant Hal's Forward Wheel Struck the Log.]
+
+"There'll be an end to the sergeant kid, in two seconds more!" gloated
+the rascal.
+
+Sergeant's Hal's forward wheel struck the log, throwing full weight upon
+it. There was a snapping crackle, then a shriek from thousands.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+CHASING A SPEEDING DESERTER
+
+
+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.
+
+If there is one thing that a soldier is taught above another, it is to
+think and move swiftly at a critical moment.
+
+Noll saw the tree trunk sag downward, in just the fraction of a second
+ere it broke.
+
+Nor did Corporal Terry wait to see more.
+
+With his eyes on his bunkie, Terry made a prompt leap downward.
+
+He had the advantage of landing on his feet. He was jarred, but there
+was no time to stop to think of that.
+
+At a bound he was far enough forward, his arms outstretched, to swing
+hold of head-downward Hal Overton.
+
+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.
+
+He fell with a thump, but was shaken up--no bones broken.
+
+Sergeant Hal landed on top of his bunkie unhurt.
+
+In an instant they separated, each leaping to his feet.
+
+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.
+
+"Thank you, old bunkie! The best ever!" glowed Hal, as without a
+backward look he raced to pick up his wheel. "Hurt?"
+
+"Not a bit," gasped Noll, his wind jarred out of him for the moment.
+
+"Then I'll finish the ride!"
+
+To the thrilled, throbbing spectators there did not come a thought of
+"accident."
+
+Clearly this whole splendid scene had been only a glimpse of practical
+military training.
+
+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.
+
+Even at that it was a wonderful sight, and again the spectators were on
+their feet, cheering more hoarsely than ever.
+
+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.
+
+Now he was mounted again! On the further side of the gully the young
+Army dispatch rider was racing forward again.
+
+His wheel, somewhat damaged by the fall, was moving stiffly now, but
+Overton put into his pedaling every ounce of energy left to him.
+
+In another moment he was out of sight, his dispatch-bearing ride ended,
+and the band leader stopped his musicians.
+
+In this startling scene the onlookers felt that they had viewed the best
+piece of individual daring of the afternoon.
+
+Little did they guess that they had seen the failure of a scoundrel's
+dastardly attempt to end Sergeant Overton's life.
+
+But grizzled old Colonel North, of the Thirty-fourth United States
+Infantry, knew better.
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, sir; and I have one suggestion to make now," replied Captain
+Cortland.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I ask you, sir, to oblige me very greatly by promising a warrant at
+once for Corporal Terry's promotion to sergeant."
+
+"By Jove, young Terry earned it!" agreed Colonel North.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"A splendid idea, sir!"
+
+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.
+
+The three fighting arms of the service--artillery, cavalry and
+infantry--combined at dress parade.
+
+The ceremony, as enacted that afternoon, possessed all the fervor and
+solemnity of a religious rite.
+
+When it came to the publication of orders appointing Corporal Oliver
+Terry a sergeant in recognition of unusual bravery and judgment 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.
+
+No matter! All would read about it in the Denver papers the next
+morning.
+
+At the firing of retreat gun three military bands combined in the
+playing of "The Star Spangled Banner."
+
+Then, as the troops marched off, all was over as far as the audience was
+concerned.
+
+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.
+
+Over back of one of the cook tents, however, a plain soldier man was
+already arriving at the truth.
+
+"Hinkey, come over here!" called Private Slosson.
+
+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.
+
+"Hinkey," continued Private Slosson, "'twas a near escape from breaking
+his neck that Sergeant Overton had this afternoon."
+
+"That's no concern of mine, I guess," murmured Hinkey.
+
+"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."
+
+The fingers that held Hinkey's cigarette began to tremble.
+
+"What do you mean, Slosson?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"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?"
+
+"I don't know," replied Private Hinkey, speaking bravely, though his
+face now looked bloodless and his lips were quivering.
+
+"Spruce sawdust in the saw you handled," continued Slosson mercilessly.
+"And say, the 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?"
+
+"How should I know?" snarled Private Hinkey, trying to glare back into
+the accusing eyes of Private Slosson.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Private Slosson, holding his eye and feeling weak and dizzy, shouted:
+
+"Some one run after Hinkey, B Company, and catch him!"
+
+The call brought several men, among them Lieutenant Hampton, of B
+Company.
+
+"What has Hinkey done?" demanded the lieutenant, running up.
+
+"He knocked me down, and then deserted, sir."
+
+"Why, my man?"
+
+"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."
+
+Lieutenant Hampton bounded to the gateway. Down the street he saw
+Private Hinkey, running like a deer and already near a street corner.
+
+Hal Overton was the only sergeant close enough for the lieutenant's
+purpose.
+
+"Sergeant Overton, take four men, pursue Hinkey and bring him back
+here," ordered Lieutenant Hampton.
+
+Hal reached the gateway just in time to see Hinkey running around the
+street corner.
+
+In a twinkling Hal and four soldiers were hot-foot after the suspected
+deserter.
+
+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:
+
+"Jump in behind me, comrade, if you're in trouble and being chased."
+
+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.
+
+"Thanks. I'll accept," muttered Hinkey, darting into the doorway.
+
+The man who had hailed him pulled the door shut just before Sergeant Hal
+and four soldiers ran around the corner above.
+
+"What's that soldier been doing that ran by here so fast?" called the
+citizen in shirt sleeves.
+
+"Which way did he go?" asked Hal swiftly, halting just an instant.
+
+"See the next corner?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Your man turned there--to the left. You fellows will have to double
+your speed if you're ever going to catch that soldier."
+
+"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.
+
+Chuckling softly, the citizen opened the door, closed it again and went
+inside to tell Hinkey why he had saved him.
+
+It was a full hour before Sergeant Hal Overton again reported back at
+camp on the grounds.
+
+He had come back at last, forced to admit himself baffled.
+
+"You did all you could, Sergeant," replied Captain Cortland, who had
+just returned to the company street. "Hinkey will be caught, sooner or
+later."
+
+Then, turning to First Sergeant Gray, who had just come up, Captain
+Cortland smiled as he added:
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"What would your story be, Sergeant?"
+
+"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."
+
+"That's the whole story, Sergeant Gray," nodded Captain Cortland.
+
+"I know it, sir; I haven't been in the Army all these years not to have
+found out that much."
+
+Just then Noll Terry appeared on the scene, wearing his newly won
+sergeant's chevrons.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+ALGY COMES TO A CONCLUSION
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+In the morning the Thirty-fourth entrained and returned to Fort Clowdry.
+
+While in Denver, Lieutenant Ferrers, though he had accompanied the
+battalion, had been employed in duties that kept him out of the public
+eye.
+
+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.
+
+"I had an idea that being an officer was a good deal more of a
+gentleman's job," Algy sighed to Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"An officer's position in the Army is a hard-working job," Prescott
+rejoined. "However, 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."
+
+"But gentlemen shouldn't be expected to work--at least, not hard,"
+argued Algy Ferrers.
+
+"Now, where on earth did you get that idea?" laughed Lieutenant
+Prescott.
+
+"All the fellows I used to know were gentlemen," protested Algy, "and
+none of them ever worked."
+
+"Then what were they good for?" demanded Lieutenant Prescott crisply.
+
+"Eh?" breathed Ferrers, looking puzzled.
+
+"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.
+
+"Prexy, old chap, I'm afraid you're an anarchist," gasped Algy, looking
+almost humanly distressed.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+That is to say, he went off the reservation without notifying any of his
+superior officers.
+
+At the sounding of drill assembly the next morning, every officer on
+post was present with the one exception of young Mr. Ferrers.
+
+"Where's that hopeless idiot now?" muttered Colonel North peevishly, for
+he had come down to see the battalion drill.
+
+"I haven't the least idea, sir," replied Major Silsbee.
+
+"Send an orderly up to his quarters, Major."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+But, as both major and colonel had suspected, Ferrers wasn't in his
+quarters. Nor was he anywhere else on post apparently.
+
+It was five o'clock that afternoon when Lieutenant Ferrers, in civilian
+dress, passed the guard house in returning on post.
+
+"Wanted--at the adjutant's office--am I?" queried Algy. "Oh, yes; I
+imagine I am. Queer place, this Army."
+
+With a sigh of resignation, but appearing not in the least alarmed,
+Ferrers went to the office of the regimental adjutant.
+
+"You've been away again without leave, and skipped battalion drill and
+several other duties," said the adjutant dryly.
+
+"Yes," admitted Ferrers promptly. "But I've got a good excuse."
+
+"You'll find Colonel North in the next room ready to hear what your
+excuse can be."
+
+"I suppose he'll scold me again," murmured Algy resignedly.
+
+"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."
+
+As Algy entered Colonel North's office the older man lifted his head and
+looked rather coldly at Mr. Ferrers.
+
+Algy brought up his hand in a tardy salute, then stood there.
+
+But the colonel only continued to look at him. Ferrers fidgeted until he
+could endure the silence no longer.
+
+"You--you wanted to speak to me, sir?" stammered Algy, the frigid
+atmosphere disconcerting him.
+
+"I never wanted to speak to a man less in my life," rejoined Colonel
+North icily.
+
+"Thank you, sir. Then I'll be going."
+
+"Stop, sir!"
+
+"Eh, sir?"
+
+"Mr. Ferrers, I'll listen to whatever you have to say."
+
+"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 now
+suddenly struck him as being exceedingly lame.
+
+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.
+
+"Y-yes, sir; I was away to-day sir."
+
+"Further than Clowdry, Mr. Ferrers?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I don't know anything about the people you name, Mr. Ferrers, and I
+don't want to."
+
+"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."
+
+"Then I wonder, Mr. Ferrers, if your friend has influence enough at
+Washington to save your shoulder-straps for you?"
+
+"Eh, sir? What's that? What do you mean, sir?" asked Algy, again looking
+puzzled and uneasy.
+
+"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."
+
+"Not fit to----" repeated Algy slowly. Then broke into a laugh as he
+added: "That's a good joke, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"For how long, sir?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+"What will you do, then?" demanded North.
+
+"Sooner than stand for being tried, like an ordinary pickpocket,
+Colonel, I'll resign!"
+
+"It is not usual, Mr. Ferrers, to allow an officer to resign when he's
+facing serious charges."
+
+"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."
+
+"But if your resignation is not accepted, Mr. Ferrers?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+Algy Ferrers looked mightily disturbed over that information.
+
+"Are you serious about wanting to resign and getting out of the Army,
+Mr. Ferrers?"
+
+"Yes, sir; very much in earnest."
+
+Colonel North thought for a few moments. Then he replied:
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"I am very glad to have this resignation, Mr. Ferrers," declared
+Colonel North, speaking more gently at last.
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+PLANNING FOR THE SOLDIERS' HUNT
+
+
+"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."
+
+"Do you really imagine you can leave the post to-morrow, Mr. Ferrers?"
+demanded the colonel, a good deal astonished.
+
+"Yes; can't I?"
+
+"Mr. Ferrers, you are of the Army until your resignation has been
+accepted in the usual way."
+
+"Haven't you accepted it, Colonel?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, that will be all right," declared Algy promptly. "I'll get my
+friend, Benson-Bodge, to attend to that."
+
+"I'm afraid he can't do it for you, young man. Mr. Ferrers, you will
+have to remain at 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."
+
+It took Mr. Ferrers until the next morning to recover his good spirits.
+
+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:
+
+          "You'll be glad to know that I'll be with you
+          after a few days more. Have resigned from this
+          beastly Army."
+
+Sergeant Noll Terry was in charge of the office. He looked the message
+over gravely, then said:
+
+"I am sorry, sir, but I am afraid that I cannot allow this message to go
+without the written approval of the post commander."
+
+"What's the matter now?" asked Algy.
+
+"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."
+
+"But I'm an officer--yet--so what right have you to refuse to send it,
+Sergeant?"
+
+"It will have to be approved by Colonel North, or his adjutant, before I
+can allow it to be sent, sir," replied Noll firmly.
+
+"Humph! But it's high time to get out of the Army when a chap can't even
+write his own telegrams!"
+
+However, Ferrers thought it over for a few moments. Then he wrote this
+new message:
+
+"Expect me home, soon. Have resigned from the Army."
+
+"Is a chap allowed to send a message like that?" Algy inquired
+plaintively.
+
+"Certainly, Lieutenant," Noll replied, and handed the message over to a
+soldier operator.
+
+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.
+
+"'Pon my word, I think I could like the Army very well, if they weren't
+so beastly strict about everything," murmured Algy to himself.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Just before the noon mess call Captain Cortland, in passing, called out
+to Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+"Another practice hike, sir?" asked Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+"That would be fine for the men who get away, sir," agreed Hal, his eyes
+shining at the thought.
+
+"How would you like, Sergeant, to make up such a party and head it?"
+continued Captain Cortland.
+
+"I head the hunting party? I would like it immensely, sir, but for one
+objection. I am not an experienced hunter."
+
+"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."
+
+"How much discipline is needed, sir, with a hunting party?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+As Hal said this he flushed a bit.
+
+"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."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"But you haven't answered me as to whether you will head the hunting
+party."
+
+"I shall do it gladly and eagerly, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"I thank you again, sir."
+
+"Go and find your men."
+
+"Very good, sir. May I include Sergeant Terry?"
+
+"If he can arrange for relief at the telegraph station."
+
+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 there was big game to be had
+up in the mountains.
+
+Noll was invited first of all. Terry succeeded in arranging for relief
+from telegraph duties, so that he could go.
+
+Corporal Hyman proved to be one of the skilled hunters, and he at once
+agreed, besides suggesting others who should be invited.
+
+"It's a great picnic, Kid Sergeant; you don't know what bully fun it is
+until you get there," Hyman assured Hal.
+
+Lieutenant Ferrers dropped in at the officers' club well ahead of the
+dinner hour that evening.
+
+"Yes, fellows," he drawled, "I'm going back to life and civilization. No
+more of this boarding school and chain-gang life for me."
+
+The other officers present laughed good-humoredly.
+
+"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."
+
+"Maybe," sniffed Algy doubtfully.
+
+An orderly appeared in the doorway, yellow envelope in hand.
+
+"Telegram for Lieutenant Ferrers," he announced.
+
+"Right here, my man. Thank you."
+
+Algy tore open the envelope, after apologizing, and glanced at the
+bottom of the message.
+
+"It's from the guv'nor," he announced. "I expect he's getting ready to
+kill the fatted calf against my arrival home."
+
+Then Algy fell to reading the message. As he started his brows puckered.
+Once he gasped. Then, at the end, he burst forth:
+
+"My, but the guv'nor seems almost annoyed," cried Algy, his face
+reddening.
+
+"Anything serious?" inquired Holmes politely.
+
+"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:
+
+          "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 about resigning. If you quit the Army, or
+          are kicked out of it, I'll separate you forever
+          from every cent of my money.
+
+                             "(Signed) Donald Ferrers."
+
+
+There was silence in the club parlor, until it was broken by Algy, who
+wailed plaintively:
+
+"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."
+
+"That's your trump card, now, Algy," observed Jerrold, of A company.
+
+"Some class about your father, Ferrers, isn't there?" asked Lieutenant
+Prescott.
+
+"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."
+
+Now that he knew that he would have to stay in the Army, young Ferrers
+found himself hating it worse than ever.
+
+Nor did the information that his comrades offered him console him any.
+He was assured 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.
+
+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.
+
+Two days later there were two officers leaving the post.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+HAL'S GUN MAKES THE REST CURIOUS
+
+
+"OH, my, but that smells good!"
+
+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.
+
+"Bear meat," said Slosson briefly. "Sergeant Overton and Lieutenant
+Prescott brought it in just before noon with their compliments."
+
+"Where are they now?"
+
+"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."
+
+Slosson had mentioned the sergeant before the lieutenant, but that was
+not an unpardonable breach of etiquette, out here in the wilds.
+
+More especially was it proper because Sergeant Hal, and not the
+handsome, fine, young West Pointer, commanded this camp and detachment.
+
+"Where are your mates, Sarge?" inquired Slosson.
+
+"Oh, I left my crowd," smiled Noll. "They won't be in for an hour yet,
+in all probability."
+
+"Get anything, any of you?" queried Kelly.
+
+"Not a thing, up to the time I quit," sighed Noll.
+
+"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!"
+
+Sergeant Hal Overton's hunting detachment of the Thirty-fourth was now
+encamped up in the highest points, almost, of all the Colorado Rockies.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The little village of wall tents stood some fifty feet away from where
+Privates Slosson and Kelly were now busy getting the evening meal.
+
+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.
+
+"It's chilly to-night," announced Sergeant Terry, standing back and
+watching the two soldiers at work.
+
+"It's hot," grumbled Slosson, piling on more wood and stirring one of
+the open cook fires.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The party consisted of Sergeants Overton and Terry, Corporals Hyman and
+Cotter, twelve privates and Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+Mr. Prescott was not a detailed member of the detachment. He had secured
+leave from 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.
+
+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.
+
+"How big was the bear before you cut him up?" asked Noll, standing about
+and watching the cooks.
+
+"About a hundred and thirty pounds, I guess," replied Slosson.
+
+"How far away from here did they shoot him?"
+
+"Over a mile."
+
+"Hm! Hal must have had a long, heavy pack."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Your bunkie ain't no dude, either, Sarge," continued Kelly. "Him and
+the lieutenant are two men of pretty near the same color."
+
+"White isn't a color, anyway," laughed Noll.
+
+"Maybe it isn't," assented Private Kelly.
+
+Noll turned to look at the descending sun.
+
+"My, I don't believe I've ever been as hungry as I am now," complained
+Noll.
+
+"Nothing doing, Sarge, until the rest of the crowd comes in," grinned
+Slosson.
+
+"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."
+
+"You could have carried more," insisted Slosson.
+
+"I had more, but I didn't find water anywhere and hard tack is
+abominably dry stuff to get down without help."
+
+"Go over to the bucket and help yourself to water now, Sarge," suggested
+Private Kelly teasingly.
+
+"I think I will," agreed Noll, turning.
+
+"Take a lot of it," urged Slosson. "Water, when you get enough of it, is
+mighty filling."
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Well, I'm back," argued Noll.
+
+"And you'll eat, Sarge, when the rest eat."
+
+"What's in that oven?" queried Noll, pausing before an Army cookstove.
+
+"Mince pie," remarked Kelly quietly.
+
+"Oh, you fiend!" growled Sergeant Noll. "To torment a hungry man with
+lies like that!"
+
+"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!"
+
+Kelly cautiously opened the oven door for a brief moment, affording Noll
+an instant's glimpse of three browning pies.
+
+"And there's six more of them hid here," added Kelly tantalizingly.
+
+"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!"
+
+"At that rate, how long would it take you 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."
+
+"I don't have to take off many clothes, Kelly, to be down to fighting
+trim enough to thrash you!"
+
+"I wouldn't take advantage of ye," protested Kelly generously. "Sure it
+would be no victory for a Kelly to whip a dying man."
+
+"What's the fight about, men?" inquired a jolly voice.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 water bucket. "How many
+pies have you there?"
+
+"Nine, sir, when the three in the oven come out."
+
+"What kind?"
+
+"Mince."
+
+"Um-um-um!" quoth the officer.
+
+"The sun's going so low now, Kelly, that I'm minded to let you live
+another day," broke in Sergeant Noll.
+
+"Aw, that's just because there's company present," growled Kelly, with a
+side glance at the lieutenant.
+
+"Supper ready?" hailed a distant voice.
+
+"Will be, when you come in and fetch the wood to cook with," Slosson
+hailed back through his hands.
+
+A growl of desperation came from the party headed by Corporal Hyman.
+Then in they tramped, but they carried only their rifles.
+
+"What have ye been doing the long day?" demanded Kelly, with a keen look
+at the party.
+
+"Getting up an appetite for supper," retorted Corporal Hyman.
+
+"But the game?"
+
+"'Twas so heavy we gave up carrying it," grinned Corporal Hyman.
+
+"The boys back in barracks have had their mouths watering for game for
+days," grunted Slosson. "How'll we ever break the news to 'em?"
+
+The soldiers shook their heads blankly.
+
+"Want a suggestion as to the gentlest way of breaking the news back
+home, Slosson?" inquired Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"We'd surely be grateful for it, sir," answered Slosson.
+
+"Then we'll coax Sergeant Overton to wire back requesting full rations
+for seventeen days for seventeen men."
+
+"It'd be a bad trick, sir."
+
+"How so?"
+
+"The post commissary sergeant would be that mad he'd poison the grub,
+sir, before shipping it."
+
+"I believe he would," agreed Mr. Prescott thoughtfully. "For the men
+back in barracks are looking for at least four tons of game food."
+
+Bang! Bang!
+
+"Hello! What's that?" cried Noll, starting up and listening.
+
+"Queer question for a soldier to be askin'," mocked Private Kelly.
+
+Bang-bang-bang!
+
+"Wirra, but that feller can't stop to take breath between his shooting,"
+remarked Private Kelly.
+
+"Those shots," declared Lieutenant Prescott, "sound out in the
+direction where I left Sergeant Overton."
+
+"He's struck something," declared Noll gleefully.
+
+"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."
+
+"Bang-bang!" sounded the distant rifle.
+
+"He's moving, anyway, whoever he is," declared Sergeant Noll.
+
+"Hello, there!"
+
+"'Lo yerselves!" yelled back Kelly.
+
+Another group of men came, and right after them the remainder of the
+hunters save one.
+
+Bang-bang!
+
+"Now we know it's Sergeant Overton out there," announced Lieutenant
+Prescott. Then he turned to Noll.
+
+"Sergeant Terry, you're in charge. What are you going to do about it?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+BIG GAME AND A NIGHT IN CAMP
+
+
+"IT'S a bad time to follow through the woods," remarked Corporal Cotter.
+"There goes the sun behind the tops."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Nothing," replied Mr. Prescott promptly. "You're in temporary command
+here, Sergeant Terry."
+
+"Run up the camp lights, Johnson," Noll directed.
+
+These lights, a red and a green one, were quickly run up on halyards to
+almost the top of a tall fir tree.
+
+It was quickly dark, but camp now waited to learn the meaning of so many
+shots.
+
+"Hey, there's Dinkelspiel's Comet let loose in the sky!" announced
+Private Johnson.
+
+"Wrong! It's Overton waving a torch from a tree top," returned Noll,
+studying the flame 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."
+
+The distant signalman now began waving his torch from right to left,
+following the regular code.
+
+"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."
+
+"He must be in trouble," cried Hyman.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+"Guns, Sergeant?" called one of the men.
+
+"Two of you bring rifles, in case of trouble. The rest had better be
+unencumbered. Forward."
+
+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.
+
+"Hel-lo, bun-kie!" hailed Noll when the party was within an eighth of a
+mile of the tree.
+
+"Hello! Glad you're here."
+
+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.
+
+"What's up?" hailed Noll.
+
+"Nothing. I've just come down," retorted Sergeant Hal.
+
+"What have you been doing?"
+
+"Killing game," replied Sergeant Overton, as he headed toward them.
+
+"What kind?"
+
+"How much?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, come now, Sarge!" teased Private Johnson.
+
+"I fired two shots, but the first toppled him," insisted Hal. "Come,
+look here."
+
+Hal Overton halted under the trees, pointing with his torch.
+
+It was certainly a fine, sleek, heavy buck to which Hal pointed.
+
+"But you didn't need all of us to carry it in, did you?" demanded one of
+the men.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Sergeant Hal led his soldier friends to the second bear carcass.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"Whew!" whistled Lieutenant Prescott. "What did you do?"
+
+"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----"
+
+Hal stopped, holding his torch so as to show the carcass of another male
+bear. Not many yards away lay two females.
+
+"An antelope and five bears!" gasped Lieutenant Prescott. "Sergeant
+Overton, you've qualified for the sharpshooter class in two minutes!"
+
+"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."
+
+"Nonsense!" spoke Prescott almost sharply. "It was clever shooting and
+uncommonly brave work."
+
+"Brave, sir?" retorted Hal, laughingly. "Lieutenant, do you note how my
+teeth are still chattering? I'm shaking all over, still, for that
+matter."
+
+"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."
+
+"It's a job an old hunter'd brag about," glowed one of the soldiers.
+
+Forgetting, for the time, their hunger, the men wandered from one
+carcass to another, examining them to see where the hits had been made.
+
+"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?"
+
+The two managed to raise it.
+
+"Here, Lieutenant, that's not for you to do," remonstrated Sergeant
+Overton. "Let me take hold of your end."
+
+"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 opinion of this outfit if they let you carry anything more
+than your rifle back to camp this night."
+
+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.
+
+Not infrequently they had to halt and rest, for the carcasses were
+fearfully heavy, even for men as toughened as regulars.
+
+Yet, finally, they did manage to get Hal's prizes back to camp.
+
+"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."
+
+"But you killed the bear this morning, sir," urged Sergeant Hal.
+
+"Yes, Sergeant; after you had fired the first shot and had crippled the
+beast so that it couldn't get away from me."
+
+Not even to gloat over the big haul of game, however, could the men wait
+any longer for their long-deferred evening meal.
+
+There was a general washup, after which the entire party went to table.
+
+Lieutenant Prescott permitted one concession to his rank. He sat at
+table with the enlisted men, but he had one end of the board all to
+himself.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"How much meat is there?" asked Private Johnson, whereat all the men
+laughed as happily as schoolboys on a picnic.
+
+"Never ye fear, glutton," retorted Kelly. "There's more meat than any
+seventeen giants in the fairy tales could ever eat at one sitting."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Then, to top it all, came more coffee and mince 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!
+
+It was over at last, and pipes came out here and there, though not all
+of the soldiers smoked.
+
+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.
+
+"You are looking rather thoughtful, Sergeant," observed Lieutenant
+Prescott, strolling over to Overton. "I hope I am not interrupting any
+train of thought."
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"May I sit down beside you?"
+
+"Certainly, sir."
+
+Sergeant Hal moved over, making plenty of room on his blanket. Officer
+and non-com. stretched themselves out comfortably, each resting on one
+elbow.
+
+"Nevertheless, Sergeant," continued Mr. Prescott, "you were thinking of
+something very particular when I came along."
+
+"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 slip by without finding
+out what an ideal place the Army is."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I want to be considered one of the crowd," replied the young officer
+simply.
+
+"But you're not an enlisted man, sir."
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+It was Johnson who took the first trick of the watch, while the others
+turned in in their tents.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+HOLDING UP A CAMP GUARD
+
+
+HALF an hour before daylight was due everyone in the camp was stirring.
+
+The two new cooks for the day had their work cut out for them. Other
+soldiers busied themselves with hauling wood and water.
+
+Then, too, the four horses belonging to the transport wagons had to be
+curried, watered and fed.
+
+By the time these first duties were out of the way broad daylight had
+come and breakfast was ready.
+
+The meal over "police," or cleaning up, was performed as carefully as in
+barracks.
+
+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.
+
+"Anybody in this outfit been wearing moccasins?" queried Corporal Hyman,
+strolling back into camp.
+
+No one admitted it.
+
+"Then we've been having visitors in the night," continued Hyman. "No
+less than four of them, either, for the prints are right under that
+tree over there, and they lead down to the trail."
+
+"Moccasins? Indians, then?" thrilled Private William Green, who was one
+of the hunting party.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes, Sergeant."
+
+"Did you see or hear any prowlers?"
+
+"Nary one, Sergeant."
+
+"Corporal Hyman, take me over to the moccasin prints. Lieutenant, do you
+mind taking a look at them, too, sir?"
+
+Mr. Prescott stepped over in the wake of Hyman and Overton.
+
+"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."
+
+"More likely five," supplemented Lieutenant Prescott, pointing to still
+another set of footmarks.
+
+"Here are other prints over here," called Sergeant Overton. "Aren't
+these still a different set?"
+
+"Yes," agreed both the lieutenant and Corporal Hyman.
+
+"Then there were at least six men prowling about here while we slept in
+the night," concluded Hal.
+
+"And here is one of the trails," called the lieutenant, "leading toward
+camp."
+
+"Suppose we follow the trail?" suggested the young sergeant.
+
+They did so, halting at the end of the trail.
+
+"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."
+
+"It would be interesting to know who our visitors were," nodded
+Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"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."
+
+"The camp is guarded by two reliable men," remarked Mr. Prescott.
+
+"True enough, sir, but they're not real guards, for both will have their
+hands full with camp housework," objected the boyish sergeant. "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."
+
+"And, on the whole, I think you're wise to do it, Sergeant," approved
+the lieutenant.
+
+So, while the main party hied itself away soon after, Hal Overton
+remained behind with the two camp duty men.
+
+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.
+
+But his rifle and ammunition belt rested beside him.
+
+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.
+
+Nothing came of it, however. At noon Hal ate with Dietz and Johnson.
+
+"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."
+
+"Nobody will beat the haul you made yesterday, Sarge," offered Private
+Dietz.
+
+"Oh, I'd like to see several of the fellows beat 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."
+
+"We're not stumped, with five bear carcasses," hinted Private Johnson.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"I wonder!" cried Hal, his eyes blazing with eagerness.
+
+"Crazy to get out to the islands, Sarge?"
+
+"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."
+
+"What have you against the Philippines?" Hal wanted to know.
+
+"Well, Sarge, don't you enjoy this cool, crisp, bracing air up here in
+the hills?"
+
+"Certainly. Who wouldn't? This air is bracing--life-giving."
+
+"Nothing like it in the Philippines," answered Dietz. "It's hot
+there--hot, you understand."
+
+"Yet I've been told that a soldier always needs his blankets there at
+night," objected Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+"Then that ought to be all right," smiled Hal hopefully.
+
+"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."
+
+"I guess the whole trick can be learned," predicted Overton.
+
+"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."
+
+"Yet you're alive, now," observed Overton.
+
+"Oh, yes; just as it happens."
+
+"But surely there's some marching in the shade, too?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Then, in the same instant, he heard a voice call:
+
+"Throw your hands up there, man!"
+
+"Holding me up with my own gun, are you?" raged Private Dietz.
+
+"Yes; and we've got the other chap's lead-piece, too. Up with your
+hands, both of you."
+
+Hal dropped back behind the flap of his tent, peering out through a
+little crack in the canvas.
+
+There were now seven men outside, all strangers, all rough-looking and
+all moccasined.
+
+Between them they had the three rifles belonging in camp that day.
+
+"Bring out that other fellow, the kid sergeant," commanded the same
+voice, after Dietz and Johnson, hopelessly surprised, had hoisted their
+hands skyward.
+
+"Humph!" growled Sergeant Hal, his eyes snapping. "I don't like the idea
+of surrendering the camp that I command!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+WHEN THE LAST CARTRIDGE WAS GONE
+
+
+WHATEVER was to be done would have to be done in a very few seconds.
+
+For one of the rifle-armed strangers had started briskly for the tent
+that concealed the boyish sergeant.
+
+"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."
+
+Two swift steps backward, and Sergeant Hal caught up his revolver.
+
+With this in his right hand, and stepping panther-like, he returned to
+the fallen tent flap.
+
+The approaching man with the rifle bent forward, sweeping the tent flap
+aside.
+
+"Come out, Sarge!" he ordered.
+
+"If I have to," retorted Hal, setting his teeth.
+
+Grasping the revolver by the barrel end, he sprang through, before the
+other fellow could comprehend what was happening.
+
+"Look out, there!" yelled one of the invaders, coming up behind the man
+with the rifle.
+
+It was too late.
+
+Crack! It was a fearful blow, the butt of the heavy Army revolver
+landing on the fellow's jaw and fracturing it.
+
+"O-o-o-h!"
+
+It was a wail of fearful agony, but under the circumstances Sergeant
+Overton could not afford to regret it.
+
+The stricken man staggered back.
+
+Hal poised for a bound, intending to snatch the rifle from him.
+
+As the fellow dropped back, however, his companion coming up behind him
+was in time to snatch the rifle, turning the muzzle on Overton.
+
+There being not a second to lose, and the fight unequal, Hal darted,
+instead, back to his tent pole.
+
+There hung a mirror that he had used in shaving.
+
+It took but an instant to get this. Then Hal raced for a tree thirty
+feet away.
+
+Dropping the small mirror into a pocket, Overton started to climb the
+tree.
+
+"Come down out of that tree, or we'll bring you down!" roared an ugly
+voice.
+
+"You'll have to drop me, then, if you want me," taunted Hal coolly.
+
+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.
+
+"Coming down, you----?" called the ruffian with an oath.
+
+"No," responded Hal. "Coming up?"
+
+"Come down, I tell you!"
+
+"Some mistake," sneered Hal, still climbing. "I'm headed for the roof."
+
+Below him he heard a threatening click as the bolt of the rifle was
+thrown back.
+
+"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."
+
+So the fellow under the tree went back to join his six companions.
+
+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.
+
+"You two soldiers," ordered the leader of the ruffians, "lie down on
+your faces and hold your hands behind your backs for tying."
+
+Neither soldier, however, stirred as yet.
+
+"You heard that, Sergeant?" called Dietz dryly.
+
+"Yes," admitted Hal.
+
+"What shall we do?"
+
+"You fellows get down on your faces--flop!" broke in the leader of the
+ruffians. "That's what you'll do!"
+
+"Will you be kind enough to shut up?" retorted Private Dietz coolly.
+"We're taking our orders from the sergeant."
+
+"Let him come down here and give the orders, then," jeered the leader of
+the invaders.
+
+"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."
+
+"That's your order, then, is it, sergeant?" inquired Private Johnson.
+
+"Yes; it can't be helped."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The sun was still sufficiently high for him to catch the rays strongly
+on his small mirror.
+
+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.
+
+Swiftly enough the young sergeant caught the flash, and found to his
+delight that he was able to throw a fairly long flash.
+
+"Camp in hands of ruffians. Help quick!"
+
+[Illustration: The Mirror Was Shot From Hal's Hand.]
+
+Despite his tremendous excitement, Sergeant Overton endeavored to steady
+his right hand enough to enable him to send the message quite clearly.
+
+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.
+
+"That kid's trying to send word to some one," guessed the leader. "Here,
+cub, hand me that rifle."
+
+Crack!
+
+Smash!
+
+It was a true shot, though how much of it was due to luck Sergeant Hal
+could not surmise.
+
+But the glass was shot from his hand, the splintered bits falling to the
+ground.
+
+"Next shot for you, kid!" warned the marksman below.
+
+"Yes?" mocked Overton.
+
+"Surest thing in the world? Coming down, or shall I bring you down?"
+
+Crack!
+
+Hal drew his own weapon up, firing as the sight passed the human target.
+
+It was a close shot, the revolver bullet carrying away the fellow's
+cloth cap.
+
+"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."
+
+That was too much for the ruffian's composure. He turned, running in a
+zig-zag line.
+
+So Hal held his fire, awaiting results for a moment. As he waited he
+felt for his revolver ammunition.
+
+Then he made a sickening discovery. He had no revolver ammunition beyond
+the five cartridges remaining in the cylinder of his weapon.
+
+As for the invaders, they had more than three hundred rounds of rifle
+ammunition now at their disposal.
+
+And they had fled to cover, too, but now Sergeant Overton had the
+uncomfortable conviction that three rifles were trained on him.
+
+"Now, come down out of that tree on the double quick!" commanded the
+leader of the invaders.
+
+"My coming will suit myself only," boasted Hal in a tone conveying ten
+times the confidence that he felt.
+
+"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."
+
+"You may fire whenever ready," mocked Hal. "Every shot you fire will be
+a signal that will make my friends come faster."
+
+Bang! It was the leader himself who fired. The bullet clipped off a
+leaf within an inch of Sergeant Overton's ear.
+
+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.
+
+Now two more shots clipped close to the young soldier. Hal answered with
+one.
+
+But he tried to steady himself. He realized that he had but three
+fighting shots left, and that he must make them count.
+
+"But maybe three are enough to last me as long as I'm going to live,
+anyway," reflected Sergeant Overton grimly.
+
+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.
+
+The Army bullet, at an ordinary range, will pierce three solid feet of
+standing oak.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE EIGHTH MOCCASIN APPEARS
+
+
+"GIVE it up?" queried the leader.
+
+"I answered you before on that head," retorted Sergeant Overton.
+
+"Don't be a fool, kid. We don't want to hurt you. All we want is that
+revolver."
+
+"I don't want to give it up," rejoined Hal.
+
+"You'd better!"
+
+"It isn't mine to give, anyway. It belongs to the United States
+Government."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'm here until further orders."
+
+"You've got your orders!"
+
+"I don't take any orders from you," retorted Hal with fine scorn.
+
+"Open up on the fool, boys--all together!"
+
+Three spurts of flame jetted out from the cover that the ruffians had
+taken.
+
+Hal steadied his arm by resting it across a branch before him, and fired
+back, his aim, as before, at the leader.
+
+He had the satisfaction of seeing that rascal's head duck below cover.
+
+Though he could not know it then, Overton had clipped a lock of hair
+from the fellow's hatless head.
+
+Another volley, which Hal answered with another shot.
+
+"What do you fellows want with guns if you can't shoot better!" hailed
+Overton derisively.
+
+He didn't want them to shoot any better, but he was trying to anger them
+and thus make their shooting wilder.
+
+"It won't take us more than half a minute more to get you," flung back
+the leader.
+
+Now that fellow raised himself, exposing himself more, but getting a
+solid left-hand rest for his rifle.
+
+Hal could see and feel that the rifle was pointed fairly at him.
+
+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.
+
+"Gracious! That was my last cartridge, too!" groaned the young sergeant
+inwardly.
+
+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 it is
+quite another thing to face the certainty of being helpless with so many
+armed foes bent on one's destruction.
+
+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.
+
+With lightning motions Hal went through the sham of filling his cylinder
+with fresh cartridges.
+
+"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!"
+
+As he spoke, the leader moved boldly from cover, exposing the whole
+length of his body.
+
+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.
+
+Of course Hal could not shoot, and the rest seeing that, also came out
+from cover.
+
+Chuckling, all but the one whose jaw Hal had injured, the wretches moved
+forward, halting just under the tree.
+
+"Coming down now?" demanded the leader, directing the muzzle of his
+stolen rifle up the tree.
+
+"I don't know," mimicked Hal.
+
+"Ever hear what the treed 'coon said to Davy Crockett?" inquired the
+scoundrel facetiously.
+
+"If it's a chestnut I'll stand hearing it again," proposed the young
+sergeant.
+
+"Well, friend, when the raccoon saw Davy pointing his gun upward, he
+called down: 'Don't shoot, Davy! I'll come down.'"
+
+"Great!" mocked young Overton.
+
+"Are you going to do like the 'coon?"
+
+Hal's answer was to raise his right hand suddenly and hurling his now
+useless revolver.
+
+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.
+
+"You said all you wanted was my revolver," announced Sergeant Hal.
+"Well, you have it. Now on your way with it."
+
+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.
+
+But their leader struck down their guns.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"But it's so comfortable up here," objected Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+Where had Hal seen this man before? Where and when had he heard that
+voice?
+
+Face and voice both seemed strangely familiar, yet, to save him, Overton
+could not place the fellow at that moment.
+
+"One!" counted the leader, and Hal saw three rifle muzzles pointed at
+him.
+
+"Two!"
+
+"All right! I'm the 'coon. Be with you in a minute, Davy Crockett,"
+laughed Sergeant Hal Overton.
+
+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.
+
+Having once started groundward, Overton continued to descend rapidly.
+
+As he reached the last limb on his descent he took a swift slide and
+landed among his captors.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+So Hal lay face downward and gave up his hands for binding.
+
+Wrap! wrap! He felt the cord passing swiftly around his wrists, and then
+an extra turn was taken around his ankles.
+
+"Your name's Overton, isn't it?" asked the leader with a wicked grin on
+his face.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then you're the man we want."
+
+"From the way you acted I judged that you wanted me," mocked Hal dryly.
+
+"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."
+
+An eighth man of the wretched crew now came swiftly forward from the
+hiding that he had kept from the first.
+
+As he came he chuckled maliciously, and Hal Overton knew that sinister
+laugh.
+
+Then the fellow halted, bending over the prostrate, tied young sergeant.
+
+The face was the face of that evil deserter from the Army--ex-Private
+Hinkey!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE ENEMY HAS HIS INNINGS
+
+
+"I'D much better have stayed up the tree and been shot out of it!"
+flashed through Sergeant Hal's startled brain.
+
+"Howdy!" jeered Hinkey, leering wickedly. "Didn't expect to see me, did
+you?"
+
+"No," Hal admitted frankly.
+
+"It's my inning now, Overton."
+
+"It looks like it."
+
+"And I'm to have my own way with you--you officers' boot-lick!"
+
+"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."
+
+"Good!" added Private Johnson valiantly. "And true, too! I never
+realized it until to-day, either."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'm glad to know why you left, Hinkey," jeered Dietz. "I've wondered a
+lot about that."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Not far away sat the man whose jaw Hal had damaged. He was groaning a
+bit, despite his efforts to make no fuss.
+
+"Look at our two mates this sergeant boy has put out of action,"
+growled Hinkey, trying to inflame his comrades.
+
+"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."
+
+"You'd hold anything and everything against him if you knew him as well
+as I do," retorted Hinkey.
+
+He was still standing over his young victim, gazing down gloatingly at
+him.
+
+"And now the time has come to square matters up with you, younker," went
+on Hinkey tauntingly. "It's all my way now."
+
+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.
+
+"Well, why don't you talk back, Overton?" demanded Hinkey sneeringly.
+
+Just the ghost of a smile flickered over Overton's face.
+
+"Laughing at me, are you?" yelled Hinkey, trying to work himself into a
+more brutal rage.
+
+Hal spoke at last.
+
+"No," he answered.
+
+"If you ain't laughing," continued the brute, "what are you doing?"
+
+"Just thinking how sorry I am for you," Hal flashed back coolly.
+
+"Sorry?" echoed the fellow bitterly. "You'd better waste your sorrow on
+yourself! What are you feeling badly about me for?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Good! Tell him some more, Sarge," came from Dietz.
+
+"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?"
+
+"It's your affair--your battle, Hinkey," replied the leader grimly.
+"Don't try to drag us in."
+
+"You're making such a beast of yourself, Hinkey, that even your own gang
+don't respect you," taunted Johnson.
+
+"A crowd of Colorado wild-cats couldn't respect such a fellow," supplied
+Dietz.
+
+With a snarl Hinkey ran over to where Dietz and Johnson lay, giving each
+a hard kick. The soldiers suffered the violence in silence.
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+"All in a minute," promised the deserter. "But, first of all, are you
+going to take the other two soldiers with you?"
+
+"No. We don't need 'em."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Of course not."
+
+"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.
+
+With that he turned to Hal.
+
+"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!"
+
+But Hal merely opened his eyes the wider, smiling back with a confidence
+in himself that maddened the brute.
+
+With a snarl like a panther's Hinkey crouched over the young sergeant,
+holding his hand high before striking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE NAVY HEARD FROM
+
+
+LOOKING up at that hand Hal Overton saw a spot of blood appear suddenly
+in the middle of the palm.
+
+In the same moment there came the sharp crack of a rifle.
+
+The blow never descended on Overton's upturned face.
+
+Instead, Hinkey uttered a startled yell, tottered to his feet, then
+threw himself over on his face.
+
+For, following that first shot, came a volley of them, accompanied by
+the whistling of bullets through the camp.
+
+The leader of the invaders pitched and fell, shot through the hip.
+
+"Take to cover, boys!" roared the stricken leader. "Take my rifle, too.
+Defend yourselves. The soldiers are down on us!"
+
+But Sergeant Hal, after that first moment of joyous surprise, felt a
+thrill of astonishment.
+
+The bullets that were whistling through camp had not the sound of Army
+missiles!
+
+Yet the young sergeant had no time to speculate on this discovery, for
+now he heard a voice, and a wholly strange one, shout, as the volley
+ceased:
+
+"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!"
+
+"Hello! What's going on here? Halt! Deploy, there! Lie down!
+Ready--load--aim!"
+
+That was Noll Terry's voice, and the young sergeant was right on his
+word like a flash.
+
+While the first party was hidden behind cover to the northward, Sergeant
+Noll and his men had come up from the westward.
+
+"We're friends," hailed that same voice from northward. "Who are you
+over to the westward? Who commands there?"
+
+"Sergeant Oliver Terry, United States Army," Noll called back.
+
+"Good for you, Sergeant! Stay in command. We'll back up any move you
+make," came from northward.
+
+"Do you rascally prowlers surrender?" called Noll.
+
+"It's about the only thing that seems left to do," sullenly admitted the
+leader of the invaders.
+
+"Then hold up your hands and step away from those rifles," ordered Noll.
+
+That command was obeyed, except by the man whose head had been battered
+by Hal's flying revolver.
+
+"Have they any other weapons, Hal?" called Sergeant Noll.
+
+"So far as I know they haven't," Sergeant Hal answered.
+
+"You to the north!" called Noll.
+
+"Ahoy, there!" came the good-natured answer.
+
+"Will you move in, covering the prisoners with your rifles?"
+
+"Gladly, Sergeant."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Just stand right there, and hold the prisoners, please," directed
+Sergeant Terry.
+
+Then Noll's next step was to move in with his own men, four in number.
+
+"Get the handcuffs," directed Noll. "I think we've enough to go
+around."
+
+So saying Noll stepped over to his chum, quickly freeing him.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"You want Hinkey ironed, don't you?" inquired Noll.
+
+"No."
+
+"But he's an Army deserter."
+
+"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."
+
+Hinkey, however, did not deign to notice this grace by so much as a look
+or a word.
+
+"What are you going to do with these fellows?" asked Noll presently.
+
+"It doesn't rest with me," Hal replied. "This is a purely military
+matter, and I shall wait to get Lieutenant Prescott's orders."
+
+"Then Prescott belongs with this camp?" queried the taller,
+finer-looking of the pair of young strangers who had given Hal his first
+aid.
+
+"Lieutenant Prescott is with this camp; yes, sir," Hal replied, laying
+considerable emphasis on the title.
+
+"We're friends of his," explained the same stranger. "So, if you don't
+mind, we'll just wait for him."
+
+"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."
+
+Johnson and Dietz, who had been freed right after Sergeant Hal, were now
+busy once more with preparations for the extra meal.
+
+"Had we better provide for three extra plates, Sarge?" inquired Johnson,
+in a low voice.
+
+"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."
+
+Ten minutes later the footsteps of others were heard approaching camp.
+Then in came Lieutenant Prescott, with Corporal Cotter and five men.
+They were carrying two antelope and a fine, big bear.
+
+But the instant that Lieutenant Prescott caught sight of the strangers
+he dropped everything, rushing forward with outstretched hands.
+
+"By all that's wonderful! Dave Darrin! Dan Dalzell!"
+
+Then the soldiers were treated to the unexpected spectacle of their
+lieutenant embracing the two young men in corduroy.
+
+Soon after, however, Mr. Prescott wheeled about, one friend on either
+side of him.
+
+"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."
+
+Readers of the "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES" and of the "ANNAPOLIS SERIES"
+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.
+
+"But how on earth did a lucky wind come up to blow you out this way?"
+asked Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"Good fortune ruled it that we should be assigned to duty on the China
+station," replied 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?"
+
+"Of course not," glowed Lieutenant Prescott. "When did you arrive at
+Clowdry?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Didn't you hear quite a lot of firing, sir?" asked Sergeant Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Hinkey fairly cowered before the scorn that was apparent in the eyes of
+all his former comrades.
+
+The evening meal was now nearly ready. By Hal's direction another table
+was set up for Lieutenant Prescott and his guests.
+
+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.
+
+"May I ask a question, Lieutenant?" inquired Sergeant Hal, saluting.
+
+"Certainly, Sergeant."
+
+"What is to be done with the prisoners?"
+
+"You are in command here, Sergeant."
+
+"But isn't this a greater military matter, sir, than the mere command of
+a hunting camp?"
+
+"I don't believe I need to take command, Sergeant. But I will offer you
+a suggestion, if you wish."
+
+"If you will be so kind, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, sir. And Hinkey?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"That disposition will do very well, Sergeant. But Sergeant Terry and
+his men will very likely be away four days altogether."
+
+"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
+
+Saluting, and including the young Naval officers in his salute, Sergeant
+Overton went over to explain the plan to Noll.
+
+"What very boyish youngsters those two sergeants are," remarked
+Midshipman Darrin.
+
+"Young, yes, but as seasoned and good men as we have in the company or
+the regiment," replied Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"They certainly look like fine soldiers," agreed Midshipman Dalzell.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The other five prisoners stood sulkily behind the wagon. Noll assembled
+the guard at the side of the trail.
+
+"Climb up on the wagon, hospital man," called Noll. "Start ahead,
+driver. Squad, by twos, right, forward march."
+
+Then the party started out.
+
+Two of the remaining soldiers were detailed for camp, as usual. The
+other enlisted men went off in a hunting party by themselves.
+
+All except Sergeant Hal. He had been invited to go with Lieutenant
+Prescott and the latter's friends, and had gladly accepted.
+
+Sanderson, the guide, having been paid by his Naval employers, had
+already taken the trail.
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE UNITED STATES SERVICES FIGHT TOGETHER
+
+
+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.
+
+"Sergeant," spoke Midshipman Darrin, at last, "I hope you won't be
+offended by the opinion I have formed of you."
+
+"What is that, sir?" asked Hal Overton.
+
+"I've been watching you a bit, and I've come to the conclusion that
+you're an uncommonly fine and keen soldier."
+
+"Not much chance in that for offense, sir," laughed the boyish sergeant.
+
+"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."
+
+"Quite naturally, sir," laughed Hal, "I am wholly willing to believe in
+the value of your judgment. And I have another reason."
+
+"What is that, Sergeant!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, sir. Lieutenant Holmes is as popular with the men as any officer
+in the regiment can be."
+
+"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."
+
+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 "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES."
+
+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 "YOUNG ENGINEERS' SERIES."
+
+But Overton did not hear about the sweethearts of these former High
+School chums. Sweethearts were too sacred to be discussed with
+comparative strangers.
+
+"Now, Prescott informs me that you two young sergeants intend to work
+for commissions from the ranks," said Mr. Darrin, after a while.
+
+"Yes, sir; that was our idea in entering the service."
+
+"I hope, heartily, Sergeant Overton, that both you and your friend win
+out with your ambitions."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Their hands met in hearty clasp.
+
+"I shall have Prescott keep me posted regarding 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."
+
+"You know how much delight that would give both Sergeant Terry and
+myself, sir."
+
+"Attention--to the job!" suddenly muttered Dave Darrin, in a low voice.
+
+Their long tramp had taken them alongside a low ledge.
+
+As Darrin spoke in that low voice he raised his hunting rifle quickly,
+bringing the butt to his shoulder with a jerk.
+
+He fired--straight at a bear, not more than five feet over their heads
+and at a total distance of only about ten feet.
+
+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.
+
+Bruin's first move had been to get away from danger, but now, at the
+shot, he became very much angered.
+
+A second, swift leap, and the big animal jumped downward, landing on
+Midshipman Darrin's chest and bearing him to the earth.
+
+"Lie still, sir!" gasped Sergeant Hal.
+
+[Illustration: "Lie Still, Sir!" Gasped Sergeant Hal.]
+
+There was but a single cartridge in Overton's rifle. He clicked the
+bolt, then aimed all in a flash.
+
+In his agitation Hal succeeded only in grazing the top of the animal's
+back.
+
+But bruin, crouched on Darrin's body, raised his head and turned it
+snarlingly toward Hal.
+
+Everything that was to be done must be done in a moment. Fortunately,
+the young sergeant wore his bayonet in scabbard at his belt.
+
+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.
+
+"Now, we'll see what you'll do, bruin!" quivered Hal, making a swift
+lunge for the animal's side.
+
+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.
+
+Hal's thrust, therefore, failed to land directly, but merely ripped
+along the animal's coat.
+
+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.
+
+There was time to do but one thing. Sergeant Hal made a lunge direct at
+the bear's eyes.
+
+With that menace of cold steel before his eyes the bear dodged to one
+side, then rose to his hind feet.
+
+Rising, Hal took his stand on the defensive, for now bruin was
+determined on a finish fight.
+
+Straight at Bruin's heart lunged Hal, but it was a game at which two
+could play.
+
+Bruin's massive left paw, backed by prodigious strength, swept the
+bayoneted rifle aside, fairly wrenching it from Overton's grasp.
+
+So now the bear was ready, either for embrace or pursuit of this now
+helpless enemy.
+
+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.
+
+Now Darrin dropped to one knee, the rifle at ready. Aiming with the
+utmost coolness, the young Naval officer fired.
+
+Straight and true went the bullet this time into Bruin's heart.
+
+The big mass swayed, then fell. There was barely a gasp to signal the
+bear's end of life.
+
+"Sergeant," remarked the midshipman coolly, "your conduct just now fully
+confirmed what I said about your being a valuable man for the Army."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"You'll have to tell me about that as you go along," remarked the young
+Naval officer.
+
+Noting the locality well, they left the bear where it had fallen, to be
+taken up a little later.
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+AFTER that, through the days to come, the luck seemed to boom.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"The Moccasin Gang?" repeated Lieutenant Prescott. "Why, I've heard
+stories about that desperate crowd. But what were they doing around our
+camp?"
+
+"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."
+
+"But how did Hinkey come to be with them?" broke in Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"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 would be useful to him. So he called to Hinkey, shoved him
+inside the house, and then, when----"
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I don't believe they'll get away from that sheriff, anyway, sir,"
+remarked Sergeant Noll grimly.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+It was Lieutenant Prescott who gave one of the crowning sensations just
+toward the close of Hinkey's trial.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Summing up all the evidence, the expert's report stated positively that
+Hinkey was the one who had fashioned the note to Green.
+
+Finding that he could no longer deny his guilt, Hinkey was finally
+driven to confession before the court.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+On finding this envelope, and realizing how it would implicate Hal
+Overton, Hinkey had even gone to the extreme of returning Green's
+money, when he might safely have kept and spent it.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Late in the fall the Colorado courts sent Griller and his crew to the
+penitentiary for long terms.
+
+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 innocence of the
+squad-room robbery and declaring who the scoundrel was.
+
+This statement was published, by direction of Colonel North, in the
+orders of the day.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+To Sergeant Hal it seemed impossible to thank Lieutenant Prescott
+sufficiently.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"But you've stopped all of that forever, Lieutenant," protested Hal
+gratefully when calling, by permission, at Mr. Prescott's quarters.
+
+"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."
+
+"What was that, sir, if I may ask?"
+
+"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 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."
+
+Then, after a pause, Mr. Prescott went on:
+
+"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?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+Lieutenant Prescott laughed lightly, though there was a slight mist in
+his eyes as he answered:
+
+"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."
+
+"I think I do, sir," Sergeant Hal rejoined.
+
+"You do? How?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Both Terry and myself will feel highly honored over such good opinions
+of us, sir," Hal replied.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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: "UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag
+Against the Moros."
+
+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.
+
+But these adventures must be reserved for the next volume.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY'S
+
+Best and Least Expensive
+Books for Boys and Girls
+
+
+
+
+The Motor Boat Club Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+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.
+
+          1 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The
+            Secret of Smugglers' Island.
+
+          2 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The
+            Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.
+
+          3 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A
+            Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed.
+
+          4 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The
+            Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise.
+
+          5 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the
+            Ghost of Alligator Swamp.
+
+          6 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A
+            Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog.
+
+          7 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The
+            Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated       Price, per Volume, 50c.
+        Sold by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+          Henry Altemus Company
+          1326-1336 Vine Street  Philadelphia
+
+
+
+
+Battleship Boys Series
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+These stories throb with the life of young Americans on to-day's huge
+drab Dreadnaughts.
+
+          1 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices
+            in Uncle Sam's Navy.
+
+          2 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or,
+            Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers.
+
+          3 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or,
+            Earning New Ratings in European Seas.
+
+          4 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or,
+            Upholding the American Flag in a Honduras
+            Revolution.
+
+          6 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE WARDROOM; Or, Winning
+            their Commissions as Line Officers.
+
+          7 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS WITH THE ADRIATIC CHASERS;
+            Or, Blocking the Path of the Undersea Raiders.
+
+          8 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' SKY PATROL; Or, Fighting
+            the Hun from above the Clouds.
+
+
+
+
+The Range and Grange Hustlers
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+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.
+
+          1 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or,
+            The Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide.
+
+          2 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST
+            ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a
+            Packers' Combine.
+
+          3 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or,
+            Following the Steam Plows Across the Prairie.
+
+          4 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or,
+            The Conspiracy of the Wheat Pit.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Submarine Boys Series
+
+By VICTOR G. DURHAM
+
+          1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving
+            Torpedo Boat.
+
+          2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making
+            Good" as Young Experts.
+
+          3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The
+            Prize Detail at Annapolis.
+
+          4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging
+            the Sharks of the Deep.
+
+          5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The
+            Young Kings of the Deep.
+
+          6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding
+            Their Lives to Uncle Sam.
+
+          7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or,
+            Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.
+
+
+
+
+The Square Dollar Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+          1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the
+            Trolley Franchise Steal.
+
+          2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In
+            the Lists Against the Crooked Land Deal.
+
+
+
+
+The College Girls Series
+
+By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.
+
+          1 GRACE HARLOWE'S FIRST YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+          2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SECOND YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+          3 GRACE HARLOWE'S THIRD YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+          4 GRACE HARLOWE'S FOURTH YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+          5 GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN TO OVERTON CAMPUS.
+
+          6 GRACE HARLOWE'S PROBLEM.
+
+          7 GRACE HARLOWE'S GOLDEN SUMMER.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on receipt
+of only 50 cents each.
+
+
+
+
+Pony Rider Boys Series
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.
+
+          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.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Boys of Steel Series
+
+By JAMES R. MEARS
+
+Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story is
+full of adventure and fascination.
+
+          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.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Madge Morton Books
+
+By AMY D. V. CHALMERS
+
+          1 MADGE MORTON--CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID.
+
+          2 MADGE MORTON'S SECRET.
+
+          3 MADGE MORTON'S TRUST.
+
+          4 MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+West Point Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans
+whose doings will inspire all boy readers.
+
+          1 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or,
+            Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.
+
+          2 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or,
+            Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.
+
+          3 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or,
+            Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.
+
+          4 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or,
+            Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Annapolis Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in
+these volumes.
+
+          1 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two
+            Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.
+
+          2 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two
+            Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."
+
+          3 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or,
+            Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.
+
+          4 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or,
+            Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Young Engineers Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+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.
+
+          1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad
+            Building in Earnest.
+
+          2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying
+            Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksand.
+
+          3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking
+            Fortune on the Turn of a Pick.
+
+          4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the
+            Mine Swindlers.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Boys of the Army Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+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.
+
+          1 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits
+            in the United States Army.
+
+          2 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning
+            Corporal's Chevrons.
+
+          3 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling
+            Their First Real Commands.
+
+          4 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or,
+            Following the Flag Against the Moros.
+
+          6 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving Old
+            Glory as Line Officers.
+
+          7 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick
+            Prescott at Grips with the Boche.
+
+          8 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE GREAT MARNE DRIVE; Or,
+            Putting Old Glory in the Forefront in France.
+
+
+
+
+Dave Darrin Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+          1 DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ; Or, Fighting With the
+            U. S. Navy in Mexico.
+
+          2 DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE.
+
+          3 DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE.
+
+          4 DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION.
+
+          5 DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES.
+
+          6 DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hitting
+            the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow.
+
+
+
+
+The Meadow-Brook Girls Series
+
+By JANET ALDRIDGE
+
+          1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS.
+
+          2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY.
+
+          3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT.
+
+          4 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS.
+
+          5 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA.
+
+          6 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on receipt
+of only 50 cents each.
+
+
+
+
+High School Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.
+
+Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating
+volumes.
+
+          1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First
+            Year Pranks and Sports.
+
+          2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the
+            Gridley Diamond.
+
+          3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co.
+            Grilling on the Football Gridiron.
+
+          4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick &
+            Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Grammar School Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school
+boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.
+
+          1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick &
+            Co. Start Things Moving.
+
+          2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick &
+            Co. at Winter Sports.
+
+          3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick &
+            Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.
+
+          4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or,
+            Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated       Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+High School Boys' Vacation Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"
+
+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.
+
+          1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick &
+            Co.'s Rivals on Lake Pleasant.
+
+          2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The
+            Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven.
+
+          3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick &
+            Co. in the Wilderness.
+
+          4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick &
+            Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails."
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Circus Boys Series
+
+By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON
+
+Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely
+interesting and exciting life.
+
+          1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making
+            the Start in the Sawdust Life.
+
+          2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or,
+            Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark.
+
+          3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the
+            Plaudits of the Sunny South.
+
+          4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat
+            with the Big Show on the Big River.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The High School Girls Series
+
+By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M.
+
+These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader
+fairly by storm.
+
+          1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or,
+            The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.
+
+          2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL;
+            Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and
+            Athletics.
+
+          3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or,
+            Fast Friends in the Sororities.
+
+          4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or,
+            The Parting of the Ways.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Automobile Girls Series
+
+By LAURA DENT CRANE
+
+No girl's library--no family book-case can be considered at all complete
+unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.
+
+          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.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors corrected.
+
+Page 22, "rythmically" changed to "rhythmically" (arm was falling
+rhythmically)
+
+Page 68, "Freeland" changed to "Vreeland" (Potter, Reed, Vreeland)
+
+Page 102, "Ferrer" changed to "Ferrers" (could reduce Ferrers)
+
+Page 106, "receive" changed to "received" (received a telephone)
+
+Page 117, "strenghtened" changed to "strengthened" (strengthened Hal's
+reputation)
+
+Page 127, "everyone" changed to "every one" (nearly every one of the)
+
+Page 205, "Deitz" changed to "Dietz" (called Dietz)
+
+Page 241, "Bruin" changed to "bruin" (But bruin, crouched on)
+
+Page 260, Uncle Sam's Boys Series, the numbers skip five. (Uncle Sam's
+Boys on Their Mettle). This was retained.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS***
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+<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>&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</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="&quot;Hey, You Idiot!&quot; Howled Hinkey. Frontispiece." title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;Hey, You Idiot!&quot; 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&nbsp;H&nbsp;I&nbsp;L&nbsp;A&nbsp;D&nbsp;E&nbsp;L&nbsp;P&nbsp;H&nbsp;I&nbsp;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&mdash;er&mdash;er&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;with the flag&mdash;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&mdash;no longer Private
+Hyman, but now, for three months, Corporal
+Hyman&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"<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&mdash;off&mdash;what's&mdash;coming. Greatest&mdash;ever
+happened&mdash;in the&mdash;Army. Don't&mdash;miss&mdash;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&mdash;over&mdash;to&mdash;main&mdash;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&mdash;in
+other words, at the guard house&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;if that's what you call it&mdash;of
+course. Names don't matter much to me.
+Never did. Some one over in Washington&mdash;the
+secretary of something or other&mdash;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&mdash;'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&mdash;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&mdash;and then political influence
+very often plays a part in the appointment
+of some young men as lieutenants in the Army.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell Fran&ccedil;ois 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&mdash;see," nodded the new lieutenant slowly.
+"Will you do me the extreme favor to tell Fran&ccedil;ois
+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&mdash;I am afraid we'd better not," replied
+Hal, flushing.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I see&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;I have five
+auto cars you know&mdash;I have also four household
+servants and a valet."</p>
+
+<p>"You have&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" 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&mdash;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 man&oelig;uvring, 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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Stop your whining and let me look at your
+head," advised Corporal Overton. "Whew,
+what a bump! Hinkey, I'm truly sor&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;in every
+squad room&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;that
+the seed of suspicion against him was already
+sown&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"<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&mdash;at that time!"</p>
+
+<p>"The term has confused you," replied Prescott.
+"It's the musician of the guard&mdash;the
+bugler&mdash;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&mdash;the 'rain-maker,'
+we call him in the Army. Now, with
+all that happens up to this time the non-commissioned
+officers&mdash;sergeants and corporals&mdash;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&mdash;er&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;oh, why&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;and now
+there was a world of real sympathy in his voice
+as he looked at this fine young soldier&mdash;"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&mdash;I thank you, sir," he stammered. "But&mdash;but&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;or most of me is.
+My, how seedy I feel this afternoon! Do you
+know, Colonel, I'm almost persuaded to cut out
+social&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"<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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;er&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"<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&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;supposed
+to be engaged in teaching obedience to
+enlisted men. That is all, sir&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;as soon as ye knew anything,"
+jeered Private Kelly.</p>
+
+<p>"The sarge is a scrapper&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;and
+many a large one&mdash;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&#39;s Forward Wheel Struck the Log." title="" />
+<span class="caption">Sergeant Hal&#39;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&mdash;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&mdash;artillery,
+cavalry and infantry&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;and prove
+it by the records&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;at the adjutant's office&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;" 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&mdash;&mdash;" 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&mdash;pardon, sir&mdash;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&mdash;which
+he attended on time&mdash;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&mdash;yet&mdash;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&mdash;er&mdash;start
+life exactly as a gentleman. He
+had to work hard most of his life to get what
+money he has, and I suppose&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;here&mdash;all&mdash;men&mdash;can&mdash;spare," read
+Sergeant Terry, following the torch's movements
+with his eyes. "Will&mdash;signal&mdash;time&mdash;to&mdash;time&mdash;till&mdash;men&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;life-giving."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing like it in the Philippines," answered
+Dietz. "It's hot there&mdash;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 &amp; 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&mdash;heavy knives&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;?" 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&mdash;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&mdash;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&#39;s Hand." title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Mirror Was Shot From Hal&#39;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;load&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;or smaller youngsters than
+we are now&mdash;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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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&mdash;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&mdash;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="&quot;Lie Still, Sir!&quot; Gasped Sergeant Hal." title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;Lie Still, Sir!&quot; 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&mdash;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&mdash;&mdash;"</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&mdash;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&mdash;human nature always works
+this way&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;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.&mdash;<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 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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.&mdash;2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The
+Veiled Riddle of the Plains.&mdash;3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN
+MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail.&mdash;4 THE
+PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby
+Mountain.&mdash;5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or,
+Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.&mdash;6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS
+IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.&mdash;7 THE PONY
+RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of
+Bright Angel Gulch.</div>
+
+<div class='center'>
+Cloth, Illustrated &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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.&mdash;2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the
+Diamond Drill Shift.&mdash;3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS;
+Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.&mdash;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&mdash;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 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 &amp; 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 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 &amp; Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'>2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick &amp; Co. on the Gridley Diamond.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'>3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'>4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+Cloth, Illustrated &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 &amp; Co. Start Things Moving.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'>2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick &amp; Co. at Winter Sports.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'>3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'>4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Make Their Fame Secure.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+Cloth, Illustrated &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; Co. in the Wilderness.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'>4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails."</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+Cloth, Illustrated &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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&mdash;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.&mdash;2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES;
+Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.&mdash;3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS
+ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.&mdash;4
+THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out
+Against Heavy Odds.&mdash;5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM
+BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies.&mdash;6 THE
+AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the
+Plots of Foreign Spies.</div>
+
+<div class='center'>
+Cloth, Illustrated &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</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>
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@@ -0,0 +1,7921 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook of Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants, by H. Irving
+Hancock
+
+
+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
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants
+       or, Handling Their First Real Commands
+
+
+Author: H. Irving Hancock
+
+
+
+Release Date: December 31, 2008  [eBook #27679]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 27679-h.htm or 27679-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/7/27679/27679-h/27679-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/7/27679/27679-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS
+
+Or
+
+Handling Their First Real Commands
+
+by
+
+H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+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.
+
+Illustrated
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Hey, You Idiot!" Howled Hinkey.
+
+_Frontispiece._]
+
+
+
+Philadelphia
+Henry Altemus Company
+
+Copyright, 1911, by
+Howard E. Altemus
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                              PAGE
+    I. "TIPPED OFF" BY WIG-WAG                          7
+   II. LIEUTENANT "ALGY" JOINS THE ARMY                23
+  III. THE FIRST BREATH AGAINST A SOLDIER'S HONOR      42
+   IV. LIEUTENANT ALGY'S INSPIRATION                   54
+    V. CORPORAL HAL'S ADMISSION                        63
+   VI. THE SQUAD ROOM TURNS COLD                       77
+  VII. RACKING THE NEW SERGEANT                        85
+ VIII. ASTONISHMENT JOLTS MR. FERRERS                  93
+   IX. PRIVATE HINKEY DELIVERS HIS ANSWER             103
+    X. SERGEANT OVERTON AND DISCIPLINE                112
+   XI. WHEN HINKEY WON GOOD OPINIONS                  119
+  XII. HAL RIDES INTO TREACHERY                       127
+ XIII. CHASING A SPEEDING DESERTER                    142
+  XIV. ALGY COMES TO A CONCLUSION                     153
+   XV. PLANNING FOR THE SOLDIER'S HUNT                162
+  XVI. HAL'S GUN MAKES THE REST CURIOUS               172
+ XVII. BIG GAME AND A NIGHT IN CAMP                   182
+XVIII. HOLDING UP A CAMP GUARD                        194
+  XIX. WHEN THE LAST CARTRIDGE WAS GONE               203
+   XX. THE EIGHTH MOCCASIN APPEARS                    212
+  XXI. THE ENEMY HAS HIS INNINGS                      219
+ XXII. THE NAVY HEARD FROM                            225
+XXIII. THE UNITED STATES SERVICES FIGHT TOGETHER      235
+ XXIV. CONCLUSION                                     244
+
+
+
+
+Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+"TIPPED OFF" BY WIG-WAG
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Good morning, Corporal Overton."
+
+"Good morning, sir."
+
+"What do you wish?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I believe I have," nodded Lieutenant Pope.
+
+"I have come to ask, sir, if I may borrow a couple of the flags."
+
+"Borrow? Then, Corporal, I take it that you do not want the flags for
+duty purposes?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, indeed," agreed Lieutenant Pope heartily. "Even in the Signal
+Corps of the Army there are few better signalmen than the sergeant."
+
+"So I understand, sir. Corporal Terry and I are delighted at the idea of
+having the sergeant instruct us."
+
+"But what do you want to do, especially, with flag signaling?" inquired
+the quartermaster.
+
+"It is simply, sir, that we want to make ourselves better soldiers."
+
+"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."
+
+"Would it have been better if I had gone to the battalion commander in
+the first place, sir?"
+
+"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."
+
+"It was Captain Cortland who sent me to you, sir, but he said he had no
+authority to draw a requisition for signal flags."
+
+"You have taken the right course, Corporal. If Major Silsbee is in his
+office it will take but a moment more."
+
+While the young corporal remained at attention Lieutenant Pope turned to
+his telephone and called for the battalion commander.
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
+
+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.
+
+"Noll hasn't shown up yet. I hope he won't be long," murmured Hal,
+gazing across the parade grounds in the direction of the barracks of
+enlisted men. "Bunkie and I have a lot to do to-day."
+
+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.
+
+The headquarters battalion to which these two earnest young soldiers
+were attached was still stationed at Fort Clowdry. Readers of "UNCLE
+SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS" 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 character in the battalion to discredit
+and disgrace the service of both splendid but new young soldiers.
+
+In the second volume, "UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY," 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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+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 with all that
+pertained to the soldier's spirited life as was Overton.
+
+"Think I was never coming?" hailed Noll gayly.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Think no more of it," begged Hal. "I got the flags."
+
+"So my eyes tell me."
+
+"And what have you been up to, Noll?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Every man in the battalion knows that," Hal 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.
+
+Readers of our "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES" and of the "WEST POINT SERIES"
+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.
+
+"Lieutenant Prescott has given me a really bully chance," Noll went on
+happily.
+
+"Did you ask him for it?" suspected Corporal Hal shrewdly.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Surely. But go on and tell me what it is that you got."
+
+"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."
+
+"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
+to beg very hard to get what he wants. And--what is it?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Good business," nodded Hal, "if you don't have to keep up night and day
+as well."
+
+"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."
+
+"When do you begin?"
+
+"Day after to-morrow, at nine in the morning."
+
+"You won't be on guard duty while this other detail lasts?"
+
+"No."
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, I've mastered guard duty pretty well," broke in Corporal Noll.
+
+"Then I congratulate you," was Hal Overton's dry rejoinder. "I feel that
+I'm only beginning to see the real niceties of the work of the guard."
+
+"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?"
+
+"That's what I've been waiting to do," Hal Overton rejoined.
+
+"You don't seem to be a bit glad over my success in getting into
+telegraphy," complained Noll.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"You wouldn't care about being anything else in civil life, would you?"
+
+"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."
+
+Sergeant Hupner proved not only to be disengaged, but ready to begin
+the instruction of the aspiring young wig-waggers immediately.
+
+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.
+
+"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----"
+
+Sergeant Hupner described some rapid sweeps with the flag to right and
+left.
+
+"A, B, C, D, E," he spelled along, as he signaled the letters.
+
+"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]
+
+"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."
+
+Despite his knowledge of the alphabet Hal naturally made a few blunders
+at first.
+
+"Your work lacks snap," remarked Sergeant Hupner. "Even when you spell
+slowly you should bring the flag down smartly to either side. Like
+this."
+
+Sergeant Hupner illustrated briskly with his arms.
+
+"Now send me the name of your regiment."
+
+Hal did better this time.
+
+"You'll soon have the hang of it," declared the sergeant encouragingly.
+"Now, send me the same thing over again, but with more speed."
+
+"Fine!" added Hupner when Hal had obeyed. "Now, Terry, we'll try you for
+a few moments. What is your full name?"
+
+Noll signaled it, making each letter carefully with the flag.
+
+"Now tell me--with the flag--what you think of to-day's weather."
+
+"Fine and cool," signaled back Noll.
+
+Thus the instruction continued. Each young soldier improved a good deal
+during that hour.
+
+"Now, we'll call it off until to-morrow," remarked the sergeant at last,
+and turned to re-enter barracks.
+
+"How do you like it, Noll?" asked Overton.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, no; I'll stick," agreed Corporal Terry, though it sounded as if he
+promised almost reluctantly.
+
+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.
+
+Their old friend Hyman--no longer Private Hyman, but now, for three
+months, Corporal Hyman--regarded them with indulgent eyes.
+
+"You kids been out learning how to wave the shirt?" he queried.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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----"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Look at Hyman, in that tree over yonder," said Hal, nodding in the
+direction.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Well, it's of no interest to us," mused Noll.
+
+But in that Corporal Terry was wrong.
+
+"There's Hyman up on the wall again," reported Hal.
+
+"So I see, and he's making motions this way."
+
+"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 rhythmically to left and right. "Why, Hyman is asking,
+'Can you read this?'"
+
+Then, raising his own arm, Hal signaled back:
+
+"Yes."
+
+Again Hyman's right arm was moving. Hal watched closely, spelling out
+the wig-wagged signal:
+
+"Pipe--off--what's--coming. Greatest--ever happened--in the--Army.
+Don't--miss--it."
+
+"Now, what on earth can that be?" queried Noll.
+
+"It must be something unusual to rouse enthusiasm in a man like Hyman,"
+laughed Hal.
+
+And indeed it was something great that was coming. Corporal Hyman's
+wig-wagging arm was moving again.
+
+"Hustle--over--to--main--road."
+
+Hal and Noll were instantly in motion. It must be confessed that they
+were eager.
+
+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!
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[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.--EDITOR.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+LIEUTENANT "ALGY" JOINS THE ARMY
+
+
+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.
+
+At the driver's post sat an undersized, shrewd-looking little Frenchman.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Gracious!" gasped Noll. "He must be a person of some importance, after
+all. There's the sentry presenting arms."
+
+"And there comes the corporal of the guard, making a rifle salute,"
+added Hal. "It must be a new officer joining the regiment."
+
+"That--an officer?" gasped Noll, in unfeigned disgust. "Don't libel the
+good old Army, Hal."
+
+Of a sudden the big car shot forward again, and came up the main road to
+officers' row at a smashing clip.
+
+Then, just as suddenly, it halted beside the two young corporals.
+
+"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."
+
+"Porter's lodge? Do you mean the guard house, sir?" Hal asked
+respectfully.
+
+"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."
+
+At the mention of the word "lieutenant" both Hal and Noll came to a very
+formal salute.
+
+"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."
+
+"We offered you the officer's salute, sir," explained Corporal Hal.
+
+"Oh, then you're officers? I guessed as much," beamed the pleasant young
+stranger.
+
+"No; we're corporals, sir," Hal informed him.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"Of course you understand sir, that we're below the grade of officers,"
+Hal continued.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Though they did so with some misgivings Hal and Noll both stepped into
+the tonneau.
+
+"Sit right down, boys," urged Lieutenant Ferrers amiably.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+"Tell Francois where to drive, will you?" begged Lieutenant Ferrers.
+
+"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."
+
+"Does Hale assign a fellow's rooms to him?" queried Lieutenant Ferrers
+innocently.
+
+"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."
+
+"I--see," nodded the new lieutenant slowly. "Will you do me the extreme
+favor to tell Francois where to leave us?"
+
+Hal leaned forward, indicating the headquarters building.
+
+In another moment the big car stopped before headquarters.
+
+"Come right on in, fellows, and introduce me, won't you?" urged
+Lieutenant Ferrers.
+
+"I--I am afraid we'd better not," replied Hal, flushing.
+
+"Oh, I see--you've a luncheon appointment, or something of the sort, eh?
+Well, never 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."
+
+"Come away from here, Noll," begged Hal, as soon as Mr. Ferrers had run
+up the steps and into the building. "I'm suffocating."
+
+"I'm green," grinned Noll chokingly, "but I'd hate to have as much ahead
+of me to learn as that new officer has."
+
+"Oh, perhaps he was joshing us," suggested Hal.
+
+"Do you know what I think?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"I think," responded Noll, struggling hard to keep his gravity, "that
+Mr. Ferrers is kidding himself worse than any one else."
+
+In the meantime Ferrers had bounded past an orderly and had broken into
+the office of the regimental adjutant.
+
+"Hello, old chap!" was his joyous greeting of dignified Captain Hale.
+
+"Sir?" demanded the regimental adjutant. "Who the blazes are you, sir?"
+
+"Name's Ferrers, old chap," responded the newcomer, lightly, dropping a
+card down on the adjutant's desk.
+
+Captain Hale glanced at the card. Then a light seemed to dawn on him.
+
+"Oh! I think it likely you are the Lieutenant Ferrers who has been
+ordered to the Thirty-fourth," went on Captain Hale.
+
+"You're a wonderful guesser, old chap. Now, where do I go to see about
+my rooms, housing my servants, storing my cars, etc.?"
+
+Captain Hale tried to hide his grim smile as he held out his hand.
+
+"Welcome to the Thirty-fourth, Mr. Ferrers. And now I think I had better
+take you to Colonel North. He has been expecting you."
+
+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.
+
+Colonel North looked at Mr. Ferrers with a glance that did not convey
+absolute approval.
+
+"Have you been in a train wreck, Mr. Ferrers?" inquired the colonel.
+
+"Oh, dear me, no. Do I look as bad as that?" inquired the new
+lieutenant, with a downward glance at his faultless attire.
+
+"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."
+
+"I hope I didn't inconvenience you any," murmured Ferrers. "You see,
+Colonel, when 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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Oh, I say, now," murmured Mr. Ferrers, "I hope you're not going to
+raise any beastly row about it."
+
+"That is not language to use to your superior officer, Mr. Ferrers!"
+
+"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."
+
+Colonel North now found it hard to repress a tendency to laugh. But he
+choked it back.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"You have--what!" gasped Colonel North.
+
+Mr. Ferrers patiently repeated the details concerning the number of his
+automobiles and servants.
+
+"And where are they?" demanded the regimental commander.
+
+"I left them over in Clowdry until I send for them, sir."
+
+"Mr. Ferrers, have you any idea how many rooms an unmarried second
+lieutenant has?"
+
+"A dozen or fifteen, I hope," suggested Mr. Ferrers hopefully. "A
+gentleman, of course, can't live in fewer rooms."
+
+"Mr. Ferrers, an unmarried second lieutenant lives in bachelor officers'
+quarters. He has a parlor, bed-room and bath."
+
+"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."
+
+"You'll have to, Mr. Ferrers."
+
+"But my servants--my chauffeurs?"
+
+"No room for them on this post."
+
+"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?"
+
+"None whatever, Mr. Ferrers. You can keep one small car down at the
+quartermaster's stables, but that is the best you can do."
+
+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.
+
+"I had no idea the Army was anything like as beastly as this," he
+murmured disconsolately.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"'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."
+
+"At that price I can afford a lot of 'em," responded Mr. Ferrers,
+brightening considerably.
+
+"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."
+
+Turning to the telephone Colonel North called:
+
+"Connect me with Lieutenant Prescott. Hello, is that you, Mr. Prescott?
+The regimental commander is speaking. My compliments, Mr. Prescott, and
+can you come over to headquarters? Thank you."
+
+Ringing off the colonel turned to his very new young lieutenant, saying:
+
+"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?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir. Two trunks on the car."
+
+"Then you have uniforms with you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Say 'sir' when answering a superior officer."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You have your two regulation swords?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, I say, now----" broke forth Ferrers anxiously, but the door opened,
+and Lieutenant Dick Prescott strode in, looking the perfection of
+handsome soldiery.
+
+"You sent for me, sir?" Prescott asked, coming to a very formal salute.
+
+"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."
+
+"Thank you, Colonel," replied Prescott gravely.
+
+"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."
+
+"But my rooms, sir? My little dog-kennel?" urged Ferrers.
+
+"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."
+
+Prescott saluted smartly in leaving his colonel. Ferrers also
+endeavored to salute, and imitated badly--with the wrong hand.
+
+As soon as the door had closed Colonel North rose, sighed and muttered:
+
+"With a seeming idiot like that on officers' row I can see our old and
+happy life here passing."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," Noll answered thoughtfully. "I've seen a lot of
+worse enlisted men licked into shape and become good soldiers. I don't
+know why the rule shouldn't work as well with a new officer."
+
+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
+manoeuvring, he was practising some moves with the signal flag, while
+Sergeant Hupner stood by criticising.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+Hyman seized the staff, giving it a twist. Then Hal started to recover
+it.
+
+Thus the staff dropped and fell below, just as young Corporal Overton
+sprang inward.
+
+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.
+
+"Hey, you idiot!" followed the howl, and the young corporal saw Hinkey,
+a new recruit in the regiment and company, take off his hat and rub a
+rising lump on the top of his head.
+
+"Look out below, there!" called Corporal Hal.
+
+"What else are you going to throw out at me?" glared Private Hinkey.
+
+For answer, Corporal Hal sprang over the window sill, landing lightly on
+the ground below.
+
+"Hinkey, I'm mighty sorry," began Overton. "It was an accident, and----"
+
+"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?"
+
+"I certainly do expect you to believe it," replied Corporal Hal, his
+face flushing.
+
+"Well, I don't," came the ugly response, accompanied by another scowl.
+"It's a lie, and----"
+
+"Be careful, Hinkey!" warned Corporal Overton, his fine young face
+paling slightly. "Passing the lie, you know, don't go in the Army!"
+
+"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 for me all along, Corporal
+Overton. Only yesterday morning you scorched me at drill."
+
+"You needed it," was the quiet reply. "And I used no abusive language."
+
+"Good thing you didn't," flashed Hinkey. "And the day before----"
+
+"Stop your whining and let me look at your head," advised Corporal
+Overton. "Whew, what a bump! Hinkey, I'm truly sor----"
+
+"Get away from me, and never mind my head," snapped the other.
+
+"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."
+
+"I'll do what I please about that," retorted Hinkey.
+
+"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."
+
+"Perhaps you think I will," came the disagreeable retort.
+
+"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----"
+
+"I don't think, Overton. I know you did."
+
+"Then I'll post you as to your rights in the matter, Private Hinkey.
+When you report to Sergeant Gray for hospital permission, which 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."
+
+"You think I'm a fool, don't you?" jeered Hinkey.
+
+"On that point I decline to commit myself."
+
+"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!"
+
+"That's the only way in which you can get redress."
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"If that kid thinks he can lord it over me," snarled Private Hinkey
+under his breath, "he's due to wake up before long."
+
+Nevertheless Private Hinkey had already learned enough of Army life to
+feel certain that he was obliged to go to Sergeant Gray.
+
+"Sure thing! Go over to hospital and have that head dressed at once,"
+ordered the first sergeant. "How did it happen?"
+
+"The fellow who did it said it was an accident," replied Hinkey, with an
+ugly leer.
+
+"Then report him," urged the first sergeant of B Company. "I can take
+care of the offender if it was done on purpose."
+
+"That's all right," snapped Private Hinkey. "So can I."
+
+"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.
+
+And, indeed, Sergeant Gray was wholly right.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE FIRST BREATH AGAINST A SOLDIER'S HONOR
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Out on the post, not far away, a dog chose to bark at that town-clock
+bell.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"Post number six. One o'clock, and all's well!"
+
+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.
+
+"Wow! Turn out the guard--post number six!"
+
+Instantly Sergeant Hupner awoke, sitting up on his cot.
+
+"What's the matter with you, you idiot?" growled the disturbed sergeant.
+
+"I've been touched!" wailed the excited voice.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+"What's wrong, squad room?" called the voice of the alert sentry
+outside.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Very good, Sergeant."
+
+Then Hupner turned to the cot of Corporal Hal Overton, which was close
+to the window.
+
+"Why, Corporal, what ails you?" demanded the sergeant. "You're shaking
+and your face has a frightened look."
+
+"I--I have just awakened from a pretty bad dream," Corporal Hal replied
+sheepishly. "I'll be over it at once."
+
+"Turn out, Corporal, and you also, Corporal Terry. We've got to
+investigate in this room."
+
+Hal instantly thrust a leg out. Something dropped to the floor.
+
+Bang!
+
+"Ow!" wailed Private Green. "It wasn't a dream, after all. I knew it
+would go off."
+
+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.
+
+"How did this come to be in your bed, Corporal Overton?" demanded the
+sergeant.
+
+"I don't know, Sergeant."
+
+"But it was in your bed. You shook it out when you went to get up just
+now."
+
+"That's the gun," insisted Private William Green. "I saw it poked into
+my face by some one prowling before my cot."
+
+"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.
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Come and look for yourself, Sergeant."
+
+"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."
+
+"Now, look here, Sergeant," insisted Green, after pulling the mattress
+bodily from his cot. "Do you see anything that looks like my buckskin
+pouch?"
+
+There was no pouch to be found on or near Soldier William's cot.
+
+"How much money did you have in the pouch?" demanded Hupner almost
+angrily.
+
+"Seven hundred and ten dollars," declared Green promptly.
+
+"Whew!"
+
+To most of the soldiers present that much money represented a fortune.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Corporal Overton, you take one side of the room, and Corporal Terry the
+other. Scan the floor for any sign of a buckskin pouch."
+
+"Let me help," begged William.
+
+"All right," nodded Sergeant Hupner. "And look, also, for any stool that
+may be overturned."
+
+The search was unavailing. No sight was gained of the buckskin pouch,
+while every stool in the room was upright and in place.
+
+"Does any man here know anything about Green's buckskin?" demanded
+Hupner.
+
+There was no answer.
+
+Crossing to the window, Sergeant Hupner called:
+
+"Sentry, call the corporal of the guard."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Soon after Lieutenant Greg Holmes strode into the room, his sword
+clanking at his side.
+
+Lieutenant Holmes heard Sergeant Hupner's report, which was but a short
+one.
+
+Then the young officer of the day turned to Corporal Hal, eyeing him
+keenly.
+
+"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."
+
+"That is true, sir," Hal Overton admitted.
+
+"When Sergeant Hupner directed you to rise you did so, and at the same
+time kicked out of your bed this revolver, which was discharged."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"I--I should hope not, sir," stammered Hal Overton, his face growing
+very pallid.
+
+"What do you know about this matter, Corporal Overton?" pressed the
+young officer.
+
+"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."
+
+"And you know nothing whatever regarding the robbery from Private
+Green?"
+
+"Absolutely nothing more than the rest, sir," insisted Hal, though his
+color continued to rise.
+
+The young soldier felt that he was half suspected, and he felt all the
+awkwardness of innocence--an awkwardness that real guilt seldom
+displays.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"All the men in the room have come forward and are willing to be
+searched, sir," reported the sergeant.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes, sir; shall I have the corporals assist me?"
+
+"Yes, Sergeant, and I will lend a general oversight at the same time."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I shall, sir, if I ever get it back," replied William Green mournfully.
+
+"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."
+
+After the officer of the day had gone out, the men of the squad room
+looked from one to another in bewilderment.
+
+"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."
+
+No one accepted the offer.
+
+"It's gone, all right, Green, evidently, and serves you right," said
+Sergeant Hupner gruffly.
+
+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.
+
+"And that's all there is to it, for to-night, men," announced Sergeant
+Hupner. "Every man in bed now, for I'm going to switch off the light."
+
+Ten minutes later some of the soldiers were asleep, but not all, for
+presently Hupner's strong military voice boomed through the room:
+
+"Stop that whispering! Silence until first call goes in the morning."
+
+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.
+
+Then, indeed, there was a thorough examination. Each man in the room was
+questioned keenly by the colonel himself.
+
+"Corporal Overton, how do you account for that revolver being in your
+bed?"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Why should any one else do that, Corporal?"
+
+"Possibly, sir, with a view to making me appear guilty."
+
+"Do you suspect any one in particular?"
+
+"No, sir; I can't imagine why any man in the room, or in the battalion,
+should want to do it."
+
+"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.
+
+"Thank you, sir," Hal replied.
+
+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.
+
+"I never thought Overton would do a trick like that," remarked a low
+voice behind the young corporal, but Hal heard it.
+
+"Oh, you can't tell. Sometimes these quiet fellows are the worst. Still
+waters run deep, you know."
+
+"I suppose other fellows in the squad room are thinking the same,"
+thought Hal, his heart throbbing with pain.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+LIEUTENANT ALGY'S INSPIRATION
+
+
+LIEUTENANT ALGY FERRERS, the picture of dejection, sat staring across
+his rather tiny parlor in bachelor quarters at smiling Lieutenant
+Prescott.
+
+"I thought the Army was a place for gentlemen," murmured Algy aghast.
+
+"At last accounts it was, and I believe still is," replied the West
+Pointer, with a smile.
+
+"But consider that beastly schedule of the day's work that you've been
+explaining to me!"
+
+"What's wrong with it?" asked Lieutenant Prescott patiently.
+
+"What's first--what did you call it?"
+
+"First call to reveille, at 5.50 in the morning?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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----"
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"All that racket will wake me up mornings," complained Algy sadly.
+
+"It ought to, for it's an officer's business to be up by that time."
+
+"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."
+
+"You won't see them immediately," Prescott replied.
+
+"Don't I have to go to my men as soon as I'm up?"
+
+"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.
+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."
+
+"Then I can sleep a little later, can't I?" proposed Lieutenant Ferrers
+hopefully.
+
+"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."
+
+"Do I have to be there?"
+
+"You do, unless excused for some very grave reason. Recall from drill
+sounds at 8.20."
+
+"That means that drill is over, then?" sighed Algy questioningly.
+
+"Yes. Then, at 8.30, is fatigue call."
+
+"I shall be properly fatigued by that time, no doubt," confessed Algy
+wretchedly.
+
+"You'll soon understand what 'fatigue' is in the Army," smiled
+Lieutenant Prescott. "It's more work, but work that is done without
+arms."
+
+"Without arms? With the feet, then?"
+
+Lieutenant Prescott bit his lip, but answered:
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, I should hope not," exclaimed Algy Ferrers fervently. "By supper
+time I can see myself a nervous wreck."
+
+"Oh, you'll get used to it," laughed Prescott. "The rest of us all had
+to."
+
+"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?"
+
+"A big lot of work, you'll find."
+
+"And yet they call being an officer in the Army a gentleman's life."
+
+"Yes," replied Prescott, his eyes opening rather wide. "Don't you
+consider that one may be a gentleman and yet be industrious?"
+
+"Oh, I reckon so," sighed Algy Ferrers. "But it all seems a beastly
+grind."
+
+"Then how did your ever come to think of going into the Army?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"Write down for me that--er--time table you laid down for me."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Thank you, Ferrers. I don't smoke."
+
+"Then what do you do with your time?"
+
+"Work!"
+
+"What beastly old rot the Army is!" murmured Algy, lying back in his
+easy chair and blowing a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling.
+
+Rap-tap! sounded at the door.
+
+"Come in," called Algy. It was Lieutenant Holmes who entered.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Nothing to pardon," murmured Algy.
+
+"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."
+
+"Who's my pet!" demanded Prescott in surprise.
+
+"Why, Corporal Overton, of your company."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes; there's a strong drift of suspicion that way among the men of B
+Company."
+
+"The idiots!" muttered Prescott impatiently.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"Greg, you don't believe Overton stole that simpleton soldier's cash?"
+cried Prescott.
+
+"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."
+
+"Yet you say so many of the men suspect him?" mused Prescott.
+
+"Not exactly that they suspect him, but that they'd like to have the
+whole matter cleared up and see daylight through it."
+
+"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."
+
+"I know it," agreed Holmes. "That's why I'm telling you all this about
+one of your own men."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"What's all the beastly row about, any way?" queried Lieutenant Algernon
+Ferrers.
+
+Holmes explained it briefly.
+
+"So it's all a row about some seven hundred dollars, it is?" asked Algy.
+
+"If you choose to put it that way," replied Lieutenant Holmes.
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+CORPORAL HAL'S ADMISSION
+
+
+LIEUTENANT PRESCOTT paused, looking sharply at Algy.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Seven hundred which some men almost suspect that Corporal Overton took
+from Green," corrected Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"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----"
+
+"But what has all this to do with Corporal Overton's unhappy
+situation?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Just like that!" gasped Lieutenant Greg Holmes ironically, and he
+appeared to need the support of the mantel at which he clutched.
+
+There was a savage look on Lieutenant Prescott's face as he demanded:
+
+"Ferrers, are you trying to make game of me?"
+
+"Make game of you?" echoed Lieutenant Algy, with a face so blank, so
+full of wonderment and so lacking in guile. "Why, I----"
+
+He broke off abruptly, going to the top drawer of a dresser.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Because--oh, why--tell him, won't you, Holmesy? I'm off to see Captain
+Cortland."
+
+Prescott strode away to his company commander for advice.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Can you suggest anything that I can do, sir?" the young lieutenant
+asked gravely.
+
+"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 that's a matter, I fancy, that's going to be full of
+difficulty."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+Prescott threw himself down at the desk, while Noll, after saluting,
+remained standing at attention.
+
+"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."
+
+Noll flushed painfully, though all he answered was:
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+This time Noll's face was positively beaming with pleasure.
+
+"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."
+
+"What can I tell you, sir?" Noll asked eagerly.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Why, I think, sir, that the revolver must have been slipped in under
+the bedclothes by some one who wanted to throw all the suspicion on
+Corporal Overton."
+
+"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?"
+
+"My own belief, sir, that an actual enemy of Overton's did it, sir."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Hinkey, Clegg, Danes, Potter, Reed, Vreeland and myself, sir."
+
+"With which one of the men you have named has Corporal Overton had any
+trouble, either recently or some time back?"
+
+"With Hinkey, for one, sir."
+
+"What was it over?"
+
+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.
+
+"Had Overton had trouble with other men?"
+
+"Nothing more, sir, than that he had once or twice rebuked Vreeland and
+Danes for carelessness in squad drill."
+
+"What kind of men are Vreeland and Danes, in your opinion, Corporal?"
+
+"Careless and happy-go-lucky, but good-hearted fellows, sir, and likely
+to be good soldiers when they've been licked into shape."
+
+"But neither of them is inclined to be dishonest or sulky?"
+
+"From what I have seen of Vreeland and Danes, sir, I am inclined to
+answer with a very positive 'no.'"
+
+Lieutenant Prescott looked thoughtful, remaining silent for some
+moments, while Corporal Noll Terry stood looking straight ahead.
+
+"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?"
+
+"I cannot, sir."
+
+"Have you heard any of the men make reasonable suggestions as to what
+was done with the money?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Are you keeping your eyes and ears open all the time, for any clue in
+the matter?"
+
+"Yes, sir!" Noll answered. "And I shan't cease doing so until the whole
+mystery is cleaned up."
+
+"Good! May I depend upon you, Corporal, to come to me, at any time, with
+any information that you think will help?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and I thank you for the invitation to do so."
+
+"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."
+
+"May I tell Corporal Overton that, sir?" asked Noll eagerly.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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 about having anything
+unnecessary to do with Corporal Overton."
+
+"Too bad!" murmured Lieutenant Prescott. Then, in his usual official
+tone:
+
+"That is all, Corporal Terry."
+
+Noll saluted and left the inner office. Almost immediately afterward
+Lieutenant Prescott sauntered out.
+
+In the meantime, Hal, after some brisk practice at wig-wagging, was on
+his way back to barracks with Sergeant Hupner.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"The infantry is the real branch of the service--the real fighting arm,"
+returned Sergeant Hupner.
+
+"Yes; I know it, and that's the principal reason why I chose the
+infantry before enlisting."
+
+Together the sergeant and his young corporal entered the barracks,
+stepping into their own squad room.
+
+There the very first person they met was Private William Green, looking,
+still, as though he wanted to burst into tears. Green hadn't smiled
+once since meeting with his big loss.
+
+"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.
+
+Hal stepped down the length of the squad room. Some of the men greeted
+him, though none very enthusiastically.
+
+Then Noll came in, drawing his chum aside and detailing the interview
+with Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+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.
+
+"It's certainly fine to know that one's officers trust him, anyway," Hal
+declared.
+
+"Oh, this abominable business will all be cleared up before long," Noll
+Terry predicted cheerily.
+
+"I'd like to believe you," Corporal Hal smiled wistfully.
+
+"Wait and see!"
+
+The merriment in the middle of the room was now going on at its height.
+Private Clegg, who was an excellent storyteller, was relating one of
+his very very best, and it bore on Army life.
+
+Hal and Noll took chairs at one of the writing tables.
+
+A few minutes later a wild whoop sounded from Private William Green.
+
+"I've got it! I've got it!" he yelled, dancing about like a crazy
+Indian.
+
+"A bat in your belfry? Sure you've got it," yelled Private Clegg.
+
+Sergeant Hupner had run over to where Green was dancing.
+
+"I've got the money. It has come back to me," sang William Green
+joyously.
+
+In an instant there was a curiosity-inspired rush that every man in the
+room shared.
+
+Private Green now held high aloft over his head a long envelope whose
+bulkiness everyone else could see.
+
+"It's the money!" he gasped, chokingly.
+
+"Every man in the room but Green fall in!" roared Sergeant Hupner's
+voice. "Corporal Terry, take charge of the formation!"
+
+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 Corporal Hal, who stood at the right of the line.
+
+"Hold your men so," nodded Sergeant Hupner tersely. "Now, Green, are you
+sure you have all your money back?"
+
+"I--I hope so," faltered Green. "The envelope is bulky enough."
+
+"Put it on your cot and let me see it," ordered Hupner.
+
+Green had already broken the flap of the envelope, revealing the edges
+of a considerable thickness of banknotes.
+
+"Why, there's a note here with the bills," proclaimed the excited
+soldier.
+
+"What does the note say?"
+
+"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.'"
+
+"What does the writing look like?" demanded Sergeant Hupner.
+
+"It ain't written; it's printed," replied Private Green. "Here, take the
+note and look at it."
+
+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.
+
+"Anything written on the envelope?" demanded 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.
+
+"Corporal Terry, go to the nearest window and have the sentry pass the
+word for the corporal of the guard!"
+
+Then Hupner asked one more question:
+
+"Green, where and how did you find this envelope?"
+
+"Just the moment before I helloed. It was tucked inside my bedding, so
+that just the end of the envelope showed."
+
+Quickly the corporal of the guard was on hand, accompanied by two
+privates of the guard. Sergeant Hupner explained what had happened,
+adding:
+
+"Corporal, I think you'd better send for the officer of the day."
+
+That officer of the day, who shortly arrived, was Lieutenant Ray of C
+company.
+
+He listened gravely, while Sergeant Hupner told the story, then asked a
+few questions of Private Green.
+
+"Sergeant," directed Lieutenant Ray, "start the envelope passing down
+the line. Each man is to look at the handwriting, and state whether he
+recognizes it."
+
+All this time the men had remained standing in line, though at ease.
+
+Sergeant Hupner, with a queer look, passed the envelope to Corporal Hal
+Overton, who stood at the right of the line.
+
+The instant he glanced at the writing Hal started, then changed color.
+
+"Do you know the writing on that envelope, Corporal Overton?" demanded
+the officer of the day, eyeing the young soldier.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Are you positive that you know whose writing it is, Corporal Overton?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Whose?"
+
+"Mine, sir," replied Corporal Hal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE SQUAD ROOM TURNS COLD
+
+
+ON the listening men the effect of this admission was that of a
+bombshell.
+
+Yet, because they were soldiers, they took their bombshell quietly.
+
+Lieutenant Ray was astounded, yet his voice did not quiver as he asked,
+briskly:
+
+"Then, Corporal Overton, you admit having addressed the envelope?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"When?"
+
+"I don't know, sir."
+
+"Don't trifle with me, Corporal!"
+
+"I am not, sir."
+
+"Yet you admit having addressed it?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Sergeant, dismiss your men," directed Lieutenant Ray, as he reached out
+and took the envelope. "Corporal Overton, you will not leave the room."
+
+"Is the corporal under arrest, sir?" asked Sergeant Hupner, in a quiet
+voice.
+
+"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."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+Lieutenant Ray withdrew, followed by the corporal and privates of the
+guard.
+
+"I am not forbidden to speak to other men, am I, Sergeant?" asked Hal
+Overton, going directly up to him.
+
+"You are not in any sense in arrest, Corporal," replied Hupner, then
+adding, in a lower voice:
+
+"And I hope you'll do some mighty hard thinking, lad, and be able to
+give a very straight account about that envelope."
+
+"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."
+
+"I hope you're right, Overton, for I haven't an idea in the world that
+you are, or could be, a thief."
+
+"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Sergeant."
+
+Private William Green sat on a stool near the head of his cot, counting
+his recovered money for the third time.
+
+"Is it all there, Green?" asked Corporal Hal, going over to the soldier.
+
+"All but the twenty dollars that it is supposed to be shy," replied
+Green rather gruffly and without looking up.
+
+"Green, I hope you haven't an idea that I'm the crook," Hal went on.
+
+"Of course not. But there's a stack of appearances against you, just the
+same," replied William Green dryly.
+
+"See here!" Hal spoke sharply, the pain ringing in his voice. "Do you
+really believe that I stole your money in the first place?"
+
+"I've got most of it back, and I'd rather not express any opinions,
+Corporal," was Green's evasive reply.
+
+Just at this instant Corporal Noll Terry joined the pair.
+
+"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."
+
+"Let 'em," grunted Private Green briefly, and without a sign of
+understanding the slangy joke.
+
+Hal turned away, a choking feeling in his throat, though his outward
+demeanor was brave enough.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+Hal Overton's face went deathly pale.
+
+This was the direct cut, the snub, from his mates of the squad room.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 still only a boy in years, and
+this air of suspicion in the squad room made all life look wholly dark
+to him.
+
+"Surely all will come right," insisted Noll. "You've plenty of good
+friends around here."
+
+"You and Sergeant Hupner," smiled Corporal Overton bitterly. "But at
+least, old chap, you two make up in quality what you lack in numbers."
+
+The call for mess formation rang at last. Corporal Hal went to his place
+in the company line as briskly as ever.
+
+Just as the men were passing Corporal Hyman hit Hal a clip on the
+shoulder.
+
+"Buck up, old spinal trouble!" urged Hyman heartily, in a low voice.
+"Don't disappoint every friend and true believer you've got."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 there, flanked by Major Silsbee and B
+company's officers.
+
+Colonel North had the accusing envelope and the note in the printed
+scrawl in his hand.
+
+"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."
+
+"I have not, sir," Hal answered.
+
+"Take the envelope and look at it."
+
+Hal Overton obeyed.
+
+"Do you think it likely, Corporal, that the writing on that envelope is
+a forged imitation of your own handwriting?"
+
+"It is possible, sir, of course," Hal made frank, direct reply. "Yet,
+sir, I am inclined to believe that the writing is really mine."
+
+"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."
+
+"I've done so, sir," replied Hal, a moment later.
+
+"Now in the lower corner of the envelope write the words, 'My own
+writing, Overton.'"
+
+"Yes, sir; I've done it."
+
+"Bring the envelope to me, Corporal Overton."
+
+Colonel North now compared the writing on the two envelopes, then passed
+them to the other officers present, who carefully examined these
+exhibits.
+
+"The writings look identical, sir," was Captain Cortland's comment.
+
+"Yes," agreed Major Silsbee. The other younger officers nodded.
+
+"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."
+
+"Then, sir, I thank all my officers."
+
+"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 you guilty. You have too fine a record as a soldier for any
+such belief to find acceptance without the strongest, most positive
+proof."
+
+"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."
+
+Hal started, colored, then turned pale.
+
+"I--I thank you, sir," he stammered. "But--but----"
+
+"Well, my man?" inquired the colonel kindly.
+
+"Pardon me, sir, but wouldn't the appointment be better made at some
+later date?"
+
+"Why?" shot out Colonel North.
+
+"I fear I may not have as much force with a squad room as a sergeant
+should have, sir."
+
+"Then you will have to develop that force," replied Colonel North dryly.
+"It's in you, I know."
+
+Poor Hal! At any other time this much-wanted promotion would have been
+hailed joyfully. Now it seemed almost like wormwood.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+BACKING THE NEW SERGEANT
+
+
+"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."
+
+That was published with the orders the very next afternoon, at parade.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"On dismissal of the company Sergeant Overton will at once report to
+me," announced Captain Cortland.
+
+Hal, therefore, on falling out of ranks, went directly to his company
+commander, saluting.
+
+"You are to have charge of the squad room next to Sergeant Hupner's,"
+began the captain, pleasantly.
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I shall do as you direct."
+
+"I know it, Sergeant Overton. I have confidence in you. Now, I am going
+to step down to your new squad room with you."
+
+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.
+
+He threw open the door for Captain Cortland to pass in ahead of him, at
+the same time calling clearly:
+
+"Squad room, attention!"
+
+Captain Cortland strode in among his men, who, halting where they were,
+faced toward him and stood at attention.
+
+"Men," called Captain Cortland, "this is your new sergeant. He will be
+obeyed and respected accordingly."
+
+Then Captain Cortland turned and left the room.
+
+Corporal Hyman, who belonged in this room, came forward at once, holding
+out his hand.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"So-so," laughed Corporal Hyman. "But I believe that some of these buck
+doughboys need a bit of jacking up."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I will, in matters of discipline and routine, whenever necessary,"
+Sergeant Hal answered, 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Don't have any fights on my account, Hyman," urged Sergeant Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+The conversation was interrupted, at that moment, by the in-coming of
+First Sergeant Gray.
+
+"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."
+
+"That does come rather speedily, doesn't it?" laughed Hal. "Who is to be
+officer of the day to-morrow?"
+
+"Lieutenant Ferrers," responded Sergeant Gray gravely.
+
+"What? The joke to be officer of the day?" exploded Corporal Hyman.
+
+"Corporal," came the first sergeant's swift, serious rebuke, "whenever
+you allude to your superior officers you'll do so with the utmost
+respect."
+
+"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."
+
+"No," rejoined Sergeant Gray stiffly, and Hyman left them.
+
+"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."
+
+"I'll have my eyes open," Sergeant Hal promised.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Squad room attention!" shouted Sergeant Hal, leaping to his feet.
+Corporal Hyman, too, jumped up.
+
+All of the men came instantly to attention. Some of them looked merely
+curious, but a few glared back at their new sergeant.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Men, I've something to say to you," announced the new sergeant coolly.
+"I intend to 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?"
+
+It was a tense moment. Three or four of the men looked as though tempted
+to "say a lot."
+
+Sergeant Hal, his hands tightly gripped, stood facing them, waiting.
+
+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.
+
+"Has any man here anything that he wishes to say to me?" Hal repeated.
+
+Still silence was preserved.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+There was no further trouble that night, though the young sergeant could
+not escape the knowledge that he was generally disliked here.
+
+When guard-mounting assembly sounded at nine the next morning Sergeant
+Hal Overton marched the new guard on to the field.
+
+Battalion Adjutant Wright was on hand, but Lieutenant Algy Ferrers, the
+new officer of the day, was absent.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+The orderly departed on a run. But he soon came back, alone.
+
+"Sir, Lieutenant Ferrers is not in his quarters?"
+
+"Not in quarters? Did you look in at the officers' club, too?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Lieutenant Ferrers' bed was not slept in last night, so his
+striker told me."
+
+Adjutant Wright fumed inwardly, though he turned to Hal to say:
+
+"Sergeant, inspect the guard."
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+ASTONISHMENT JOLTS MR. FERRERS
+
+
+IT was nearly four in the afternoon when the sentry on post number one
+called briskly:
+
+"Sergeant of the guard, post number one!"
+
+"What is it, sentry?" asked Hal, stepping briskly out of the guard
+house.
+
+"Lieutenant Ferrers is approaching, Sergeant," replied the sentry,
+nodding his head down the road.
+
+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.
+
+Algy looked decidedly tired and bored as he drove along.
+
+"Halt the lieutenant, sentry."
+
+"Very good, Sergeant."
+
+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:
+
+"Halt, sir. Sergeant of the guard, post number one."
+
+Algy, with a look of astonishment on his face, slowed the car down and
+stopped. Sergeant Hal approached, giving him the rifle salute.
+
+"Well, what's in the wind, Sergeant?" demanded Algy, reaching in a
+pocket for his cigarette case.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Beg your pardon, sir; don't light that cigarette until you've driven
+on."
+
+"Now how long since sergeants have taken to giving officers orders?"
+inquired Mr. Ferrers in very great astonishment.
+
+"The guard always has power to enforce the rules, sir. And smoking is
+forbidden when addressing the guard on official business."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"I have never felt like a dog, sir, since entering the Army."
+
+"Oh, I dare say Wright is quite proper in his order, you know. I'll go
+up and drop in on him right now."
+
+Both sergeant and sentry saluted again as this very unusual officer
+turned on the speed and went driving lazily up to headquarters'
+building.
+
+Algy Ferrers had his cigarette going by the time that he stepped
+leisurely into the adjutant's office.
+
+"Some one told me you wanted to see me, Wright," began Algy.
+
+Lieutenant Wright wheeled around briskly upon his subordinate.
+
+"I want to see you, Mr. Ferrers, only to pass you on to the colonel.
+I'll tell him that you're here."
+
+Adjutant Wright stepped into the inner office, nodding his head at the
+colonel, then wheeled about.
+
+"Colonel North will see you, sir."
+
+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.
+
+"So you're here, sir?" demanded Colonel North, looking up from his desk
+as Algy came to a halt before him.
+
+"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----"
+
+"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."
+
+"Bless me, so I was," assented Algy mildly.
+
+"Yet this morning you failed to be present at guard-mount."
+
+"Yes, sir. I'll tell you how it happened."
+
+"Be good enough to tell me without delay."
+
+"Colonel, did you ever hear of the Douglas-Fraziers, of Detroit?"
+
+"Answer my question, Mr. Ferrers!"
+
+"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----"
+
+"You being a soldier!" exploded the irate colonel under his breath.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Eh?" quivered Colonel North, who seemed momentarily all but bereft of
+speech.
+
+"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."
+
+"There might have been nothing very serious in that, Mr. Ferrers, had
+you returned in time for guard-mount this morning."
+
+"But I simply couldn't. Don't you understand?" pleaded Algy with
+good-natured patience.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"They did?" inquired the colonel, with an irony that was wholly thrown
+away on Algy.
+
+"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."
+
+"Naturally," assented Colonel North with fine sarcasm.
+
+"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
+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----"
+
+Colonel North rose fiercely, looking as though he were threatened with
+an attack of apoplexy.
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Good heavens!" murmured Algy.
+
+"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."
+
+Lieutenant Prescott, hearing some one move in Mr. Ferrers' rooms, looked
+in inquiringly.
+
+"Oh, but I'm in an awful hurry. I've got to get back to that beastly
+colonel," explained Algy.
+
+"Beastly? Colonel North is a fine old brick!" retorted Prescott
+indignantly.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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----"
+
+"Oh, hang the Douglas-Fraziers and all their works," uttered Prescott
+disgustedly. "Algy, are you ever going to become a soldier?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Let me help you on with your sword," interrupted Prescott dryly.
+"You're getting it tangled up between your legs."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'll walk along with you and explain the nature of your offense of
+to-day, if you don't mind," proposed Prescott.
+
+Algy Ferrers reported at Colonel North's office and soon came out.
+
+"Now I'm off," cried Ferrers gayly, as he came out again.
+
+"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.
+
+As Lieutenant Prescott stood there Colonel North came out. The younger
+officer wheeled, saluting respectfully.
+
+"Mr. Prescott, if you've nothing important 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."
+
+"Yes, sir; I'll pay Mr. Ferrers a visit soon after dinner."
+
+"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!"
+
+"I rather think Sergeant Overton would, sir. He's pretty young, but he's
+an all-around soldier."
+
+"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 Ferrers and get the surgeon to order him
+into hospital!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+PRIVATE HINKEY DELIVERS HIS ANSWER
+
+
+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.
+
+There was no rest, however, for the irresponsible young lieutenant.
+
+For three successive mornings Ferrers had to grub hard at drill, with
+Lieutenant Prescott standing by to coach him.
+
+Then, on the fourth morning, Lieutenant Algy was ordered out to take A
+Company on a twenty-mile hike over rough country.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"Attention!"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+It still lacked much of two in the afternoon when Captain Ruggles,
+leaving his quarters, saw his company marching back.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Any further orders, sir?" inquired Algy.
+
+"No, Lieutenant. Dismiss the company."
+
+As soon as the men had started barrackwards, Captain Ruggles asked the
+lieutenant:
+
+"How did you manage it, Ferrers, to bring the men back in such fine
+condition and so early in the day?"
+
+"Just a matter of good judgment, Captain," beamed Algy.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I changed the orders a bit, sir, to meet the conditions that I
+discovered."
+
+"Conditions?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Well? What next?"
+
+"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----"
+
+"And----"
+
+"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."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"Why, then, sir, I marched them back here. I'll take them out again
+some day when the weather is cooler, and----"
+
+Captain Ruggles acted a good deal like a man who is about to lose his
+temper.
+
+"Mr. Ferrers," came his rasping order, "go to your rooms! Remain there
+until you hear from Colonel North, Major Silsbee or myself."
+
+"Why, what on earth have I done now?" gasped the astonished young man.
+
+"Go to your rooms, sir!"
+
+"Now, what ails good old Ruggles? Isn't the Army the queerest old place
+on the map of the moon?"
+
+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,
+received a telephone call.
+
+"Colonel North's compliments, and will you come to his house at once?"
+was the brief message.
+
+"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.
+
+"Mr. Ferrers," was the colonel's stern greeting, "every day your conduct
+becomes more incomprehensible!"
+
+"And every day, sir, I might say," retorted the young man pleasantly,
+"the Army becomes 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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"I expected to be praised, sir," replied Algy almost testily, "for
+having been highly humane to the men under my command."
+
+"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!"
+
+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
+Colonel North having ordered him to make the call.
+
+Algy immediately started in upon what was, for him, a furious tirade.
+
+"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!"
+
+But Prescott's laughing advice was:
+
+"Hold yourself in, Ferrers; your hoops are cracked."
+
+"Bah!" stormed Lieutenant Algy. "An Army post is a crazy place for a
+fellow to go when looking for sympathy or reason."
+
+In the meantime A Company's men had spread the joke through enlisted
+men's barracks.
+
+"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!"
+
+Sergeant Hal Overton paused just at the edge of the group.
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, you shut up!" sneered Hinkey. "No one spoke to you. Move on. Your
+opinions are not wanted here."
+
+Words cannot convey the intent in Hickey's words, though it was plain
+enough to all who stood near by.
+
+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.
+
+Nor did Hal, by any means, miss the intended slur. Yet he was above
+taking up any quarrel on personal grounds.
+
+"Hinkey," rebuked the young sergeant, "you're not answering a
+non-commissioned officer with the proper amount of respect."
+
+"What's the use?" jeered the ugly soldier. "I don't feel any."
+
+"Silence, my man!"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"He's trying to make me mad, so that I'll make it seem like a personal
+affair," thought Hal Overton swiftly. "I'll keep cool and fool the
+fellow!"
+
+Hinkey, after glaring defiantly and contemptuously at the young
+sergeant, turned on his heel and started away.
+
+"Halt, there, my man!" ordered Sergeant Hal coolly, yet at the same time
+sternly.
+
+Hinkey kept on as though he had not heard.
+
+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.
+
+"I halted you, my man!"
+
+"Did you?" said Hinkey. "I didn't hear it."
+
+With that, he slipped out from under Hal Overton's detaining grasp,
+turned his back and once more started onward.
+
+"Careful there, Hinkey!" called one of the soldiers warningly.
+
+But the sullen soldier was now beyond any sense of caution.
+
+As Hal again grabbed him, this time with both hands, and swinging him
+about, Hinkey thrust his face menacingly close to Overton's.
+
+"What do you want, Overton? Maybe I've got it."
+
+"Attention!"
+
+"I'm listening," growled Hinkey, his whole carriage slouching.
+
+"Stand at attention!"
+
+"Hinkey, you're wholly disrespectful and insubordinate!"
+
+Out of the corner of his eye the soldier saw his late companions
+silently drawing nearer.
+
+"If I'm disrespectful, I'm disrespectful to nothing!" he retorted
+derisively.
+
+Then he added with more insulting directness:
+
+"Or to less than nothing!"
+
+"Hinkey, are you going to stand at attention and be silent until I'm
+through with you?"
+
+"No!"
+
+Again he tried to free himself from the boyish sergeant's grasp, but
+this time he found it harder than he had expected.
+
+"Stand at attention, man!"
+
+"I'll see you in Tophet first! And take your hands off of me, unless you
+want to start trouble at once!"
+
+"Hinkey, you are making a fearful mistake in forgetting yourself! I'll
+give you this one chance to come to your senses."
+
+"And if you don't take your hands off of me you'll lose your senses--if
+you ever had any!"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SERGEANT OVERTON AND DISCIPLINE
+
+
+JUST how it all happened Private Hinkey was never afterwards able to
+figure out to his own satisfaction.
+
+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.
+
+"You chevroned cur! I'll make you eat that blow!" yelled Hinkey, beside
+himself with rage.
+
+Then he leaped to his feet, fairly quivering with the great passion that
+had seized him.
+
+"Slosson! Kelly! Take hold of Hinkey! He's under arrest," announced the
+boyish sergeant.
+
+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.
+
+"Let me at him!" screamed Hinkey, struggling with the two comrades who
+now held him.
+
+"Be silent, you fool!" warned Slosson. "You'll get yourself in stiff
+before you know what you're about."
+
+"What do I care?" panted Hinkey. "The cur coward! He doesn't dare face
+me."
+
+"If the sergeant came at ye once wid his fists, ye'd know better--as
+soon as ye knew anything," jeered Private Kelly.
+
+"The sarge is a scrapper--few like him in 'ours' when he turns himself
+loose," supplemented Slosson.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+But Hal had sense enough to keep his own hands out of the affair.
+
+"Meade, get in there and help," he directed.
+
+Then, with Hinkey growing rapidly angrier and putting forth more
+strength, there was battle royal.
+
+When it was over Hinkey had a bleeding nose, a cut lip, one eye closed
+and his uniform all but torn from him.
+
+But he panted and surrendered, at last--a prisoner.
+
+"What's this all about, Sergeant Overton?" demanded First Sergeant Gray,
+hastening to the spot.
+
+"I've placed Hinkey under arrest, Sergeant, for disrespectful speech
+against an officer, for disrespectful answers to myself and for
+insubordination."
+
+"You wouldn't act without strong cause, I know, Sergeant Overton,"
+replied First Sergeant Gray. "Hustle Private Hinkey down to the guard
+house, then."
+
+"Forward with him, men," ordered Hal.
+
+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.
+
+So, with much growling and many oaths, Hinkey submitted to being marched
+down to the guard house.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"It's all rot!" raged the arrested soldier. "It's all a personal matter,
+and Overton has vented his spite on me."
+
+"Silence, my man!" ordered Lieutenant Hayes sternly. "And when you refer
+to Sergeant Overton, call him by his title."
+
+"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----"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+A summary court consists of one officer, who must, when practicable, be
+of field officer's rank.
+
+So, at nine the next morning, Private Hinkey was arraigned before Major
+Silsbee. All the necessary witnesses were there, too.
+
+Hinkey, of course, claimed that it had all been an affair of personal
+spite on the part of Sergeant Overton.
+
+This claim Hinkey was given a fair opportunity to prove, but he failed
+to do so.
+
+"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 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."
+
+Then followed the sentence.
+
+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.
+
+Thus Private Hinkey would be obliged to work for the United States for
+nothing during nearly the next three months of his service.
+
+Further, he was sentenced to one week's confinement at the guard house,
+and to perform fatigue labor on the post.
+
+Then, still under guard, Hinkey was marched back to the guard house.
+
+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.
+
+As his service in the Army lengthens the soldier acquires a trained
+sense of justice.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+More, Major Silsbee's comments on the case had been repeated by the
+witnesses to other comrades in barracks.
+
+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 strengthened Hal's reputation among his
+soldier comrades.
+
+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.
+
+The fourth day of Hinkey's imprisonment Sergeant Hal had charge of the
+guard that controlled the seven prisoners, in all, who were now working
+out guard house terms.
+
+Hinkey now managed to come close to the young sergeant in command of the
+fatigue party.
+
+"You may think you've won out," growled Private Hinkey.
+
+"My man," spoke Hal almost kindly, "I've no desire to see you get into
+more trouble. Attend to your fatigue duty!"
+
+"You may think you've won out," repeated Hinkey. "But wait!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+WHEN HINKEY WON GOOD OPINIONS
+
+
+GREAT news came to Fort Clowdry these days.
+
+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.
+
+In the same week two great secret societies were also to hold annual
+meetings in Denver.
+
+Thus there would be an unusually large crowd in this handsome, hustling
+city of the Rockies.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I suppose, sir, that I'm slated for the post guard," replied Hinkey,
+saluting.
+
+"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, 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."
+
+"Thank you, sir; I am glad," replied Private Hinkey, saluting very
+respectfully.
+
+"Then look carefully to your conduct until the time comes to start,"
+admonished Captain Cortland.
+
+"Thank you, sir. I most certainly shall."
+
+Then, as he watched the back of Captain Cortland, a peculiarly
+disagreeable smile came to Hinkey's lips.
+
+"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!"
+
+Thereafter Hinkey fairly dreamed of the military journey that was so
+near at hand.
+
+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.
+
+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 life and his deeds of high skill and great daring.
+
+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.
+
+The train left soon after nine in the morning.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Then he'll have all the chance he wants," replied the captain. "We
+don't want to keep any man down, or to give him a dog's name--with
+apologies to the dog."
+
+As Hinkey had been in a service detachment under Overton's command Hal
+felt it but just to say to the fellow:
+
+"Hinkey, you've worked harder and more attentively than any man in this
+detachment."
+
+"Thank you, Sergeant; I've tried to," replied the fellow, with such
+well-pretended respect that Sergeant Hal almost fell over.
+
+"I almost think I've misjudged the man in thinking him one of our
+worst," Overton told himself.
+
+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!
+
+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.
+
+Breakfast was hurriedly disposed of, and the simple duties of ordinary
+"camp police" performed by the time that it was fully light.
+
+And now more labor, for the stage settings must be arranged, that they
+might all be moved swiftly into place as the need came.
+
+It was noon when the men finished. Then mess call, or "come and get it,"
+as the soldiers facetiously term it, was sounded over the camp, and
+officer and man alike hastened to the well-earned midday meal.
+
+"We ought to have a huge crowd," spoke Corporal Noll Terry, at camp
+table.
+
+"We ought to, but we won't," predicted Sergeant Hupner.
+
+"Why not, Sergeant?"
+
+"You didn't take a pass to go to town, last night?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I did."
+
+"Well, Sergeant?"
+
+"The town is billed from one end to another with posters of the show,"
+continued Hupner.
+
+"Meaning our tournament?"
+
+"No, Terry. Of course, our show is billed, too, but the show I'm
+alluding to is Howe and Spangleton's Great Combined Circuses."
+
+"Are they showing in Denver to-day?" asked Sergeant Overton.
+
+"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."
+
+"We ought to have had some other date in the week, then," spoke up
+another man at table.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+Yet one man in this Regular Army encampment felt wholly satisfied with
+himself.
+
+That man was Private Hinkey.
+
+He knew the programme of the tournament, and the secret of this sullen
+wretch's great industry was known at least to himself.
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+HAL RIDES INTO TREACHERY
+
+
+AT one-thirty the gates of the ball grounds were thrown open.
+
+A long programme lay before the assembled regulars, so the tournament
+was to begin at two o'clock.
+
+The same performance was to be repeated in the evening, under brilliant
+electric lighting.
+
+As they left the camp tables, however, the men moved about rather
+dejectedly.
+
+The unexpected competition with the big circus had spoiled their hopes
+of winning round after round of delighted applause from huge crowds.
+
+Yet barely were the gates to the grounds open when the soldiers began to
+take notice.
+
+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.
+
+"They'll stop coming in two minutes, at this rate," grumbled Sergeant
+Hupner.
+
+Yet he proved a poor prophet. By quarter of two nearly every one of the
+more than twenty thousand seats for spectators had been filled. 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.
+
+Outside the crowd still pressed. Thousands simply had to be turned away.
+
+Every officer present now wore a quiet smile that hid his delight under
+an orderly appearance.
+
+"I wonder if the circus has a crowd like this?" gasped Sergeant Hupner,
+his astonished gaze roving over the densely packed masses of humanity.
+
+An artillery band was playing at its loudest and gayest.
+
+"I wonder," repeated Sergeant Hupner, "if the circus is playing to a
+crush like this."
+
+No; it wasn't. Over under the Howe and Spangleton big-top, with its
+plain and reserved seats for eighteen thousand people, consternation
+prevailed.
+
+The Army had proved the winning attraction for Denver's
+amusement-seeking crowds!
+
+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.
+
+"I never even dreamed of a streak of luck like this!" grumbled
+Proprietor Howe to his partner, Spangleton.
+
+"I hope we'll never meet it again. What has struck us this blow under
+the belt?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Just a minute or so before two o'clock the artillery band left the
+bandstand and marched back to camp.
+
+Now, all in an instant, the military parade formed.
+
+At the head was the cavalry band, followed by a squadron (two troops or
+companies) of splendidly mounted fighting men, their accoutrements
+jingling.
+
+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 arms folded, or
+else driving the horses from saddles, came more men on foot, the
+ordnance detachment.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+As the artillery band blazed forth in a glory of rousing melody the
+noise of people's feet increased.
+
+By the time that the infantry marched past 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+A policeman, standing at the edge of the crowd, picked up the wallet,
+returning it to its somewhat disappointed owner.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Men rode two, and then three horses, at once, standing on bareback and
+leaping their animals over gates, ditches and hedges.
+
+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.
+
+Just behind this detachment rode more cavalrymen at the gallop. Three of
+these men, without 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.
+
+It was a wonderful sight. Now, the audience began to come somewhere near
+its actual limits of enthusiasm.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Then next the scene swiftly changed to a well-simulated one of battle,
+in which all arms engaged. "Under heavy fire" the engineers 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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!
+
+Feature after feature followed, in a swiftly-moving, tightly-packed
+programme lasting three hours. The riot drill, showing with vivid
+effect 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:
+
+"Bring your anarchists here to-night, and show them this!"
+
+"Never get into a riot unless you go with the regulars!"
+
+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."
+
+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."
+
+No name was set opposite this title, but the man who had been selected
+for the work was Sergeant Hal Overton.
+
+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 his clothing, his shoes, or
+what-not place of concealment.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The small boys now led in the noise that came from the spectators'
+seats.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+This tree trunk represented the only possible way of getting over the
+gully.
+
+Surely, the young rider would slow down, dismount, take the wheel on his
+shoulders and cross the slim bridge on foot.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Noll still stood by, watching, ready to be at hand if anything happened.
+One other man watched, though from a considerable distance.
+
+This man was Private Hinkey, who alone knew the secret of his willing
+industry since reaching this camp.
+
+Hinkey, unseen by others, had managed treacherously to "fix" the log in
+a manner that had defied detection.
+
+[Illustration: Sergeant Hal's Forward Wheel Struck the Log.]
+
+"There'll be an end to the sergeant kid, in two seconds more!" gloated
+the rascal.
+
+Sergeant's Hal's forward wheel struck the log, throwing full weight upon
+it. There was a snapping crackle, then a shriek from thousands.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+CHASING A SPEEDING DESERTER
+
+
+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.
+
+If there is one thing that a soldier is taught above another, it is to
+think and move swiftly at a critical moment.
+
+Noll saw the tree trunk sag downward, in just the fraction of a second
+ere it broke.
+
+Nor did Corporal Terry wait to see more.
+
+With his eyes on his bunkie, Terry made a prompt leap downward.
+
+He had the advantage of landing on his feet. He was jarred, but there
+was no time to stop to think of that.
+
+At a bound he was far enough forward, his arms outstretched, to swing
+hold of head-downward Hal Overton.
+
+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.
+
+He fell with a thump, but was shaken up--no bones broken.
+
+Sergeant Hal landed on top of his bunkie unhurt.
+
+In an instant they separated, each leaping to his feet.
+
+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.
+
+"Thank you, old bunkie! The best ever!" glowed Hal, as without a
+backward look he raced to pick up his wheel. "Hurt?"
+
+"Not a bit," gasped Noll, his wind jarred out of him for the moment.
+
+"Then I'll finish the ride!"
+
+To the thrilled, throbbing spectators there did not come a thought of
+"accident."
+
+Clearly this whole splendid scene had been only a glimpse of practical
+military training.
+
+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.
+
+Even at that it was a wonderful sight, and again the spectators were on
+their feet, cheering more hoarsely than ever.
+
+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.
+
+Now he was mounted again! On the further side of the gully the young
+Army dispatch rider was racing forward again.
+
+His wheel, somewhat damaged by the fall, was moving stiffly now, but
+Overton put into his pedaling every ounce of energy left to him.
+
+In another moment he was out of sight, his dispatch-bearing ride ended,
+and the band leader stopped his musicians.
+
+In this startling scene the onlookers felt that they had viewed the best
+piece of individual daring of the afternoon.
+
+Little did they guess that they had seen the failure of a scoundrel's
+dastardly attempt to end Sergeant Overton's life.
+
+But grizzled old Colonel North, of the Thirty-fourth United States
+Infantry, knew better.
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, sir; and I have one suggestion to make now," replied Captain
+Cortland.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I ask you, sir, to oblige me very greatly by promising a warrant at
+once for Corporal Terry's promotion to sergeant."
+
+"By Jove, young Terry earned it!" agreed Colonel North.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"A splendid idea, sir!"
+
+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.
+
+The three fighting arms of the service--artillery, cavalry and
+infantry--combined at dress parade.
+
+The ceremony, as enacted that afternoon, possessed all the fervor and
+solemnity of a religious rite.
+
+When it came to the publication of orders appointing Corporal Oliver
+Terry a sergeant in recognition of unusual bravery and judgment 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.
+
+No matter! All would read about it in the Denver papers the next
+morning.
+
+At the firing of retreat gun three military bands combined in the
+playing of "The Star Spangled Banner."
+
+Then, as the troops marched off, all was over as far as the audience was
+concerned.
+
+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.
+
+Over back of one of the cook tents, however, a plain soldier man was
+already arriving at the truth.
+
+"Hinkey, come over here!" called Private Slosson.
+
+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.
+
+"Hinkey," continued Private Slosson, "'twas a near escape from breaking
+his neck that Sergeant Overton had this afternoon."
+
+"That's no concern of mine, I guess," murmured Hinkey.
+
+"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."
+
+The fingers that held Hinkey's cigarette began to tremble.
+
+"What do you mean, Slosson?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"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?"
+
+"I don't know," replied Private Hinkey, speaking bravely, though his
+face now looked bloodless and his lips were quivering.
+
+"Spruce sawdust in the saw you handled," continued Slosson mercilessly.
+"And say, the 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?"
+
+"How should I know?" snarled Private Hinkey, trying to glare back into
+the accusing eyes of Private Slosson.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Private Slosson, holding his eye and feeling weak and dizzy, shouted:
+
+"Some one run after Hinkey, B Company, and catch him!"
+
+The call brought several men, among them Lieutenant Hampton, of B
+Company.
+
+"What has Hinkey done?" demanded the lieutenant, running up.
+
+"He knocked me down, and then deserted, sir."
+
+"Why, my man?"
+
+"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."
+
+Lieutenant Hampton bounded to the gateway. Down the street he saw
+Private Hinkey, running like a deer and already near a street corner.
+
+Hal Overton was the only sergeant close enough for the lieutenant's
+purpose.
+
+"Sergeant Overton, take four men, pursue Hinkey and bring him back
+here," ordered Lieutenant Hampton.
+
+Hal reached the gateway just in time to see Hinkey running around the
+street corner.
+
+In a twinkling Hal and four soldiers were hot-foot after the suspected
+deserter.
+
+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:
+
+"Jump in behind me, comrade, if you're in trouble and being chased."
+
+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.
+
+"Thanks. I'll accept," muttered Hinkey, darting into the doorway.
+
+The man who had hailed him pulled the door shut just before Sergeant Hal
+and four soldiers ran around the corner above.
+
+"What's that soldier been doing that ran by here so fast?" called the
+citizen in shirt sleeves.
+
+"Which way did he go?" asked Hal swiftly, halting just an instant.
+
+"See the next corner?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Your man turned there--to the left. You fellows will have to double
+your speed if you're ever going to catch that soldier."
+
+"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.
+
+Chuckling softly, the citizen opened the door, closed it again and went
+inside to tell Hinkey why he had saved him.
+
+It was a full hour before Sergeant Hal Overton again reported back at
+camp on the grounds.
+
+He had come back at last, forced to admit himself baffled.
+
+"You did all you could, Sergeant," replied Captain Cortland, who had
+just returned to the company street. "Hinkey will be caught, sooner or
+later."
+
+Then, turning to First Sergeant Gray, who had just come up, Captain
+Cortland smiled as he added:
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"What would your story be, Sergeant?"
+
+"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."
+
+"That's the whole story, Sergeant Gray," nodded Captain Cortland.
+
+"I know it, sir; I haven't been in the Army all these years not to have
+found out that much."
+
+Just then Noll Terry appeared on the scene, wearing his newly won
+sergeant's chevrons.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+ALGY COMES TO A CONCLUSION
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+In the morning the Thirty-fourth entrained and returned to Fort Clowdry.
+
+While in Denver, Lieutenant Ferrers, though he had accompanied the
+battalion, had been employed in duties that kept him out of the public
+eye.
+
+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.
+
+"I had an idea that being an officer was a good deal more of a
+gentleman's job," Algy sighed to Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"An officer's position in the Army is a hard-working job," Prescott
+rejoined. "However, 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."
+
+"But gentlemen shouldn't be expected to work--at least, not hard,"
+argued Algy Ferrers.
+
+"Now, where on earth did you get that idea?" laughed Lieutenant
+Prescott.
+
+"All the fellows I used to know were gentlemen," protested Algy, "and
+none of them ever worked."
+
+"Then what were they good for?" demanded Lieutenant Prescott crisply.
+
+"Eh?" breathed Ferrers, looking puzzled.
+
+"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.
+
+"Prexy, old chap, I'm afraid you're an anarchist," gasped Algy, looking
+almost humanly distressed.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+That is to say, he went off the reservation without notifying any of his
+superior officers.
+
+At the sounding of drill assembly the next morning, every officer on
+post was present with the one exception of young Mr. Ferrers.
+
+"Where's that hopeless idiot now?" muttered Colonel North peevishly, for
+he had come down to see the battalion drill.
+
+"I haven't the least idea, sir," replied Major Silsbee.
+
+"Send an orderly up to his quarters, Major."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+But, as both major and colonel had suspected, Ferrers wasn't in his
+quarters. Nor was he anywhere else on post apparently.
+
+It was five o'clock that afternoon when Lieutenant Ferrers, in civilian
+dress, passed the guard house in returning on post.
+
+"Wanted--at the adjutant's office--am I?" queried Algy. "Oh, yes; I
+imagine I am. Queer place, this Army."
+
+With a sigh of resignation, but appearing not in the least alarmed,
+Ferrers went to the office of the regimental adjutant.
+
+"You've been away again without leave, and skipped battalion drill and
+several other duties," said the adjutant dryly.
+
+"Yes," admitted Ferrers promptly. "But I've got a good excuse."
+
+"You'll find Colonel North in the next room ready to hear what your
+excuse can be."
+
+"I suppose he'll scold me again," murmured Algy resignedly.
+
+"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."
+
+As Algy entered Colonel North's office the older man lifted his head and
+looked rather coldly at Mr. Ferrers.
+
+Algy brought up his hand in a tardy salute, then stood there.
+
+But the colonel only continued to look at him. Ferrers fidgeted until he
+could endure the silence no longer.
+
+"You--you wanted to speak to me, sir?" stammered Algy, the frigid
+atmosphere disconcerting him.
+
+"I never wanted to speak to a man less in my life," rejoined Colonel
+North icily.
+
+"Thank you, sir. Then I'll be going."
+
+"Stop, sir!"
+
+"Eh, sir?"
+
+"Mr. Ferrers, I'll listen to whatever you have to say."
+
+"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 now
+suddenly struck him as being exceedingly lame.
+
+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.
+
+"Y-yes, sir; I was away to-day sir."
+
+"Further than Clowdry, Mr. Ferrers?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I don't know anything about the people you name, Mr. Ferrers, and I
+don't want to."
+
+"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."
+
+"Then I wonder, Mr. Ferrers, if your friend has influence enough at
+Washington to save your shoulder-straps for you?"
+
+"Eh, sir? What's that? What do you mean, sir?" asked Algy, again looking
+puzzled and uneasy.
+
+"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."
+
+"Not fit to----" repeated Algy slowly. Then broke into a laugh as he
+added: "That's a good joke, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"For how long, sir?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+"What will you do, then?" demanded North.
+
+"Sooner than stand for being tried, like an ordinary pickpocket,
+Colonel, I'll resign!"
+
+"It is not usual, Mr. Ferrers, to allow an officer to resign when he's
+facing serious charges."
+
+"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."
+
+"But if your resignation is not accepted, Mr. Ferrers?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+Algy Ferrers looked mightily disturbed over that information.
+
+"Are you serious about wanting to resign and getting out of the Army,
+Mr. Ferrers?"
+
+"Yes, sir; very much in earnest."
+
+Colonel North thought for a few moments. Then he replied:
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"I am very glad to have this resignation, Mr. Ferrers," declared
+Colonel North, speaking more gently at last.
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+PLANNING FOR THE SOLDIERS' HUNT
+
+
+"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."
+
+"Do you really imagine you can leave the post to-morrow, Mr. Ferrers?"
+demanded the colonel, a good deal astonished.
+
+"Yes; can't I?"
+
+"Mr. Ferrers, you are of the Army until your resignation has been
+accepted in the usual way."
+
+"Haven't you accepted it, Colonel?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, that will be all right," declared Algy promptly. "I'll get my
+friend, Benson-Bodge, to attend to that."
+
+"I'm afraid he can't do it for you, young man. Mr. Ferrers, you will
+have to remain at 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."
+
+It took Mr. Ferrers until the next morning to recover his good spirits.
+
+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:
+
+          "You'll be glad to know that I'll be with you
+          after a few days more. Have resigned from this
+          beastly Army."
+
+Sergeant Noll Terry was in charge of the office. He looked the message
+over gravely, then said:
+
+"I am sorry, sir, but I am afraid that I cannot allow this message to go
+without the written approval of the post commander."
+
+"What's the matter now?" asked Algy.
+
+"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."
+
+"But I'm an officer--yet--so what right have you to refuse to send it,
+Sergeant?"
+
+"It will have to be approved by Colonel North, or his adjutant, before I
+can allow it to be sent, sir," replied Noll firmly.
+
+"Humph! But it's high time to get out of the Army when a chap can't even
+write his own telegrams!"
+
+However, Ferrers thought it over for a few moments. Then he wrote this
+new message:
+
+"Expect me home, soon. Have resigned from the Army."
+
+"Is a chap allowed to send a message like that?" Algy inquired
+plaintively.
+
+"Certainly, Lieutenant," Noll replied, and handed the message over to a
+soldier operator.
+
+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.
+
+"'Pon my word, I think I could like the Army very well, if they weren't
+so beastly strict about everything," murmured Algy to himself.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Just before the noon mess call Captain Cortland, in passing, called out
+to Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+"Another practice hike, sir?" asked Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+"That would be fine for the men who get away, sir," agreed Hal, his eyes
+shining at the thought.
+
+"How would you like, Sergeant, to make up such a party and head it?"
+continued Captain Cortland.
+
+"I head the hunting party? I would like it immensely, sir, but for one
+objection. I am not an experienced hunter."
+
+"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."
+
+"How much discipline is needed, sir, with a hunting party?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+As Hal said this he flushed a bit.
+
+"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."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"But you haven't answered me as to whether you will head the hunting
+party."
+
+"I shall do it gladly and eagerly, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"I thank you again, sir."
+
+"Go and find your men."
+
+"Very good, sir. May I include Sergeant Terry?"
+
+"If he can arrange for relief at the telegraph station."
+
+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 there was big game to be had
+up in the mountains.
+
+Noll was invited first of all. Terry succeeded in arranging for relief
+from telegraph duties, so that he could go.
+
+Corporal Hyman proved to be one of the skilled hunters, and he at once
+agreed, besides suggesting others who should be invited.
+
+"It's a great picnic, Kid Sergeant; you don't know what bully fun it is
+until you get there," Hyman assured Hal.
+
+Lieutenant Ferrers dropped in at the officers' club well ahead of the
+dinner hour that evening.
+
+"Yes, fellows," he drawled, "I'm going back to life and civilization. No
+more of this boarding school and chain-gang life for me."
+
+The other officers present laughed good-humoredly.
+
+"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."
+
+"Maybe," sniffed Algy doubtfully.
+
+An orderly appeared in the doorway, yellow envelope in hand.
+
+"Telegram for Lieutenant Ferrers," he announced.
+
+"Right here, my man. Thank you."
+
+Algy tore open the envelope, after apologizing, and glanced at the
+bottom of the message.
+
+"It's from the guv'nor," he announced. "I expect he's getting ready to
+kill the fatted calf against my arrival home."
+
+Then Algy fell to reading the message. As he started his brows puckered.
+Once he gasped. Then, at the end, he burst forth:
+
+"My, but the guv'nor seems almost annoyed," cried Algy, his face
+reddening.
+
+"Anything serious?" inquired Holmes politely.
+
+"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:
+
+          "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 about resigning. If you quit the Army, or
+          are kicked out of it, I'll separate you forever
+          from every cent of my money.
+
+                             "(Signed) Donald Ferrers."
+
+
+There was silence in the club parlor, until it was broken by Algy, who
+wailed plaintively:
+
+"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."
+
+"That's your trump card, now, Algy," observed Jerrold, of A company.
+
+"Some class about your father, Ferrers, isn't there?" asked Lieutenant
+Prescott.
+
+"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."
+
+Now that he knew that he would have to stay in the Army, young Ferrers
+found himself hating it worse than ever.
+
+Nor did the information that his comrades offered him console him any.
+He was assured 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.
+
+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.
+
+Two days later there were two officers leaving the post.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+HAL'S GUN MAKES THE REST CURIOUS
+
+
+"OH, my, but that smells good!"
+
+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.
+
+"Bear meat," said Slosson briefly. "Sergeant Overton and Lieutenant
+Prescott brought it in just before noon with their compliments."
+
+"Where are they now?"
+
+"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."
+
+Slosson had mentioned the sergeant before the lieutenant, but that was
+not an unpardonable breach of etiquette, out here in the wilds.
+
+More especially was it proper because Sergeant Hal, and not the
+handsome, fine, young West Pointer, commanded this camp and detachment.
+
+"Where are your mates, Sarge?" inquired Slosson.
+
+"Oh, I left my crowd," smiled Noll. "They won't be in for an hour yet,
+in all probability."
+
+"Get anything, any of you?" queried Kelly.
+
+"Not a thing, up to the time I quit," sighed Noll.
+
+"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!"
+
+Sergeant Hal Overton's hunting detachment of the Thirty-fourth was now
+encamped up in the highest points, almost, of all the Colorado Rockies.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The little village of wall tents stood some fifty feet away from where
+Privates Slosson and Kelly were now busy getting the evening meal.
+
+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.
+
+"It's chilly to-night," announced Sergeant Terry, standing back and
+watching the two soldiers at work.
+
+"It's hot," grumbled Slosson, piling on more wood and stirring one of
+the open cook fires.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The party consisted of Sergeants Overton and Terry, Corporals Hyman and
+Cotter, twelve privates and Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+Mr. Prescott was not a detailed member of the detachment. He had secured
+leave from 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.
+
+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.
+
+"How big was the bear before you cut him up?" asked Noll, standing about
+and watching the cooks.
+
+"About a hundred and thirty pounds, I guess," replied Slosson.
+
+"How far away from here did they shoot him?"
+
+"Over a mile."
+
+"Hm! Hal must have had a long, heavy pack."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Your bunkie ain't no dude, either, Sarge," continued Kelly. "Him and
+the lieutenant are two men of pretty near the same color."
+
+"White isn't a color, anyway," laughed Noll.
+
+"Maybe it isn't," assented Private Kelly.
+
+Noll turned to look at the descending sun.
+
+"My, I don't believe I've ever been as hungry as I am now," complained
+Noll.
+
+"Nothing doing, Sarge, until the rest of the crowd comes in," grinned
+Slosson.
+
+"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."
+
+"You could have carried more," insisted Slosson.
+
+"I had more, but I didn't find water anywhere and hard tack is
+abominably dry stuff to get down without help."
+
+"Go over to the bucket and help yourself to water now, Sarge," suggested
+Private Kelly teasingly.
+
+"I think I will," agreed Noll, turning.
+
+"Take a lot of it," urged Slosson. "Water, when you get enough of it, is
+mighty filling."
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Well, I'm back," argued Noll.
+
+"And you'll eat, Sarge, when the rest eat."
+
+"What's in that oven?" queried Noll, pausing before an Army cookstove.
+
+"Mince pie," remarked Kelly quietly.
+
+"Oh, you fiend!" growled Sergeant Noll. "To torment a hungry man with
+lies like that!"
+
+"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!"
+
+Kelly cautiously opened the oven door for a brief moment, affording Noll
+an instant's glimpse of three browning pies.
+
+"And there's six more of them hid here," added Kelly tantalizingly.
+
+"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!"
+
+"At that rate, how long would it take you 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."
+
+"I don't have to take off many clothes, Kelly, to be down to fighting
+trim enough to thrash you!"
+
+"I wouldn't take advantage of ye," protested Kelly generously. "Sure it
+would be no victory for a Kelly to whip a dying man."
+
+"What's the fight about, men?" inquired a jolly voice.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 water bucket. "How many
+pies have you there?"
+
+"Nine, sir, when the three in the oven come out."
+
+"What kind?"
+
+"Mince."
+
+"Um-um-um!" quoth the officer.
+
+"The sun's going so low now, Kelly, that I'm minded to let you live
+another day," broke in Sergeant Noll.
+
+"Aw, that's just because there's company present," growled Kelly, with a
+side glance at the lieutenant.
+
+"Supper ready?" hailed a distant voice.
+
+"Will be, when you come in and fetch the wood to cook with," Slosson
+hailed back through his hands.
+
+A growl of desperation came from the party headed by Corporal Hyman.
+Then in they tramped, but they carried only their rifles.
+
+"What have ye been doing the long day?" demanded Kelly, with a keen look
+at the party.
+
+"Getting up an appetite for supper," retorted Corporal Hyman.
+
+"But the game?"
+
+"'Twas so heavy we gave up carrying it," grinned Corporal Hyman.
+
+"The boys back in barracks have had their mouths watering for game for
+days," grunted Slosson. "How'll we ever break the news to 'em?"
+
+The soldiers shook their heads blankly.
+
+"Want a suggestion as to the gentlest way of breaking the news back
+home, Slosson?" inquired Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"We'd surely be grateful for it, sir," answered Slosson.
+
+"Then we'll coax Sergeant Overton to wire back requesting full rations
+for seventeen days for seventeen men."
+
+"It'd be a bad trick, sir."
+
+"How so?"
+
+"The post commissary sergeant would be that mad he'd poison the grub,
+sir, before shipping it."
+
+"I believe he would," agreed Mr. Prescott thoughtfully. "For the men
+back in barracks are looking for at least four tons of game food."
+
+Bang! Bang!
+
+"Hello! What's that?" cried Noll, starting up and listening.
+
+"Queer question for a soldier to be askin'," mocked Private Kelly.
+
+Bang-bang-bang!
+
+"Wirra, but that feller can't stop to take breath between his shooting,"
+remarked Private Kelly.
+
+"Those shots," declared Lieutenant Prescott, "sound out in the
+direction where I left Sergeant Overton."
+
+"He's struck something," declared Noll gleefully.
+
+"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."
+
+"Bang-bang!" sounded the distant rifle.
+
+"He's moving, anyway, whoever he is," declared Sergeant Noll.
+
+"Hello, there!"
+
+"'Lo yerselves!" yelled back Kelly.
+
+Another group of men came, and right after them the remainder of the
+hunters save one.
+
+Bang-bang!
+
+"Now we know it's Sergeant Overton out there," announced Lieutenant
+Prescott. Then he turned to Noll.
+
+"Sergeant Terry, you're in charge. What are you going to do about it?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+BIG GAME AND A NIGHT IN CAMP
+
+
+"IT'S a bad time to follow through the woods," remarked Corporal Cotter.
+"There goes the sun behind the tops."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Nothing," replied Mr. Prescott promptly. "You're in temporary command
+here, Sergeant Terry."
+
+"Run up the camp lights, Johnson," Noll directed.
+
+These lights, a red and a green one, were quickly run up on halyards to
+almost the top of a tall fir tree.
+
+It was quickly dark, but camp now waited to learn the meaning of so many
+shots.
+
+"Hey, there's Dinkelspiel's Comet let loose in the sky!" announced
+Private Johnson.
+
+"Wrong! It's Overton waving a torch from a tree top," returned Noll,
+studying the flame 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."
+
+The distant signalman now began waving his torch from right to left,
+following the regular code.
+
+"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."
+
+"He must be in trouble," cried Hyman.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+"Guns, Sergeant?" called one of the men.
+
+"Two of you bring rifles, in case of trouble. The rest had better be
+unencumbered. Forward."
+
+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.
+
+"Hel-lo, bun-kie!" hailed Noll when the party was within an eighth of a
+mile of the tree.
+
+"Hello! Glad you're here."
+
+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.
+
+"What's up?" hailed Noll.
+
+"Nothing. I've just come down," retorted Sergeant Hal.
+
+"What have you been doing?"
+
+"Killing game," replied Sergeant Overton, as he headed toward them.
+
+"What kind?"
+
+"How much?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, come now, Sarge!" teased Private Johnson.
+
+"I fired two shots, but the first toppled him," insisted Hal. "Come,
+look here."
+
+Hal Overton halted under the trees, pointing with his torch.
+
+It was certainly a fine, sleek, heavy buck to which Hal pointed.
+
+"But you didn't need all of us to carry it in, did you?" demanded one of
+the men.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Sergeant Hal led his soldier friends to the second bear carcass.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"Whew!" whistled Lieutenant Prescott. "What did you do?"
+
+"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----"
+
+Hal stopped, holding his torch so as to show the carcass of another male
+bear. Not many yards away lay two females.
+
+"An antelope and five bears!" gasped Lieutenant Prescott. "Sergeant
+Overton, you've qualified for the sharpshooter class in two minutes!"
+
+"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."
+
+"Nonsense!" spoke Prescott almost sharply. "It was clever shooting and
+uncommonly brave work."
+
+"Brave, sir?" retorted Hal, laughingly. "Lieutenant, do you note how my
+teeth are still chattering? I'm shaking all over, still, for that
+matter."
+
+"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."
+
+"It's a job an old hunter'd brag about," glowed one of the soldiers.
+
+Forgetting, for the time, their hunger, the men wandered from one
+carcass to another, examining them to see where the hits had been made.
+
+"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?"
+
+The two managed to raise it.
+
+"Here, Lieutenant, that's not for you to do," remonstrated Sergeant
+Overton. "Let me take hold of your end."
+
+"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 opinion of this outfit if they let you carry anything more
+than your rifle back to camp this night."
+
+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.
+
+Not infrequently they had to halt and rest, for the carcasses were
+fearfully heavy, even for men as toughened as regulars.
+
+Yet, finally, they did manage to get Hal's prizes back to camp.
+
+"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."
+
+"But you killed the bear this morning, sir," urged Sergeant Hal.
+
+"Yes, Sergeant; after you had fired the first shot and had crippled the
+beast so that it couldn't get away from me."
+
+Not even to gloat over the big haul of game, however, could the men wait
+any longer for their long-deferred evening meal.
+
+There was a general washup, after which the entire party went to table.
+
+Lieutenant Prescott permitted one concession to his rank. He sat at
+table with the enlisted men, but he had one end of the board all to
+himself.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"How much meat is there?" asked Private Johnson, whereat all the men
+laughed as happily as schoolboys on a picnic.
+
+"Never ye fear, glutton," retorted Kelly. "There's more meat than any
+seventeen giants in the fairy tales could ever eat at one sitting."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Then, to top it all, came more coffee and mince 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!
+
+It was over at last, and pipes came out here and there, though not all
+of the soldiers smoked.
+
+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.
+
+"You are looking rather thoughtful, Sergeant," observed Lieutenant
+Prescott, strolling over to Overton. "I hope I am not interrupting any
+train of thought."
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"May I sit down beside you?"
+
+"Certainly, sir."
+
+Sergeant Hal moved over, making plenty of room on his blanket. Officer
+and non-com. stretched themselves out comfortably, each resting on one
+elbow.
+
+"Nevertheless, Sergeant," continued Mr. Prescott, "you were thinking of
+something very particular when I came along."
+
+"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 slip by without finding
+out what an ideal place the Army is."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I want to be considered one of the crowd," replied the young officer
+simply.
+
+"But you're not an enlisted man, sir."
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+It was Johnson who took the first trick of the watch, while the others
+turned in in their tents.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+HOLDING UP A CAMP GUARD
+
+
+HALF an hour before daylight was due everyone in the camp was stirring.
+
+The two new cooks for the day had their work cut out for them. Other
+soldiers busied themselves with hauling wood and water.
+
+Then, too, the four horses belonging to the transport wagons had to be
+curried, watered and fed.
+
+By the time these first duties were out of the way broad daylight had
+come and breakfast was ready.
+
+The meal over "police," or cleaning up, was performed as carefully as in
+barracks.
+
+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.
+
+"Anybody in this outfit been wearing moccasins?" queried Corporal Hyman,
+strolling back into camp.
+
+No one admitted it.
+
+"Then we've been having visitors in the night," continued Hyman. "No
+less than four of them, either, for the prints are right under that
+tree over there, and they lead down to the trail."
+
+"Moccasins? Indians, then?" thrilled Private William Green, who was one
+of the hunting party.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes, Sergeant."
+
+"Did you see or hear any prowlers?"
+
+"Nary one, Sergeant."
+
+"Corporal Hyman, take me over to the moccasin prints. Lieutenant, do you
+mind taking a look at them, too, sir?"
+
+Mr. Prescott stepped over in the wake of Hyman and Overton.
+
+"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."
+
+"More likely five," supplemented Lieutenant Prescott, pointing to still
+another set of footmarks.
+
+"Here are other prints over here," called Sergeant Overton. "Aren't
+these still a different set?"
+
+"Yes," agreed both the lieutenant and Corporal Hyman.
+
+"Then there were at least six men prowling about here while we slept in
+the night," concluded Hal.
+
+"And here is one of the trails," called the lieutenant, "leading toward
+camp."
+
+"Suppose we follow the trail?" suggested the young sergeant.
+
+They did so, halting at the end of the trail.
+
+"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."
+
+"It would be interesting to know who our visitors were," nodded
+Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"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."
+
+"The camp is guarded by two reliable men," remarked Mr. Prescott.
+
+"True enough, sir, but they're not real guards, for both will have their
+hands full with camp housework," objected the boyish sergeant. "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."
+
+"And, on the whole, I think you're wise to do it, Sergeant," approved
+the lieutenant.
+
+So, while the main party hied itself away soon after, Hal Overton
+remained behind with the two camp duty men.
+
+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.
+
+But his rifle and ammunition belt rested beside him.
+
+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.
+
+Nothing came of it, however. At noon Hal ate with Dietz and Johnson.
+
+"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."
+
+"Nobody will beat the haul you made yesterday, Sarge," offered Private
+Dietz.
+
+"Oh, I'd like to see several of the fellows beat 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."
+
+"We're not stumped, with five bear carcasses," hinted Private Johnson.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"I wonder!" cried Hal, his eyes blazing with eagerness.
+
+"Crazy to get out to the islands, Sarge?"
+
+"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."
+
+"What have you against the Philippines?" Hal wanted to know.
+
+"Well, Sarge, don't you enjoy this cool, crisp, bracing air up here in
+the hills?"
+
+"Certainly. Who wouldn't? This air is bracing--life-giving."
+
+"Nothing like it in the Philippines," answered Dietz. "It's hot
+there--hot, you understand."
+
+"Yet I've been told that a soldier always needs his blankets there at
+night," objected Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+"Then that ought to be all right," smiled Hal hopefully.
+
+"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."
+
+"I guess the whole trick can be learned," predicted Overton.
+
+"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."
+
+"Yet you're alive, now," observed Overton.
+
+"Oh, yes; just as it happens."
+
+"But surely there's some marching in the shade, too?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Then, in the same instant, he heard a voice call:
+
+"Throw your hands up there, man!"
+
+"Holding me up with my own gun, are you?" raged Private Dietz.
+
+"Yes; and we've got the other chap's lead-piece, too. Up with your
+hands, both of you."
+
+Hal dropped back behind the flap of his tent, peering out through a
+little crack in the canvas.
+
+There were now seven men outside, all strangers, all rough-looking and
+all moccasined.
+
+Between them they had the three rifles belonging in camp that day.
+
+"Bring out that other fellow, the kid sergeant," commanded the same
+voice, after Dietz and Johnson, hopelessly surprised, had hoisted their
+hands skyward.
+
+"Humph!" growled Sergeant Hal, his eyes snapping. "I don't like the idea
+of surrendering the camp that I command!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+WHEN THE LAST CARTRIDGE WAS GONE
+
+
+WHATEVER was to be done would have to be done in a very few seconds.
+
+For one of the rifle-armed strangers had started briskly for the tent
+that concealed the boyish sergeant.
+
+"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."
+
+Two swift steps backward, and Sergeant Hal caught up his revolver.
+
+With this in his right hand, and stepping panther-like, he returned to
+the fallen tent flap.
+
+The approaching man with the rifle bent forward, sweeping the tent flap
+aside.
+
+"Come out, Sarge!" he ordered.
+
+"If I have to," retorted Hal, setting his teeth.
+
+Grasping the revolver by the barrel end, he sprang through, before the
+other fellow could comprehend what was happening.
+
+"Look out, there!" yelled one of the invaders, coming up behind the man
+with the rifle.
+
+It was too late.
+
+Crack! It was a fearful blow, the butt of the heavy Army revolver
+landing on the fellow's jaw and fracturing it.
+
+"O-o-o-h!"
+
+It was a wail of fearful agony, but under the circumstances Sergeant
+Overton could not afford to regret it.
+
+The stricken man staggered back.
+
+Hal poised for a bound, intending to snatch the rifle from him.
+
+As the fellow dropped back, however, his companion coming up behind him
+was in time to snatch the rifle, turning the muzzle on Overton.
+
+There being not a second to lose, and the fight unequal, Hal darted,
+instead, back to his tent pole.
+
+There hung a mirror that he had used in shaving.
+
+It took but an instant to get this. Then Hal raced for a tree thirty
+feet away.
+
+Dropping the small mirror into a pocket, Overton started to climb the
+tree.
+
+"Come down out of that tree, or we'll bring you down!" roared an ugly
+voice.
+
+"You'll have to drop me, then, if you want me," taunted Hal coolly.
+
+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.
+
+"Coming down, you----?" called the ruffian with an oath.
+
+"No," responded Hal. "Coming up?"
+
+"Come down, I tell you!"
+
+"Some mistake," sneered Hal, still climbing. "I'm headed for the roof."
+
+Below him he heard a threatening click as the bolt of the rifle was
+thrown back.
+
+"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."
+
+So the fellow under the tree went back to join his six companions.
+
+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.
+
+"You two soldiers," ordered the leader of the ruffians, "lie down on
+your faces and hold your hands behind your backs for tying."
+
+Neither soldier, however, stirred as yet.
+
+"You heard that, Sergeant?" called Dietz dryly.
+
+"Yes," admitted Hal.
+
+"What shall we do?"
+
+"You fellows get down on your faces--flop!" broke in the leader of the
+ruffians. "That's what you'll do!"
+
+"Will you be kind enough to shut up?" retorted Private Dietz coolly.
+"We're taking our orders from the sergeant."
+
+"Let him come down here and give the orders, then," jeered the leader of
+the invaders.
+
+"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."
+
+"That's your order, then, is it, sergeant?" inquired Private Johnson.
+
+"Yes; it can't be helped."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The sun was still sufficiently high for him to catch the rays strongly
+on his small mirror.
+
+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.
+
+Swiftly enough the young sergeant caught the flash, and found to his
+delight that he was able to throw a fairly long flash.
+
+"Camp in hands of ruffians. Help quick!"
+
+[Illustration: The Mirror Was Shot From Hal's Hand.]
+
+Despite his tremendous excitement, Sergeant Overton endeavored to steady
+his right hand enough to enable him to send the message quite clearly.
+
+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.
+
+"That kid's trying to send word to some one," guessed the leader. "Here,
+cub, hand me that rifle."
+
+Crack!
+
+Smash!
+
+It was a true shot, though how much of it was due to luck Sergeant Hal
+could not surmise.
+
+But the glass was shot from his hand, the splintered bits falling to the
+ground.
+
+"Next shot for you, kid!" warned the marksman below.
+
+"Yes?" mocked Overton.
+
+"Surest thing in the world? Coming down, or shall I bring you down?"
+
+Crack!
+
+Hal drew his own weapon up, firing as the sight passed the human target.
+
+It was a close shot, the revolver bullet carrying away the fellow's
+cloth cap.
+
+"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."
+
+That was too much for the ruffian's composure. He turned, running in a
+zig-zag line.
+
+So Hal held his fire, awaiting results for a moment. As he waited he
+felt for his revolver ammunition.
+
+Then he made a sickening discovery. He had no revolver ammunition beyond
+the five cartridges remaining in the cylinder of his weapon.
+
+As for the invaders, they had more than three hundred rounds of rifle
+ammunition now at their disposal.
+
+And they had fled to cover, too, but now Sergeant Overton had the
+uncomfortable conviction that three rifles were trained on him.
+
+"Now, come down out of that tree on the double quick!" commanded the
+leader of the invaders.
+
+"My coming will suit myself only," boasted Hal in a tone conveying ten
+times the confidence that he felt.
+
+"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."
+
+"You may fire whenever ready," mocked Hal. "Every shot you fire will be
+a signal that will make my friends come faster."
+
+Bang! It was the leader himself who fired. The bullet clipped off a
+leaf within an inch of Sergeant Overton's ear.
+
+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.
+
+Now two more shots clipped close to the young soldier. Hal answered with
+one.
+
+But he tried to steady himself. He realized that he had but three
+fighting shots left, and that he must make them count.
+
+"But maybe three are enough to last me as long as I'm going to live,
+anyway," reflected Sergeant Overton grimly.
+
+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.
+
+The Army bullet, at an ordinary range, will pierce three solid feet of
+standing oak.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE EIGHTH MOCCASIN APPEARS
+
+
+"GIVE it up?" queried the leader.
+
+"I answered you before on that head," retorted Sergeant Overton.
+
+"Don't be a fool, kid. We don't want to hurt you. All we want is that
+revolver."
+
+"I don't want to give it up," rejoined Hal.
+
+"You'd better!"
+
+"It isn't mine to give, anyway. It belongs to the United States
+Government."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'm here until further orders."
+
+"You've got your orders!"
+
+"I don't take any orders from you," retorted Hal with fine scorn.
+
+"Open up on the fool, boys--all together!"
+
+Three spurts of flame jetted out from the cover that the ruffians had
+taken.
+
+Hal steadied his arm by resting it across a branch before him, and fired
+back, his aim, as before, at the leader.
+
+He had the satisfaction of seeing that rascal's head duck below cover.
+
+Though he could not know it then, Overton had clipped a lock of hair
+from the fellow's hatless head.
+
+Another volley, which Hal answered with another shot.
+
+"What do you fellows want with guns if you can't shoot better!" hailed
+Overton derisively.
+
+He didn't want them to shoot any better, but he was trying to anger them
+and thus make their shooting wilder.
+
+"It won't take us more than half a minute more to get you," flung back
+the leader.
+
+Now that fellow raised himself, exposing himself more, but getting a
+solid left-hand rest for his rifle.
+
+Hal could see and feel that the rifle was pointed fairly at him.
+
+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.
+
+"Gracious! That was my last cartridge, too!" groaned the young sergeant
+inwardly.
+
+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 it is
+quite another thing to face the certainty of being helpless with so many
+armed foes bent on one's destruction.
+
+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.
+
+With lightning motions Hal went through the sham of filling his cylinder
+with fresh cartridges.
+
+"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!"
+
+As he spoke, the leader moved boldly from cover, exposing the whole
+length of his body.
+
+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.
+
+Of course Hal could not shoot, and the rest seeing that, also came out
+from cover.
+
+Chuckling, all but the one whose jaw Hal had injured, the wretches moved
+forward, halting just under the tree.
+
+"Coming down now?" demanded the leader, directing the muzzle of his
+stolen rifle up the tree.
+
+"I don't know," mimicked Hal.
+
+"Ever hear what the treed 'coon said to Davy Crockett?" inquired the
+scoundrel facetiously.
+
+"If it's a chestnut I'll stand hearing it again," proposed the young
+sergeant.
+
+"Well, friend, when the raccoon saw Davy pointing his gun upward, he
+called down: 'Don't shoot, Davy! I'll come down.'"
+
+"Great!" mocked young Overton.
+
+"Are you going to do like the 'coon?"
+
+Hal's answer was to raise his right hand suddenly and hurling his now
+useless revolver.
+
+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.
+
+"You said all you wanted was my revolver," announced Sergeant Hal.
+"Well, you have it. Now on your way with it."
+
+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.
+
+But their leader struck down their guns.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"But it's so comfortable up here," objected Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+Where had Hal seen this man before? Where and when had he heard that
+voice?
+
+Face and voice both seemed strangely familiar, yet, to save him, Overton
+could not place the fellow at that moment.
+
+"One!" counted the leader, and Hal saw three rifle muzzles pointed at
+him.
+
+"Two!"
+
+"All right! I'm the 'coon. Be with you in a minute, Davy Crockett,"
+laughed Sergeant Hal Overton.
+
+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.
+
+Having once started groundward, Overton continued to descend rapidly.
+
+As he reached the last limb on his descent he took a swift slide and
+landed among his captors.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+So Hal lay face downward and gave up his hands for binding.
+
+Wrap! wrap! He felt the cord passing swiftly around his wrists, and then
+an extra turn was taken around his ankles.
+
+"Your name's Overton, isn't it?" asked the leader with a wicked grin on
+his face.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then you're the man we want."
+
+"From the way you acted I judged that you wanted me," mocked Hal dryly.
+
+"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."
+
+An eighth man of the wretched crew now came swiftly forward from the
+hiding that he had kept from the first.
+
+As he came he chuckled maliciously, and Hal Overton knew that sinister
+laugh.
+
+Then the fellow halted, bending over the prostrate, tied young sergeant.
+
+The face was the face of that evil deserter from the Army--ex-Private
+Hinkey!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE ENEMY HAS HIS INNINGS
+
+
+"I'D much better have stayed up the tree and been shot out of it!"
+flashed through Sergeant Hal's startled brain.
+
+"Howdy!" jeered Hinkey, leering wickedly. "Didn't expect to see me, did
+you?"
+
+"No," Hal admitted frankly.
+
+"It's my inning now, Overton."
+
+"It looks like it."
+
+"And I'm to have my own way with you--you officers' boot-lick!"
+
+"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."
+
+"Good!" added Private Johnson valiantly. "And true, too! I never
+realized it until to-day, either."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'm glad to know why you left, Hinkey," jeered Dietz. "I've wondered a
+lot about that."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Not far away sat the man whose jaw Hal had damaged. He was groaning a
+bit, despite his efforts to make no fuss.
+
+"Look at our two mates this sergeant boy has put out of action,"
+growled Hinkey, trying to inflame his comrades.
+
+"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."
+
+"You'd hold anything and everything against him if you knew him as well
+as I do," retorted Hinkey.
+
+He was still standing over his young victim, gazing down gloatingly at
+him.
+
+"And now the time has come to square matters up with you, younker," went
+on Hinkey tauntingly. "It's all my way now."
+
+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.
+
+"Well, why don't you talk back, Overton?" demanded Hinkey sneeringly.
+
+Just the ghost of a smile flickered over Overton's face.
+
+"Laughing at me, are you?" yelled Hinkey, trying to work himself into a
+more brutal rage.
+
+Hal spoke at last.
+
+"No," he answered.
+
+"If you ain't laughing," continued the brute, "what are you doing?"
+
+"Just thinking how sorry I am for you," Hal flashed back coolly.
+
+"Sorry?" echoed the fellow bitterly. "You'd better waste your sorrow on
+yourself! What are you feeling badly about me for?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Good! Tell him some more, Sarge," came from Dietz.
+
+"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?"
+
+"It's your affair--your battle, Hinkey," replied the leader grimly.
+"Don't try to drag us in."
+
+"You're making such a beast of yourself, Hinkey, that even your own gang
+don't respect you," taunted Johnson.
+
+"A crowd of Colorado wild-cats couldn't respect such a fellow," supplied
+Dietz.
+
+With a snarl Hinkey ran over to where Dietz and Johnson lay, giving each
+a hard kick. The soldiers suffered the violence in silence.
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+"All in a minute," promised the deserter. "But, first of all, are you
+going to take the other two soldiers with you?"
+
+"No. We don't need 'em."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Of course not."
+
+"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.
+
+With that he turned to Hal.
+
+"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!"
+
+But Hal merely opened his eyes the wider, smiling back with a confidence
+in himself that maddened the brute.
+
+With a snarl like a panther's Hinkey crouched over the young sergeant,
+holding his hand high before striking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE NAVY HEARD FROM
+
+
+LOOKING up at that hand Hal Overton saw a spot of blood appear suddenly
+in the middle of the palm.
+
+In the same moment there came the sharp crack of a rifle.
+
+The blow never descended on Overton's upturned face.
+
+Instead, Hinkey uttered a startled yell, tottered to his feet, then
+threw himself over on his face.
+
+For, following that first shot, came a volley of them, accompanied by
+the whistling of bullets through the camp.
+
+The leader of the invaders pitched and fell, shot through the hip.
+
+"Take to cover, boys!" roared the stricken leader. "Take my rifle, too.
+Defend yourselves. The soldiers are down on us!"
+
+But Sergeant Hal, after that first moment of joyous surprise, felt a
+thrill of astonishment.
+
+The bullets that were whistling through camp had not the sound of Army
+missiles!
+
+Yet the young sergeant had no time to speculate on this discovery, for
+now he heard a voice, and a wholly strange one, shout, as the volley
+ceased:
+
+"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!"
+
+"Hello! What's going on here? Halt! Deploy, there! Lie down!
+Ready--load--aim!"
+
+That was Noll Terry's voice, and the young sergeant was right on his
+word like a flash.
+
+While the first party was hidden behind cover to the northward, Sergeant
+Noll and his men had come up from the westward.
+
+"We're friends," hailed that same voice from northward. "Who are you
+over to the westward? Who commands there?"
+
+"Sergeant Oliver Terry, United States Army," Noll called back.
+
+"Good for you, Sergeant! Stay in command. We'll back up any move you
+make," came from northward.
+
+"Do you rascally prowlers surrender?" called Noll.
+
+"It's about the only thing that seems left to do," sullenly admitted the
+leader of the invaders.
+
+"Then hold up your hands and step away from those rifles," ordered Noll.
+
+That command was obeyed, except by the man whose head had been battered
+by Hal's flying revolver.
+
+"Have they any other weapons, Hal?" called Sergeant Noll.
+
+"So far as I know they haven't," Sergeant Hal answered.
+
+"You to the north!" called Noll.
+
+"Ahoy, there!" came the good-natured answer.
+
+"Will you move in, covering the prisoners with your rifles?"
+
+"Gladly, Sergeant."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Just stand right there, and hold the prisoners, please," directed
+Sergeant Terry.
+
+Then Noll's next step was to move in with his own men, four in number.
+
+"Get the handcuffs," directed Noll. "I think we've enough to go
+around."
+
+So saying Noll stepped over to his chum, quickly freeing him.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"You want Hinkey ironed, don't you?" inquired Noll.
+
+"No."
+
+"But he's an Army deserter."
+
+"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."
+
+Hinkey, however, did not deign to notice this grace by so much as a look
+or a word.
+
+"What are you going to do with these fellows?" asked Noll presently.
+
+"It doesn't rest with me," Hal replied. "This is a purely military
+matter, and I shall wait to get Lieutenant Prescott's orders."
+
+"Then Prescott belongs with this camp?" queried the taller,
+finer-looking of the pair of young strangers who had given Hal his first
+aid.
+
+"Lieutenant Prescott is with this camp; yes, sir," Hal replied, laying
+considerable emphasis on the title.
+
+"We're friends of his," explained the same stranger. "So, if you don't
+mind, we'll just wait for him."
+
+"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."
+
+Johnson and Dietz, who had been freed right after Sergeant Hal, were now
+busy once more with preparations for the extra meal.
+
+"Had we better provide for three extra plates, Sarge?" inquired Johnson,
+in a low voice.
+
+"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."
+
+Ten minutes later the footsteps of others were heard approaching camp.
+Then in came Lieutenant Prescott, with Corporal Cotter and five men.
+They were carrying two antelope and a fine, big bear.
+
+But the instant that Lieutenant Prescott caught sight of the strangers
+he dropped everything, rushing forward with outstretched hands.
+
+"By all that's wonderful! Dave Darrin! Dan Dalzell!"
+
+Then the soldiers were treated to the unexpected spectacle of their
+lieutenant embracing the two young men in corduroy.
+
+Soon after, however, Mr. Prescott wheeled about, one friend on either
+side of him.
+
+"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."
+
+Readers of the "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES" and of the "ANNAPOLIS SERIES"
+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.
+
+"But how on earth did a lucky wind come up to blow you out this way?"
+asked Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"Good fortune ruled it that we should be assigned to duty on the China
+station," replied 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?"
+
+"Of course not," glowed Lieutenant Prescott. "When did you arrive at
+Clowdry?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Didn't you hear quite a lot of firing, sir?" asked Sergeant Hal.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Hinkey fairly cowered before the scorn that was apparent in the eyes of
+all his former comrades.
+
+The evening meal was now nearly ready. By Hal's direction another table
+was set up for Lieutenant Prescott and his guests.
+
+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.
+
+"May I ask a question, Lieutenant?" inquired Sergeant Hal, saluting.
+
+"Certainly, Sergeant."
+
+"What is to be done with the prisoners?"
+
+"You are in command here, Sergeant."
+
+"But isn't this a greater military matter, sir, than the mere command of
+a hunting camp?"
+
+"I don't believe I need to take command, Sergeant. But I will offer you
+a suggestion, if you wish."
+
+"If you will be so kind, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, sir. And Hinkey?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"That disposition will do very well, Sergeant. But Sergeant Terry and
+his men will very likely be away four days altogether."
+
+"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
+
+Saluting, and including the young Naval officers in his salute, Sergeant
+Overton went over to explain the plan to Noll.
+
+"What very boyish youngsters those two sergeants are," remarked
+Midshipman Darrin.
+
+"Young, yes, but as seasoned and good men as we have in the company or
+the regiment," replied Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"They certainly look like fine soldiers," agreed Midshipman Dalzell.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The other five prisoners stood sulkily behind the wagon. Noll assembled
+the guard at the side of the trail.
+
+"Climb up on the wagon, hospital man," called Noll. "Start ahead,
+driver. Squad, by twos, right, forward march."
+
+Then the party started out.
+
+Two of the remaining soldiers were detailed for camp, as usual. The
+other enlisted men went off in a hunting party by themselves.
+
+All except Sergeant Hal. He had been invited to go with Lieutenant
+Prescott and the latter's friends, and had gladly accepted.
+
+Sanderson, the guide, having been paid by his Naval employers, had
+already taken the trail.
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE UNITED STATES SERVICES FIGHT TOGETHER
+
+
+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.
+
+"Sergeant," spoke Midshipman Darrin, at last, "I hope you won't be
+offended by the opinion I have formed of you."
+
+"What is that, sir?" asked Hal Overton.
+
+"I've been watching you a bit, and I've come to the conclusion that
+you're an uncommonly fine and keen soldier."
+
+"Not much chance in that for offense, sir," laughed the boyish sergeant.
+
+"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."
+
+"Quite naturally, sir," laughed Hal, "I am wholly willing to believe in
+the value of your judgment. And I have another reason."
+
+"What is that, Sergeant!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, sir. Lieutenant Holmes is as popular with the men as any officer
+in the regiment can be."
+
+"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."
+
+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 "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES."
+
+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 "YOUNG ENGINEERS' SERIES."
+
+But Overton did not hear about the sweethearts of these former High
+School chums. Sweethearts were too sacred to be discussed with
+comparative strangers.
+
+"Now, Prescott informs me that you two young sergeants intend to work
+for commissions from the ranks," said Mr. Darrin, after a while.
+
+"Yes, sir; that was our idea in entering the service."
+
+"I hope, heartily, Sergeant Overton, that both you and your friend win
+out with your ambitions."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Their hands met in hearty clasp.
+
+"I shall have Prescott keep me posted regarding 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."
+
+"You know how much delight that would give both Sergeant Terry and
+myself, sir."
+
+"Attention--to the job!" suddenly muttered Dave Darrin, in a low voice.
+
+Their long tramp had taken them alongside a low ledge.
+
+As Darrin spoke in that low voice he raised his hunting rifle quickly,
+bringing the butt to his shoulder with a jerk.
+
+He fired--straight at a bear, not more than five feet over their heads
+and at a total distance of only about ten feet.
+
+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.
+
+Bruin's first move had been to get away from danger, but now, at the
+shot, he became very much angered.
+
+A second, swift leap, and the big animal jumped downward, landing on
+Midshipman Darrin's chest and bearing him to the earth.
+
+"Lie still, sir!" gasped Sergeant Hal.
+
+[Illustration: "Lie Still, Sir!" Gasped Sergeant Hal.]
+
+There was but a single cartridge in Overton's rifle. He clicked the
+bolt, then aimed all in a flash.
+
+In his agitation Hal succeeded only in grazing the top of the animal's
+back.
+
+But bruin, crouched on Darrin's body, raised his head and turned it
+snarlingly toward Hal.
+
+Everything that was to be done must be done in a moment. Fortunately,
+the young sergeant wore his bayonet in scabbard at his belt.
+
+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.
+
+"Now, we'll see what you'll do, bruin!" quivered Hal, making a swift
+lunge for the animal's side.
+
+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.
+
+Hal's thrust, therefore, failed to land directly, but merely ripped
+along the animal's coat.
+
+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.
+
+There was time to do but one thing. Sergeant Hal made a lunge direct at
+the bear's eyes.
+
+With that menace of cold steel before his eyes the bear dodged to one
+side, then rose to his hind feet.
+
+Rising, Hal took his stand on the defensive, for now bruin was
+determined on a finish fight.
+
+Straight at Bruin's heart lunged Hal, but it was a game at which two
+could play.
+
+Bruin's massive left paw, backed by prodigious strength, swept the
+bayoneted rifle aside, fairly wrenching it from Overton's grasp.
+
+So now the bear was ready, either for embrace or pursuit of this now
+helpless enemy.
+
+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.
+
+Now Darrin dropped to one knee, the rifle at ready. Aiming with the
+utmost coolness, the young Naval officer fired.
+
+Straight and true went the bullet this time into Bruin's heart.
+
+The big mass swayed, then fell. There was barely a gasp to signal the
+bear's end of life.
+
+"Sergeant," remarked the midshipman coolly, "your conduct just now fully
+confirmed what I said about your being a valuable man for the Army."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"You'll have to tell me about that as you go along," remarked the young
+Naval officer.
+
+Noting the locality well, they left the bear where it had fallen, to be
+taken up a little later.
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+AFTER that, through the days to come, the luck seemed to boom.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"The Moccasin Gang?" repeated Lieutenant Prescott. "Why, I've heard
+stories about that desperate crowd. But what were they doing around our
+camp?"
+
+"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."
+
+"But how did Hinkey come to be with them?" broke in Lieutenant Prescott.
+
+"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 would be useful to him. So he called to Hinkey, shoved him
+inside the house, and then, when----"
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I don't believe they'll get away from that sheriff, anyway, sir,"
+remarked Sergeant Noll grimly.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+It was Lieutenant Prescott who gave one of the crowning sensations just
+toward the close of Hinkey's trial.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Summing up all the evidence, the expert's report stated positively that
+Hinkey was the one who had fashioned the note to Green.
+
+Finding that he could no longer deny his guilt, Hinkey was finally
+driven to confession before the court.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+On finding this envelope, and realizing how it would implicate Hal
+Overton, Hinkey had even gone to the extreme of returning Green's
+money, when he might safely have kept and spent it.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Late in the fall the Colorado courts sent Griller and his crew to the
+penitentiary for long terms.
+
+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 innocence of the
+squad-room robbery and declaring who the scoundrel was.
+
+This statement was published, by direction of Colonel North, in the
+orders of the day.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+To Sergeant Hal it seemed impossible to thank Lieutenant Prescott
+sufficiently.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"But you've stopped all of that forever, Lieutenant," protested Hal
+gratefully when calling, by permission, at Mr. Prescott's quarters.
+
+"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."
+
+"What was that, sir, if I may ask?"
+
+"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 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."
+
+Then, after a pause, Mr. Prescott went on:
+
+"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?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+Lieutenant Prescott laughed lightly, though there was a slight mist in
+his eyes as he answered:
+
+"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."
+
+"I think I do, sir," Sergeant Hal rejoined.
+
+"You do? How?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Both Terry and myself will feel highly honored over such good opinions
+of us, sir," Hal replied.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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: "UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag
+Against the Moros."
+
+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.
+
+But these adventures must be reserved for the next volume.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
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+
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+series, once he has made a start with the first volume.
+
+          1 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or,
+            The Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide.
+
+          2 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST
+            ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a
+            Packers' Combine.
+
+          3 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or,
+            Following the Steam Plows Across the Prairie.
+
+          4 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or,
+            The Conspiracy of the Wheat Pit.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Submarine Boys Series
+
+By VICTOR G. DURHAM
+
+          1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving
+            Torpedo Boat.
+
+          2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making
+            Good" as Young Experts.
+
+          3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The
+            Prize Detail at Annapolis.
+
+          4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging
+            the Sharks of the Deep.
+
+          5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The
+            Young Kings of the Deep.
+
+          6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding
+            Their Lives to Uncle Sam.
+
+          7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or,
+            Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.
+
+
+
+
+The Square Dollar Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+          1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the
+            Trolley Franchise Steal.
+
+          2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In
+            the Lists Against the Crooked Land Deal.
+
+
+
+
+The College Girls Series
+
+By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.
+
+          1 GRACE HARLOWE'S FIRST YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+          2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SECOND YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+          3 GRACE HARLOWE'S THIRD YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+          4 GRACE HARLOWE'S FOURTH YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+          5 GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN TO OVERTON CAMPUS.
+
+          6 GRACE HARLOWE'S PROBLEM.
+
+          7 GRACE HARLOWE'S GOLDEN SUMMER.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on receipt
+of only 50 cents each.
+
+
+
+
+Pony Rider Boys Series
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.
+
+          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.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Boys of Steel Series
+
+By JAMES R. MEARS
+
+Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story is
+full of adventure and fascination.
+
+          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.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Madge Morton Books
+
+By AMY D. V. CHALMERS
+
+          1 MADGE MORTON--CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID.
+
+          2 MADGE MORTON'S SECRET.
+
+          3 MADGE MORTON'S TRUST.
+
+          4 MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+West Point Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans
+whose doings will inspire all boy readers.
+
+          1 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or,
+            Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.
+
+          2 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or,
+            Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.
+
+          3 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or,
+            Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.
+
+          4 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or,
+            Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Annapolis Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in
+these volumes.
+
+          1 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two
+            Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.
+
+          2 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two
+            Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."
+
+          3 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or,
+            Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.
+
+          4 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or,
+            Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Young Engineers Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+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.
+
+          1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad
+            Building in Earnest.
+
+          2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying
+            Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksand.
+
+          3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking
+            Fortune on the Turn of a Pick.
+
+          4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the
+            Mine Swindlers.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Boys of the Army Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+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.
+
+          1 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits
+            in the United States Army.
+
+          2 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning
+            Corporal's Chevrons.
+
+          3 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling
+            Their First Real Commands.
+
+          4 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or,
+            Following the Flag Against the Moros.
+
+          6 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving Old
+            Glory as Line Officers.
+
+          7 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick
+            Prescott at Grips with the Boche.
+
+          8 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE GREAT MARNE DRIVE; Or,
+            Putting Old Glory in the Forefront in France.
+
+
+
+
+Dave Darrin Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+          1 DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ; Or, Fighting With the
+            U. S. Navy in Mexico.
+
+          2 DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE.
+
+          3 DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE.
+
+          4 DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION.
+
+          5 DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES.
+
+          6 DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hitting
+            the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow.
+
+
+
+
+The Meadow-Brook Girls Series
+
+By JANET ALDRIDGE
+
+          1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS.
+
+          2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY.
+
+          3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT.
+
+          4 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS.
+
+          5 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA.
+
+          6 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on receipt
+of only 50 cents each.
+
+
+
+
+High School Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.
+
+Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating
+volumes.
+
+          1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First
+            Year Pranks and Sports.
+
+          2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the
+            Gridley Diamond.
+
+          3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co.
+            Grilling on the Football Gridiron.
+
+          4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick &
+            Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Grammar School Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school
+boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.
+
+          1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick &
+            Co. Start Things Moving.
+
+          2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick &
+            Co. at Winter Sports.
+
+          3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick &
+            Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.
+
+          4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or,
+            Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated       Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+High School Boys' Vacation Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"
+
+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.
+
+          1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick &
+            Co.'s Rivals on Lake Pleasant.
+
+          2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The
+            Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven.
+
+          3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick &
+            Co. in the Wilderness.
+
+          4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick &
+            Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails."
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Circus Boys Series
+
+By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON
+
+Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely
+interesting and exciting life.
+
+          1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making
+            the Start in the Sawdust Life.
+
+          2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or,
+            Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark.
+
+          3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the
+            Plaudits of the Sunny South.
+
+          4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat
+            with the Big Show on the Big River.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The High School Girls Series
+
+By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M.
+
+These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader
+fairly by storm.
+
+          1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or,
+            The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.
+
+          2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL;
+            Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and
+            Athletics.
+
+          3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or,
+            Fast Friends in the Sororities.
+
+          4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or,
+            The Parting of the Ways.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated      Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Automobile Girls Series
+
+By LAURA DENT CRANE
+
+No girl's library--no family book-case can be considered at all complete
+unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.
+
+          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.
+
+          Cloth, Illustrated        Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors corrected.
+
+Page 22, "rythmically" changed to "rhythmically" (arm was falling
+rhythmically)
+
+Page 68, "Freeland" changed to "Vreeland" (Potter, Reed, Vreeland)
+
+Page 102, "Ferrer" changed to "Ferrers" (could reduce Ferrers)
+
+Page 106, "receive" changed to "received" (received a telephone)
+
+Page 117, "strenghtened" changed to "strengthened" (strengthened Hal's
+reputation)
+
+Page 127, "everyone" changed to "every one" (nearly every one of the)
+
+Page 205, "Deitz" changed to "Dietz" (called Dietz)
+
+Page 241, "Bruin" changed to "bruin" (But bruin, crouched on)
+
+Page 260, Uncle Sam's Boys Series, the numbers skip five. (Uncle Sam's
+Boys on Their Mettle). This was retained.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 27679.txt or 27679.zip *******
+
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