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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 class="noindent">Title: Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks</p> +<p class="noindent"> or, Two Recruits in the United States Army</p> +<p class="noindent">Author: H. Irving Hancock</p> +<p class="noindent">Release Date: December 31, 2008 [eBook #27680]<br /> +Most recently updated: June 21, 2011</p> +<p class="noindent">Language: English</p> +<p class="noindent">Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p class="noindent">***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 329px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="329" height="500" alt="Cover" title="" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 295px;"> +<img src="images/illus001.png" width="295" height="450" alt=""And These Are Your Applications?" Frontispiece." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"And These Are Your Applications?" <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 /> +in the Ranks</h1> + +<h3><small>OR</small><br /> + +Two Recruits in the United States<br /> +Army</h3> + +<h3>By</h3> +<h2>H. IRVING HANCOCK</h2> + +<div class='center'>Author of The Motor Boat Club Series, The High School Series, The West +Point Series, The Annapolis Series, The Young Engineers' Series, +Etc., Etc.<br /> + +<br /><br />Illustrated<br /><br /><br /> + + +P H I L A D E L P H I A<br /> +HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY<br /></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + +<div class='copyright'><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1910, by Howard E. Altemus</span></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="figcenter" style="width: 86px;"> +<img src="images/spine.jpg" width="86" height="500" alt="Book Spine" title="" /> +</div></td><td align='left'><div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" 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">A Lesson in Respect for the Uniform</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">At the Recruiting Office</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Ordeal of Examination</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mrs. Branders Gets a New View</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">In the Awkward Squad</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 Trouble with Corporal Shrimp</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">When the Guard Came</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Call to Company Formation</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ordered to the Thirty-fourth</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Swift Call to Duty</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Guarding the Mail Train</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Rookies Reach Fort Clowdry</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_139">139</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'>"<span class="smcap">Two New Generals Among Us</span>"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Squad Room Hazing</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Private Bill Hooper Learns</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Mystery of Post Three</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_178">178</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hal Under a Fire of Questions</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Anonymous Letter</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Secret Coward</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Luck of the Young Recruit</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 Duel in the Dark</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Captain Cortland Heads the Pursuit</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Stirring Game at Dawn</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_238">238</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Conclusion</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_250">250</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 in the Ranks</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>A LESSON IN RESPECT FOR THE UNIFORM</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"AW, what's the difference between a +soldier and a loafer?" demanded +"Bunny" Hepburn.</div> + +<p>"A soldier ain't a loafer, and it takes nerve +to be a soldier. It's a job for the bravest kind +of a man," retorted Jud Jeffers indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Answer my c'nundrum," insisted Bunny.</p> + +<p>"It ain't a decent conundrum," retorted Jud, +with dignity, for his father had served as a volunteer +soldier in the war with Spain.</p> + +<p>"Go on, Bunny," broke in another boy in the +group, laughing. "I'll be the goat. What is +the difference between a soldier and a loafer?"</p> + +<p>"A soldier gets paid and fed, and the other +loafer doesn't," retorted Bunny, with a broadening +grin. A moment later, when he realized +that his "joke" had failed to raise a laugh, +Bunny looked disappointed.</p> + +<p>"Aw, go on," flared up Jud Jeffers. "You +don't know anything about a soldier."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But my dad does," retorted Bunny positively. +"Dad says soldiers don't produce anything +for a living; that they take their pay out +of the pockets of the public, and then laugh at +the public for fools."</p> + +<p>"And what does your father do for a living?" +demanded Jud hotly.</p> + +<p>"He's a man who knows a lot, and he lectures," +declared Bunny, swelling with importance. +"When my dad talks a whole lot of men +get excited and cheer him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they buy him beer, too," jeered +Jud, hot with derision for the fellow who was +running down the soldiers of the United States. +"Your father does his lecturing in small, dirty +halls, where there's always a beer saloon underneath. +You talk about men being producers—and +your father goes around making anarchistic +speeches to a lot of workingmen who are down +on everything because they aren't clever enough +to earn as good wages as sober, industrious and +capable workmen earn."</p> + +<p>"Speech, Jud!" laughingly roared another +boy in the crowd that now numbered a score of +youngsters.</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare talk against my dad!" sputtered +Bunny, doubling his fists and trying to +look fierce.</p> + +<p>"Then don't say anything against soldiers,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +retorted Jud indignantly. "My father was one. +I tell you, soldiers are the salt of the earth."</p> + +<p>"Say, but they're a fine and dandy-looking +lot, anyway," spoke up Tom Andrews, as he +turned toward the post-office window in front of +which the principal actors in this scene were +standing. The place was one of the smaller +cities in New Jersey.</p> + +<p>In the post-office window hung a many-colored +poster, headed "Recruits Wanted for the +United States Army." Soldiers of the various +arms of the service were shown, and in all the +types of uniforms worn on the different occasions.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, they're a fine and dandy lot of +loafers—them soldiers!" declared Bunny Hepburn +contemptuously.</p> + +<p>This opinion might not have gotten him into +trouble, but he emphasized his opinion by spitting +straight at the glass over the center of the +picture.</p> + +<p>"You coward!" choked Jud.</p> + +<p>Biff!</p> + +<p>Jud Jeffer's fist shot out, with all the force +there is in fourteen-year-old muscle. The fist +caught Bunny Hepburn on the side of the face +and sent him sprawling.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Jud!" roared several of the +young boys together.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Go for him, Jud! He's mad, and wants it," +called Tom Andrews.</p> + +<p>Bunny was mad, all the way through, even +before he leaped to his feet. Yet Bunny was +not especially fond of fighting, and his anger +was tempered with caution.</p> + +<p>"You dassent do that again," he taunted, +dancing about before Jud.</p> + +<p>"I will, if you give me the same cause," replied +Jud.</p> + +<p>Bunny deliberately repeated his offensive act. +Then he dodged, but not fast enough. Jud Jeffer's, +his eyes ablaze with righteous indignation, +sent the troublesome one to earth again.</p> + +<p>This time Bunny got up really full of fight.</p> + +<p>From the opposite side of the street two fine-looking +young men of about eighteen had seen +much of what had passed.</p> + +<p>"Let's go over and separate them, Hal," proposed +the quieter looking of the pair.</p> + +<p>"If you like, Noll, though that young Hepburn +rascal deserves about all that he seems +likely to get."</p> + +<p>"Jud Jeffers is too decent a young fellow to +be allowed to soil his hands on the Hepburn +kid," objected Oliver Terry quietly.</p> + +<p>So he and Hal Overton hastened across the +street.</p> + +<p>Bunny Hepburn was now showing a faint<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +daub of crimson at the lower end of his nose. +Bunny was the larger boy, but Jud by far the +braver.</p> + +<p>"Here, better stop all of this," broke in Hal +good-naturedly, reaching out and grabbing +angry Bunny by the coat collar.</p> + +<p>Noll rested a rather friendly though detaining +hand on Jud Jeffers's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Lemme at him!" roared Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes! Let 'em finish it!" urged three or +four of the younger boys.</p> + +<p>"What's it all about, anyway?" demanded +Hal Overton.</p> + +<p>"That fellow insulted his country's uniform. +It's as bad as insulting the Flag itself!" contended +Jud hotly.</p> + +<p>"That's right," nodded Hal Overton grimly. +"I think I saw the whole thing. You're right +to be mad about it, Jud, but this young what-is-it +is too mean for you to soil your hands on him. +Now, see here, Hepburn—right about face for +you!"</p> + +<p>Hal's grip on the boy's coat collar tightened +as he swung Bunny about and headed him down +the street.</p> + +<p>"Forward, quick time, march! And don't +stop, either, Hepburn, unless you want to hear +Jud pattering down the street after you."</p> + +<p>Hal's first shove sent Bunny darting along for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +a few feet. Bunny discreetly went down the +street several yards before he halted and lurched +into a doorway, from which he peered out with +a still hostile look on his face.</p> + +<p>"Your view of the uniform, and of the old +Flag, is all right, Jud, and I'm mighty glad to +find that you have such views," Hal continued. +"But you mustn't be too severe on a fellow like +Bunny Hepburn. He simply can't rise above +his surroundings, and you know what a miserable, +egotistical, lying, slanderous fellow his +father is. Bunny's father hates the country he +lives in, and would set everybody to tearing +down the government. That's the kind of a +brainless anarchist Hepburn is, and you can't +expect his dull-witted son to know any more +than the father does. But you keep on, Jud, +always respecting the soldier and his uniform, +and the Flag that both stand behind."</p> + +<p>"It gets on a good many of us," spoke up +Tom Andrews, "to hear Bunny always running +down the soldiers. He believes all his father +says, so he keeps telling us that we're a nation +of crooks and thieves, that the government is +the rottenest ever, and that our soldiers and +sailors are the biggest loafers of the whole +American lot."</p> + +<p>"It's enough to disgust anybody," spoke up +Oliver Terry quietly. "But, boys, people who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +talk the way the Hepburns do are never worth +fighting with. And, unless they're stung hard, +they won't fight, anyway."</p> + +<p>"Oh, won't they?" growled Bunny, who, listening +to all this talk with a flaming face, now +retreated down the street. "Wait until I tell +dad all about this nonsense about the Flag and +the uniform!"</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll stood for some moments gazing +at the attractive recruiting poster in the post-office +window. One by one the boys who had +gathered went off in search of other interest or +sport, until only Jud and Tom remained near +the two older boys.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you think I was foolish, don't you, +Hal?" asked Jud, at last.</p> + +<p>"No; not just that," replied Overton, turning, +with a smile. "No American can ever be +foolish to insist on respect for the country's +Flag and uniform."</p> + +<p>"I simply can't stand by and hear soldiers +sneered at. My father was a soldier, you know, +even if he was only a war-time volunteer, and +didn't serve a whole year."</p> + +<p>"When you get out of patience with fellows +like Bunny Hepburn," suggested Noll Terry, +"just you compare your father with a fellow +like Bunny's father. You know, well enough, +that your father, as a useful and valuable citizen,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +is worth more than a thousand Hepburns can +ever be."</p> + +<p>"That's right," nodded Hal, with vigor. +"And there's another man in this town that you +can compare with Bunny's father. You know +Mr. Wright? Sergeant Wright is his proper +title. He's an old, retired sergeant from the +Regular Army, who served his country fighting +Indians and Spaniards, and now he has settled +down here—a fine, upright, honest American, +middle aged, and with retired pay and savings +enough to support him as long as he lives. I +haven't met many men as fine as Sergeant +Wright."</p> + +<p>"I know," nodded Jud, his eyes shining. +"Sergeant Wright is a fine man. Sometimes he +talks to Tom and me an hour at a time, telling +us all about the campaigns he has served in. +Say, Hal, you and Noll ought to call on him and +ask him for some of his grand old Indian stories."</p> + +<p>"We know some of them," laughed Hal. +"Noll and I have been calling there often."</p> + +<p>"You have?" said Jud gleefully. "Say, +ain't Sergeant Wright one of the finest men +ever? I'll bet he's been a regular up-and-down +hero himself, though he never tells us anything +about his own big deeds."</p> + +<p>"He wears the medal of Congress," replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +Hal warmly. "A soldier who wears that +doesn't need to brag."</p> + +<p>"Say," remarked Jud thoughtfully, "I guess +you two fellows are about as much struck with +the soldiers as I am."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you and Tom something—if you can +keep a secret," replied Hal Overton, after a +side glance at his chum.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we can keep secrets all right!" protested +Tom Andrews.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, fellows, Noll and I are going to +New York to-morrow, to try to enlist in the +Regular Army."</p> + +<p>"You are?" gasped Jud, staring at Hal and +Noll in round-eyed delight. "Oh, say, but you +two ought to make dandy soldiers!"</p> + +<p>"If the recruiting officer accepts us we'll do +the best that's in us," smiled Hal.</p> + +<p>"You'll be regular heroes!" predicted Jud, +gazing at these two fortunate youngsters with +eyes wide open with approval.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, we can't be heroes," grimaced Noll. +"We're going to be regulars, and it's only the +volunteers who are allowed to be heroes, you +know," added Noll jocosely. "There's nothing +heroic about a regular fighting bravely. That's +his trade and his training."</p> + +<p>"Don't you youngsters tell anyone," Hal insisted. +"Or we shall be sorry that we told you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What do you take us for?" demanded Jud +scornfully.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll had had it in mind to stroll off +by themselves, for this was likely to be their +last day in the home town for many a day to +come. But Jud and Tom were full of hero worship +of the two budding soldier boys, and walked +along with them.</p> + +<p>"There's Tip Branders," muttered Tom suddenly.</p> + +<p>"I don't care," retorted Jud. "He won't +dare try anything on us; and, if he does, we can +take care of him."</p> + +<p>"What has Tip against you?" asked Hal +Overton.</p> + +<p>"He tried to thrash me, yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"I guess it was because I told him what I +thought of him," admitted Jud, with a grin.</p> + +<p>"How did that happen?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom and I were down in City Hall +Park, sitting on one of the benches. Tip came +along and ordered us off the bench; said he +wanted to sit there himself. I told him he was +a loafer and told him we wouldn't get off the +bench for anybody like him."</p> + +<p>"And then?" asked Hal.</p> + +<p>"Why, Tip just made a dive for me, and there +was trouble in his eyes; so I reconsidered, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +made a quick get-away. So did Tom. Tip +chased us a little way, but we went so fast that +we made it too much work for him. So he +halted, but yelled after us that he'd tan us the +next time he got close enough."</p> + +<p>Tip Branders surely deserved the epithet of +"loafer." Though only nineteen he had the +look of being past twenty-one. He was a big, +powerful fellow. Though he had not been at +school since he was fifteen, Tip had not worked +three months in the last four years. His mother, +who kept a large and prosperous boarding-house, +regarded Tip as being one of the manliest +fellows in the world. She abetted his idleness +by supplying him with too much money. +Tip dressed well, though a bit loudly, and walked +with a swagger. He was in a fair way to go +through life without becoming anything more +than a bully.</p> + +<p>Hal Overton, on the other hand, was a quiet +though merry young man, just above medium +height, slim, though well built, brown-haired, +blue-eyed, and a capable, industrious young fellow. +The elder Overton was a clerk in a local +store. Ill-health through many years had kept +the father from prospering, and Hal, after two +years in High School, had gone to work in the +same store with his father at the age of sixteen.</p> + +<p>Oliver Terry, too, had been at work since the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +age of sixteen. Noll's father was engineer at +one of the local machine shops, so Noll had gone +into one of the lathe rooms, and was already +accounted a very fair young mechanic.</p> + +<p>Both were only sons; and, in the case of each, +the fathers and mothers had felt sorry, indeed, +to see the young men go to work before they had +at least completed their High School courses.</p> + +<p>By this time the fathers of both Hal and Noll +had found themselves in somewhat better circumstances. +Hal and Noll, being ambitious, +had both felt dissatisfied, of late, with their +surroundings and prospects, and both had +received parental permission to better themselves +if they could. So our two young friends, +after many talks, and especially with Sergeant +Wright, had decided to serve at least three years +in the regular army by way of preliminary training.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, few American youths, comparatively +speaking, are aware of the splendid +training that the United States Army offers to +a young American. The Army offers splendid +grounding for the young man who prefers to +serve but a single enlistment and then return +to civil life. But it also offers a solidly good +career to the young man who enlists and remains +with the colors until he is retired after +thirty years of continuous service.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<p>Both Hal and Noll had looked thoroughly into +the question, and each was now convinced that +the Army offered him the best place in life. +Both boys had very definite ideas of what they +expected to accomplish by entering the Army, +as will appear presently.</p> + +<p>Tip—even Tip Branders—had something of +an ambition in life. So far as he had done anything, +Tip had "trained" with a gang of young +hoodlums who were "useful" to the political +machine in one of the tough wards of the little +city. Tip's ultimate idea was to "get a city +job," at good pay, and do little or nothing for +the pay.</p> + +<p>But Tip dreaded a civil service examination—knew, +in fact, that he could not pass one. In +most American cities, to-day, an honorably discharged +enlisted man from the Army or Navy +is allowed to take an appointment to a city position +without civil service examination, or else +to do so on a lower marking than would be accepted +from any other candidate for a city job.</p> + +<p>So, curiously enough, Tip had decided to +serve in the United States Army. One term +would be enough to serve his purpose.</p> + +<p>Tip, too, had kept his resolve a secret—even +from his mother.</p> + +<p>As Hal and Noll, Jud and Tom strolled along +they came up with Tip Branders.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So this is you, you little freshy!" growled +Tip, halting suddenly, and close to Jud. "Now +I'll give ye the thrashing I promised yesterday."</p> + +<p>His big fist shot out, making a grab for young +Jeffers.</p> + +<p>But Hal Overton caught the wrist of that +hand, and shoved it back.</p> + +<p>"That doesn't look exactly manly in you, +Branders," remarked Hal quietly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it doesn't, hey?" roared Tip. "What +have you got to say about it?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing in particular," admitted Hal pleasantly. +"Nothing, except that I'd rather see you +tackle some one nearer your own size."</p> + +<p>"Would, hey?" roared Tip. "O. K!"</p> + +<p>With that he swung suddenly, and so unexpectedly +that the blow caught Hal Overton unawares, +sending him to the sidewalk.</p> + +<p>"I believe I'll take a small hand in this," murmured +Noll Terry, starting to take off his coat.</p> + +<p>But Hal was up in a twinkling.</p> + +<p>"Leave this to me, please, Noll," he begged, +and sailed in.</p> + +<p>Tip Branders was waiting, with an ugly grin +on his face. He was far bigger than Hal, and +stronger, too. Yet, for the first few moments, +Tip had all he could do to ward off Hal's swift, +clever blows.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Tip swung around swiftly, taking the +aggressive.</p> + +<p>It seemed like a bad mistake, for now Hal +suddenly drove in a blow that landed on Brander's +nose, drawing the blood.</p> + +<p>"Now, I'll fix ye for that!" roared Tip, after +backing off for an instant.</p> + +<p>Just as he was about to charge again the big +bully felt a strong grip on his collar, while a +deep, firm voice warned him:</p> + +<p>"Don't do anything of the sort, Branders, or +I'll have to summon an officer to take you in."</p> + +<p>Tip wheeled, to find himself looking into the +grizzled face of Chief of Police Blake. Tip +often bragged of his political "pull," but he +knew he had none with this chief.</p> + +<p>"I got a right to smash this fellow," blustered +Tip. "He hit me."</p> + +<p>"I'll wager you hit him first, though, or else +gave young Overton good cause for hitting +you," smiled the chief. "I know Overton, and +he's the kind of boy his neighbors can vouch for. +I don't know as much good of you. But I'll tell +you, Tip, how you can best win my good opinion. +Take a walk—a good, brisk walk—straight down +the street. And start now!"</p> + +<p>Something in the police chief's voice told Tip +that it would be well to obey. He did so.</p> + +<p>"Too many young fellows like him on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +street," observed Chief Blake, with a quiet +smile. "Good morning, boys."</p> + +<p>At the next corner Hal and Noll turned.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're going to see Sergeant Wright?" +asked Jud.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Hal. "Our last visit to him."</p> + +<p>"Then you won't want us along," said Jud +sensibly. "But say, we wish you barrels of luck—honest—in +the new life you're going into."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," laughed Hal good-humoredly, +holding out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Send me a brass button soon, one that you've +worn on your uniform blouse, will you?" begged +Jud.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Hal, "if there's nothing in the +regulations against it."</p> + +<p>"And you, Noll? Will you do as much for +me?" begged Tom.</p> + +<p>"Surely, on the same conditions," promised +Noll Terry.</p> + +<p>"But we haven't succeeded in getting into the +service yet, you must remember," Hal warned +them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, shucks!" retorted Jud. "I wish I were +as sure of anything that I want. The recruiting +officer'll be tickled to death when he sees you +two walking in on him."</p> + +<p>"I hope you're a real, true prophet, Jud," +replied Hal, with a wistful smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>Neither of these two younger boys had any +idea how utterly Hal Overton had set his heart +on entering the service, nor why. The reader +will presently discover more about the surging +"why."</p> + +<p>On one of the side streets the boys paused before +the door of a cozy, little cottage in which +lived Sergeant Wright and the wife who had +been with him nearly the whole of his time in +the service.</p> + +<p>Ere they could ring the bell the door opened, +and Sergeant Wright, U. S. Army, retired, +stood before them, holding out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Well, boys," was the kindly greeting of this +fine-looking, middle-aged man, "have you settled +the whole matter at home?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Hal happily. "We go to New +York, to-morrow, to try our luck with the recruiting +officer."</p> + +<p>"Come right in, boys, and we'll have our final +talk about the good old Army," cried the retired +sergeant heartily.</p> + +<p>It was that same afternoon that Tip Branders +next espied Jud and Tom coming down a street. +Tip darted into a doorway, intent on lying in +wait for the pair.</p> + +<p>As they neared his place of hiding, however, +Tip heard Jud and Tom talking of something +that changed his plan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's that?" echoed Tip to himself, straining +his hearing.</p> + +<p>"Say," breathed Tom Andrews fervently, +"wouldn't it be fine if we could go to New York +to-morrow morning, too, and see Hal and Noll +sworn into the United States Army?"</p> + +<p>Tip held his breath, listening for more. He +heard enough to put him in possession of practically +all of the plans of Hal and Noll.</p> + +<p>"Oho!" chuckled Tip, as he strode away from +the place later. "So that pair of boobs are going +to try for the Army. Oh, I daresay they'll +get in. But so will I—and in the same company +with them. I wouldn't have missed this for anything. +I'll be the thorn in Hal Overton's side +the little while that he'll be in the service! I've +more than to-day's business to settle with that +stuck-up dude!"</p> + +<p>All of which will soon appear and be made +plain.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>AT THE RECRUITING OFFICE</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>THE solemn time came the following morning.</div> + +<p>Both Hal and Noll were "only children," +or, at least, so thought their mothers.</p> + +<p>Messrs. Overton and Terry, the elders, gave +their sons' hands a last strong grip. No good +advice was offered by either father at parting. +That had already been attended to.</p> + +<p>Naturally the boys' mothers cried a good bit +over them. Both mothers, in fact, had wanted +to go over to New York with their sons. But +the fathers had objected that this would only +prolong the pain of parting, and that soldiers +in the bud should not be unfitted for their beginnings +by tears.</p> + +<p>So Hal and Noll met at the station, to take an +early morning train. There were no relatives to +see them off. Early as the hour was, though, +Jud Jeffers and Tom Andrews had made a point +of being on hand.</p> + +<p>"We wanted to see you start," explained Jud, +his face beaming and eyes wistful with longing. +"We didn't know what train you'd take, so +we've been here since half-past six."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We may be back by early afternoon," +laughed Hal.</p> + +<p>"Not you two!" declared Jud positively. +"The recruiting officer will jump right up, +shake hands with you, and drag you over to +where you sign the Army rolls."</p> + +<p>The train came along in time to put a stop to +a long conversation.</p> + +<p>As the two would-be soldiers stepped up to +the train platform Jud and Tom did their best +to volley them with cheers.</p> + +<p>Noll blushed, darting into a car as quickly +as he could, and sitting on the opposite side of +the train from these noisy young admirers.</p> + +<p>Hal, however, good-humoredly waved his +hand from a window as the train pulled out. +Then, with a very solemn face, all of a sudden, +young Overton crossed and seated himself beside +his chum.</p> + +<p>Neither boy carried any baggage whatever. +If they failed to get into the Army they would +soon be home again. If they succeeded in enlisting, +then the Army authorities would furnish +all the baggage to be needed.</p> + +<p>"Take your last look at the old town, Hal," +Noll urged gravely, as the train began to move +faster. "It may be years before we see the +good old place again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, keep a stiff upper lip, Noll," smiled Hal,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +though he, also, felt rather blue for the moment. +"Our folks will be down to the recruit drilling +place to see us, soon, if we succeed in getting +enrolled."</p> + +<p>It hurt both boys a bit, as long as any part of +their home city remained in sight. Each tried +bravely, however, to look as though going away +from home had been a frequent occurrence in +their lives.</p> + +<p>By the time that they were ten miles on their +way both youngsters had recovered their spirits. +Indeed, now they were looking forward with almost +feverish eagerness to their meeting the recruiting +officer.</p> + +<p>"I hope the Army surgeon doesn't find anything +wrong with our physical condition," said +Hal, at last.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Brooks didn't," replied Noll, as confidently +as though that settled it.</p> + +<p>"But Dr. Brooks has never been an Army +surgeon," returned Hal. "He may not know all +the fine points that Army surgeons know."</p> + +<p>"Well we'll know before the day is over," +replied Noll, with a catching of his breath. +"Then, of course, we don't know whether the +Army is at present taking boys under twenty-one."</p> + +<p>"The law allows it," declared Hal stoutly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but you remember Sergeant Wright<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +told us, fairly, that sometimes, when the right +sort of recruits are coming along fast, the recruiting +officers shut down on taking any minors."</p> + +<p>"I imagine," predicted Hal, "that much more +will depend upon how we happen, individually, +to impress the recruiting officer."</p> + +<p>In this Hal Overton was very close to being +right.</p> + +<p>The ride of more than two hours ended at last, +bringing the young would-be soldiers to the +ferry on the Jersey side. As they crossed the +North River both boys admitted to themselves +that they were becoming a good deal more nervous.</p> + +<p>"We'll get a Broadway surface car, and that +will take us right up to Madison Square," proposed +Noll.</p> + +<p>"It would take us too long," negatived Hal. +"We can save a lot of time by taking the Sixth +Avenue "L" uptown and walking across to +Madison Square."</p> + +<p>"You're in a hurry to have it over with?" +laughed Noll, but there was a slight tremor in +his voice.</p> + +<p>"I'm in a hurry to know my fate," admitted +Hal.</p> + +<p>Oliver Terry had been in New York but once +before. Hal, by virtue of his superiority in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +having made four visits to New York, led the +way straight to the elevated railroad. They +climbed the stairs, and were just in time to board +a train.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later they got out at Twenty-third +Street, crossed to Fifth Avenue and Broadway, +then made their way swiftly over to Madison +Square.</p> + +<p>"There's the place, over there!" cried Noll, +suddenly seizing Hal's arm and dragging him +along. "There's an officer and a man, and the +soldier is holding a banner. It has something +on it that says something about recruits for the +Army."</p> + +<p>"The man you call an officer is a non-commissioned +officer—a sergeant, in fact," Hal replied. +"Don't you see the chevrons on his +sleeve?"</p> + +<p>"That's so," Noll admitted slowly. "Cavalry, +at that. His chevrons and facings are +yellow. It was his fine uniform that made me +take him for an officer."</p> + +<p>"We'll go up to the sergeant and ask him +where the recruiting office is," Hal continued.</p> + +<p>Certainly the sergeant looked "fine" enough +to be an officer. His uniform was immaculate, +rich-looking and faultless. Both sergeant and +private wore the olive khaki, with handsome +visored caps of the same material.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>The early April forenoon was somewhat +chilly, yet the benches in the center of the square +were more than half-filled by men plainly "down +on their luck." Some of these men, of course, +were hopelessly besotted or vicious, and Uncle +Sam had no use for any of these in his Army uniform. +There were other men, however, on the +seats, who looked like good and useful men who +had met with hard times. Most of these men on +the benches had not breakfasted, and had no assurance +that they would lunch or dine on that +day.</p> + +<p>It was to the better elements among these men +that the sergeant and the private soldier were +intended to appeal. Yet the sergeant was not +seeking unwilling recruits; he addressed no man +who did not first speak to him.</p> + +<p>In the tidy, striking uniforms, their well-built +bodies, their well-fed appearance and their +whole air of well-being, these two enlisted men +of the regular army must have presented a +powerful, if mute, appeal to the hungry unfortunate +ones on the benches.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Sergeant," spoke Hal, as +soon as the two chums had reached the Army +pair.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, sir," replied the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"You're in the recruiting service?" Hal continued.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>Always the invariable "sir" with which the +careful soldier answers citizens. In the Army +men are taught the use of that "sir," and to +look upon all citizens as their employers.</p> + +<p>"Then no doubt you will direct us to the recruiting +office in this neighborhood?" Hal went +on.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir," answered the sergeant, and +wheeling still further around he pointed north +across the square to where the office was situated.</p> + +<p>"You can hardly miss it, sir, with the orderly +standing outside," said the sergeant, smiling.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," Hal agreed. "Thank you very +much, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"You're welcome, sir. May I inquire if you +are considering enlisting?"</p> + +<p>"Both of us are," Hal nodded.</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear it, sir," the sergeant continued, +looking both boys over with evident approval. +"You look like the clean, solid, sensible, right +sort that we're looking for in the Army. I wish +you both the best of good luck."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," Hal acknowledged. "Good +morning, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Good morning, sir."</p> + +<p>Still that "sir" to the citizen. The sergeant +would drop it, as far as these two boys were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +concerned, if they entered the service and became +his subordinates.</p> + +<p>It seemed to Hal and Noll as if they could +not get over the ground fast enough until they +reached that doorway where the orderly stood. +The orderly directed them how to reach the +office upstairs, and both boys, after thanking +him, proceeded rapidly to higher regions.</p> + +<p>They soon found themselves before the door. +It stood ajar. Inside sat a sergeant at a flat-top +desk. He, too, was of the cavalry. There were +also two privates in the room.</p> + +<p>Doffing their hats Hal and Noll entered the +room. Overton led the way straight to the +sergeant's desk.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Sergeant. We have come to +see whether we can enlist."</p> + +<p>"How old were you on your last birthday?" +inquired the sergeant, eyeing Hal keenly.</p> + +<p>"Eighteen, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"And you?" turning to Noll.</p> + +<p>"Seventeen," Noll replied.</p> + +<p>"You are too young, I'm sorry to say," replied +the sergeant to Noll.</p> + +<p>Then, turning to Hal, he added:</p> + +<p>"You may be accepted."</p> + +<p>"But I've got another birthday coming very +soon," interjected Noll.</p> + +<p>"How soon?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To-morrow."</p> + +<p>"You'll be eighteen to-morrow?" questioned +the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"That will be all right, then," nodded the +sergeant. "You won't need to be sworn in before +to-morrow. You have both of you parents +living?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal answered, this time.</p> + +<p>"It is not necessary, or usual, to say 'sir,' +when answering a non-commissioned officer," the +sergeant informed them. "Say 'sir,' always, +when addressing a commissioned officer or a +citizen."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," Hal acknowledged.</p> + +<p>"Now, you have the consent of your parents +to enlist?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Both of you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Aldridge!"</p> + +<p>One of the pair of very spruce-looking privates +in the room wheeled about.</p> + +<p>"Furnish these young men with application +blanks, and take them over to the high desk."</p> + +<p>Having said this the sergeant turned back to +some papers that he had been examining.</p> + +<p>"You will fill out these papers," Private Aldridge +explained to the boys, after he had led<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +them to the high desk. "I think all the questions +are plain enough. If there are any you +don't understand then ask me."</p> + +<p>It was a race between Hal and Noll to see +which could get a pen in his hand first. Then +they began to write.</p> + +<p>The first question, naturally, was as to the +full name of the applicant; then followed his +present age and other questions of personal history.</p> + +<p>For some time both pens flew over the paper +or paused as a new question was being considered.</p> + +<p>When he came to the question as to which arm +of the service was preferred by the applicant +Noll turned to Hal to whisper:</p> + +<p>"Is it still the infantry?" young Terry asked.</p> + +<p>"Still and always the infantry," Hal nodded.</p> + +<p>"All right," half sighed Noll. "I'm almost +wishing for the cavalry, though, so I could ride +a horse."</p> + +<p>"The infantry is best for our plans," Hal +replied.</p> + +<p>When they had finished making out their +papers Hal and Noll went back to the sergeant's +desk.</p> + +<p>"Do we hand these to you?" Hal asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the sergeant, taking both papers. +He ran his eyes over them hurriedly, then rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +and passed into an inner office. When he came +out all he said was:</p> + +<p>"Take seats over there until you're wanted."</p> + +<p>Two or three minutes later a buzzer sounded +over the sergeant's head. Rising, he entered the +inner room.</p> + +<p>"Our time's come, now, I guess," whispered +Noll.</p> + +<p>"Or else something else is going to happen," +replied Hal, smiling. "You and I are not the +only two problems with which the Army concerns +itself."</p> + +<p>Noll's guess was right, however. The sergeant +speedily returned to the outer office and +crossed over to the boys, who rose.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Shackleton will see you," announced +the sergeant. "Step right into his +office. Stand erect and facing him. Use the +word, 'sir,' when answering him, and be very +respectful in all your replies. Let him do all +the talking."</p> + +<p>"We understand, thank you," nodded Hal.</p> + +<p>The sergeant, who had his cap in his hand, +turned to leave the office for a few moments on +other business. As he was going out he nearly +bumped into a heavily-built young fellow who +was entering.</p> + +<p>Hal Overton had reached the door leading +into the lieutenant's office and pulled it open.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just as he did so he heard a rather familiar +voice behind him demand:</p> + +<p>"Where's the officer in charge?"</p> + +<p>"In that office," replied one of the soldiers, +pointing.</p> + +<p>The newcomer did not stop to thank the soldier, +but sprang toward the door that Hal had +just opened.</p> + +<p>"Here, you kids can stand aside until a man +gets through with his business in there," exclaimed +Tip Branders, gripping Hal by the +shoulders and swinging him aside.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE ORDEAL OF EXAMINATION</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>HAL OVERTON was so astonished that +he offered no resistance to the bully +from home.</div> + +<p>Instead, Hal and Noll paused by the door, +while Tip, with a confident leer on his face, +strode into the inner office.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Shackleton, a man of twenty-eight, +in blue fatigue uniform, with the single bar of +the first lieutenant on his shoulder-straps, looked +up quickly and in some amazement.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I've come to see you about enlisting in the +Army," continued Tip, who, with his hat still +on, was marching up to the desk.</p> + +<p>"Take off your hat."</p> + +<p>"Eh? Huh?"</p> + +<p>"Take off your hat!" came the repeated order, +with a good deal more of emphasis.</p> + +<p>"Hey? Oh, cert. Anything to oblige," assented +Tip, with a sheepish grin, as he removed +his hat.</p> + +<p>"Is your name Overton?" asked the recruiting +officer, <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'glacing'">glancing</ins> at the papers before him.</p> + +<p>"Naw, nothing like it," returned Tip easily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Or, Terry?"</p> + +<p>"Them two boobs is outside," returned Tip, +with evident scorn. "I told 'em to stand aside +until I went in and had my rag-chew out with +you."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Shackleton flashed an angry look +at Branders, though a keen reader of faces +would have known that this experienced recruiting +officer was trying hard to conceal a smile. +The lieutenant had dealt with many of these +"tough" applicants.</p> + +<p>"Orderly!" rasped out the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>Private Aldridge appeared in the doorway, +standing at attention.</p> + +<p>"Orderly, I understand that this man wishes +to enlist——"</p> + +<p>"That's dead right," nodded Tip encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"But his application has not been received +by me," continued the lieutenant, ignoring the +interruption. "Take him outside and let Sergeant +Wayburn look him over first. Also ask +the sergeant to inform this man as to the proper +way to approach and address an officer."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir," replied Private Aldridge. +He tried to catch Tip's eye, but Branders was +not looking at him, so the soldier crossed over +to Branders, resting a hand on his arm.</p> + +<p>"Come with me," requested the soldier.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hey?" asked Tip.</p> + +<p>"My man, go with that orderly," cried Lieutenant +Shackleton, in an annoyed tone.</p> + +<p>"Me? Oh, all right," nodded Tip, and went +out with the soldier.</p> + +<p>"Overton! Terry!" called the recruiting +officer.</p> + +<p>"Here, sir," answered Hal, as both boys entered +the room.</p> + +<p>"One of you close the door then come here," +directed Lieutenant Shackleton.</p> + +<p>Noll closed the door, after which both boys +advanced to the roll-top desk behind which the +lieutenant sat.</p> + +<p>"You are Henry Overton and Oliver Terry?" +asked the officer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal answered.</p> + +<p>"And these are <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'you'">your</ins> applications?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"You have filled them out truthfully, in every +detail?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"You, Overton, are already eighteen?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"And you, Terry, will be eighteen years old +to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir——" from Noll.</p> + +<p>The lieutenant looked them both over keenly, +as if to make up his own mind about their ages.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"May I speak, sir?" queried Hal.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"To satisfy any doubt about our ages, sir, we +have brought with us copies of our birth certificates, +both certified to by the city clerk at +home."</p> + +<p>"You're intelligent lads," exclaimed the officer, +with a gratified smile. "You go at things +in the right way. Be good enough to turn over +the certificates to me."</p> + +<p>Hal took some papers from his pocket, passing +two of them over to the recruiting officer, who +examined the certificates swiftly.</p> + +<p>"All regular," he declared. "Terry, of +course, if he passes, cannot be sworn in until to-morrow. +You have other papers there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal admitted. "The consent for +our joining, signed by both our fathers and +mothers, since we are under twenty-one."</p> + +<p>"But I cannot know, until I have ascertained, +that these are the genuine signatures of your +parents. That investigation will take a little +time."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, sir," Hal answered, laying the +two remaining papers before the officer, "but +you will find both papers witnessed under the +seal of a notary public, who states that our parents +are personally known to him."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, you are bright lads—good enough<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +to make soldiers of," laughed Lieutenant Shackleton +almost gleefully, as he scanned the added +papers.</p> + +<p>"May I speak, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"We can't claim credit for bringing these +papers. We are well acquainted with a retired +sergeant of the Army, who suggested that these +papers, in their present form, would save us a +lot of bother."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't deserve any of the credit?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"You deserve a higher credit, then, for you +are both honest lads."</p> + +<p>Again the lieutenant turned to look them over +keenly, sizing them up, as it were. Both were +plainly more than five-feet-four, and so would +not be rejected on account of height. They +seemed like good, solid youngsters, too.</p> + +<p>"Smoke cigarettes?" suddenly shot out the +lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"No, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Smoke anything else, or chew tobacco? Or +drink alcoholic beverages?"</p> + +<p>"We have never done any of these things, +sir," Hal replied.</p> + +<p>"I see that you express a preference for the +infantry," continued the recruiting officer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am almost sorry for that," continued the +officer. "I would like to see two lads of your +evident caliber going into my own arm of the +service—the cavalry."</p> + +<p>"We have chosen the infantry, sir," Hal explained, +"because we will have more leisure time +there than in the cavalry or artillery."</p> + +<p>"Looking for easy berths?" asked Lieutenant +Shackleton, with a suddenly suspicious ring to +his voice.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," Hal rejoined. "May I explain, +sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; go ahead."</p> + +<p>"We both of us have hopes, sir, if we can get +into the Army, that we may be able to rise to be +commissioned officers. We have learned that +there is less to do in the infantry, ordinarily, and +that we would therefore have more time in the +infantry for study to fit ourselves to take examinations +for officer's commissions."</p> + +<p>"Then, to save you from possible future disappointment, +I had better be very frank with +you about the chances of winning commissions +from the ranks," said the lieutenant. "In the +Army we have some excellent officers who have +risen from the ranks. Each year a few enlisted +men are promoted to be commissioned officers. +The examination, however, is a very stiff +one. Out of the applicants each year more enlisted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +men are rejected than are promoted. The +difficulty of the examination causes most enlisted +men to fail."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir. We have thought of all +that, and have looked over the nature of the examinations +given enlisted men who seek to be +officers," Hal replied. "We know the examinations +are very hard, but we have twelve years +if need be in which to prepare ourselves for the +examination. Enlisted men, so I am told, may +apply for commissions up to the age of thirty."</p> + +<p>"Yes; that is right," nodded the lieutenant. +"But how much schooling have you behind +you?"</p> + +<p>"We have each had two years in High School, +sir."</p> + +<p>"On that basis you will both have hard times +to prepare yourselves for officers' examinations. +However, with great application, you may make +it—if you achieve also sufficiently good records +as enlisted men."</p> + +<p>This explanation being sufficient, Lieutenant +Shackleton paused, then went on:</p> + +<p>"As you are unusually in earnest about enlisting +I fancy that you want to hear the surgeon's +verdict as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, if you please," replied Hal.</p> + +<p>"Orderly!"</p> + +<p>One of the two soldiers entered. Lieutenant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +Shackleton made some entries on the application +papers, then handed them to the soldier.</p> + +<p>"Orderly, take these young men to the surgeon +at once."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Come this way, please."</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll were again conducted into the +outer office. The sergeant had returned by this +time and was at his desk. Over at the high desk +stood Tip Branders, making out his application.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we're it, aren't we?" demanded Tip, +looking around with a scowl at the chums. +"You freshies!"</p> + +<p>"Be silent," ordered the sergeant looking up +briskly.</p> + +<p>"Well, those two kids——" began Tip. But +the sergeant, though a middle-aged man, showed +himself agile enough to reach Tip Branders' +side in three swift, long bounds.</p> + +<p>"Young man, either conduct yourself properly, +or get out of here," ordered the sergeant +point-blank.</p> + +<p>Muttering something under his breath, Tip +turned back to his writing, at which he was making +poor headway, while the orderly led Hal and +Noll down the corridor, halting and knocking at +another door.</p> + +<p>"Come in!" called a voice.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Shackleton's compliments, sir, +and two applicants to be examined, sir."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Very good, Orderly," replied Captain Wayburn, +assistant surgeon, Army Medical Corps, +as he received the papers from the orderly. +The latter then left the room, closing the door +behind him.</p> + +<p>"You are Overton and Terry?" questioned +Captain Wayburn, eyeing the papers, then turning +to the chums, who answered in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>Captain Wayburn, being a medical officer of +the Army, wore shoulder straps with a green +ground. At the ends of each strap rested the +two bars that proclaimed his rank of captain. +Being a staff officer, Captain Wayburn wore +black trousers, instead of blue, beneath his blue +fatigue blouse. Moreover, the black trousers of +the staff carried no broad side stripe along the +leg. The side stripe is always in evidence along +the outer leg side of the blue trousers of the +line officer, and the color of the stripe denotes +to which arm of the service the officer belongs—a +white stripe denotes the infantry officer, +while a yellow stripe distinguishes the cavalry +and a red stripe the artillery officer.</p> + +<p>Captain Wayburn now laid out two other sets +of papers on his desk. These were the blanks +for the surgeon's report on an applicant for +enlistment.</p> + +<p>At first this examination didn't seem to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +amount to much. The surgeon began by looking +Hal Overton's scalp over, next examining +his face, neck and back of head. Then he took +a look at Hal's teeth, which he found to be perfect.</p> + +<p>"Stand where you are. Read this line of letters +to me," ordered the surgeon, stepping +across the room to a card on which were ranged +several rows of printed letters of different sizes.</p> + +<p>Hal read the line off perfectly.</p> + +<p>"Read the line above."</p> + +<p>Hal did so. He read all of the lines, to the +smallest, in fact, without an error.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing the matter with your vision," +remarked Captain Wayburn, in a pleased +tone. "Now tell me—promptly—what color is +this?"</p> + +<p>The surgeon held up a skein of yarn.</p> + +<p>"Red," announced Hal, without an instant's +hesitation.</p> + +<p>"This one?"</p> + +<p>"Green."</p> + +<p>"And this?"</p> + +<p>"Blue."</p> + +<p>And so on. Hal missed with none of the colors.</p> + +<p>"Go to that chair in the corner, Overton, and +strip yourself, piling your clothing neatly on the +chair. Terry, come here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>Noll went through similar tests with equal +success. By the time he had finished Hal was +stripped. Now came the real examination. +Hal's heart and other organs were examined; +his skin and body were searched for blemishes. +He was made to run and do various other exercises. +After this the surgeon again listened to +his heart from various points of examination. +Finally Hal was told to lie down on a cot. Now, +the examination of the heart was made over +again in this position. It was mostly Greek to +the boy. When the examination was nearly +over Noll was ordered to strip and take his turn.</p> + +<p>When it was over Captain Wayburn turned +to them to say:</p> + +<p>"If I pronounced you young men absolutely +flawless in a physical sense, it wouldn't be much +of an exaggeration. You are just barely over +the one hundred and twenty pound weight, but +that is all that can be expected at your age."</p> + +<p>"You pass us, sir," asked Hal eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Most decidedly. As soon as Terry is +dressed I'll hand you each your papers to take +back to the recruiting officer."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later Hal and Noll returned to +the main waiting room.</p> + +<p>"Pass?" inquired the sergeant, with friendly +interest.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Hal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tip Branders was sitting in a chair, a dark +scowl on his face.</p> + +<p>"Orderly, take Branders to the surgeon, +now," continued the sergeant, and Tip disappeared. +Then the sergeant knocked at the +door of the lieutenant's office and entered after +receiving the officer's permission. He came out +in a moment, holding the door open.</p> + +<p>"Overton and Terry, the lieutenant will see +you now."</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll entered, handing their papers +back to Lieutenant Shackleton, who glanced +briefly at the surgeon's reports.</p> + +<p>"I don't see much difficulty about your enlisting," +smiled the officer. "I congratulate you +both."</p> + +<p>"We're delighted, sir," said Noll simply.</p> + +<p>"Now, Overton, I can let you sign, provisionally, +to-day but I can't accept your friend, Terry, +until to-morrow, when he will have reached the +proper age for enlisting. This may seem like +a trivial thing to you, but Terry is just one day +short of the age, and the regulations provide that +an officer who knowingly enlists a recruit below +the proper age is to be dismissed from the service. +Now, if you prefer, Overton, you can delay +enlisting until to-morrow, so as to enter on +the same date with your friend."</p> + +<p>"I'd prefer that, sir," admitted Hal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>.</p> + +<p>"You are both in earnest about enlisting?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed we are, sir," breathed Noll fervently.</p> + +<p>"I believe you," nodded the officer. "Now, +have you money enough for a hotel bed and +meals until to-morrow forenoon?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then be here at nine o'clock to-morrow +morning, sharp, and I'll sign you both on the +rolls of the Army. Now, furnish me with home +references, and, especially, the name of your last +employer. These will be investigated by telegraph. +Also, are you acquainted with the chief +of police in your home city?"</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll answered these questions.</p> + +<p>Then, having nothing pressing on his hands +for the moment, Lieutenant Shackleton offered +the boys much sound and wholesome advice as +to the way to conduct themselves in the Army. +He laid especial stress upon truthfulness, which +is the keystone of the service. He warned +them against bad habits of all kinds, and told +them to pick their friends with care, both in and +out of the service.</p> + +<p>"In particular," continued the lieutenant, +"I want to warn you against contracting the +'guard-house habit.' That is what we call it +when a soldier gets in the habit of committing +petty breaches of discipline such as will land +him in the guard-house for a term of confinement<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +for twenty-four hours or more. The +'guard-house habit' has spoiled hundreds of +men, who, but for that first confinement, would +have made admirable soldiers. The enlisted +man with the 'guard-house habit' is as useless +and hopeless as the tramp or the petty thief in +civil life."</p> + +<p>It was an excellent talk all the way through. +Both boys listened respectfully and appreciatively. +It struck them that Lieutenant Shackleton +was giving them a large amount of his time. +They learned, later, that a competent officer is +always willing and anxious to talk with his men +upon questions of discipline, duty and efficiency. +It is one of the things that the officer is expected +and paid to do.</p> + +<p>By the time they came out Tip was just returning +from the surgeon's examination.</p> + +<p>"You freshies needn't think ye're the only +ones that passed," growled Tip in a low voice, +as he passed.</p> + +<p>Neither chum paid any heed to Branders. +Somehow, as long as he kept his hands at his +sides, Branders didn't seem worth noticing.</p> + +<p>"Make it?" asked the sergeant at the street +door.</p> + +<p>"Yes; we sign to-morrow, if our references +are all right," Hal nodded happily.</p> + +<p>With a sudden recollection that soldiers must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +hold themselves erect, Hal and Noll braced their +shoulders until they thought they looked and +carried themselves very much as the sergeant +did. They kept this pose until they had turned +the corner into Broadway.</p> + +<p>"Whoop!" exploded the usually quiet Noll +Terry unexpectedly.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong, old fellow?" asked Hal +quickly.</p> + +<p>"Nothing! Everything's right, and we're +soldiers at last!" cried Noll, his eyes shining.</p> + +<p>"At least, we shall be to-morrow, if all goes +well," rejoined Hal.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nonsense! Everything is going to go +right, now. It can't go any other way."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Noll turned to cross Broadway +at the next corner.</p> + +<p>Hal made a pounce forward, seizing his comrade +by an arm. Then he backed like a flash, +dragging Noll back to the sidewalk with him. +Even at that a moving automobile brushed +Noll's clothes, leaving a layer of dirt on them.</p> + +<p>"Things will go wrong, if you don't watch +where you're going," cried Hal rather excitedly. +"Noll, Noll, don't try to walk on clouds, but remember +you're on Broadway."</p> + +<p>"Let's get off of Broadway, then," begged +young Terry. "I'm so tickled that I want a +chance to enjoy my thoughts."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll cross and go down Broadway, then," +Hal proposed. "I have the address of a hotel +with rates low enough to suit our treasury, and +it's some blocks below here."</p> + +<p>"Say," muttered Noll, "of all the things I +ever heard of! Think of Tip Branders wanting +to serve the Flag!"</p> + +<p>The boys talked of this puzzle, mainly, until +they reached their street and crossed once more +to go to the hotel. They registered, went to +their room, and here Noll put in the next twenty +minutes in making his clothes look presentable +again.</p> + +<p>"If you've got that done, let's go downstairs," +proposed happy Hal. "I'm hungry +enough to scare the bill of fare clear off the +table."</p> + +<p>As they descended into the lobby Hal suddenly +touched Noll's arm and stood still.</p> + +<p>"I guess Tip is going to stay right with us," +whispered Overton in his chum's ear. "That's +Tip's mother over there in the chair. She and +her son must be stopping at this hotel."</p> + +<p>"They surely are," nodded Noll, "for there's +Tip himself just coming in."</p> + +<p>Neither mother nor son noted the presence +of the chums near by.</p> + +<p>Tip hurried up to his mother, a grin on his +not very handsome face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, old lady," was that son's greeting, +"I've gone and done it."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean that you've gotten into any +trouble, do you, Tip?" asked his mother apprehensively.</p> + +<p>"Trouble—nothing!" retorted Tip eloquently. +"Naw! I've been around to the rookie shed and +got passed as a soldier in the Regular Army."</p> + +<p>"What?" gasped his mother paling.</p> + +<p>"Now, that ain't nothing so fierce," almost +growled Tip. "But there is a fool rule—me +being under twenty-one—that you've got to go +and give your consent. So that's the cloth that's +cut for you this afternoon, old lady."</p> + +<p>"Oh, oh, oh!" cried Mrs. Branders, sinking +back in her chair and covering her face with +her hands. "What have I ever done that I +should be disgraced by having a son of mine going +to—enlist in the Army!"</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>MRS. BRANDERS GETS A NEW VIEW</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>THE chums waited to hear no more. It +was none of their affair, so they slipped +into one of the adjacent dining rooms.</div> + +<p>Hal's eyes were flashing with indignation +over Mrs. Brander's remark.</p> + +<p>Noll, on the other hand, was smiling quietly.</p> + +<p>"That must be a severe blow to Mrs. Branders," +murmured Noll aloud, as the boys slipped +into their chairs at table. "To think of gentle +Tip going off into anything as rough and brutal +as the Army! And poor little Tip raised so +tenderly as a pet!"</p> + +<p>As it afterwards turned out, however, Mrs. +Branders, after offering her son a present of +a hundred dollars to stay out of the Army, had +at last tearfully given her consent to his becoming +a soldier.</p> + +<p>She even went to the recruiting office that +afternoon with Tip, and gave a reluctant consent +to her son's enlistment.</p> + +<p>"Be here at nine o'clock, sharp, to-morrow +morning," directed Lieutenant Shackleton.</p> + +<p>It was doubtful if either youngster slept very +well that night. Both were too full of thoughts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +of the Army and of the service. When Hal did +dream it was of Indians and Filipinos.</p> + +<p>Both were up early, and had breakfast out +of the way in record time—and then they hurried +to Madison Square. They reached there +ten minutes ahead of time.</p> + +<p>The sergeant, however, came along five minutes +later, and admitted them to the recruiting +office.</p> + +<p>Hardly had they stepped inside when Tip and +his mother also appeared. Then came the other +enlisted men stationed at this office. Punctually +at the stroke of nine Lieutenant Shackleton +entered, lifted his uniform cap to Mrs. Branders +and entered his own inner office.</p> + +<p>"Now you kids will get orders to skin back +home," jeered Tip, in a low tone, as he glanced +over at Hal and Noll.</p> + +<p>"No pleasantries of that sort here," directed +the sergeant, glancing up from his desk.</p> + +<p>The door of the inner office opened, and Lieutenant +Shackleton stepped out.</p> + +<p>"Overton and Terry, your references prove +to be absolutely good. I will enlist you presently."</p> + +<p>Then the officer moved over to where Tip +Branders and his mother sat. Tip rose awkwardly.</p> + +<p>"Branders, I'm sorry to say we must decline<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +your enlistment," announced the recruiting +officer, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"Wot's that?" demanded Tip unbelievingly.</p> + +<p>"I find myself unable to accept you as a recruit +in the Army," replied the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Why, wot's the matter?" demanded Tip, +thunderstruck. "Didn't I get by the sawbones +all right?"</p> + +<p>"If you mean the surgeon, yes," replied the +recruiting officer. "But I regret to say that +we do not receive satisfactory accounts of you +from the home town."</p> + +<p>"Wot's the matter? Somebody out home trying +to give me the crisscross?" demanded Tip +indignantly.</p> + +<p>"We do not receive a satisfactory account of +your character, Branders, and therefore you +are not eligible for enlistment," went on +Shackleton. "Madam, I am extremely sorry, +but the regulations allow me to pursue no other +course in the matter. I cannot enlist your +son."</p> + +<p>"See here, officer——" began Mrs. Branders +hoarsely, as she got upon her feet.</p> + +<p>"When addressing Mr. Shackleton, call him +'lieutenant,' not 'officer,'" murmured one of the +orderlies in her ear.</p> + +<p>"You mind your own business," flashed Mrs. +Branders, turning her face briefly to the orderly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +Then she wheeled, giving her whole attention +to the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"See here, officer, do you mean to say that +my boy ain't good enough to get into the +Army?"</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, madam, but the report we receive +of his character isn't satisfactory," answered +Shackleton quietly.</p> + +<p>"What? My boy ain't good enough to go +with the loafers and roughs in the Army?" +cried Mrs. Branders angrily. "He's too good +for 'em—a heap sight too good for any such +low company! But s'posing Tip has been just +a little frisky sometimes, what has that got to +do with his being a soldier? I thought you +wanted young fellows to fight—not pray!"</p> + +<p>"The soldier who can do both makes the better +soldier, madam," replied the lieutenant, +feeling sorry for the mother's humiliation. +"And now I will say good morning to you and +your son, madam, for I am very busy to-day. +Overton and Terry, come into my office."</p> + +<p>Before turning, Lieutenant Shackleton bowed +to Mrs. Branders as gracefully and courteously +as he could have done to the President's wife. +Then he started for his office, leaving Mrs. +Branders and Tip to depart in bewilderment and +anger.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll followed the lieutenant, trying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +not to let their faces betray any feeling over +Tip's troubles.</p> + +<p>"You still wish to enlist?" asked Shackleton, +turning to the waiting lads, after he had +seated himself.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," answered both.</p> + +<p>"Then you will sign the rolls," directed the +recruiting officer, passing papers forward, dipping +a pen in ink and passing it to Hal.</p> + +<p>Hal signed, slowly, with a solemn feeling. It +was Noll's turn next.</p> + +<p>"I will now administer the oath," continued +Lieutenant Shackleton gravely, as he rose at his +desk. "Raise your right hand, Overton, and +repeat after me."</p> + +<p>This was the oath of service that Hal repeated:</p> + +<p>"'I Henry Overton, do solemnly swear that I +will bear true faith and allegiance to the United +States of America; that I will serve them honestly +and faithfully against all their enemies +whomsoever; and that I will obey the orders of +the President of the United States, and the orders +of the officers appointed over me, according +to the rules and articles of war.'"</p> + +<p>Then Noll took the same oath.</p> + +<p>"You have already signed the same oath as +a part of your enlistment contract," continued +Lieutenant Shackleton. "I have now to certify<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +that you have taken the oath and signed before +me."</p> + +<p>Seating himself once more the recruiting officer +certified in the following form on each set +of papers:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this — day +of —— , A. D. ——</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">"<span class="smcap">Thomas P. Shackleton</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;">"First Lieutenant, 17th Cavalry,</span><br /> +"Recruiting Officer."<br /> +</div></div> + +<p>"That is all," finished the recruiting officer. +"You are now recruits in the United States +Army. I wish you both all happiness and success. +You will take your further orders from +my sergeant, or from the corporal to whom he +turns you over. You will probably find yourself +at the recruit rendezvous at Bedloe's Island +in time for dinner to-day."</p> + +<p>Touching a button on his desk the lieutenant +waited until the sergeant entered.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant, turn these men over to Corporal +Dodds. Come back in ten minutes for the papers."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>The sergeant led them down the corridor, +opening a door and leading the way inside.</p> + +<p>"Corporal Dodds, here are two recruits. +Take care of them until I bring the papers."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Very good, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>The door closed.</p> + +<p>"Help yourselves to chairs, or stand and look +out of the window, if you'd rather," invited +Corporal Dodds, who, himself, was seated at a +small desk.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll tried sitting down at first. This +soon became so irksome that they rose and went +to one of the windows.</p> + +<p>Corporal Dodds said nothing until the door +opened once more, and the sergeant entered +with an envelope.</p> + +<p>"Here are the papers for Privates Overton +and Terry. You are directed to see that the +young men go with you on the eleven o'clock +ferry to Bedloe's Island. You will report with +these recruits to the post adjutant as usual."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Sergeant," replied Corporal +Dodds, and again the boys were alone with their +present guide.</p> + +<p>To the raw young recruits it was a tremendously +solemn day, but to the corporal, it was +simply a matter of dry routine.</p> + +<p>"Ten-fifteen," yawned the corporal, at last. +"Come along, rookies; nothing like being on time—in +the Army, especially."</p> + +<p>"Rookie" is the term by which a new recruit +is designated in Army slang. It is a term of +mild derision.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<p>Corporal Dodds paused long enough at the +recruiting office to turn over his key to the sergeant; +then he led the way to the street, across +to the Sixth Avenue Elevated road, and thence +they embarked on a train bound down town.</p> + +<p>All the way to the Battery Corporal Dodds +did not furnish his pair of recruits with more +than a dozen words by way of conversation.</p> + +<p>But neither Hal nor Noll felt much like talking. +Though either would have died sooner +than admit it, each was suffering, just then from +acute homesickness, and also from a secret +dread that the Army might not turn out to be +as rosy as they had painted it in their imagination.</p> + +<p>"This way to the Army ferry," directed Corporal +Dodds, leading them across the Battery.</p> + +<p>Once aboard a small steamer that flew the +flag of the Quartermaster's Department, United +States Army, Corporal Dodds watched his two +young rookies as though he suspected they +would desert if they got a chance.</p> + +<p>After the ferry had left the slip, however, +Dodds paid no more heed to them. He at least +left them free to end it all by jumping over into +the bay, if they wished to do so.</p> + +<p>Finding that he was under no restrictions, +Private Hal Overton, United States Army, +sauntered forward to the bow. Private Noll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +Terry, feeling, if anything a bit more forlorn, +followed him.</p> + +<p>Just as they were nearing the dock at Bedloe's +Island, Noll ventured:</p> + +<p>"I wonder how Tip Branders feels about +now."</p> + +<p>"I wonder," muttered Hal.</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>IN THE AWKWARD SQUAD</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ONCE they were ashore our young rookies +found Bedloe's Island a very much +larger bit of real estate than it appears +to the passerby on a steamboat.</div> + +<p>It was, in fact, a long walk from the dock to +the adjutant's office at headquarters.</p> + +<p>"Hit up the stride, rookies," ordered Corporal +Dodds. "Double-time march—hike. +Don't keep the post adjutant from his luncheon."</p> + +<p>Corporal Dodds' real reason for haste was +that he had a crony in one of the squad rooms +at barracks whom he wanted to see as early as +possible.</p> + +<p>Shortly the rookies and their guide entered +the adjutant's office. The adjutant proved to +be a captain of infantry with a corporal and +two privates on duty in his office as clerks.</p> + +<p>"Sir, I report with two recruits," announced +Corporal Dodds, coming to a salute, which the +adjutant returned.</p> + +<p>"Their papers?" asked the adjutant.</p> + +<p>"Here, sir."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Corporal. You may go."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>Turning to the chums Captain Anderson +asked:</p> + +<p>"You are Overton?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal replied, doing his best to +salute as neatly as Corporal Dodds had. Again +the adjutant returned the salute in kind. "Then +you are Terry?" he asked, turning.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Noll returned, not omitting to +salute.</p> + +<p>The adjutant called to his principal clerk.</p> + +<p>"Corporal, make the proper entries for these +men. Then take them over to Sergeant Brimmer's +squad room."</p> + +<p>With that the adjutant picked up his uniform +cap and left the office, all the enlisted men present +rising and standing at attention until he +had closed the door after him.</p> + +<p>The corporal made the necessary entries, then +rose and picked up his own uniform cap.</p> + +<p>"Come with me, rookies," he directed briefly.</p> + +<p>So Hal and Noll followed, feeling within them +another surge of that curiously lonely and depressed +feeling.</p> + +<p>This corporal led them into the barracks +building, and down a corridor on the ground +floor. He paused, at last, before a door that he +flung open. Striding into the room, the corporal +looked about him.</p> + +<p>"Where is Sergeant Brimmer?" he asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not here now," replied another corporal, +coming forward.</p> + +<p>"Two rookies. Hand 'em over to Brimmer +when he comes in," replied the conductor from +the adjutant's office.</p> + +<p>With that he strode out again, shutting the +door after him.</p> + +<p>The last corporal of all proved to be an older +man than any of his predecessors. He appeared +to be about thirty-five years old; he was tall, +dark-featured and rather sullen-looking.</p> + +<p>In this room there were twenty cot beds, arranged +in two opposite rows, with their heads +to the walls. On each cot the bedding had been +rolled back in a peculiarly exact fashion.</p> + +<p>At the further end of the squad room was a +table and several chairs.</p> + +<p>The occupants of the room, at this moment, +were a dozen men, besides the corporal. Three +of the men, like our young rookies, were still +wearing the clothes in which they had enlisted. +The others wore light blue uniform trousers and +fatigue blouses of dark blue. Some of these +men in uniform looked almost indescribably +"slouchy." They were men who had received +their uniforms, but who had not yet had enough +of the setting-up drills to know how to wear +their uniforms.</p> + +<p>"What are you looking about you for?" demanded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +the corporal. "Wondering why dinner +ain't spread on that table yonder?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Hal quietly. "We're just +waiting to be told what to do with ourselves."</p> + +<p>"What do I care what you do with yourselves?" +demanded the corporal, turning on his +heel and walking away.</p> + +<p>So Hal and Noll remained where they were, +the feeling of loneliness growing all the time.</p> + +<p>"Don't mind Corporal Shrimp any more than +you have to," advised one of the uniformed +rookies, coming over to them after a few moments. +"Shrimp is a terror and a grouch all the +time. Sergeant Brimmer you'll find a real old +soldier, and a gentleman all the time."</p> + +<p>"Then it's just our luck to find Sergeant +Brimmer out," smiled Hal.</p> + +<p>"Here he comes now," murmured the uniformed +rookie, as the door of the squad room +opened.</p> + +<p>At the first glimpse of the newcomer Hal +made up his mind that he was going to like Sergeant +Brimmer. He was a man of about thirty, +tall, rather slender, erect, thoroughly well built, +with light, almost golden hair and mustache, +and a keen but kindly blue eye.</p> + +<p>"Recruits?" he asked, as he approached the +boys.</p> + +<p>Both answered in the affirmative.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Corporal Shrimp," called Brimmer, "have +you no report to make to me about these new +men?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes," answered Shrimp, coming from +the further end of the room. "These men have +just been brought here from the adjutant. +They're assigned to your squad room."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Corporal. Men, what are your +names?"</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll both answered.</p> + +<p>"Friends?" asked Sergeant Brimmer.</p> + +<p>"Chums," Hal stated.</p> + +<p>"Then you'll be bunkies, too, of course. You +want beds together, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"If we may have them," Noll answered.</p> + +<p>"Follow me, then. Here you are. Eight and +nine will be your beds until further orders. +Later, when you have your clothing issued, +Corporal Shrimp or I will show you how +and where to take care of it. Now, men, you'll +likely find it a bit dull here for a day or two. +Recruits generally do. Then that will all wear +off, and you'll be glad you're in the Army. If +there's anything you need to know, ask Corporal +Shrimp"—Hal winced inwardly—"or +me. The mess call will soon go for dinner. +When it does, follow me outside, but take your +places in the rear of A Company, which is the +recruit company that you now belong to. I'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +show you where to stand. New recruits don't +march with the battalion—not until they've been +drilled enough to know how to march."</p> + +<p>"Is there a battalion here, Sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"Two recruit companies, at present. The +non-commissioned officers, of course, are trained +soldiers. Then there are a few old-time privates +in each company—just enough to give the recruits +some steadiness. The trained privates +also act as instructors sometimes."</p> + +<p>With this remark Sergeant Brimmer moved +away.</p> + +<p>"He's all right," murmured Noll Terry. "If +all were like Sergeant Brimmer we wouldn't +feel so lonely and blue."</p> + +<p>Noll had let that last word escape him without +thinking. But Hal, who felt just as blue, +pretended not to have heard.</p> + +<p>"It'll all look different to us, just as soon as +we get into uniform, and get past the first +breaking-in," predicted young Overton.</p> + +<p>Ta-ra-ra-ra-ta! sounded a bugle, out in the +corridor.</p> + +<p>"That must be the call to dinner," muttered +Hal.</p> + +<p>But a uniformed recruit, passing them, +stopped to say, pleasantly:</p> + +<p>"No; that's first call to mess. Every call by +the bugler has a 'first call,' sounded just a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +while before. That 'first call' is always just the +same strain. But the real call differs, according +to what is meant. The mess call itself, which is +the one you'll hear next, sounds like this."</p> + +<p>The recruit hummed mess call for them.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," acknowledged Hal gratefully.</p> + +<p>"Feeling lonesome?" asked the uniformed +rookie.</p> + +<p>"J-j-just a bit," assented Hal.</p> + +<p>"I'm getting almost over it," smiled the uniformed +one, "The older men, those who have +seen service with a regiment, tell me that a man +soon gets to find delight in being in the Army. +But that's after he has gotten away from the +recruit rendezvous."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll get over it before then," promised +Hal. "We'll be all over it by to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Look out for that Shrimp," whispered the +uniformed rookie.</p> + +<p>"Does anyone ever need that warning, after +seeing the corporal and hearing him talk?" +laughed Hal, in an undertone.</p> + +<p>"Don't you rookies go to take this squad-room +for a vawdy-vill show," growled Corporal +Shrimp, from the near distance, as he heard the +three laughing. Sergeant Brimmer had just +stepped outside.</p> + +<p>Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta! sounded a bugle again in the +corridor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A little time to ourselves now," whispered +the uniformed recruit. "That's mess call."</p> + +<p>The men in the room were quickly filing out. +Outside of barracks A Company was falling in, +with B Company to the left of it.</p> + +<p>"You un-uniformed recruits take your position +at the rear, without forming," ordered Sergeant +Brimmer coming up. "As your company +starts Corporal Shrimp will instruct you how +to form at the rear of the company."</p> + +<p>What followed was little understood by the +two recruits. But presently the two first sergeants +gave their commands, and marched their +companies into the mess hall.</p> + +<p>"Fall in lively, there, by twos!" growled +Shrimp roughly. "Hurry up! Don't get in +the way of the head of B Company!"</p> + +<p>To give emphasis to his orders Shrimp seized +Hal and Noll each by an arm and swung them +into place.</p> + +<p>Both recruits went in with flushed faces. +Shrimp's treatment had been such as to make +them feel uncomfortably "raw." But as the +men marched to their seats at the long tables in +the mess hall this feeling of humiliation left both +boys.</p> + +<p>Hal's new friend occupied a seat at their +right.</p> + +<p>"All the corporals ain't Shrimps," he whispered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +"We've probably got one of the meanest +corporals in the Army."</p> + +<p>"He knows how to make everyone else feel as +mean as himself," Hal whispered back.</p> + +<p>Then all hands fell to at the meal, which tasted +uncommonly good. It consisted of a stew, with +plenty of meat and potatoes, and other vegetables +in it. There was also bread and butter. +Pie and coffee followed. Then the recruit companies +were marched out again and were dismissed.</p> + +<p>"We have twenty minutes for relaxation +now," laughed Hal's new friend, who had introduced +himself as Private Stanley. "After that +I suppose Shrimp will get you for the setting-up +drills. He always has the new men in our squad +room. He——"</p> + +<p>At this moment Sergeant Brimmer stepped +up to the trio as they stood in the open air chatting.</p> + +<p>"Overton and Terry, you'll be under Corporal +Shrimp's orders after the recreation period. +He'll instruct you in some of the first work of +the recruit. Go with him when he orders you +to turn out."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>No sooner had a bugle sounded than Corporal +Shrimp appeared, followed by two other +un-uniformed rookies walking behind him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You, Overton, and you, Terry, fall in by +twos behind these two raw rookies," ordered +Shrimp. "Try to act a bit as though you were +marching, at that. Don't be too dumb! Forward!"</p> + +<p>Conscious that they were not cutting much +of a figure, Hal and Noll followed the pair ahead +of them.</p> + +<p>Shrimp led them to a bit of green some distance +away from any of the larger drill grounds.</p> + +<p>"Squad halt!" he rumbled. "Now, rookies, +you'll fall in in single rank, facing the front +and about four inches apart. No, no, ye idiots!" +as the four rookies started confusedly to +obey. "You'll wait until I give the order 'fall +in.' When I do, Overton, being the tallest, will +take his place at the right, Terry next him, then +Strawbridge, and then Healy. Now, rookies, +d'ye think ye understand? And you'll take +your places about four inches apart—just +enough distance to allow each man the free use +of his body. Fall in!"</p> + +<p>So confused were the poor rookies under the +scowling glances of Shrimp that, in their haste +to obey, they nearly upset each other.</p> + +<p>"Ye're a bad lot," commented the corporal, +eyeing them with extreme disfavor. "You +don't even know how to judge the interval between +each man. Now, let every man except<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +the man at the left rest his left hand on his hip, +just below where his belt would be if he wore +one. Let the right arm hang flat at the side. +Now, each man move up so that his right arm +just touches his neighbor's left elbow. Careful, +there! Don't crowd. Now, let your left arms +fall flat. There, you ostriches, you have the interval +from man to man as well as rookies can +get it inside of a week. Now, each one of you +note his interval from the man at his right. So. +Fall out!"</p> + +<p>Without moving the rookies stood looking +uncertainly at Corporal Shrimp.</p> + +<p>"Fall out, I say!" roared the corporal.</p> + +<p>"Do we go back to the squad room?" asked +one of the rookies.</p> + +<p>"Listen to the man, now!" growled Shrimp. +"Do you go back to the squad room! You'll +be lucky if ye ever live to see the squad room +again. Fall out—fall out of ranks, ye idiots!"</p> + +<p>"Oh," answered the same rookie. "Why +didn't you say so?"</p> + +<p>"Why didn't I say so?" roared Shrimp. +"Why didn't I say so, indeed! Ye'll take the +order the way I give it—not the way ye want +it. When I tell ye to fall in, that means to get +into line, with the proper interval from man to +man. When I say fall out, ye're to get out of +ranks again. Now, then—fall in!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>In a twinkling the recruits jumped to obey. +Shrimp surveyed their alignment with a scowl. +Nothing that a recruit could do would satisfy +him.</p> + +<p>"Left hand on the hips, again. Now, get the +interval—get it!" roared Shrimp. "Dress up +there, ye rookie idiots!"</p> + +<p>Shrimp would have made an excellent drillmaster +had he possessed the patience and the +human decency of Sergeant Brimmer. But this +corporal made his work doubly hard, and hindered +the rookies from learning, by his persistent +nagging and bad temper.</p> + +<p>"Now, we'll see whether ye can do as well at +learning the position of the soldier," he snapped +out nastily, after a while. "Whenever, in barracks, +or elsewhere, in ranks or out, if you hear +the command, 'Attention,' ye'll come to the position +of the soldier. Now, watch me, ye thick-pated +rookies, and, as I describe it, bit by bit, +I'll come to the position of the soldier."</p> + +<p>After lounging for an instant Corporal +Shrimp continued:</p> + +<p>"Heels on the same line, and as near together +as possible. Turn your feet out equally so that +they form an angle of sixty <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'degress'">degrees</ins>."</p> + +<p>Then, straightening up, this irate drillmaster +went on:</p> + +<p>"Hold your knees straight, but don't have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +'em stiff. Keep your body erect on the hips, +but inclined ever so little forward; keep your +shoulders squared, and let 'em fall equally. +Let your arms and hands hang naturally, with +the backs of the hands outward and the little +fingers almost touching the seams of your trousers +legs. Keep your elbows near the body. +Head erect and square to the front. Draw yer +chin in slightly, but don't hold it as if it was +glued there, and keep yer eyes straight to the +front."</p> + +<p>Corporal Shrimp illustrated excellently in his +own person. But then he glared at the rookies +and shouted, "Attention!"</p> + +<p>Of course none of the rookies did it just right.</p> + +<p>"Fall out! Overton, ye lobster, come on the +carpet before me, and I'll teach ye or make ye +crazy!"</p> + +<p>"The—the carpet?" asked Hal, staring dubiously. +His head was tired from the corporal's +badgering, or he would have been brighter.</p> + +<p>"On that spot!" glared Shrimp, pointing at +the grass about six feet in front of him, and +adding an oath that made Hal's face flush. But +young Overton obeyed, nevertheless. Shrimp +scolded and hounded, but Hal did his best to +keep his patience and really learn. Then it was +Noll's turn. Terry came in for a worse badgering +than ever.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ye bandy-legged griddle-greaser!" snarled +Shrimp, beside himself. "Is that what ye call +letting yer arms hang naturally. Where did ye +get yer ideas of nature, anyway, ye spindle-shanked +carpenter's apprentice?"</p> + +<p>Sergeant Brimmer had stepped within view, +though behind the corporal's back, and stood +looking quietly on.</p> + +<p>"Ye wart on an Army buzzard!" howled +Shrimp. "Ye——"</p> + +<p>"That will do, Corporal," broke in Sergeant +Brimmer quietly. "You're relieved, Corporal. +I have time to take over the squad myself. You +may go to the squad room."</p> + +<p>Shrimp turned with a glare, but with the +snarl somehow dying on his lips. He gasped +with anger and humiliation, then turned about +and stalked away toward barracks.</p> + +<p>During the next hour things went along very +differently. Sergeant Brimmer was an alert +drillmaster, and he permitted no lagging or indifference +on the part of the recruits. Neither +did he hesitate to single out any rookie who did +a thing improperly. But the sergeant's method +of drilling was wholly manly. He was patient, +even if firm, and he called no rookie uncomplimentary +names.</p> + +<p>"Fall out," ordered the sergeant presently. +"Sit down if you want to, men, or walk about.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +And I'll answer any questions that you may +want to ask me out of ranks."</p> + +<p>"What a difference between non-coms," uttered +Hal to Noll, as the two chums stepped +away a few yards. "Sergeant Brimmer is a +man, first of all. I'd cheerfully drill under him +until I dropped."</p> + +<p>"Non-com" is the abbreviation used in the +Army for non-commissioned officer—a corporal +or sergeant.</p> + +<p>"I hope we don't have to have much to do +with Shrimp," muttered Noll Terry. "And I +hope we don't find many Shrimps in the +Army."</p> + +<p>"Fall in!" sounded Sergeant Brimmer's +voice, at last. How the young rookies sprang to +obey, their eyes shining with interest!</p> + +<p>Sergeant Brimmer now began to explain the +"rests." Next he came to the salute. For +some minutes he drilled them in the first principles +of marching. But brief rests were frequent, +and during these rests he answered all +questions put to him.</p> + +<p>"Fall in!" he shouted once more. The rookies +fell in as eagerly as before. "Squad, attention!"</p> + +<p>At that instant a far-off bugle sounded.</p> + +<p>"That closes this period of instruction," announced +the sergeant. "Dismissed!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>As the four broke out of ranks Hal approached +their instructor respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant, 'dismissed' means that we're +through, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Overton. And this squad is dismissed +until supper time. You can return to squad +room, or you may remain about out-doors, if +you'd rather. Don't go far away from barracks, +though."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," Hal replied, and turned away +with Noll.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE TROUBLE WITH CORPORAL SHRIMP</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"I DON'T want to say or think anything disloyal," +laughed Noll, as the two chums +turned in at barracks, "but I wish +Shrimp would desert."</div> + +<p>"I wish we could have Sergeant Brimmer to +teach us all the time," returned Hal. "I can't +believe that Corporal Shrimp is any good to +the service."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be any good if I had to stand +around for a fellow like Shrimp all the time," +Noll answered. "How different it is when we +are under a real soldier like the sergeant."</p> + +<p>Corporal Shrimp was alone in the squad room +when the two chums entered. The corporal was +scowling sulkily until he caught sight of Hal and +Noll.</p> + +<p>"Come over to yer beds, ye two blamed rookies!" +ordered Shrimp, jumping up. "I'll be +bound ye know nothing yet of how to fold yer +bedding."</p> + +<p>"No, we don't," replied Hal, with an outward +respect that he was far from feeling.</p> + +<p>"Then watch me, bandy-legs, while I put yer +bed down in regulation style."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + +<p>Shrimp quickly threw the bedding down on +Hal's cot. With the deft hands of the trained +soldier Shrimp made the bed up with neatness +and dispatch.</p> + +<p>"And in the morning, after first call to reveille," +continued the Corporal, "ye'll turn yer +mattress up—so. And fold and lay the bedding—so. +Now, let's see ye shake down yer bed and +make it."</p> + +<p>This task Hal performed rather well for the +first time trying. But Shrimp found a lot of +fault, volubly, then finally shoved Hal Overton +aside and finished the bed-making with a few +deft touches.</p> + +<p>"Now, turn up yer mattress, and fold yer bedding," +ordered the corporal.</p> + +<p>Hal started patiently to obey, but there was +no pleasing Shrimp. He vented a couple of +oaths, evidently in order to make the matter +clearer.</p> + +<p>"Now, do it over again," ordered Shrimp +roughly.</p> + +<p>"This fellow is venting his spite on us because +he's angry at the way Sergeant Brimmer relieved +him this afternoon," thought Hal hotly. +Yet he tried patiently to follow out his instructions.</p> + +<p>In the meantime four or five other recruits +had entered the squad room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here ye gibbering monkey! Not that +way!" snarled Shrimp. "Stand aside!"</p> + +<p>Seizing Hal by the shoulders Shrimp deliberately +hurled him out into the middle of the squad +room. Hal did not fall, but he wheeled about, +his eyes flashing.</p> + +<p>Corporal Shrimp stood surveying him angrily.</p> + +<p>"Making faces at me, are ye, ye Army-lawyer?" +howled Shrimp, springing toward +Hal.</p> + +<p>He launched a blow full at the young rookie. +Private Overton, who had some knowledge of +boxing and of its companion foot-work, stepped +aside.</p> + +<p>But as Shrimp recovered and prepared to +launch another blow, Hal Overton threw his +hands up at guard.</p> + +<p>Then recollecting that he was a private soldier, +under discipline, Hal let his hands fall uselessly +at his side, while a hot flush of shame +mounted to his brow.</p> + +<p>"Going to hit me, were ye?" sneered Shrimp, +in an ugly tone. "It's well ye didn't! Now, +stand where ye are till I take some of the conceit +out of ye!"</p> + +<p>Shrimp raised his right fist deliberately.</p> + +<p>"Corporal!"</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking that crisp tone. It +was one of sharp command. Sergeant Brimmer,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +who had just opened the door and looked +in, now came striding down the squad room.</p> + +<p>"Corporal, stand at attention!"</p> + +<p>Shrimp wheeled about, coming to the position +of the soldier as he faced the sergeant. But +the corporal's countenance was still as black as +thunder. Sergeant Brimmer, too, was thoroughly +angry, though righteously so.</p> + +<p>"Corporal Shrimp, you're in arrest for striking +at and humiliating a private soldier. Come +with me to the company commander."</p> + +<p>"Now, see here, Sergeant," began Shrimp +hoarsely, "you don't know what I have to put +up with with these rookies. I have to do something +to keep discipline among men who are new +to barracks. I——"</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue and come with me," insisted +Sergeant Brimmer crisply.</p> + +<p>There was no disregarding that angry, authoritative +tone. As the sergeant wheeled +Shrimp turned and went with him, as though +stricken suddenly dumb.</p> + +<p>"Good enough!" rose a cry, as the door closed +on the two non-coms.</p> + +<p>"Got what he needs," muttered some one else.</p> + +<p>"I hope he stays in arrest," added another +rookie. "This squad room was a good deal like +a madhouse when the sergeant wasn't here."</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes went by before the door<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +opened to admit Sergeant Brimmer on his return.</p> + +<p>"Now, men, come close. I want to tell you a +few things," began the sergeant. "The first is +this. No non-commissioned officer has any right +to swear at any of you. It is in violation of +regulations. If any non-commissioned officer +calls you vile names, or swears at you, it is your +right, and your duty, too, to report it to the non-commissioned +officer in charge of the squad +room. If he fails to take heed of your complaint, +then go to the first sergeant of the company. +If he fails to heed your complaint, then +go to the company commander. Is that clear?"</p> + +<p>The recruits nodded.</p> + +<p>"Second," pursued Sergeant Brimmer, "no +non-commissioned officer has any right to strike +you, unless it be strictly in self-defense, or in defense +of an officer who is threatened by you. +You have the same remedy of complaint, if any +non-commissioned officer strikes you, or lays +violent hands on you, as in the case of vile or +profane language. Is that clear."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sergeant," came from all sides.</p> + +<p>"Any questions?" asked Sergeant Brimmer, +looking about him.</p> + +<p>"Has any officer any right to direct bad language +at an enlisted man, or to strike him?" +queried Noll.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The officer has no more right than anyone +else, except in an emergency of danger to himself +or others," replied Sergeant Brimmer. +"But there's this difference: I've been in the +Army fourteen years, and I never knew an officer +to degrade himself in that fashion. But occasionally +a non-commissioned officer will so disgrace +himself. Either the officer or non-commissioned +officer who swears at or strikes an +enlisted man may be court-martialed, and, if +it is found that he is guilty, he is dismissed +from the service."</p> + +<p>"We've had an awful lot to put up with from +Corporal Shrimp, Sergeant," announced one of +the uniformed recruits.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you have, men. But I don't +want you to carry tales to me. Tale-bearing is +never worth while, nor encouraged, in the Army. +Corporal Shrimp's case is now before the commanding +officer. To-night or to-morrow an officer +will be here to take the complaints of any of +you men who have grievances. You will be <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'ex-expected'">expected</ins> +to complain to the officer only about +wrongs that have been done you by Corporal +Shrimp. The officer will not permit any tale-bearing +about anything that happened to anyone +else. Corporal Shrimp is now in another +squad room, under arrest. He will probably be +court-martialed. In any case he won't return<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +here until his case has been thoroughly disposed +of."</p> + +<p>The door opened, and a corporal of twenty-five +years, or under, entered, striding straight +up to Brimmer.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant, I am directed by the company commander +to report to you for quarters and duty +here," announced the newcomer.</p> + +<p>"Very good, Corporal Davis. I will assign +you to your cot at once."</p> + +<p>The new corporal was speedily assigned, after +which the sergeant left the room on duty.</p> + +<p>"Are there any new recruits here who do not +fully understand the care of their bedding?" +inquired Corporal Davis pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"I do not, Corporal," Hal answered.</p> + +<p>"Nor do I," came from Noll.</p> + +<p>"Which are your beds, then?" asked Davis +promptly.</p> + +<p>Within fifteen minutes both Hal and Noll +knew how to make beds, and how to fold them +away for the day.</p> + +<p>Davis proved to be a younger edition of the +sergeant. He was not familiar with the recruits, +but taught what he was there to teach, +and did it with a mingling of firmness and patience.</p> + +<p>"From policing of quarters in the morning +until tattoo at night," went on Corporal Davis,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +"you are not allowed to take down your bedding +and make up the bed, except under orders +for purposes of instruction. At tattoo you may +make up your bed and turn in promptly, if +you wish. At taps you must have your bed +made, and get into it at once. Any man up +after taps, except by permission, is subject to +discipline."</p> + +<p>Supper call came soon after. When the evening +meal was finished our young rookies found +that they had the evening to themselves. They +could stay in squad room, or could go out into +the open, if they preferred, though, as rookies, +they could not roam as they pleased over the +whole post.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll elected to take a stroll after +supper.</p> + +<p>"Hal," proposed Noll, "I want to ask you +something."</p> + +<p>"Permission granted," laughed Private Overton.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you're going to like the Regular +Army as much as you expected!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, siree," replied Hal promptly, and with +enthusiasm. "Shrimp was hard to swallow, and +he would have made this place purgatory to +us. But he was caught, red-handed, and we've +had a lesson, the first day in the service, that +real justice rules always in the Army. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +breaking-in as recruits, Noll, is going to be +harder than I thought, even if we have such +fine men as Brimmer and Davis all the time. +But, after we get through that period, and at +last know our duties and understand the life, +we're going to be mighty glad that we took the +oath and enlisted under the Flag."</p> + +<p>"It's mighty good to hear you say that," replied +Noll Terry almost gratefully. "But I'm +afraid we have a fearful lot ahead of us to learn. +It will take an awfully long time to learn all +we have got to know, I fear."</p> + +<p>"A recruit generally stays about three months +at the rendezvous," Hal went on. "After that +he's drafted to his regiment, sent away to join +it, and then he's a real soldier at last."</p> + +<p>"With still a lot to learn, though," added +Noll.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Hal assented. "I imagine that the +real soldier always learns as long as he remains +in the service."</p> + +<p>After a long walk, doubling back and forth +over some roads and paths several times, our +young rookies found themselves looking at the +water by the Jersey end of the island.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if we'd be allowed to go over there +by the water's edge!" suggested Hal. "It +would be fine to sit down there and hear the +waves lap up against the shore. I don't want<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +to go in yet, Noll, but I am tired enough to want +to sit down."</p> + +<p>"Here comes some one in uniform," murmured +Noll.</p> + +<p>It was a sergeant passing, though one the +rookies had not seen before.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant," called Hal, "may I ask you a +question?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," answered the sergeant, halting +and regarding them.</p> + +<p>"We're rookies; just joined to-day," continued +Hal. "We were wondering if it would +be any breach of discipline for us to go over +there by the shore and sit down near the water +for a while."</p> + +<p>"There's no rule against it," replied the sergeant. +"But I'd advise you to be back before +taps, for it generally takes a recruit some time +to get his bed made right."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Sergeant. We'll be sure to go +back in time."</p> + +<p>As the sergeant passed on Hal and Noll headed +for the shore.</p> + +<p>"Here's as good a place as any, Noll," said +Hal, as they reached the shore. He pointed to +a little depression in the ground. There was a +little rise of ground before them as they threw +themselves down flat, though it did not wholly +shut off their view of the water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<p>Little waves lapped up monotonously against +the beach.</p> + +<p>"My, but that's a sound to make one drowsy," +laughed Noll contentedly.</p> + +<p>"We mustn't let it have that effect on us," +uttered Hal, half in alarm. "I am tired, but it +would never do to fall asleep here and be late +at tattoo. I don't know what kind of scrape +that would get us into."</p> + +<p>"Do you know," went on Noll, "this day's +doings all seem like parts of a dream to me. +I can't realize, yet, that I'm a soldier. I suppose +it's because we haven't our uniforms yet."</p> + +<p>"That has something to do with it, of course," +nodded Hal. "I thought this a pretty good suit +of clothes when I left home, but now I feel actually +shabby and fearfully awkward when I look +about me at older recruits in their snappy uniform. +It'll really seem like a big load off my +mind, Noll, when I find myself in the blue."</p> + +<p>"The fellows tell me that a rookie generally +has his first issue of uniform in about three +days," said Noll. "That won't be so very long +to wait."</p> + +<p>"Won't it, though?" almost grumbled Hal. +"Any time at all is too long to wait, when we've +been dreaming so long about wearing the uniform."</p> + +<p>"Why, we'd be a discredit to the uniform<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +at present," smiled Noll. "Think how awkward +we looked and felt, and were to-day. It +seemed as though it were going to be simply +impossible to learn the first steps of a soldier's +business."</p> + +<p>"We'll learn faster, now," suggested Hal; +"now that Shrimp has gone out of our lives."</p> + +<p>"<i>Has</i> he gone out of our lives, I wonder?" +mused Noll.</p> + +<p>"Say," hinted Hal, "I'd have given a lot to +have seen Tip Branders drilling under Shrimp."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose we'll be very likely to see +Tip again, for some years," suggested Noll.</p> + +<p>In this he was in error, as will presently appear.</p> + +<p>"How's the time running along, I wonder?" +was Noll's next thought.</p> + +<p>Hal drew his watch from a pocket, laid it on +the ground, and struck a match, screening the +blaze with his hands.</p> + +<p>"We've nearly an hour yet," Overton answered.</p> + +<p>"I don't know but we'd better go back before +we have to," ventured Noll. "Hullo, there's a +boat out there, putting in this way."</p> + +<p>Though neither of the boys knew it some of +the glow of the burning match had been visible +in the darkness out on the water, and this boat +was coming in answer to a fancied signal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm going to watch that boat a bit," whispered +Hal in his chum's ear.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't believe it has any right to land +here at night. Any boatman here on honest +business ought to go around to the dock, I +think."</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" breathed Noll.</p> + +<p>"Don't make any noise, anyway."</p> + +<p>It was very dark, but the rookies could see a +small rowboat head into the beach just a little +way below them. There was one man in the +boat, and he promptly sounded a low, cautious +whistle. It was answered from behind the +young recruits, somewhere. Then the sound of +steps.</p> + +<p>Some one was approaching, and the boatman, +standing up in his craft, listened, then called in +a low voice:</p> + +<p>"That you, Sim?"</p> + +<p>"Yep."</p> + +<p>"Good!" answered the boatman. "I got +your word, 'phoned from New York. I've got +cit clothes for you in the boat, also a weight to +sink your uniform with, when you make the +change."</p> + +<p>Now the newcomer trod down straight past +the place of concealment of the boys. Something +in his figure was wholly familiar.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, that's Corporal Shrimp!" called Hal, +springing up and running down toward the +shore. Noll followed his chum on the instant, +both arriving at once.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you rookies want here?" demanded +Shrimp, turning upon them with an +oath.</p> + +<p>"I guess we're here on duty," clicked Hal +resolutely. "You're supposed to be in arrest, +Corporal, and here you are leaving the post on +the sly!"</p> + +<p>"I'm out of arrest, and on duty. Stand +aside!" snarled Shrimp, his look becoming very +ugly.</p> + +<p>"Is it a kind of duty that calls for you to +sneak away in this fashion, put on citizen's +clothes, and sink your uniform in the bay?" demanded +Private Overton mockingly. "If you +tell me that, Corporal, I don't believe you."</p> + +<p>Corporal Shrimp uttered another ugly oath. +Then, with a flashing movement, he drew a +service revolver from under his blouse and +thrust the muzzle almost in Private Overton's +face.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>WHEN THE GUARD CAME</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"LOOK out, Sim Shrimp!" called the boatman +quickly, warningly.</div> + +<p>For, while Hal had stood looking +gamely at the revolver, Noll Terry had side-stepped, +and now leaped at the corporal.</p> + +<p>Whack! Noll struck up the glinting barrel +of the weapon.</p> + +<p>Private Overton, seeming to move in the same +instant, leaped forward in front.</p> + +<p>Bang! The revolver was discharged, but +harmlessly into the air, as both rookies tackled +the corporal and bore him to the ground.</p> + +<p>"Help, here, Bill!" cried Shrimp, as he found +himself going over backward.</p> + +<p>The boatman leaned over to snatch up an oar. +As he rose with it he saw Private Hal Overton +rise with the corporal's revolver in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Stay where you are, Corporal, and don't +make any fuss," advised Hal grimly. "Your +friend had better stay where he is if he doesn't +want to know what it feels like to have a bullet +going through him."</p> + +<p>"Drop that gun, and let me up! Get out of +my way," ordered Shrimp. "You're interfering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +with me in the discharge of my duty, and +I'll put you both in a lot of trouble."</p> + +<p>"Don't you try to get up," ordered Noll, who +had thrown himself across the corporal and was +holding him down.</p> + +<p>"Sentry!" yelled Hal. "Sentry."</p> + +<p>He should have called, "Corporal of the +guard!" but he didn't know that.</p> + +<p>Another shot at some distance was heard, followed +by a lusty shout from a sentry of:</p> + +<p>"Corporal of the guard, post number seven!"</p> + +<p>"Let me up out of this, and I'll let you both +off," proposed Corporal Simeon Shrimp.</p> + +<p>"You'll stay just where you are," ordered +Hal, "and I give you my word that, if I see any +signs of your trying to escape, I'll drill you +through with all the bullets this revolver carries."</p> + +<p>Running feet were now coming rapidly their +way.</p> + +<p>"Lemme go—boys, do," pleaded the corporal +brokenly, terror ringing in his voice. "Boys, +you don't know what fearful trouble you'll get +me into."</p> + +<p>"That's a different song," retorted Private +Hal Overton dryly. "But it wouldn't do any +good to let you go now. Your friend has shoved +off, and is rowing like mad."</p> + +<p>The steps of running men now came nearer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 293px;"> +<img src="images/illus094.png" width="293" height="450" alt="Both Rookies Tackled the Corporal." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Both Rookies Tackled the Corporal.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This way, Corporal of the guard!" called +Private Overton.</p> + +<p>In another moment the corporal and two men +of the guard raced to the spot.</p> + +<p>"This is Corporal Shrimp. He was under +arrest, and trying to escape," announced Hal. +"There was a friend of his here with a boat, +and he's out yonder now, Corporal, trying to get +away."</p> + +<p>"Load with ball cartridge, hail that boat, and +fire if the man doesn't come about promptly +and row in," ordered the corporal, turning to +one of the members of the guard.</p> + +<p>The soldier so directed loaded his rifle like +lightning.</p> + +<p>"Boat ahoy, turn about and come back!" +shouted the soldier.</p> + +<p>There was no answer from the water.</p> + +<p>"Turn about and come back," repeated the +soldier.</p> + +<p>Still no answer. Then, after a third hail, the +soldier raised his rifle to his shoulder, sighting +as best he could in the darkness.</p> + +<p>Bang! The rifle spat forth a jet of fire and +sent a bullet whistling over the water.</p> + +<p>"Send a couple of more shots after him," ordered +the corporal.</p> + +<p>Still no answer from out on the water. And, +by this time, the boat was so far away in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +darkness that it was impossible to judge in which +direction to aim.</p> + +<p>"Cease firing. The rascal has escaped," said +the corporal of the guard. "You are recruits, +aren't you?" turning to Hal and Noll.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Corporal."</p> + +<p>"You're right about Corporal Shrimp being +in arrest. Corporal, you've taken a long chance +in breaking your arrest like this."</p> + +<p>Shrimp said not a word. He was cunning +enough to know that nothing he could say now +would help his case any.</p> + +<p>Suddenly one of the two members of the +guard stepped forward, bringing his rifle to +port.</p> + +<p>"Halt!" he called. "Who goes there?"</p> + +<p>"Sergeant of the guard," replied another +voice out of the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Advance, Sergeant of the guard, to be recognized."</p> + +<p>Not only the sergeant came forward, but four +other members of the guard with him.</p> + +<p>"Corporal Shrimp, breaking arrest and attempting +to desert, Sergeant," reported the corporal +of the guard.</p> + +<p>"Shrimp, what a fool you've been to-day!" +muttered Sergeant Collins. "Let him up, men. +Hold out your hands, Corporal Shrimp. I've +got to do it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>His face sallow with dread and humiliation, +Shrimp held out his hands, while the sergeant +snapped a pair of handcuffs into place over his +wrists.</p> + +<p>"March the prisoner to the guard-house, Corporal," +directed the sergeant of the guard. Then he turned +to Private Hal, who still held the revolver.</p> + +<p>"You two are recruits?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"You stopped the prisoner from escaping?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Where did you get that revolver?"</p> + +<p>"It is the one that Corporal Shrimp drew on +us when we attempted to prevent him from +escaping."</p> + +<p>"You took it away from him in a scuffle?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Mighty fine work for a pair of young recruits," +declared Sergeant Collins promptly. "Your names?"</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll informed the sergeant of the +guard on this point as the sergeant turned on +his way back to the guard-house.</p> + +<p>"You'll come with me, Overton and Terry. +The officer of the day will need to hear your +statements."</p> + +<p>"We'll not be censured, Sergeant, for being +late at the squad room?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hardly," came the dry retort. "You're +now under orders from the guard. Don't +worry, men."</p> + +<p>Shrimp's voice was audible once more. He +was swearing volubly over the trick that fate +had played him.</p> + +<p>"Stop that prisoner's swearing," ordered +Sergeant Collins sharply.</p> + +<p>In a short time the guard party reached the +post guard-house.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Mayberry, officer of the day, stood +just outside of the door.</p> + +<p>"What have you there, Corporal?" asked +Lieutenant Mayberry curiously.</p> + +<p>"Corporal Shrimp, sir, for breaking arrest +and attempting to desert, sir," replied the corporal +of the guard, bringing his hand to his +piece in a rifle salute, which the officer of the day +acknowledge by bringing his right hand up to +the visor of his cap.</p> + +<p>"Where did you catch him?"</p> + +<p>"At the shore, sir, over there," replied the +corporal of the guard, pointing.</p> + +<p>"There's no sentry post over there, Corporal."</p> + +<p>"No, sir; the prisoner was caught by two +rook—recruits, sir."</p> + +<p>"Two recruits?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"Coming, sir, with the sergeant of the +guard."</p> + +<p>At this moment Sergeant Collins stepped forward +into the light.</p> + +<p>"These are the two recruits, sir, who caught +the prisoner," announced Sergeant Collins, making +the rifle salute.</p> + +<p>"Your names and company, men?" asked +Lieutenant Mayberry.</p> + +<p>"Private Overton, A Company, sir," replied +Hal, saluting.</p> + +<p>"Private Terry, A Company, sir," from Noll.</p> + +<p>"How long have you men been on post?" +asked the officer of the guard.</p> + +<p>"Since about noon, to-day, sir." Hal was +spokesman this time.</p> + +<p>"And you've already started your Army +career by catching a man in the act of desertion?" +cried the lieutenant. "Men, you're beginning +well. Corporal, lock the prisoner in a +cell. Then report to me at my desk. Sergeant, +bring Privates Overton and Terry inside with +you."</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll, the sergeant and the corporal +soon stood grouped before the desk of the officer +of the day. Sergeant Collins had turned +over the revolver that Private Hal had taken +from Shrimp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lieutenant Mayberry listened with very evident +interest as the story of the capture was unfolded +to him.</p> + +<p>"Corporal, did you see the boat in question?" +asked the officer of the day, at last.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, though very indistinctly, in the distance. +It was out of sight in the darkness, an +instant after, sir."</p> + +<p>"But there can be no doubt that the boat was +there, Corporal?"</p> + +<p>"I am absolutely certain of it, sir," replied +the corporal.</p> + +<p>"That is all, now," finished Lieutenant Mayberry. +"Overton and Terry, I am going to +commend you, in an off-hand way, now, for your +judgment and intelligence to-night. You have +made an excellent beginning. You may very +likely hear from the commanding officer later."</p> + +<p>At that moment a bugle call was heard.</p> + +<p>"That's taps, isn't it?" asked Hal, realizing +for the first time how time had passed at the +guard-house.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Sergeant Collins. "Tattoo +went some time ago."</p> + +<p>"You won't find yourselves in any trouble, +men," broke in Lieutenant Mayberry, with a +slight smile. "Report to the non-commissioned +officer in charge of your squad room that you +have been at the guard-house under orders."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + +<p>As soon as dismissed Hal and Noll made a +swift spurt for barracks.</p> + +<p>"Too bad, the first night, men," said Sergeant +Brimmer quietly, meeting them just inside +the door of the squad room.</p> + +<p>Hal promptly accounted for both himself and +his chum.</p> + +<p>"Whew!" whistled the startled sergeant +softly. "You caught Corporal Shrimp in the +act of deserting? Men, your time to get square +came around soon, didn't it?"</p> + +<p>"We didn't do it to get square, Sergeant," replied +Hal. "We did it as a matter of military +duty."</p> + +<p>"Well, go softly to your beds, men. I'll go +with you, to see that you make 'em up according +to rule."</p> + +<p>As Sergeant Brimmer went back to his own +iron cot he muttered to himself:</p> + +<p>"Caught Shrimp, and turned him over to the +guard! Those lads are going to make good soldiers. +And it won't pay any comrade to make +enemies of them needlessly."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE CALL TO COMPANY FORMATION</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>UNIFORMED rookies at last!</div> + +<p>How proud each of our young rookies +felt when at last he had a chance to +survey himself in a glass.</p> + +<p>Never, it seemed, had uniforms fitted quite as +neatly before.</p> + +<p>Never, at all events, had young recruits felt +any keener delight than did Hal and Noll when +they found themselves in their first infantry +uniforms.</p> + +<p>From that happy instant they were looked +upon as the two brightest, keenest recruits on +post.</p> + +<p>On the first day of their uniformed lives Sergeant +Brimmer came to them.</p> + +<p>"You are directed to fall in at parade, this +afternoon, without arms. At formation I will +place you in the rear rank."</p> + +<p>Though they had their uniforms, their rifles +had not yet been issued.</p> + +<p>"What does it all mean?" wondered Noll. +"We're not promoted to the company yet. +We're not out of the squad work yet."</p> + +<p>"We can wait to find out what it means," Hal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +answered. "It won't be many hours till parade +time, now."</p> + +<p>Then, at the bugle call, these young soldiers +hurried outside, where Corporal Davis formed +them and marched them away.</p> + +<p>Having finished with the "school of the soldier" +our two rookies were now in the "school +of the squad."</p> + +<p>In a company of infantry the squad consists +of seven privates and a corporal. Marching in +column of twos, or in column of fours, the corporal's +place is on the left of the front rank of +the squad; he himself makes the eighth man. +But, for purposes of instructing recruits, the +squad consists of eight rookies and a corporal.</p> + +<p>Davis now led them away to the field, where +he halted them.</p> + +<p>"We will first," he announced, "take up the +six setting-up drills of the manual, and go +through with them three or four times. You +men will do it as snappily as possible to-day."</p> + +<p>These exercises consist of various gymnastic +movements with the arms, of bending until the +hands touch the ground, and of leg-raising +work. The setting-up drills are very similar to +ordinary work without apparatus in a gymnasium—but +with this difference: the rookie is +made to go through with them more and more +snappily each time that he is set to the work.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +The result is that, within a few weeks, an awkward +and perhaps shuffling, shambling young +man is trained and built into the erect, alert, +snappy and dignified soldier.</p> + +<p>The setting-up work performed, Corporal +Davis next drilled the rookies in alignments, interval-taking, +marchings, turnings and "about," +which corresponds to the old-time "about-face." +It might be well to remark that all +military commands in these days, have been +greatly simplified as compared with the old +style of doing things.</p> + +<p>Davis was an alert and industrious instructor, +yet he abused none of the men, nor ever lost his +patience. He was making rapid progress with +this squad.</p> + +<p>"Fall out," he called, from time to time.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow you will have your arms issued +to you," he announced during one of the rests. +"Then you will learn the manual of arms, and +also how to march with arms. Your work will +be harder, but you're being prepared for +harder work now."</p> + +<p>By this time Hal and Noll had been in the +Army nearly three weeks. Some of the rookies +in the same squad had been in the service considerably +longer. The length of time that he +remains a recruit depends very much upon the +rookie himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Our arms?" said Noll to his chum. "That's +the last step toward being a real soldier."</p> + +<p>"No; the last step is when your company commander +pronounces you a qualified private soldier," +rejoined Hal Overton. "And that's +after you've been drafted into a real regiment, +at that."</p> + +<p>The loneliness had all vanished now. Both +Hal and Noll were now wholly in love with the +life, and anxious for the day when they should +be sent forth to their regiment. They had requested +that they be sent to the same regiment, +and had little doubt but that their wish would +be granted.</p> + +<p>No longer did the arduous work make them +tired. Instead, the steady, brisk and systematic +exercise left them keen and very much alive +when the command "dismissed" came.</p> + +<p>At last a bugle sounded the recall for the +rookie squads. Corporal Davis finished the instruction +in which he was engaged, then called +out:</p> + +<p>"Halt! Dismissed."</p> + +<p>In an instant the rookies left the ranks, glad +of a bit of play-time before supper.</p> + +<p>But Davis called after two of them:</p> + +<p>"Overton and Terry, don't forget that you're +under orders to report at company formation +before parade this afternoon."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We won't forget it, Corporal," Hal answered.</p> + +<p>"Why are you ordered to company formation?" +asked one of the men of the squad curiously.</p> + +<p>"We haven't the least idea," Hal answered +frankly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I can be near enough to find out," +rejoined the curious one.</p> + +<p>"Say," suggested Noll almost excitedly, "it +can't be that we're considered far enough advanced +to turn out with the company?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly likely," murmured Hal, "when we +don't know the manual of arms yet."</p> + +<p>"Then what——"</p> + +<p>"Wait."</p> + +<p>Yet Hal Overton was certainly decidedly curious, +despite his coolness. Both our young rookies +hung about until they heard first call for +parade. Then they hurried toward the company +parade ground.</p> + +<p>Soon the fall-in order was given, and the older +rookies fell in under arms. Sergeant Brimmer, +true to his word, stepped up and placed Hal and +Noll six paces to the rear of the second platoon.</p> + +<p>"Obey all orders that do not call for the manual +of arms," was his parting instruction. Then +Brimmer went to his own position.</p> + +<p>The company was assembled, roll-call followed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +and there was a brief inspection of arms. +While this was going on the post adjutant appeared +and took up post.</p> + +<p>"Publish the orders," commanded the captain, +at last.</p> + +<p>From the breast of his blouse the adjutant +drew forth an official paper. While the men in +ranks stood at order arms, the adjutant read +aloud:</p> + +<p>"'For exceptional zeal, intelligence and loyalty +in preventing the escape and attempted desertion +of a prisoner, Recruit Privates Overton +and Terry are hereby commended.'"</p> + +<p>This was signed by the post commander.</p> + +<p>Now Sergeant Brimmer stepped over to Hal +and Noll with military stride, saying briskly:</p> + +<p>"Recruit Privates Overton and Terry dismissed."</p> + +<p>That was all. Brimmer was already on his +way back to his own post.</p> + +<p>"Was that all we turned out for with the company?" +asked Noll in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't it enough?" retorted Hal in an +equally low tone, as they watched the manœuvres +of the company at a distance.</p> + +<p>"There's one thing we didn't get commended +for in that order," Noll went on.</p> + +<p>"What was that?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we had to tackle an armed man when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +we went up against the Shrimp. The order +didn't say anything about courage."</p> + +<p>"That's because only exceptional courage is +ever mentioned in orders," Hal explained. +"Any soldier is expected to have courage enough +to face firearms."</p> + +<p>When Sergeant Brimmer returned to squad +room after parade he came straight over to Hal +and Noll.</p> + +<p>"That was a pretty good thing for you this +afternoon, men," he commented pleasantly. "It +isn't often that a rookie gets commended in orders."</p> + +<p>"Does it bring any more pay?" laughed Noll.</p> + +<p>"No; but, my man, it goes on your record, +and that's worth something. The commendation +that was read out in orders this afternoon +goes forward to your new colonel, when you're +drafted to a line regiment, and that commendation +becomes a part of your permanent +record in the Army. Isn't that enough?"</p> + +<p>"It's too much," Hal declared, "for such a +little thing as we did."</p> + +<p>"You men want promotion, don't you?" asked +Sergeant Brimmer.</p> + +<p>"Surely," nodded Noll.</p> + +<p>"When you get to your regiment, and your +company commander has occasion to appoint a +new corporal, he looks over the records of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +men in his company. Men, I guess you've each +of you got your first grip on one of the chevrons +that Shrimp dropped."</p> + +<p>For Shrimp had been tried by court-martial, +three days before. The findings, verdict and +sentence had been sent on through the military +channels, and would not be published until approved +by the department commander. But no +one at the island doubted that Shrimp would +lose his corporal's chevrons, would be dismissed +the service and sentenced to imprisonment in +addition.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather get chevrons, if they're coming +my way, by some other means than pulling them +off another man's sleeves," thought Hal to himself.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>ORDERED TO THE THIRTY-FOURTH</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>TWELVE working days with arms, and +Privates Overton and Terry were moved +on into A Company.</div> + +<p>They were now deeper than ever in the work +of learning the soldier's trade.</p> + +<p>A tremendous change had been worked in +them. Though their faces were as youthful as +ever, the boys seemed to have grown into the +dignity of men—of trained men, at that.</p> + +<p>They carried themselves like soldiers, thought +of themselves as soldiers, and were soldiers. +For they loved their work better than ever.</p> + +<p>"We need only to get to our regiment now, +to be wholly happy," Noll declared to his chum. +"Oh, why can't more young fellows, droning +their lives out in offices, or tending senseless +machines in shops, understand the joy of this +free, manly life?"</p> + +<p>Of course, not all rookies at the post had conceived +as large an idea of Army life.</p> + +<p>Two, who had joined at about the same time +as Overton and Terry, had not proved themselves +wholly suited to a life of discipline. This +pair had committed several breaches of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +rules, and had at last been haled before courts-martial +and dismissed the service.</p> + +<p>Only the young man who has in him the makings +of a man and a soldier finds the life of the +Army attractive. The incompetent, the shiftless +and the vicious are no better off in the +Army than they would be anywhere else. In +fact they are out of their element.</p> + +<p>Shrimp, the sullen, had gone, too, at last. +The order had been published that sent him to +undergo a year's imprisonment for having attempted +to desert.</p> + +<p>This corporal had had in him three quarters +of the makings of a good soldier. He had been +promoted once, and fell short of being a soldier +only as he fell short of being a man.</p> + +<p>Ahead of any that had joined at about the +same time, Hal and Noll were "warned" for +guard-duty. Sergeant Brimmer gave them the +order, and seemed happy in doing it.</p> + +<p>"You men are doing your work splendidly," +he added briefly. "Read up the manual of +guard-duty for all you're worth before guard-mount +to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>"I think we know it by heart, already, Sergeant," +Hal answered.</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt that in the least. But it can't +do you any harm to read up some more."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Sergeant; we'll do it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>Guard-mounting is a ceremony of importance +in the Army. It is done to music, where music +is available. Every man who turns out on the +new guard—which means that he is to be on +duty for the next twenty-four hours—is expected +to present himself with his person, uniform +and equipments absolutely clean and tidy. +The two men who thus make the most soldierly +appearance are detailed as orderlies at headquarters. +These orderlies do not have to walk +post as sentries, and have in all ways a much +easier time than the other members of the +guard. There is always keen rivalry for the +position of orderly.</p> + +<p>On this morning, after the formation of the +guard, and inspection, the post adjutant stepped +forward.</p> + +<p>"Privates Denton and Burke will fall out and +report as orderlies," he commanded.</p> + +<p>Denton and Burke obeyed, striving hard to +suppress their exultation.</p> + +<p>"Orderly detail would have fallen to Privates +Overton and Terry, who present the most soldierly +appearance," continued the adjutant, in +his official tone. "But this is the first tour of +guard duty for Privates Overton and Terry, +and it is considered essential that they first of +all learn to walk post and become familiar with +the duties of sentries."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>At that the glee in the faces of Privates Denton +and Burke faded somewhat. Hal and Noll +tried to keep their own faces expressionless.</p> + +<p>Hal Overton never forgot his feelings when he +shouldered his rifle, with bayonet fixed, and patrolled +his first sentry post for two hours.</p> + +<p>He felt even more the sense of responsibility +when he came to his first night tour of sentry +duty.</p> + +<p>In his way the sentry is a tremendously important +personage. On his post he represents +the whole sovereignty of the United States of +America. The youngest sentry in the Army +may halt and detain any officer, no matter of +how exalted rank, until he is certain that the +man halted is an officer entitled to pass. Of +course, with a sentry of common sense the mere +appearance of the uniform is enough under ordinary +circumstances. But no personage in the +United States may attempt to go by a sentry +without the sentry's permission.</p> + +<p>"How'd you enjoy it, Overton?" asked Sergeant +Brimmer, who was sergeant of the guard, +when Hal came in from his tour of night duty.</p> + +<p>"I hope I didn't get myself into trouble," Hal +answered.</p> + +<p>"How so, lad?"</p> + +<p>"I halted the commanding officer of the +post."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Was he in uniform?"</p> + +<p>"No; in civilian dress. He had been to the +city, I guess, and was coming up from the shore. +It was dark, and I saw only the civilian clothes. +So I challenged him."</p> + +<p>"What did the K. O. say?"</p> + +<p>"K. O." is the Army abbreviation for "commanding +officer."</p> + +<p>"He asked me what I was trying to do?" +smiled Hal. "So I repeated my question, +'who's there,' Then he answered, 'the commanding +officer.' I replied: 'Advance, commanding +officer, to be recognized.' He seemed +uncertain about it, but I made him step right +up to me. When I saw who it was I told him to +proceed."</p> + +<p>"Did you hold your gun at port all the time?" +inquired Sergeant Brimmer.</p> + +<p>"Yes; until I recognized the commanding +officer. Then I came to present arms, and he +returned my salute, then walked by."</p> + +<p>"Your skirts are clear enough, then," nodded +the sergeant of the guard.</p> + +<p>"But why did he ask me, so crossly, what I +was trying to do?" asked Hal.</p> + +<p>"Why," mused the sergeant, "my own idea +of it is that K. O. was trying you out on purpose. +And I'll wager the K. O. was glad to find +a rook sentry so thoroughly alive to his job.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +Though I doubt if you'll get commended in orders +for just being awake. But that reminds +me of something that happened to me, in the +Philippines," laughed Brimmer. "I was sergeant +of the guard out there, and one night the +colonel of another regiment tried to go by our +guard. At that time the law was that no civilian +could be on the streets after half-past eight. +'Twas called the curfew law there.</p> + +<p>"Well, Colonel Blank came up in a carriage +at about ten in the evening. He wasn't in uniform, +mind you, lad. Well, the sentry on number +one post, who didn't know the colonel, +stopped his carriage, of course.</p> + +<p>"'I'm Colonel Blank,' says the man in the +carriage. 'Corporal of the guard,' calls the +sentry. 'I'm Colonel Blank,' says the man in +the carriage to the corporal of the guard. Now, +the corporal didn't know the colonel either. So +the corporal bawls, 'Sergeant of the guard.' +That was I, that night, and I didn't know the +colonel, either. So I asked: 'Beg your pardon, +sir, but do you know any of the officers of this +command?'</p> + +<p>"'Name the officers,' says the man in the carriage. +So I named them.</p> + +<p>"'I don't know one of your officers,' says the +man in the carriage.</p> + +<p>"'Then I'm sorry, sir,' says I, 'but I'll have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +to ask you, sir, to step into our guard-house +until some officer of your regiment comes over +in uniform and identifies you.'</p> + +<p>"At that the man in the carriage puts on an +awful scowl, draws himself up very stiff, and +answers, 'I'll do nothing of the sort, Sergeant.'</p> + +<p>"'I beg your pardon, sir,' says I, 'but if +you are Colonel Blank, then you know very well, +sir, that you'll have to step inside the guard-house +and wait.'"</p> + +<p>Sergeant Brimmer chuckled heartily over the +recollection.</p> + +<p>"And did Colonel Blank obey you, and go inside +and wait?" asked Hal.</p> + +<p>"Did he?" asked Brimmer, looking surprised. +"Of course he did. What's a guard for in the +Army, if it can't enforce its orders? And it +was past midnight when we finally got an officer, +by telephone, to come over and go bail for +his colonel's identity. Then, of course, we +turned the colonel loose."</p> + +<p>"Did he complain against you?" queried +Private Hal.</p> + +<p>"Who? Colonel Blank? He's too good a +soldier," laughed Sergeant Brimmer. "And +he's General Blank, now. Before he left, the +colonel complimented me on my fitness for +guard duty."</p> + +<p>"A sentry, or a corporal or sergeant of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +guard is a pretty big soldier, isn't he?" smiled +Hal.</p> + +<p>"In some ways," nodded the sergeant, "he's +a bigger man than the President. The President +is only the head of the nation, while the +sentry on post is the whole nation itself!"</p> + +<p>Noll had the last two hours before daylight +on post that night, but nothing happened to him +except the arrival of the corporal with the relief +just as dawn was breaking.</p> + +<p>The days and the weeks sped by rapidly now. +There were always new duties to be learned, but +our young rookies had now picked up the habit +of learning so easily and quickly that everything +seemed a matter of course.</p> + +<p>"How do you like Army life now, Noll?" Hal +asked one day.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't swap this life for any other," exclaimed +Private Noll Terry, his eyes shining. +"Hal, have you never suspected that they're +making men out of us here? We're learning +to obey without asking why, and we're being +trained in a way that will fit us to lead other +men one of these days. And look how strong +all the gymnastics with a rifle is making us. +We sleep as we never slept before, and it takes +a heap to make us tired."</p> + +<p>"We're eating everything in sight, if that's +a sign of good physical condition," laughed Hal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But I wish I could hear the orders sending +us to our regiment," sighed Noll.</p> + +<p>"Don't be downspirited," urged Hal, smiling +cheerfully. "Our stay here at the rendezvous +can't last much longer, anyway."</p> + +<p>"How long have we been here, anyway?" +Noll wondered.</p> + +<p>"Why, we came here early in April and it's +now past the middle of June," Hal went on. +"Let me think. Why, it's just ten weeks to a +day since we took the oath to serve the Flag."</p> + +<p>"And a rook generally puts in three months +here——" Noll began, when a soldier, close to +the door of the squad room, called out:</p> + +<p>"Attention!"</p> + +<p>Instantly every man in the room rose and +wheeled about, standing at the position of the +soldier. An officer, followed by the first sergeant +of A Company, was entering the room.</p> + +<p>As the officer came to a halt the first sergeant +called:</p> + +<p>"Overton and Terry, step forward."</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll approached the officer and the +sergeant, then again stood at attention. The +officer was the post adjutant, and now he spoke:</p> + +<p>"Overton and Terry, your company commander +is satisfied that you are now sufficiently +instructed to go to your regiment. We have a +draft for two men for the first battalion of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +Thirty-fourth Infantry, stationed at Fort +Clowdry, in the Colorado mountains. If you +have any objections to that regiment, or station, +I will listen to them."</p> + +<p>"Colorado will very exactly suit me, sir, thank +you," Hal replied, his pleasure showing in his +face.</p> + +<p>"And me also, sir," added Noll.</p> + +<p>"Very good, then. You will both report to +Sergeant Brimmer, on his return, that you are +released from further duty here. You will report +at my office at half-past two this afternoon +for your instructions. That is all. Sergeant, +follow me to the next squad room."</p> + +<p>The instant that the door closed Hal and Noll +began to execute a swift little dance of joy, while +the other rookies looked on in grinning congratulation.</p> + +<p>"What sort of regiment is the Thirty-fourth, +Sergeant?" asked Hal, after he and Noll had +reported to Sergeant Brimmer.</p> + +<p>"Just like any other infantry regiment," replied +Sergeant Brimmer. "They're all alike. +The only difference is in the station, and the +station of each infantry command is usually +changed every two or three years. For that +matter, though you join in the Rockies, your +regiment, two months later, may be ordered to +the Philippines."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>That afternoon Hal and Noll reported at the +post adjutant's office. Here they were provided +with their railway tickets through to their new +station, and were handed each a sum of money +in place of rations. In addition they were +granted four days' furlough before starting, +this furlough to be spent at their homes. Then, +each carrying his canvas case containing his surplus +outfit, the young recruits started down to +the dock to take the three-thirty boat to New +York City.</p> + +<p>What a glorious furlough it was, while it +lasted! All their old schoolmates in the home +town, and all the smaller youngsters, listened +to the tales Hal and Noll told of the Army. +Two or three dozen youngsters then and there +formed their resolutions to enlist in the Army +as soon as they were old enough.</p> + +<p>Tip Branders had left town. Where Tip had +gone was not known—but Uncle Sam's two +young recruits were destined to find out later +on.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>A SWIFT CALL TO DUTY</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"SEE that man in the black derby and the +brown suit, coming this way, Noll? +The one with the iron-gray hair?"</div> + +<p>"Of course," replied Noll.</p> + +<p>"Salute him, if we get close enough."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"He's an officer."</p> + +<p>"Maybe," half-assented Noll, eyeing the man +with iron-gray hair.</p> + +<p>"There isn't much doubt about it," retorted +Hal. "He boarded the train at Kansas City. +It's summer, but he's going somewhere up in +the hills, for he had an overcoat over one arm +when he boarded the train, and that overcoat +was an officer's coat. He's in the service, and +he isn't any junior officer, either, judging by +the color of his hair."</p> + +<p>"But——"</p> + +<p>"Sh! Be ready with your salute."</p> + +<p>The two young recruits, their uniforms looking +spick and span, despite their long journey +by train, now brought their right hands smartly +up to their cap visors as the man with iron-gray +hair stepped close.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>He gave Hal and Noll a prompt, smart +acknowledgment of their salute, then suddenly +paused, glanced at them, and asked:</p> + +<p>"My men, how did you know me to be an officer?"</p> + +<p>"I observed your overcoat, sir, when you +boarded the train at Kansas City," Hal answered.</p> + +<p>"You judged rightly, men," replied the officer, +with a smile. "I am Major Davis, Seventeenth +Cavalry. And you, as I see by your caps, +belong to the Thirty-fourth Infantry."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal answered. "We are joining +the first battalion at Fort Clowdry."</p> + +<p>"Recruits?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"I wish you a pleasant life in the Army, +men."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir; we feel certain of finding +it," Hal replied.</p> + +<p>Both young soldiers saluted, again, as the +major turned to resume his walk.</p> + +<p>The train had stopped at Pueblo, Colorado, +in the middle of the afternoon. It would be but +half an hour's delay. Noll had been eager to +step out away from the railway station and see +as much of Pueblo as was possible. Hal had +negatived this idea, through fear that they +might be left behind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And we've not an hour to spare, you know, +Noll. This is the last train for us to take if +we're to report in season. So we'd better stay +close to the conductor."</p> + +<p>During the forenoon the train had rolled +across the mesa or tableland below Pueblo. +Hal and Noll, seated in one of the two day +coaches of the train, had studied the mesa with +longing eyes. Here they caught occasional +glimpses of cowboys on ponies, for this mesa is +still a favorite cattle region.</p> + +<p>At this height of some five thousand feet +above sea level even the late June day was not +really hot. It was a glorious country on which +the young recruits feasted their eyes.</p> + +<p>"Where do we eat next?" asked Noll, of a +trainman standing by.</p> + +<p>"Any time and place you like, if you've got +the chow with you," replied the trainman.</p> + +<p>"What is the next eating station at which the +train stops?" Noll insisted.</p> + +<p>"Salida. We ought to stop there about nine +o'clock to-night."</p> + +<p>"Good eating place?"</p> + +<p>"Great."</p> + +<p>"It's a long time to wait," complained Noll, +whom the mountain air was making furiously +hungry. "Come along, Hal. We'll lay in a +few sandwiches as a safety-valve."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I hope they're not as bad as some we've +bought along the way," Hal laughed, as they +started toward the railroad restaurant. "Do +you remember the sandwich we bought at +Chicago that had the stamp on the under side, +'U. S. Army, 1863?'"</p> + +<p>"No, and neither do you," grinned Noll.</p> + +<p>"Fact," insisted Hal. "I found the stamp +on the sandwich, and threw it out of the car. +I'm sorry, now; I wish I had saved that sandwich +for a curiosity. Father would have been +proud of it."</p> + +<p>Noll with a bag of sandwiches, Hal with a box +of fruit, the two recruits turned toward the +train again.</p> + +<p>They were soon under way. After leaving +Pueblo they forgot all about eating, for some +time, for the train now bore them through some +of the most picturesque parts of the lower +Rocky Mountains. Both rookies spent their +time on one of the car platforms, hanging far +out at either side to get better views, as well as +glimpses down steep cliffs into gullies below.</p> + +<p>"Say, it's going to be dark, soon," remarked +Noll, looking toward the western sky. "Why on +earth didn't we get a train that would do the +whole trip between Pueblo and Salida in daylight?"</p> + +<p>"Because we didn't know the route well<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +enough," sighed Hal. "However, we may +think we've had plenty of Rocky Mountains +before our regiment's station is changed."</p> + +<p>Half <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'and'">an</ins> hour later both went back to their +seat in the car. Black night had come on and +shut out all further possibility of viewing the +wonderful country through which the train was +passing.</p> + +<p>"We can eat, anyway," sighed Noll.</p> + +<p>For the next fifteen minutes they regaled +themselves, though they were careful not to eat +enough to spoil their appetite for a good hot +supper at Salida.</p> + +<p>Then, as peering out of the window revealed +nothing, Noll settled back in the seat.</p> + +<p>"If I go to sleep, be sure to wake me at Salida," +he begged. "What time is the train due +at Fort Clowdry?"</p> + +<p>"Two o'clock in the morning," Hal answered.</p> + +<p>"That's a beastly time to have to be awake," +growled Noll, and began to slumber.</p> + +<p>Not for long, however. On a steep up-grade +the train was barely crawling along.</p> + +<p>Suddenly it stopped, and with a considerable +jolt, too.</p> + +<p>Bang, bang, bang! The whistle of bullets was +heard alongside the train, wherever windows +were open.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded Noll, jumping up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Hal was in the aisle before him. Both +hastened to the rear door.</p> + +<p>"Here, laddy-bucks," called a brakeman +grimly, "stay inside! It's healthier!"</p> + +<p>"What's up?" demanded Hal, without pausing.</p> + +<p>"Judging by the sound, the train is held up, +laddy-buck. It's a bad business going outside +if that's the case."</p> + +<p>But at this instant the door was opened before +Hal's face. Major Davis bounded into the +car.</p> + +<p>"Come with me, men," he called sharply. +"You're not armed, are you?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>Even at that exciting moment Hal did not +forget his salute.</p> + +<p>"Then keep behind me," ordered the major, +drawing his revolver. "This is a mail train, +and, as a United States officer, I can't allow an +attempt to rob it pass without an attempt at a +protest."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>GUARDING THE MAIL TRAIN</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>MAJOR DAVIS backed quickly out of +the car, holding his weapon behind his +back as he dropped to the ground beside +the car.</div> + +<p>He did not look to see whether the rookies +were behind him, but they were.</p> + +<p>Ahead, and about them, all was black, save +for the light that came through the car windows.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling, out of the fringe of darkness, +almost beside the recruits, stepped a masked +man.</p> + +<p>"Back, all three of you. Back into the car!" +called the masked man sharply.</p> + +<p>Major Davis wheeled like a flash, bringing his +revolver to bear. But he could not use it. A +sudden move of the recruits prevented.</p> + +<p>"Noll!" called Hal sharply, and threw himself +to the ground before the masked ruffian.</p> + +<p>Like a flash Hal wrapped his arms around the +knees of the masked robber. In almost the same +instant Hal struggled to his feet, carrying the +unknown's legs up with him.</p> + +<p>Of course the ruffian toppled over backward. +But Noll, who had darted to his chum's aid,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +hurled himself upon the fellow, striking him +hard three times between the eyes.</p> + +<p>The masked man's revolver was discharged as +he toppled over backward, but the bullet sped +harmlessly off into the night.</p> + +<p>In another second Hal had the fellow's revolver.</p> + +<p>"Fix him, Noll!" called Private Overton, +darting forward to the officer's side.</p> + +<p>"I have, already," muttered Noll. But he +bent for an instant over the unconscious ruffian's +body, then darted forward.</p> + +<p>"Here's his box of cartridges, Hal," panted +Noll.</p> + +<p>All this had seemed to occupy but a few seconds.</p> + +<p>"Splendidly done!" glowed Major Davis. +"Now come forward, and support me."</p> + +<p>At the moment of the discharge of the pistol +the uncoupled engine started forward, away +from the train, with a hissing of steam. This +noise must have drowned out the noise of the +single shot from the train robbers up forward.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Major Davis shot out his left arm, +and Hal, bumping against it, halted beside the +officer.</p> + +<p>"There are two of the men, standing by the +mail car," whispered the major. "Raise your +revolver. Ready! Fire!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 293px;"> +<img src="images/illus130.png" width="293" height="450" alt=""Back, All Three of You!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Back, All Three of You!"</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>Both the major's revolver and Hal's spat out +jets of flame. Both poured their shots in rapidly +at the two men whom they could just make +out in the darkness ahead.</p> + +<p>Then Hal had a sudden, new sensation, not +by any means agreeable.</p> + +<p>The two men, neither hit so far, turned and +raised their own weapons. It seemed like two +bright cascades of flame just ahead, as the +ruffians fired, kneeling.</p> + +<p>Bullets whistled close to the major and the +two recruits on either side.</p> + +<p>Then, just as suddenly, one of the ruffians +toppled over; it was impossible to tell whether +Major Davis or Hal Overton had scored the +hit.</p> + +<p>Thereupon, the other man, lowering his +weapon, leaped for the steps of the mail car and +vanished.</p> + +<p>Major Davis ran forward, followed by both +recruits. Noll was intent on getting a revolver +for himself.</p> + +<p>But Davis, more accustomed to the ways of +fighting men, suddenly crouched low, peering +under the body of the car just behind the mail +coach.</p> + +<p>Almost immediately the major began to fire +again, in answer to shots that came from underneath +the car.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Noll waited for nothing. His sole +thought was to possess a weapon. He halted +over the fallen one, snatched an empty revolver +from his side, then saw that the man was +wounded in the right breast.</p> + +<p>"You must have some cartridges," muttered +Noll, rummaging in the fellow's clothes.</p> + +<p>He found the box just in time.</p> + +<p>"Lie down, you two!" called Major Davis +sharply to Hal and Noll. "You'll be fired on +from ahead."</p> + +<p>Hal threw himself flat, and none too soon, for +now a gust of bullets swept down from the head +of the train.</p> + +<p>As coolly as he could Hal Overton reloaded. +Noll, also lying flat on the ground, was similarly +engaged.</p> + +<p>Hal was ready to fire first. There was need +of it, too, for he could dimly make out two men, +near the extreme head of the train, who were +firing rapidly and firing their weapons in a +fashion that drove up spurts of dirt all about +the recruits.</p> + +<p>For a few seconds the fight seemed as serious +to those engaged in it as battle on a larger scale +could have been.</p> + +<p>Major Davis now made the first direct move. +He crawled swiftly under the car, putting himself +on the same side with the man he was after.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was more shooting on the other side of +the train; then, suddenly it stopped.</p> + +<p>The two ahead, who were engaging Hal and +Noll, dodged off to the side of the track into the +darkness. Now, all firing stopped, for all +weapons were empty.</p> + +<p>"I hope that other scoundrel didn't get the +major!" throbbed Hal anxiously.</p> + +<p>Yet he couldn't go to see. He had his own +work on this side of the train.</p> + +<p>"Where are our pair?" whispered Noll, +creeping closer.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," Hal answered, also in a whisper. +"But crawl off a little way. Bunching +together gives 'em a better mark to hit."</p> + +<p>Lying flat on the ground, both recruits played +the waiting game.</p> + +<p>Had the pair ahead stolen off altogether in the +darkness?</p> + +<p>"I'll wait a few moments," Hal decided. +"Then, if I don't hear from the scoundrels, I'll +cross over to see what has happened to Major +Davis."</p> + +<p>Crack! crack! crack! The vanished pair of +train robbers were opening fire again, from behind +a boulder that sheltered them admirably. +Hal and Noll had no protection other than they +could get from lying close to the ground. But +they answered the fire briskly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>Crack! crack! crack! As fast as revolvers +were emptied the marksmen reloaded and again +began firing. In daylight the execution would +have been swifter, but all hits made in black +darkness are made by the grace of luck.</p> + +<p>In the first place the only target anyone in +the combat had was the flash of an opponent's +pistol.</p> + +<p>The train robbers behind the ledge changed +their positions after nearly every shot. And +Hal and Noll, after the warm, uncomfortable +experience of having bullets fan their faces persistently, +found it advisable to crouch low and +dart here and there, firing from new positions.</p> + +<p>All this time the scores of people on the train +were sitting in terrified silence. Passengers or +train crews rarely interfere in a case of this +kind.</p> + +<p>Not even the train's lights aided either side, +for the two young recruits had taken pains to +close in on the ledge sufficiently to escape illumination +by the train's lights.</p> + +<p>Crack! crack! crack! This was a new note, +coming from past the forward end of the ledge.</p> + +<p>Almost in the same instant a howl sounded +from behind the barrier of rock.</p> + +<p>Then another voice was heard, shouting.</p> + +<p>"Hold on! We surrender! Stop the shooting!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + +<p>Instantly this hail was answered by another. +It sounded good to the young recruits as Major +Davis roared from behind the forward end of +the ledge:</p> + +<p>"Then throw up your hands, keep them up, +and walk into the train light where we can see +you."</p> + +<p>"You won't shoot?" demanded the voice of +the surrendering one.</p> + +<p>"Not unless you attempt tricks," replied the +voice of Major Davis.</p> + +<p>"All right. Here I come."</p> + +<p>A lone figure rose over the edge of the ledge, +and a tall, masked man, holding his hands very +high, strode toward the train, passing between +Hal and Noll, who instantly turned and covered +him with their weapons.</p> + +<p>"Where's the other man?" demanded Major +Davis, still invisible in the blackness beyond.</p> + +<p>"You'll find him behind the ledge," returned +the surrendered one. "He's hurt too bad to +move."</p> + +<p>"Overton," called the major, "keep your +weapon trained right on that prisoner. Terry, +join me behind the ledge."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," answered both recruits.</p> + +<p>Noll was quickly with the major on the further +side of the ledge. Here they speedily found a +masked man, short and rather thick-set, who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +the appearance of being unconscious. He was +breathing with great effort, a deep crimson spot +appearing on his right breast.</p> + +<p>"May I ask, sir, about the man you went +under the train to get?" queried Noll.</p> + +<p>"He's dead, my man," replied Major Davis +very quietly.</p> + +<p>"Shall I try to lift this man, sir?"</p> + +<p>"No; take his revolver, and search him for +other weapons, as far as you can do so without +disturbing the fellow and putting him in more +pain. We'll let that hiding train crew move the +casualties to the baggage car."</p> + +<p>So Noll completed his search, while the conductor, +baggage-master and some of the brakemen, +noting that the firing had stopped, ventured +forth.</p> + +<p>"You trainmen take care of the dead and +wounded," directed Major Davis crisply. +"Terry, rejoin your comrade. I shall have to +trouble you two men to stand guard over the +prisoners in the baggage car until we reach +Salida."</p> + +<p>Both recruits saluted. Noll returned to the +track in time to find that the first man whom +he and Hal had bowled over was just coming +back to his senses.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE ROOKIES REACH FORT CLOWDRY</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ONCE more the train was under way. +The engineer had taken his uncoupled +engine some distance up the track, but +had returned when sent for, and now the train, +twenty additional minutes late, was crawling up +the steep grade.</div> + +<p>The wounded men lay on the floor of the car, +receiving the attentions of a physician who had +been found among the passengers.</p> + +<p>The unwounded ones stood in a corner at +the forward end of the car, Private Hal Overton, +revolver in hand, watching the men closely.</p> + +<p>Noll, a revolver in either hand, stood a little +past the middle of the car, looking wholly businesslike.</p> + +<p>Major Davis, having gone back to make sure +that his own belongings were safe, now returned +to the baggage car.</p> + +<p>"Fellow," he asked of the tall prisoner, +"what on earth made you stop this train?"</p> + +<p>"Hard up," replied the man sullenly. "And +a friend told us that the last time he held up +a mail train, he and his pal found twelve thousand +dollars in the registered mail pouches."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You'll find at least twelve years in the mail +pouches this trip," retorted Major Davis +grimly.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later a stop was made at a little +tank station, to enable Major Davis to wire +ahead to Salida for officers to be in readiness +when they arrived.</p> + +<p>Then the train crawled on again through the +inky darkness. Noll relieved Hal, presently, +though there seemed little need of alertness. +The two prisoners capable of fighting looked +pretty well cowed. Down at the rear end of the +car, covered with a rubber blanket, lay the rigid +remains of the man killed by the major.</p> + +<p>Something more than an hour late the train +pulled in at Salida. There was a crowd on hand, +including four sheriff's officers. These latter +came to the baggage car just before the train +stopped.</p> + +<p>"Will you take full responsibility for the prisoners +now?" asked Major Davis of one officer +who led the rest and who displayed his badge.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied the deputy sheriff.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll go and have something to eat," +smiled the major dryly. "My men, do you eat +here, too?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal answered, saluting.</p> + +<p>It was not an invitation to join their officer. +Both recruits fully understood that. The gulf<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +of discipline prevents officers and men eating together.</p> + +<p>On the platform before the station-building +Major Davis halted long enough to say:</p> + +<p>"My men, I appreciate your help to-night. It +would have been too much for me alone. You +men stood by me like soldiers. As a United +States Army officer I would have felt disgraced +had I allowed a United States mail car to be +rifled without striking a blow to stop it."</p> + +<p>"It was a daring thing to do, sir," Hal ventured, +with another salute.</p> + +<p>"It was my plainest sort of duty, as an officer," +replied Major Davis, returning the salute.</p> + +<p>"May I ask, sir," ventured Hal, "whether it +would have been our duty, had we been armed, +and you not on the train?"</p> + +<p>"Not unless led by an officer," replied the +major. "But where did you young men learn +to obey so promptly, and without questioning +or hesitation?"</p> + +<p>"At the recruit rendezvous, sir."</p> + +<p>"Which one?"</p> + +<p>"At Bedloe's Island, sir."</p> + +<p>"Who was your instructor?"</p> + +<p>"One of them, sir, was a namesake of yours—Corporal +Davis."</p> + +<p>"He will be glad to hear of this," nodded the +major, smiling. "Corporal Davis is my son."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your son, sir—an enlisted man?" stammered +Hal.</p> + +<p>"Yes. My son enlisted in order to try to win +a commission. Thank you, men, and good-night. +I will tell the sheriff's men that you will be +found at Fort Clowdry if you are wanted as +witnesses."</p> + +<p>Again acknowledging their salutes, Major +Davis stepped inside.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll waited a moment before entering +the station. When they did so, and passed +on to the lunch room, they saw Major Davis at +a table in one corner, so the rookies passed on +to stools before the lunch counter.</p> + +<p>"How long have we to eat?" asked Hal, of +one of the trainmen.</p> + +<p>"You've about twenty-two minutes left."</p> + +<p>"I feel as if I could make excellent use of all +the time," laughed Hal.</p> + +<p>He and Noll plunged into hot chicken, potatoes +and gravy, and plenty of side dishes. The +late excitement had not destroyed the appetite +of either recruit.</p> + +<p>When they had finished Hal asked the waiter:</p> + +<p>"How much do we owe you?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," replied the waiter. "I was told +to say that the account is settled, with Major +Davis's compliments."</p> + +<p>Both recruits turned, saluting in the major's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +direction, as token of their thanks. He nodded, +smiling.</p> + +<p>Out on the platform, just before the train +started, the recruits saw Major Davis again. +That officer was turned halfway from them, +without seeing them, so they passed along to the +day coach in which they had been riding.</p> + +<p>Now a dozen men crowded about them, eager +to talk with the young heroes of the night.</p> + +<p>"Pretty gritty work that you boys did," +grinned one of the men. "Do you often have +things like that to do in the Army?"</p> + +<p>"We never did, before to-night," Hal answered +quietly.</p> + +<p>"Must take a lot of nerve."</p> + +<p>"We didn't think of it at the time," smiled +Hal. "It seemed all in the way of business."</p> + +<p>"You ought to have seen the folks you left +behind here," put in another man.</p> + +<p>"Oh, shut up," called others.</p> + +<p>"No, I won't," retorted the last speaker. +"What do you suppose we folks that you left +behind in this car were doing?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing very noisy, was it?" queried Hal.</p> + +<p>"Not particularly," admitted the man, with a +laugh. "We were lying along the aisle, or else +we crawled under seats. At one time there were +altogether too many bullets hitting the side of +the car, or coming through the windows. None<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +of us in here got hit, but that was because of the +good care we took of ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we might have done something," protested +another man, "only we didn't have anything +to shoot with."</p> + +<p>"These two young soldiers didn't have anything +to shoot with, either, at the outset of the +trouble. They hustled outside and got their +guns from the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Got any of those guns now?" asked another +passenger, crowding forward. "Want to sell +any of 'em?"</p> + +<p>"We haven't even a cartridge," Hal replied.</p> + +<p>"What did you do with them?"</p> + +<p>"Turned them over to the sheriff's officers, +of course."</p> + +<p>It was nearly an hour before the curious passengers +would consent to leave the young soldiers +to themselves. Noll finally managed to +convey an excellent hint by leaning back in his +seat and closing his eyes as if in sleep.</p> + +<p>Hal dozed somewhat, but by one o'clock in the +morning both recruits were wide awake.</p> + +<p>"What time are we due at Clowdry?" Hal +asked the passing brakeman.</p> + +<p>"More'n an hour late," answered the trainman.</p> + +<p>"Whew! That means we won't get there +until after three in the morning," muttered Hal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wish we wouldn't get there until daylight," +rejoined Noll. "Then I'd feel like dropping +back for another nap."</p> + +<p>Nearly everyone else in the car was dozing, +it being after midnight.</p> + +<p>It was half-past three o'clock in the morning +when the brakeman rested his hand on Hal's +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"We ought to be at Clowdry in five minutes +now," said the brakeman.</p> + +<p>"Much obliged," Overton answered. "Thank +goodness, Noll."</p> + +<p>By the time that the train slowed up both recruits +were out on the rear platform of the car, +each gripping his canvas case.</p> + +<p>"Clowdry! Clowdry!" bawled the brakeman.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll dropped off into the black night. +The only light was in the station, past which +the train slowly rolled.</p> + +<p>There was no one in the station save the telegraph +operator. On these mountain divisions, +where accidents may so easily happen, a night +operator is kept at every station.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll stood on the station platform +until the train had pulled out. Then, as their +eyes became more accustomed to the darkness, +they made out what appeared to be a small hotel +on the other side of the track. There were two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +or three other buildings near by that looked like +dwellings.</p> + +<p>"Clowdry is a pretty large city," observed +Noll, with a grin.</p> + +<p>The real town was nearly a mile away.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where the fort is," returned Hal. +"We'll ask the operator."</p> + +<p>Apparently the operator was too well accustomed +to seeing soldiers to take any deep interest +in this new pair. But he was obliging, at +any rate.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," he called back, in answer +to Private Overton's question, "and I'll go and +show you the road."</p> + +<p>So the two soldiers stood by their canvas cases +until the operator had finished at his clicking +instruments. Then the operator came out, +heading for the rear door of the station.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you from here, Jack," called the +operator. "You see that road? Follow it +about a half a mile; take the first turn to the +left, and then keep straight on until you come +to the fort."</p> + +<p>"How far is Fort Clowdry?" Hal wanted to +know.</p> + +<p>"About three miles from here."</p> + +<p>"Good road?" questioned Noll.</p> + +<p>"Tenderfeet, ain't you?" asked the operator, +smiling.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Hal.</p> + +<p>"Thought you must be," nodded the operator, +"else you'd know that the road between an +Army post and the nearest freight station is always +a good one. Them Army wagon bosses +would put up a fearful holler if they had to drive +the transport wagons over bad roads. Just +joining?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Hal.</p> + +<p>"Good luck to you! Well, follow the road and +you can't have any trouble."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, and good-night," came from +both recruits. Then, each taking a new grip on +his canvas case, which was fairly heavy, the recruits +started down the road.</p> + +<p>They came, finally, to the turn to the left.</p> + +<p>"These equipment cases don't grow any +lighter with distance, do they?" laughed Hal.</p> + +<p>"Mine doesn't," grunted Noll.</p> + +<p>When they had walked on a good deal farther +Noll remarked:</p> + +<p>"I wish we had that operator here!"</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"He told us it was three miles. We could +ask him what kind of miles."</p> + +<p>"There's daylight coming," nodded Hal, +pointing to the east. "That will make the distance +seem shorter."</p> + +<p>The sun up, at last, gave the recruits their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +first glimpse of their first station in the Army. +Fort Clowdry lay before them. There were no +frowning parapets, no stone battlements, no +cannon in sight. Fort Clowdry, as seen at the +distance, consisted of a great number of buildings, +of all sizes.</p> + +<p>Boom! went a gun suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Great!" cried Hal, his eyes shining. +"That's the essence of the soldier's life—the +sunrise gun. The Flag has just been hauled +up."</p> + +<p>In the middle distance the recruits caught +sight of a soldier pacing, his gun, with bayonet +fixed, at shoulder arms.</p> + +<p>"That sentry will put us on the rest of our +way," predicted Noll.</p> + +<p>It being now broad daylight the sentry did +not challenge the newcomers.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>"TWO NEW GENERALS AMONG US"</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"SENTRY, we're recruit privates, joining +the regiment at this station," announced +Hal. "Where do we report?"</div> + +<p>Bringing his rifle to port arms the soldier replied: +"This is post number seven. You'll find +post number one at that building under the fir-tree. +That's the guard-house. Report, first, +to the corporal of the guard."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Sentry."</p> + +<p>"Welcome."</p> + +<p>Bringing his piece to shoulder arms, the sentry +resumed his pacing.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll now followed a well-kept road +to the guard-house. Outside stood the corporal +of the guard for this relief. As he gazed at the +young soldiers, noting their canvas cases, he did +not need to be told that they were recruits. +None but recruits have cases the pattern they +were carrying.</p> + +<p>"Corporal," reported Hal, "we are Privates +Overton and Terry, under orders to join the +Thirty-fourth."</p> + +<p>"Take seats inside, then," said the corporal. +"Go to sleep in your chairs, if you want to."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>Several other privates, belonging to the +guard, were dozing in chairs. But Hal and Noll +felt now too wide awake to think of dozing. +They longed to step outside for a better look +at this post, which was to be their future home. +Yet, having been directed to remain inside, they +obeyed.</p> + +<p>It was a long while afterward before a bugler +blew the first call to reveille, which is the "Army +alarm clock," the signal to rise.</p> + +<p>"Attention!" called the corporal, a few minutes +afterward.</p> + +<p>All the dozers sprang to their feet, standing at +attention.</p> + +<p>The officer of the day entered, looking over the +men.</p> + +<p>Then his glance fell upon the recruits.</p> + +<p>"You are new men joining?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal and Noll answered, presenting +their orders.</p> + +<p>"Corporal, when mess call sounds send a private +of the guard with these men to put them in +D Company's mess for their first meal."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>"Overton and Terry, you will report at the +adjutant's office promptly at nine o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>The officer remained to glance over the guard +report, then went away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>"When does that mess call sound, Corporal?" +asked Hal.</p> + +<p>"Five minutes more. Bates, you'll take the +recruits to D Company's mess."</p> + +<p>Nor did either recruit feel sorry when he was +ushered into the enlisted men's mess, near barracks.</p> + +<p>"Attention!" roared one waggish soldier.</p> + +<p>As by instinct the men in the room stood at +attention.</p> + +<p>"Two new young generals are honoring us +this morning," grinned the wag.</p> + +<p>"Throw him out!" growled a sergeant. "It's +bad enough to be a rookie without having it +rubbed in."</p> + +<p>The first sergeant now gave the seating order, +and the men fell in at table. The wag sat +at Noll's left.</p> + +<p>"I find I'm mistaken," called the wag, down +the table. "Our guests are only colonels."</p> + +<p>"You'll be a general, one of these days, if +you don't look out, Fowler," warned another +soldier near by.</p> + +<p>"The gypsies always told my mother I'd be +a general," replied Fowler complacently.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a general prisoner," continued the soldier +who had just warned the wag.</p> + +<p>This raised a prompt laugh, for, in the Army, +a "general prisoner" is one who is serving a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +term of confinement after sentence by a general +court-martial.</p> + +<p>"There are generals, and generals, of course," +admitted Fowler.</p> + +<p>"There'd be a general famine, Fowler, if you +ever stopped talking at mess long enough to do +all the eating that your mouth calls for."</p> + +<p>"How long have you young gentlemen been +out of West Point?" asked Fowler, turning to +Noll.</p> + +<p>Noll grinned, but did not make any answer to +this question.</p> + +<p>"I hope you are West Pointers," continued +the company wag. "Nearly all of the gentlemen +present are West Pointers."</p> + +<p>"Give the rooks time to eat their meal in comfort," +ordered a sergeant gruffly. "Have you +forgotten the day, Fowler, when you were the +greenest rook that the Thirty-fourth ever had?"</p> + +<p>"I never was a rook," retorted Fowler.</p> + +<p>"You never got beyond being one," retorted +a corporal. "Don't mind this chin-bugler, +lads. He doesn't know any better."</p> + +<p>Hal was paying attention strictly to the meal +before him. A good-sized piece of steak and a +dish of baked potatoes had come his way, and +he enjoyed them keenly. The men of this battalion +had a first class commissary officer and +lived well.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You've visiting cards with you, of course?" +continued Fowler, after a few moments.</p> + +<p>"No," Noll admitted.</p> + +<p>"Why, rook, you'll need cards. You've got +to call on the K. O. (commanding officer) after +breakfast. But we'll fix you out. I'll lend you +my pack. The jack of clubs is the one you want +to send in to the K. O. Then he'll know 'tis a +husky lad that has honored the Thirty-fourth +by joining."</p> + +<p>"You'll live most of the time at the guard-house, +if you take Fowler for your authority on +doughboy life," broke in a quiet soldier across +the table.</p> + +<p>"More likely the happy house would be our +address," laughed Hal.</p> + +<p>"Doughboy" is the term applied to an infantry +soldier. Hal and Noll, being in an infantry +regiment, had thereby become doughboys. +The "happy house" is the part of a military hospital +where mild cases of insanity are confined.</p> + +<p>The meal was soon over, and the first sergeant +took the trouble to go up to the boys.</p> + +<p>"When do you report at the adjutant's +office?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"At nine o'clock, Sergeant," Hal responded.</p> + +<p>"Then, as long as you don't bother anyone +else, you can just as well stroll where you please +around the post, until nine," continued the sergeant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +"Of course you know that nine o'clock +means nine to the very minute?"</p> + +<p>"We were taught a lot about punctuality at +the rendezvous station," Hal answered.</p> + +<p>"Punctuality is about the greatest virtue in +Army life," nodded the first sergeant of D Company, +as he moved away.</p> + +<p>In the interval of time at their disposal Hal +and Noll were able to see a good deal of Fort +Clowdry.</p> + +<p>The center of the life there was the great +parade ground, a level, grassy plain.</p> + +<p>At the north end of this plain stood a row +of pretty dwellings. The largest was the residence +of Colonel North, commanding officer of +the Thirty-fourth. Next to the colonel's residence +was that of Major Silsbee, the battalion +commander. Past the major's residence was a +row of somewhat smaller cottages, each the +home of a married officer. The name and rank +of each officer was on a doorplate. At the +furthest end of the row from Colonel North's +dwelling was a building containing quarters for +bachelor officers.</p> + +<p>On another side of the parade ground were +various buildings devoted to the life of the post. +There was an Officers' Club, a library, a gymnasium, +and at one corner, the post hospital.</p> + +<p>Further away from the parade ground were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +the quarters of enlisted married men, and, beyond +that, the barracks of the four companies +of the Thirty-fourth stationed at Fort Clowdry. +Chapel also faced the parade ground, and, near +it, a Y. M. C. A. building.</p> + +<p>Further away was the power house, for the +buildings and roads on the post were lighted by +electricity.</p> + +<p>"Have we time to go over to the power +house?" asked Noll.</p> + +<p>"We haven't," decided Hal, after consulting +his watch. "In twelve minutes we must be at +the adjutant's office."</p> + +<p>"Here comes an officer," whispered Noll.</p> + +<p>Both young soldiers were alert as a first lieutenant +came down the road toward them. At +the same instant Hal and Noll raised their right +hands smartly in salute, which was promptly returned +by that officer.</p> + +<p>They had already inquired where the adjutant's +office was located. Having passed the +officer, our young recruits now hastened over to +the headquarters building.</p> + +<p>"Adjutant's office?" inquired Hal of an orderly +before a door.</p> + +<p>"Right inside," nodded the orderly.</p> + +<p>Noll fell in behind Hal as the latter stepped +into the office. At a flat-top desk sat a battalion +sergeant-major, who is the non-commissioned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +assistant of the regimental adjutant. +</p> + +<p>At a roll-top desk in another corner of the +office the adjutant himself, a first lieutenant, was +seated.</p> + +<p>"We are recruits reporting, Sergeant," announced +Hal, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"You have your orders with you?" asked the +sergeant-major.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sergeant." Hal handed both sets of +papers to his questioner.</p> + +<p>At the same time each recruit was alert to +salute the officer at the roll-top desk, in case he +should look up. But he didn't until the battalion +sergeant-major placed the papers on his +desk.</p> + +<p>"Come here, men," directed the officer.</p> + +<p>Both rookies stepped over to his desk, halted +and saluted.</p> + +<p>"Recruit Privates Overton and Terry?" +asked the adjutant, after a glance at the papers.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>The adjutant turned to examine a list that lay +on his desk.</p> + +<p>"Private Overton to B Company. Private +Terry to C Company."</p> + +<p>From an inner room stepped out a gray-haired +officer, wearing on his shoulder-straps the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +silver eagles of a colonel. This must be Colonel +North, the Thirty-fourth's K. O. Both recruits +immediately came to the salute again.</p> + +<p>"These are the young men I wanted to see, +are they not, Wright?" asked the colonel.</p> + +<p>"They are, sir," replied the adjutant, rising.</p> + +<p>"Major Silsbee!" called the colonel, looking +over one shoulder.</p> + +<p>That officer entered, also from the inner +room, and again the recruits saluted.</p> + +<p>"Major," went on the colonel, "these are the +young men I told you about, who are joining +your battalion."</p> + +<p>Major Silsbee looked them over keenly, even +if briefly.</p> + +<p>"They look the part, Colonel," was the major's +comment.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE SQUAD ROOM HAZING</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"MEN, we have had word of you in advance +of your coming," continued +the colonel.</div> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied Hal.</p> + +<p>"Very good word, indeed. It seems that you +took stirring part in assisting an Army officer +last night."</p> + +<p>"We obeyed Major Davis's orders, sir, if that +is what you refer to," Hal assented, once more +saluting.</p> + +<p>"And did it in a manner that distinguishes +you as good soldiers, eh, major?" went on the +colonel, turning to Major Silsbee.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Major Silsbee. "Major +Davis's commendation is not earned except by +merit."</p> + +<p>"You are surprised, I take it," resumed +Colonel North, bending a shrewd yet kindly +glance on the recruits, "that we should already +know of your conduct last night. Major Davis +wired me concerning it from Salida last night. +Men, this is a very good start, or, rather, a second +one, for your record, as forwarded me from +the recruit rendezvous, mentions that you have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +already been commended in orders for aiding in +preventing the escape of a prisoner. You start +well, men, in the Thirty-fourth. Report to your +respective first sergeants that, with the approval +of your company commanders, you will not take +up with duty until to-morrow. That will give +you time to look about the post. If you wish, +you have also permission to be off post this +afternoon, for three hours beginning at two +o'clock. That is all."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," acknowledged each recruit, +saluting. Then they stepped forth.</p> + +<p>"At the rate we're getting commended, we +ought soon to be brigadier generals," smiled +Hal.</p> + +<p>"A second lieutenancy, even after four years, +will suit me well enough," retorted Noll. "But +what shall we do now?"</p> + +<p>"Plainly enough our first duty is to report to +our first sergeants, as ordered."</p> + +<p>"Too bad we couldn't be bunkies, in the same +company," murmured Noll.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I would rather have had it that way. +But I take it that one of the first lessons a fellow +has to learn in the Army is that he can't +have things his own way."</p> + +<p>"At all events we can be together during a +good deal of our leisure time," declared Noll.</p> + +<p>"Nothing—not even being half the world<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +apart—could prevent our being chums, old fellow."</p> + +<p>Reaching barracks each recruit inquired +where to find his own first sergeant. Hal was +soon facing Sergeant Gray, of B Company. +The first sergeant of a company is a highly important +man. He is the ranking non-commissioned +officer of his company, and might aptly +be termed the "foreman" of the company. He +lives right with his company all the time, and +knows each man thoroughly. The first sergeant +is responsible to the company commander +for the discipline and order of the company.</p> + +<p>"Is your name Overton?" asked Sergeant +Gray, holding out his hand. "Glad to have you +with us, Overton. You'll bunk in Sergeant +Hupner's squad room. Remember that, when +there's anything you really need to know, the +non-commissioned officers of the company are +paid to instruct you. Don't be afraid to ask +necessary questions."</p> + +<p>"I won't, thank you, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"And don't be sensitive or foolish, Overton, +about any little pranks some of the men are more +or less bound to play upon you at first. The +easiest way to keep out of trouble is to be good-natured +all the time. But that doesn't mean +that you have to submit to any abuse."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Sergeant."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, I'll take you to Sergeant Hupner."</p> + +<p>That was more easily said than done. Sergeant +Gray took Hal to the squad room in which +he was to live thereafter, but Hupner was out +at the time.</p> + +<p>"Just stay here a little while, and report to +Sergeant Hupner when he comes in," directed +the first sergeant. "He'll assign you to a bed +and make you feel at home."</p> + +<p>Hardly had Sergeant Gray closed the door +when Hal thought he had taken the measure of +the eight other privates present. They looked +like a clean, capable and genial lot of young fellows. +He was speedily to find that they were +"genial" enough.</p> + +<p>"So you want to be a regular, do you?" +quizzed one of the soldiers, halting before Hal, +and looking him over.</p> + +<p>"Why, I am one already, am I not?" asked +Hal, smiling.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, you're not," retorted the questioner. +"How did you start in? Made a grand stand +play on the train last night, didn't you? Helped +to shoot up a lot of train robbers, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"That was under orders of an Army officer," +Hal replied good-naturedly. The other soldiers +had crowded about the pair.</p> + +<p>"You went and played the hero, didn't you?" +persisted the questioner. "Probably you didn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +know that a regular is never allowed to be a +hero. Heroes serve only in the volunteers."</p> + +<p>This is a well-known joke in the Army. In +war time local pride in the volunteer regiments +is always strong. Local newspapers always devote +most of their war space to the "heroic" +doings of the local volunteer regiment. The +regulars do the bulk of the fighting, and the +most dangerous, but their deeds of daring are +rarely chronicled in the newspapers. All the +praise goes to the volunteer regiments. Hence, +in war time, a stock Army question is, "Are you +a hero or a regular?"</p> + +<p>"I guess you've made a mistake," remonstrated +Hal, still good-naturedly. "My friend +and I didn't do anything in the heroic line. We +simply fired when told to, and stopped firing, +when told to. We didn't make any charges, +capture any forts, or do anything in the least +heroic. We simply stood by and did what the +major told us."</p> + +<p>"Good," nodded one of the other men. "The +kid is bound to be a regular, all right. He +doesn't brag, and I don't believe he's looking for +any write-up in the newspapers."</p> + +<p>"How did you feel under fire last night?" +continued the merciless questioner. "Brave as +a lion?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it," laughed Hal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Were you cool under fire?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I was!" Hal's answer leaped forth. +"Cool? Why, man, I was so cold that it took +me an hour, afterwards, to get warm again."</p> + +<p>"He's got you there, Hyman," laughed another +soldier. "Oh, the kid's going to be one +of us, all right. He's no bouquet chaser."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," replied Private +Hyman gravely. "So many heroes in disguise +try to sneak in among the regulars that it pays +us to keep our eyes open. What sort of a medal +are you going to order from Congress, kid?"</p> + +<p>"A leather one," smiled Hal, "though I'd +really prefer a tin medal."</p> + +<p>Good-natured laughter greeted this answer.</p> + +<p>But Private Hyman persisted:</p> + +<p>"In war time you'd chuck us, just to get a +commission in the volunteers, wouldn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Not even for a general's commission in the +volunteers," retorted Hal.</p> + +<p>"Are you good at athletics?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Know anything about gymnastics?"</p> + +<p>"Only one or two things."</p> + +<p>"Come down to the end of the room with +me," ordered Private Hyman.</p> + +<p>Hal good-naturedly followed. So did the +others.</p> + +<p>"Now, let's see if you can do this," Hyman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +proposed. "Take a good start and jump over +the first cot, then over the second, and right on +down the line, as far as you can do."</p> + +<p>That didn't look difficult. Hal leaped over +the first cot, then, with hardly a pause, jumped +over the second. So on he went, down over the +line of ten cots.</p> + +<p>"Now, go back again, over the cots on the +other side," ordered Private Hyman.</p> + +<p>Hal did so without difficulty, though he was +flushed and panting by the time that he finished +this brisk exercise.</p> + +<p>"Kid, you're no good," grunted Hyman.</p> + +<p>"I didn't try to make you believe I was any +good," Hal retorted calmly.</p> + +<p>"No, sir! Any man who jumps as easily and +naturally as you do would jump the regulars +any time, and go with the high-toned volunteer +crowd."</p> + +<p>"Humph! A fellow who can jump like that +would jump right out of the service at the first +breath of trouble," broke in another soldier.</p> + +<p>"He'd desert," agreed a third.</p> + +<p>"Walk on your hands?" queried Hyman.</p> + +<p>Hal proved that he could do so by throwing +his heels up into the air and taking a dozen steps +on his hands before he again came to an erect +attitude.</p> + +<p>"Brains are all in your heels," remarked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +Private Hyman thoughtfully. "Can you pick +that man up and carry him around on your +back?"</p> + +<p>The soldier indicated weighed at least a hundred +and sixty pounds.</p> + +<p>"I'll try," nodded Hal. Backing up to the +soldier, he locked elbows, back to back, lifted +the heavy one to his back and carried him twenty +feet down the squad room.</p> + +<p>"Any fellow with all that strength in his back +would get his back up at trouble, and back out +of any fight that came his way," declared Private +Hyman. "But see here, can you place your +head on one chair and your feet on another, +stiffen your body and lie there without touching +the floor in any way."</p> + +<p>"Let's see," proposed Hal. Two chairs were +quickly swung forward. Hal, who had good +muscular control, took the attitude named, +stiffened his body, and lay between the chairs +for some moments.</p> + +<p>"He lies well and easily," observed one of +the onlookers.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Private Hyman. "He's easily +the champion liar of the company."</p> + +<p>At that Hal sprang to his feet again.</p> + +<p>As he did so he accidentally pushed one of +the chairs over backward. It was close to the +door, which, at that instant, opened. The flying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +chair struck the incomer across his shins, bringing +an angry exclamation from the man.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know anything, rook?" demanded +the man, Private Bill Hooper. Hooper stood +five feet ten in his socks. He was just under +thirty, a man who was not popular in the company +because of his unruly temper.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," apologized Hal. "I didn't +know you were there."</p> + +<p>"You'll be sorrier, now," cried Hooper +fiercely. Striding up to young Overton, Hooper +landed a sound box on one of the boy's ears.</p> + +<p>Hal flushed crimson in an instant.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>PRIVATE BILL HOOPER LEARNS</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"HOLD on, Hooper!"</div> + +<p>"Don't act like a dog!"</p> + +<p>"He's only a kid—can't you see?"</p> + +<p>Then something happened like lightning.</p> + +<p>Private Hal Overton had meant to take all his +hazing good-humoredly. But a blow struck in +anger, and without just cause, was more than he +was prepared to brook.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant Gray told me I was not expected to +stand abuse," flashed through his mind.</p> + +<p>So, instead of cringing away from a repetition +of the blow, Hal took a sudden bound forward.</p> + +<p>Whack!</p> + +<p>"I have no use for a box on the ear," smiled +Hal grimly. "So you can have it back!"</p> + +<p>Private Bill Hooper let out a roar, then +sprang for the boy, intending to pulverize the +young rookie with his fists. But five or six of +the men sprang between them, forming an effective +human wall.</p> + +<p>"Shame on you, Hooper!"</p> + +<p>"That's no way for a man to act."</p> + +<p>"Get off your blouse, kid," blustered Private<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +Hooper, as he unfastened his own blouse and +tossed it over the end of a cot. "You need a +trimming, and you're going to get it right +now!"</p> + +<p>"Here, kid, button your blouse up again," +ordered Private Hyman. "You ain't called +upon to fight that bully. Hooper, if you're +spoiling for fight I'll do my best to be kind to +you."</p> + +<p>But Hal, the flush dying from his cheeks, +coolly continued unbuttoning his blouse. Then +he pulled it off, handing it to a soldier near by.</p> + +<p>"Dress yourself, kid. You don't have to fight +a man twice your size."</p> + +<p>"Let some one else have the job, kid. There's +some of us here will take it."</p> + +<p>"The kid will stand up and take his own trimming," +announced Hooper, with ugly emphasis.</p> + +<p>"No, no, no!"</p> + +<p>"Beat it, Hooper!"</p> + +<p>"Mates," went on Hal, as soon as he could +make himself heard, "I'm willing to stand for +anything that's coming to a rook. But this is +a case that calls for something different. I've +got to satisfy this man that I can stand up before +a pair of fists, or he'll never respect me +enough to let me alone."</p> + +<p>"Why, kid, a man of Hooper's size will reduce +you to powder," objected Hyman seriously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +"It's all right to have sand, and I guess +you've got it, but you've no call to be slaughtered."</p> + +<p>"He'll thrash me," agreed Hal coolly, "but +I'll get in enough on him to make him want to +let me alone after this. I'm ready for the fellow."</p> + +<p>Realizing that the rookie was in earnest the +soldiers stepped away from between the pair.</p> + +<p>"But you play fair, Hooper, or we'll kick you +all over the squad room," warned another soldier.</p> + +<p>Private Hooper clenched his fists, and stood +flexing his arms, which, through his shirt-sleeves, +appeared to be decidedly powerful.</p> + +<p>"Step up, kid, and get your trimming," he +invited, with a ferocious smile.</p> + +<p>"I don't know much about fighting," admitted +Hal, smiling pleasantly. "All I know my +dancing teacher taught me."</p> + +<p>That raised a laugh and angered Hooper. +This was just what the rookie wanted to do, for +he judged that Hooper could be prodded into a +blind rage.</p> + +<p>Hooper now jumped forward, aiming an ugly +swing for Hal's head. But the rookie side-stepped +swiftly out of the way. As he did so, +one foot dragged in front of the advancing +bully. Hooper tripped over that foot, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +force of his swing carried him forward so that +he fell flat on his face.</p> + +<p>"Too bad! I hope you didn't hurt yourself," +teased Hal sweetly, whirling about like a flash.</p> + +<p>Hooper was up with an oath, wind-milling his +big arms.</p> + +<p>"Take that!" he roared, aiming a heavy blow +straight at Hal's chest.</p> + +<p>"Against the rules of my dancing master!" +mimicked Hal, bounding to the left. As he did +so he let his right fist drop on the point of Hooper's +chin.</p> + +<p>"Ugh!" grunted the bully.</p> + +<p>"Spit it out, if it got in your mouth," advised +Hal unconcernedly, as he again faced his antagonist.</p> + +<p>From the way he dodged the next six or eight +assaults it did look as though Hal had spoken +the truth when he stated that he had learned his +style of fighting from a dancing master. For +the nimble rookie never did seem to be just +where Bill Hooper looked for him when landing +blows.</p> + +<p>"Take your partners!" mocked Hal Overton, +as he darted past again. This time, however, +he landed a very hot and powerful blow right +against Hooper's right eye.</p> + +<p>Now cautious cries of approval went up from +the other men crowding about. All of the men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +were careful not to make much noise, through +fear of bringing interference.</p> + +<p>A minute later Hooper received such a stinging +blow on the nose that it brought a little +trickle of red.</p> + +<p>"Woof!" panted Hal, in going by again.</p> + +<p>"Woof!" echoed Hooper. "Wow—ow—ugh!"</p> + +<p>Then he doubled up, winded, for Hal, after +feinting for the big fellow's face had calmly but +forcefully struck him just above the beltline. +Hooper was out of it for the present, and he +knew it.</p> + +<p>"Now sail in and finish him, rook!" called +four or five men at once.</p> + +<p>"Not this time," replied Hal, going over to +the soldier who held his blouse, taking the garment +and putting it on. "I'll save the rest for +the next dance whenever Hooper feels festive."</p> + +<p>Grateful that he didn't have to stand and take +punishment in his present condition, Hooper +groped to a chair and sat down.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, mates," announced Hal modestly, +"when we were interrupted I was trying to +show you that I don't ache to be a hero. Being +a regular is good enough for me. I am ready +to answer any further questions."</p> + +<p>But just at that moment a bugle sounded the +call to drill.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You've answered enough questions for the +present, rook," replied Private Hyman, patting +Overton on the shoulder as he went by. Hooper +struggled into his blouse, then went over to a +sink and washed the red from his nose before +hurrying out with the others. The big private +didn't even look at Hal Overton as he went by.</p> + +<p>Being excused from duty for the day, Hal +went in search of Noll Terry. He found him +waiting outside of barracks.</p> + +<p>"Whew, but I've been through a mill," sighed +Noll.</p> + +<p>"I've been ground just a bit myself," laughed +Hal.</p> + +<p>"Did the fellows twit you about last night's +work?" asked Noll curiously.</p> + +<p>"Well, some," admitted Hal.</p> + +<p>"If there's anything left that the fellows in +the squad room can think of to do to me, I'm +wondering what it is," grunted Private Terry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they'll think up enough things," Hal +declared. "We needn't imagine that our mates +will exhaust themselves in twenty minutes of +fun. You didn't lose your temper, did you, +Noll?"</p> + +<p>"No; and I don't want to. But there's one +fellow in our room that I am certain I'll have +to fight before I get through."</p> + +<p>"There's a fellow in our room that I don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +believe I will have to fight," chuckled Private +Overton.</p> + +<p>"Have you been in a fight already?" asked +Noll, flashing a swift look at his chum.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," Hal answered. "A dancing lesson +was as far as I got this morning. But come +along, Noll. I want to get where we can get a +look at the great mountains yonder. My, how +they seem to tower above the fort and wall us +in!"</p> + +<p>Fort Clowdry was some fifty-two hundred +feet above sea level. From there, however, +high mountains were visible that extended some +thousands of feet higher in the air. All about +was a great view of rugged mountain scenery.</p> + +<p>Over past the buildings at the west end of the +post the two rookies wandered. Now they had +a noble view of the mountains.</p> + +<p>"Are you going off post this afternoon, as the +colonel said we could?" asked Noll, by and by.</p> + +<p>"Not unless you very much want to, Noll. +Can't we put in the time better learning our way +around the post?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we can," assented Noll.</p> + +<p>A soldier came along, driving a pair of mules +to which a quarter master's wagon was hitched. +As he drew near, with a heavy load aboard, he +halted to rest the mules.</p> + +<p>"Rooks, ain't ye?" questioned the soldier.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Hal.</p> + +<p>"Taking a survey of the post?"</p> + +<p>"Rather. We don't have to report for duty +until to-morrow."</p> + +<p>After a few moments the soldier climbed down +from the seat of the wagon. He was wholly +willing to tell the boys whatever they wanted +to know about Fort Clowdry and to point out +the features of interest in the surrounding lines +of mountains.</p> + +<p>"Ever go hunting?" asked the soldier, at last.</p> + +<p>"Yes; after squirrels and partridges," +laughed Hal.</p> + +<p>"No real hunting, though?"</p> + +<p>"None."</p> + +<p>"Then, if you can keep out of discipline troubles, +ye'll have some fun around here by and +by."</p> + +<p>"Soldiers don't have much time for hunting, +do they?" Hal asked.</p> + +<p>"Those that know how to hunt do," replied +the older soldier. "That's part of the life here. +Didn't ye ever hear about soldier hunting parties?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly haven't," Hal admitted.</p> + +<p>"Why, men of good conduct are often allowed +to go off on hunting parties when the game's +running right. Generally there's six or eight +men to a party, and all have to be fair shots, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +the K. O. doesn't aim to have too much ammunition +wasted," explained the old soldier. "One +of the party is a non-com and he has charge of +the party."</p> + +<p>"What do the hunters get?" queried Hal.</p> + +<p>"Well, for bigger game, bear and mountain +antelope mostly. Then some parties go after +birds; there's plenty of them, too, in the mountains, +at the right seasons."</p> + +<p>"Say!" exploded Noll, his eyes shining.</p> + +<p>"Think ye'd like to go on a hunting party, do +ye?" asked the soldier. "Get up yer record for +marksmanship, then."</p> + +<p>"What's done with the game?" asked Noll +innocently.</p> + +<p>"What——" the soldier started to repeat. +Then he added, dryly:</p> + +<p>"Oh, we send the game to the hospitals in +Denver and Pueblo, of course!"</p> + +<p>"Don't we get any of it to eat?" asked Noll, +looking up.</p> + +<p>"Say, don't ever go off with a party that +doesn't bring back a big haul of game," advised +the older soldier. "If ye do, the company cooks +will lynch ye. Why, that's what we go hunting +for—to vary the bill of fare here at the post. +Sometimes, when we're all just aching for bear +steaks, an officer and twenty or thirty men all +hike off at once into the mountain trails. There<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +are plenty of game dinners at Clowdry, at different +times in the year."</p> + +<p>Then the soldier climbed leisurely to the seat +of his wagon and started on again.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if he was fooling us about hunting +parties," mused Hal.</p> + +<p>Later on, however, the rookies discovered that +the soldier had told them the truth. On some of +the Western posts, hunting forms one of the diversions +of the men.</p> + +<p>Presently they met another soldier, this time +afoot.</p> + +<p>"How far can we go without getting off the +reservation?" Hal inquired.</p> + +<p>"The way you're headed now you can go another +mile without getting off limits," the soldier +replied.</p> + +<p>"Reservation" is a term applied to the limits +of an Army post. Wherever an Army post exists +it includes land reserved by the United +States from the jurisdiction of the individual +state. Hence the name of reservation.</p> + +<p>It was wilder country out here, away from +the well-kept roads.</p> + +<p>"Come on," urged Hal. "I'm going to take +a good walk yet."</p> + +<p>They had gone along, briskly, for at least another +half mile when some flying missile went +by Hal's head. Noll, who was just behind him,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +saw the missile, and watched it land on the +ground beyond.</p> + +<p>"Whoever is throwing rocks of that size—quit!" +shouted Noll, wheeling to his left and +glaring at an irregularly-shaped ledge some +sixty yards away.</p> + +<p>"Let's see who it is, anyway," cried Hal, +darting toward the ledge.</p> + +<p>By the time they reached the ledge they heard +some lively scrambling among the rocks beyond, +but neither rookie could see anyone. All +was quiet for a few moments. Then a foot +slipped on a stone, at a little distance. Hal +raced straight in the direction of the sound. +He was in time to see a crouching, running +figure darting in and out among the rocks.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Noll! We've got him!" yelled +Hal.</p> + +<p>In another minute they had overtaken the fugitive, +who now stood panting at bay.</p> + +<p>"Well, you're a nice one!" ejaculated Private +Hal Overton.</p> + +<p>"Tip Branders—out here in Colorado!" +ejaculated Noll Terry.</p> + +<p>"No; my name ain't Branders. Ye've got +me mixed up with somebody else!" glowered +the young man at bay.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERY OF POST THREE</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"OH, no, your name isn't Tip Branders!" +mocked Hal Overton.</div> + +<p>"That's what I said," retorted the +young man at bay.</p> + +<p>"Then how do you know who we are?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know who ye are, and what's more, +I don't care," retorted the other.</p> + +<p>"Tip, I guess you've forgotten to write home +lately," broke in Noll. "What would you say +if you should hear that your uncle in Australia +had died and left your mother more than two +million dollars?"</p> + +<p>The young man's eyes opened very wide indeed. +He gasped, and then his eyes flashed +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Has the old lady all that money?" he demanded. +"Noll Terry, what else do you know +about it?"</p> + +<p>The young man came briskly forward now, +all trembling with eagerness.</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything at all about it," +retorted Noll coolly, "and I don't believe it +either."</p> + +<p>"But you said——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Tip, what an idiot you are to think you +can deny your identity to us," jeered Noll, while +Hal laughed merrily.</p> + +<p>"Say, if you're trying to have sport with +me," snarled Tip, "I'll——"</p> + +<p>"Is it your idea of sport to shy rocks at us?" +demanded Private Hal.</p> + +<p>"I didn't shy anything at you," asserted Tip +sullenly.</p> + +<p>"Why, for that matter," Hal went on jeeringly, +"I don't suppose you'll even admit that +you're here, at all?"</p> + +<p>"Don't get too festive, just because you've +got the government's blue clothes on," Tip retorted +sullenly. "A plain, ordinary soldier ain't +such a much."</p> + +<p>"Opinions may differ about that, of course," +Hal admitted. "But being a soldier was too +much of a job for you to get a chance at, wasn't +it, Tip?"</p> + +<p>"I'm just as well suited as it is," rejoined +Tip, flushing a bit, none the less.</p> + +<p>"You haven't told us what you're doing out +in this country," Noll suggested.</p> + +<p>"And I don't know that it's any of your business, +either," Branders went on. "Ain't nothing +to be ashamed of, though. You know I +used to travel a bit with the political crowd at +home."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>"With the heelers of the city," Noll amended.</p> + +<p>Tip scowled, but continued:</p> + +<p>"Well, I got into a bit of a row, that's all. +So I lit out until things could blow over a bit."</p> + +<p>"And took some of your mother's cash before +you left, I heard," nodded Private Noll +Terry.</p> + +<p>"She gave it to me," cried Tip fiercely. +"Now, see here, don't you fellows say nothing +about seeing me out in this part of the country. +I'm out here trying to run down a good, new +start in life. You just keep your tongues behind +your teeth as far as my affairs are concerned."</p> + +<p>"What kind of a new start can you make out +in these hills?" queried Hal.</p> + +<p>"That's what I'm here to find out. My +cash has about run out, so I'm walking. I'm +bound for a ranch about forty miles west of +here, where I expect to land a job. So don't +you go to talking too much about me, and trying +to spoil me."</p> + +<p>"Why did you try to knock me over with a +small-sized boulder?" Hal insisted.</p> + +<p>"Because I wanted to play a joke on you," +retorted Tip, with a grin.</p> + +<p>"That's a lie, but let it go at that," rejoined +Hal Overton. "It would be too much, anyway, +wouldn't it, Tip, to expect the truth from you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You always were down on me," replied +Branders half coaxingly. "If you'd only taken +more trouble to understand me you'd have +understood that I'm not a half bad fellow."</p> + +<p>"No; only about nine-tenths bad," grimaced +Noll derisively.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no use in my staying here to +talk with you fellows," muttered Tip angrily. +"You never were friends of mine. So I'll be +on my way."</p> + +<p>"Tramping it for forty miles, are you?" +called Noll, as Tip turned away.</p> + +<p>"'Bout that," Branders called back over his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Then, man alive, why don't you keep to the +road, instead of scrambling over these rough +boulders?"</p> + +<p>Tip's only answer was a snort.</p> + +<p>"Come back to the road," proposed Hal to +his chum. So the two rookies clambered back +over the ledge and down onto the excellent +military road. But they caught no further +glimpse of Tip Branders; plainly he preferred +different paths.</p> + +<p>"What do you make out of Tip?" asked Noll, +a minute later.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," Hal answered, "except that he +was lying, as usual, of course. Tip never tells +the truth; there's no sport in it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'd like to know what he is doing out in this +country."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I reckon," suggested Hal, "that, as he +couldn't be a soldier, he thought he'd take up +cowboy life as the next best thing."</p> + +<p>"He won't last long as a cowboy," laughed +Noll. "Tip hates work, and the cowboy is about +the hardest worked man in America."</p> + +<p>"Well, we don't have to worry about Tip," +muttered Hal. "We don't even have to talk +about him. Noll, look at those noble old mountains!"</p> + +<p>"Some day, when we have enough time off, +we must walk to the mountains," urged Noll. +"I wonder how many miles away they are—five, +or six?"</p> + +<p>"Hm!" laughed Hal. "I asked Sergeant +Gray, and he said that range over there is about +forty miles away."</p> + +<p>"Forty!" Noll looked plainly unbelieving.</p> + +<p>"You'll find out, Noll Terry, that the air in +these glorious old Rocky Mountains is so mighty +clear that you can't judge distances the way you +did back East. I'd rather have Sergeant +Gray's word than any evidence that my own +eyes can supply me with."</p> + +<p>"We won't get to that mountain range, then, +until we have a week off," sighed Noll.</p> + +<p>After wandering about for some time more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +the young rookies strolled back to barracks. +Hal had yet to find Sergeant Hupner and get +assigned to a bed and a locker.</p> + +<p>Hupner proved to be a rather short, but keen +and very pleasant fellow. He was of German +origin, but had no accent in his speech, having +been educated in this country.</p> + +<p>"You'll like the regiment, the battalion and +B Company, Overton, when you get used to +us," Sergeant Hupner informed the young +rookie.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure of it, Sergeant," Hal replied. +"But it'll be far more to the point, won't it, if I +make my comrades like me?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll get along all right," replied +Hupner, who had had a report on the quiet of +Hal's performance with big Bill Hooper that +morning. "The main thing for a recruit, +Overton, is not to act as if he knew it all until +he really does. And no old soldier does claim +to know too much. You'll have to fall in for +dinner in about ten minutes. When the company +assembles report to Sergeant Gray, who'll +give you your place in the ranks."</p> + +<p>When the two recruits marched into company +mess, that noon, both Hal and Noll felt odd. +The chums had not been used to being separated.</p> + +<p>After dinner the two were together again, +however. Guided by Hyman they went to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +recreation hall, on the second floor of barracks +building. This hall was fitted up for games and +sports, and at one end was a stage with scenery.</p> + +<p>"Who gives the shows?" asked Hal.</p> + +<p>"Once in a great while the men chip in from +company funds to hire a real company, or +troupe," replied Private Hyman. "The officers +always add something, then. But, more often, +the men supply their own talent. We've got a +lot of show talent of all sorts among nearly four +hundred men."</p> + +<p>Hyman was soon called away to a drill, though +not before he had pointed out other places of +interest. Hal and Noll went over to the library, +the gym. and the Y. M. C. A. building. They +wound up their afternoon of leisure by attending +parade just before retreat. Retreat is always +followed, immediately, by the firing of the +sunset gun and the hauling down of the post +Flag for the night.</p> + +<p>When tattoo was sounded by the bugler that +night both chums were glad enough to turn +down their beds and get into them. Neither Hal +nor Noll remained awake more than two minutes.</p> + +<p>The windows were open, and a cool, delicious +breeze, circulated through the squad room. +Hal slept the sleep of the truly tired, hearing +nothing of the martial snores of some of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +men on adjoining cots. It was late in the night +when Private Overton was awakened by the +sound of a rifle shot.</p> + +<p>"I must have been dreaming through the +scenes of last night again," Hal muttered +drowsily.</p> + +<p>None of the other men in the room appeared +to have heard the sound at all.</p> + +<p>But now it came again. A shot was followed +by a second, then by a third.</p> + +<p>"Corporal of the guard—post number three!" +yelled a lusty voice, though the distance was +such that Hal Overton heard the sound only +faintly.</p> + +<p>Crack—crack!</p> + +<p>Then a bugle pealed on the air, though still +Hal's comrades in the squad room slumbered +on.</p> + +<p>Too curious to turn over and go to sleep +again, Hal stole softly from his cot and reached +an open window on the side that looked out over +the parade.</p> + +<p>There was no moon, but in the light of the +stars Hal could see several uniformed men running +swiftly across the parade ground to officers' +row.</p> + +<p>"It's no dream," muttered Overton, intensely +interested, "for there goes the corporal with +the guard. What on earth can it mean?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was something up—and something exciting, +at that, for experienced sentries never +fire except in case of need. Moreover, several +sentries—no fewer than four—had just fired +almost simultaneously.</p> + +<p>Nor did the corporal and his squad return +within the next few minutes.</p> + +<p>Whatever it was that had resulted in turning +out the guard, the need for the guard plainly +still continued.</p> + +<p>"There's no more shooting, anyway," Hal reflected. +"I may as well go back to bed."</p> + +<p>It was some minutes ere he could sleep. When +he did fall off it seemed as though only a minute +or two had passed when the bugle again +pealed.</p> + +<p>Hal was on his feet in a second. So were +most of the other soldiers in the squad room +this time.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's daylight now," uttered Hal, looking +astounded.</p> + +<p>"Of course it is, rook," laughed the soldier +whose bed was next to Hal's. "That bugler +sounded first call to reveille. Don't you know +what that is yet?"</p> + +<p>In other words the soldier's alarm clock had +"gone off." Though all of these men had +slept through the call for the corporal of the +guard, simply because it did not concern them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +every man had turned out at the first or second +note of "first call to reveille."</p> + +<p>Every man dressed swiftly. As soon as he +got his clothing on each soldier turned up his +bedding according to the regulations.</p> + +<p>There was some "policing" of the room done. +That is, everything was made shipshape and +tidy. Last of all, and within a very few minutes +from the start, the men made their way +briskly to the sinks, where soap and water, comb +and brush, put on the finishing touches. A sergeant, +two corporals and nearly a score of men +were now as neat and clean as soldiers must +ever be.</p> + +<p>"What was that row in the night, Corporal? +Do you know?" Hal asked.</p> + +<p>"What row in the night?" asked Corporal +Cotter.</p> + +<p>"Why, there was a lot of shooting, and a call +for the corporal of the guard to post number +six."</p> + +<p>"First I've heard of it," replied Corporal +Cotter. "But we'll know before long. Now, +step lively, rook, for you're on duty with the +rest to-day."</p> + +<p>By the time that Sergeant Gray's squad room +emptied at the call of the bugle it was instantly +plain outside that something unusual was going +on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> + +<p>A and D Companies, as they fell in, proved +each to be twenty men short.</p> + +<p>"There are extra guards out, and a picket +down the road to town," muttered Private Hyman, +who stood next to Hal in the ranks.</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?" asked Hal Overton, but +instantly his thoughts went back to the shots and +the excitement of the night.</p> + +<p>"Silence in the ranks," growled Corporal +Cotter.</p> + +<p>But at breakfast tongues were unloosed. Hal +quickly told what little he had seen and heard +in the night. Others passed the gossip that +twenty men had been silently summoned from +a squad room in A Company, and twenty more +from a squad room in D Company.</p> + +<p>"There's some mischief floating in the air—that's +certain," muttered Private Hyman.</p> + +<p>"How did you happen to be up to see and hear +it all, Overton?" demanded Sergeant Gray.</p> + +<p>Hal explained, frankly and briefly, but the sergeant's +eyes were keenly questioning.</p> + +<p>Before the meal was over the company commander, +Captain Cortland, entered the room.</p> + +<p>"Keep your seats, men. Go on with your +breakfast. Sergeant Gray, I will speak with +you for a moment."</p> + +<p>The first sergeant hastily rose, going over to +his captain and saluting. After the company<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +commander had gone, at the end of a brief, almost +whispered conversation, Gray came back +to his seat, looking wholly mysterious.</p> + +<p>"B Company, rise," ordered the first sergeant, +at the end of the meal. "Attention! +The men of this company will have ten minutes +for recreation, then be prepared to fall in at an +extra inspection on the parade ground. After +filing out of here no man will go indoors again +before inspection."</p> + +<p>"Is it to be inspection without arms, Sergeant +Gray?" called Sergeant Hupner.</p> + +<p>"Inspection just as you stand," replied Sergeant +Gray, then gave the marching order.</p> + +<p>"What on earth is up, Hal?" demanded Noll, +when the two young rookies met outside of mess +a few minutes later.</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew," was Hal's puzzled reply.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>HAL UNDER A FIRE OF QUESTIONS</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IMMEDIATELY after the bugle call for assembly +the four companies of the first battalion +of the Thirty-fourth fell in by companies +on the parade ground.</div> + +<p>After roll-call had been read each company +commander stepped before his own command.</p> + +<p>"Was any man of B Company absent from +his squad room at any time around two o'clock +this morning?" called Captain Cortland, looking +keenly over his command. Other company +commanders were asking the same question. +"If so, that man will fall out."</p> + +<p>Not a man fell out of any of the four companies.</p> + +<p>"Was any man in B Company up and moving +about the squad room at or about two o'clock +this morning?" was Captain Cortland's next +question. "If so, fall out."</p> + +<p>Private Hal Overton quickly left his place in +the ranks.</p> + +<p>"Advance, Private Overton," ordered Captain +Cortland.</p> + +<p>Hal stepped forward, halting six paces from +his company commander and saluting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You were up and about in the squad room +at that time, Private Overton?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Did you leave the squad room?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"You are positive of that?"</p> + +<p>"Positive, sir."</p> + +<p>"You did not leave the squad room, even for +a moment?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"What brought you out of your bed?"</p> + +<p>"I heard shots, sir, and calls for the guard."</p> + +<p>"What else did you see or hear, Private Overton?"</p> + +<p>"I went to the window, and saw that there was +some excitement up by the officers' quarters, +sir."</p> + +<p>"Then what did you do?"</p> + +<p>"After listening and looking for some time, +sir, I returned to my bed, wondering what it +was all about."</p> + +<p>Hal was the only soldier in the battalion who +had fallen out of ranks.</p> + +<p>"Follow me," ordered Captain Cortland. He +led the young soldier back to where Adjutant +Wright and the sergeant-major were standing +by Major Silsbee.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Wright," reported Captain Cortland, +"Private Overton admits being up in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +the squad room at <ins title="Transcriber's Note: this word not present in the original text">the</ins> time when the shots were +fired in the dark hours this morning. He +claims that he did not leave the squad room, +and that it was the noise that woke him and +made him curious."</p> + +<p>"Go to my office, Private Overton, with Sergeant-major +Beall," directed the adjutant +briefly.</p> + +<p>Hal and the sergeant-major saluted, then +stepped away.</p> + +<p>"Is it allowable, Sergeant, for a rookie to +ask what this is all about?" asked Hal respectfully, +as the two neared the adjutant's office +at headquarters.</p> + +<p>"You'd better not ask. I'm not going to tell +you anything," replied Beall.</p> + +<p>So Hal was silent, though he could hardly +escape the feeling that he was being treated a +good deal like a suspected criminal. Though +he knew that he was innocent of any wrong-doing +in connection with the excitement of the +night before he could not help feeling undefined +dread.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Wright speedily returned to his +office, taking his seat at his desk. Hal was summoned +and made to stand at attention before the +adjutant.</p> + +<p>"Now, Private Overton," began the adjutant, +fixing a frigid gaze on the rookie, "you may as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +well tell me all you know about last night's business."</p> + +<p>Hal quickly told the little that he knew.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, my man," retorted Lieutenant +Wright, "that much won't do. Out with the +rest of it."</p> + +<p>"There isn't any 'rest of it' that I know of, +sir," Private Hal answered respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Now, my man——"</p> + +<p>With that preliminary Lieutenant Wright +proceeded to put the young recruit through a +severe, grilling cross-examination. But Hal +kept his head through it all, insisting that he had +told all he knew.</p> + +<p>"Overton," rapped in the adjutant, at last, +"you are very new to the Army, and you don't +appear to realize all the facilities we have for +compelling men to speak. If you remain obtuse +any longer, it may be necessary for me to order +you to the guard-house under confinement."</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry, Lieutenant," Hal replied, +flushing, "that you will not believe me. On my +word of honor as a soldier I have told you all +that I know of the matter."</p> + +<p>The adjutant bent forward, looking keenly +into the rookie's eyes. Hal did not flinch, returning +the gaze steadily, respectfully.</p> + +<p>Then, in a somewhat less gruff tone, Lieutenant +Wright continued:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That is all for the present, Private Overton. +Report to your company commander, at +once."</p> + +<p>The adjutant and sergeant-major left headquarters +a moment later, going by a different +path. As Hal glanced down the parade ground +he saw the men out of ranks, though every man +was still close to his place.</p> + +<p>"Major," reported the adjutant, after the exchange +of salutes between the officers, "Private +Overton denies having left the squad room in +the early hours this morning. For that matter, +sir, if he had not been honest, he need not have +reported that he was out of his bed, or that he +heard the sentries' shots."</p> + +<p>"It was well he did admit that much," replied +the major, "for he let it out at company mess +this morning."</p> + +<p>"I went at the young recruit, sir, so severely +that I was almost ashamed of myself," continued +the adjutant. "I am under the impression, +sir, that Private Overton told me the +truth."</p> + +<p>"So am I," admitted Major Silsbee thoughtfully. +"His record, so far, is against the idea +of his being mixed up in rascally business. I +think it likely that Private Overton's extreme +fault, if he is guilty of any, is that he is possibly +shielding some other soldiers whom he saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +sneak back into barracks after the excitement +was over. Probably he isn't even guilty of that +much."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to search the squad <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'roms'">rooms</ins>, +sir?" inquired the adjutant.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Wright, though it makes me feel almost +sick to put such an affront upon hundreds of +innocent and decent men."</p> + +<p>"The decent ones, sir, will welcome the +search."</p> + +<p>"That is what Colonel North told me. Summon +the company commanders, and direct them +to go into each squad room of their companies +with the sergeant in charge of the squad room."</p> + +<p>Hal, in the meantime, had returned to B Company. +He found many of his comrades regarding +him suspiciously, and flushed in consequence. +But Corporal Cotter, Private Hyman and others +stepped over to him.</p> + +<p>"What's it all about, rookie? Do you know?" +asked the corporal.</p> + +<p>"Not a blessed thing, Corporal," replied the +young recruit.</p> + +<p>"Look! Here come the company commanders +back," called another soldier, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant Gray and the other sergeants of B +Company will follow me to barracks," called +Captain Cortland.</p> + +<p>Now the curious soldiers saw each company<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +commander, followed by his sergeants, step back +to barracks.</p> + +<p>For an hour the puzzled men of the battalion +waited on the parade ground.</p> + +<p>Then, in some mysterious manner, the news +of what had really happened began to spread.</p> + +<p>In the night unknown men had broken into +Major Silsbee's house. This had not been a +difficult thing to do as, on a military post, doors +are rarely locked. Not one of the three entrances +to Major Silsbee's quarters had been +locked at the time.</p> + +<p>Downstairs the thieves had gathered a few +articles together, but had not taken them, as +they had found better plunder upstairs. From +a dressing-room adjoining Mrs. Silsbee's sleeping +apartment the prowlers had taken a jewel +case containing jewels worth some three thousand +dollars. There had also been about two +hundred dollars in money in the case.</p> + +<p>As the thieves were leaving the house they +were seen by a sentry some sixty yards away. +The sentry had challenged, then fired. The +thieves had fled, swiftly, running directly away +from all light. But another sentry had also seen +them, and had fired. Both sentries had agreed +that there were four men, and that they wore +the uniforms of soldiers.</p> + +<p>The thieves made good their escape. Soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +after the alarm was given forty men from A +and D companies had been silently turned out +to aid in establishing a stronger guard, and the +barracks building had been watched through the +rest of the night.</p> + +<p>Yet no soldier had been caught trying to get +back into barracks, nor had any man been missing +at roll-call unless well accounted for.</p> + +<p>"Somewhere in this battalion, then," murmured +Noll to a man in C Company, "there are +four soldiers who are thieves."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the soldier bluntly, "and it +looks as though your bunkie at the recruit rendezvous +might know something about it."</p> + +<p>"Hal Overton doesn't know," flared Noll +promptly, "or he'd have told!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE ANONYMOUS LETTER</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was a four days' wonder, and then it +dropped.</div> + +<p>The search at barracks had revealed +nothing. There was not a soldier on the post +against whom any tangible suspicion pointed.</p> + +<p>"There's just one way that a clue might be +found," muttered Private Bill Hooper, one +morning in Sergeant Hupner's squad room. +"In time it may turn out that a sweetheart of +some soldier gets some pretty jewelry trinkets +given to her."</p> + +<p>He glared covertly, though meaningly, at Hal +Overton.</p> + +<p>But Hal was far enough away neither to see +nor to hear Hooper's fling.</p> + +<p>"You'll never get caught on that trick, Bill," +jeered Private Hyman. "No girl would look +at you, even if you displayed the whole of the +missing jewelry."</p> + +<p>"I've had my share of sweethearts in my +day," growled big Private Hooper.</p> + +<p>"That was before your face changed for +worse," grinned Hyman.</p> + +<p>"Don't get gay with me," warned Hooper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +sulkily, "or your face may suffer some +changes!"</p> + +<p>"Go over and thump the kid," proposed Hyman.</p> + +<p>It was Hal who was meant by the term "kid."</p> + +<p>"I don't like that youngster," muttered +Hooper. "And I don't trust him, either."</p> + +<p>"That'll never worry Hal Overton," smiled +Hyman. "Hooper, you look so untidy that it's +a wonder Sergeant Hupner doesn't 'call' you +oftener for it. And you clean up your rifle +about once a fortnight. Look at Overton over +there."</p> + +<p>Hal was at work with his kit of cleaning tools, +going over his rifle as methodically and industriously +as though it were a piece of rare silver +plate.</p> + +<p>"He'll rub and polish that old piece of his +until he wears it out," mumbled Hooper.</p> + +<p>"One of the surest signs of the good soldier +is when you see him putting in a lot of his spare +time caring for his uniforms and equipments," +broke in Sergeant Hupner, behind them. +"Hooper, go and brush your uniform, and clean +your boots and polish 'em. I'll report you, if +I see you so slouchy in the future."</p> + +<p>Bill Hooper moved away, scowling.</p> + +<p>Sergeant Gray strode in at that moment.</p> + +<p>"Do you want leave to go to town to-day, reporting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +back at tattoo, Hyman?" inquired the +first sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, yes, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"All right; I'll turn you in on the list to Captain +Cortland. I'll notify you of leave within +half an hour."</p> + +<p>Then he stepped over to Hal.</p> + +<p>"Overton, you haven't had any leave to visit +town since you joined. Would you like to take +leave to-day?"</p> + +<p>"No, Sergeant, thank you."</p> + +<p>Sergeant Gray looked his surprise.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"I have too much to learn right here, Sergeant. +I'm going to stick, and work, until I'm +out of the recruit class."</p> + +<p>"Good boy!" murmured Gray, in an undertone, +and passed on. But Gray stopped when +he came up with Hupner.</p> + +<p>"Hupner, you've got a valuable man in Overton."</p> + +<p>"I know it, Sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Give him all the little points you can that +will take him out of the recruit class promptly."</p> + +<p>"Why, Sergeant," smiled Hupner, "Overton +can go out of the recruit class at about any +time now. Report him for the guard detail any +time that you want. He'll make good. He's +keen on every bit of his work. He can go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +through his manual of arms like a juggler. He +has studied his infantry drill regulations until +he's about worn the book out; he knows his manual +of guard duty by heart, and it would be +mighty hard to trip him anywhere in his small +arms firing manual. Have you noticed his facings +and his marching at drill?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Sergeant Gray thoughtfully. +"The boy's a good one, all right."</p> + +<p>"Take it from me, Sergeant—you needn't +hesitate to detail the kid for guard or any other +duty. He'll suit Captain Cortland."</p> + +<p>"I'll detail him for guard, then, as soon as +I can," returned Sergeant Gray. "That gives +a young soldier confidence as soon as anything +else ever does."</p> + +<p>As often as is practicable enlisted men are +given a day's leave, with permission to go off +post and visit the nearest town. This leave is +given to men known to be of good conduct. A +"bad" soldier, when one is found, gets little in +the way of leave.</p> + +<p>Whenever a soldier or an ex-soldier is found +slandering the Army service it is invariably +safe to set him down as a man who, through +very poor soldierly qualities, or actual viciousness, +got "in the bad books" of his officers. +There is every desire on the part of regimental +and company officers to make it pleasant for a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +truly good soldier, and to keep him in the service +until he has reached retiring age.</p> + +<p>The man who gets into bad company when +away on leave is the soldier who has the most +difficulty in getting leave another time.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the soldier of good conduct +can have much leave during the month. +It is a practice at many posts, when a man has a +trade, and can get small jobs to do near the +post, to allow him as many half days for that +work as may be granted him without injury to +the service. In this way handy men or mechanics +among the soldiers often add many dollars +to their pocket money.</p> + +<p>As Private Bill Hooper went away to clean +up his uniform and shoes, Hal blithely kept at +work putting his rifle in A 1 order.</p> + +<p>Both were interrupted, half an hour later, by +the bugle call for separate company drill.</p> + +<p>Private Overton was among the first on the +drill ground. His clothing looked as though it +had just come from the tailor's; his rifle had the +appearance of being fresh from the arsenal.</p> + +<p>"There's a man for you, Hyman," spoke Sergeant +Hupner, in an undertone. "If the kid +keeps on as he has started he'll be a winner."</p> + +<p>"I've had my eye on him," nodded Private +Hyman. "He seems to be good all the way +through."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is he ever a little bit fresh in the squad +room?" continued Sergeant Hupner.</p> + +<p>"If the kid is," replied Hyman, "I've never +happened to be around at that time. But he +stands up for himself when he has to. I suppose +you've heard, Sergeant, how he trimmed +Bill Hooper off?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Hupner; "that sort of thing +won't hurt Hooper at all, either."</p> + +<p>"Hooper may lay for a chance to accuse +Overton of something in the squad room that +the kid didn't do."</p> + +<p>"I'll have my eyes open for Hooper," replied +Hupner dryly. "I haven't anything against +any of the other sergeants in this battalion, but +I really wish some other sergeant had Hooper +in his squad room."</p> + +<p>"B Company fall in," sounded the voice of +Captain Cortland.</p> + +<p>First Lieutenant Hampton and the sergeants +hastened to their posts, while the corporals and +privates went to their places in the ranks.</p> + +<p>The command for open order was given, after +which Captain Cortland commanded:</p> + +<p>"Inspect the second platoon, Lieutenant +Hampton."</p> + +<p>With that the company commander himself +passed behind the backs of the men of the first +platoon, looking each man over keenly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Private Hooper, fall out!" ordered Captain +Cortland sharply.</p> + +<p>When the captain had finished his own work, +and Lieutenant Hampton had reported all men +in the second platoon to be soldierly in appearance, +Captain Cortland turned to Bill Hooper +with a look of disapproval.</p> + +<p>"Private Hooper, this is the third time within +a month that you've failed to report in neat +and soldierly appearance. Who is in charge of +your squad room?"</p> + +<p>"Sergeant Hupner, sir."</p> + +<p>"Sergeant Hupner," resumed the captain, +"what have you to say to this man's appearance?"</p> + +<p>"I ordered him, at least a half an hour ago, +sir, to clean himself up."</p> + +<p>"Keep right after Private Hooper, Sergeant. +If he fails again to keep himself as a soldier +should, report him to the first sergeant."</p> + +<p>Hooper's face burned darkly. Even honest +Sergeant Hupner flushed. A shiftless soldier +is a sore trial to the sergeant responsible for +him.</p> + +<p>Now, at the brisk command, B Company +moved off in column of fours. A long practice +march followed. While out, the company was +halted and drilled searchingly. It was a hard +morning's work, B Company returning just in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +time for dinner. In the afternoon there was +another drill. Parade wound up the day.</p> + +<p>On his return from parade Lieutenant Wright, +the adjutant, found in his office mail a letter +that caused him a good deal of astonishment.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Watch Private Overton, B. Company, if you want to +find a man who knows a lot about the robbery the other +night. He has been acting suspiciously, and I have it from +a man in his squad room that Overton sometimes talks in +his sleep in a way to show that either he was one of the +robbers, or else that he knows who they are.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +"<span class="smcap">A Friend</span>."<br /> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>A SECRET COWARD</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IF any official notice was taken of that lying +anonymous note the rascally writer thereof +did not have the satisfaction of discovering +it for some time to come.</div> + +<p>Duties in the battalion went on, as usual, at +Fort Clowdry, the next day.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon, however, came a brief +battalion drill, followed by the glorious spectacle +of dress parade.</p> + +<p>After the regimental band had played the +colors down the line, and the other ceremonies +had been observed, Adjutant Wright took his +post to publish the orders.</p> + +<p>These were few, and the reading did not occupy +long. As the officer returned the papers +to the breast of his coat the men expected to see +him step back. Instead, however, the adjutant +sharply called:</p> + +<p>"Battalion, attention! I am directed by the +battalion commander to make an inquiry. Each +man will pay close heed, and answer if he is able. +Has any non-commissioned officer or private in +this battalion heard, at any time lately, any man +in the same squad room with him talk in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +sleep in such a way as to indicate that the +man talking in his sleep had any knowledge +concerning the men who recently broke into +and robbed the battalion commander's quarters? +Any man having such knowledge will +fall out."</p> + +<p>There was a tense silence, but the ranks of the +first battalion remained intact.</p> + +<p>"If there is any non-commissioned officer or +private who did not fully understand my question, +he will fall out," continued the adjutant.</p> + +<p>Still no man fell out.</p> + +<p>"If the man who addressed the anonymous +letter to the battalion adjutant is present he will +step out," continued Lieutenant Wright.</p> + +<p>Still the ranks remained unbroken.</p> + +<p>Being at "attention," each man in the four +companies was looking fixedly ahead. But curiosity +was running wild under all those blue +fatigue blouses!</p> + +<p>"An anonymous letter has been received at +battalion headquarters," continued the adjutant +sternly. "This letter accuses a soldier, who +is named, of having guilty knowledge concerning +the perpetrators of the robbery of the other +night. The writer of this letter asserts that +other men in the squad room have heard the +anonymously accused soldier talking in his sleep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +in such a manner as to implicate the accused in +the robbery.</p> + +<p>"No man present has acknowledged having +heard such talk. Either some soldiers now in +ranks have lied in denying having heard such +talk, or else the writer of the anonymous letter +is a liar. I am directed by the battalion commander +to state his belief that the writer of the +anonymous letter is the liar.</p> + +<p>"The writer of the letter has been ordered to +fall out and reveal himself. If that writer is +present, then he knows in his own mind, and one +of these days his comrades will know, that he is +too much of a coward to face responsibility for +his sneaking action.</p> + +<p>"The man who writes an anonymous letter is +always a coward, a sneak, and usually a liar, +too. I am directed by the battalion commander +to state that, if the writer of this anonymous +letter can be found, he will be placed on trial for +his act, which is one unworthy of a soldier.</p> + +<p>"I am further directed by the battalion commander +to state that no letter anonymously accusing +an enlisted man will react in any way +against the accused. The battalion commander +feels that he cannot state, too strongly, his intense +contempt for any coward who will resort +to slandering a comrade in an anonymous letter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The battalion commander will be glad, at +any time, to receive from any man in his command +any information or report that may be +made honestly and for the good of the service. +But the man making such report will go to headquarters +and make it in person, or else will put +his information in writing and sign it fully and +manfully."</p> + +<p>After an impressive pause Adjutant Wright +stepped back, saluted his commanding officer, +then stepped to his proper position.</p> + +<p>At a signal from the adjutant the buglers +now sounded retreat. As the last notes died +out the sunset gun was fired. Rifles flew to +"present arms," swords flashed to salute and +male civilian onlookers uncovered their heads +while the band crashed out with "The Star +Spangled Banner."</p> + +<p>As the band played, the Flag fluttered down +from the peak of the post flag staff and descended +into the hands of its defenders. One +man stood in the ranks at that moment who was +unfit to touch even the border of that national +emblem.</p> + +<p>"Order arms!" rang out, as the last note +died out. "Right shoulder arms!"</p> + +<p>Then by column of fours the battalion +marched briskly off the field, to be halted and +dismissed near barracks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> + +<p>No sooner were the men in their quarters than +the same angry inquiry rose in each squad room:</p> + +<p>"Who has been writing lying letters about a +comrade?"</p> + +<p>No one admitted being the dastard, of course, +yet over at headquarters Major Silsbee, at that +very moment, was asking:</p> + +<p>"What makes you so very sure, Wright, that +some man in this command wrote the anonymous +letter?"</p> + +<p>"It is all very simple, sir," replied the adjutant. +"Look at the note again, sir, and you'll +see that it is typewritten——"</p> + +<p>"Of course, Wright; I've known that from +the first."</p> + +<p>"But, sir, it's written in the style of type +that is used on the Everite typewriter. This +post is equipped with Everite typewriters; +we have them here at headquarters, and every +first sergeant has one, too, for his clerk."</p> + +<p>"And there may be a dozen more Everite +typewriters over in Clowdry," suggested Major +Silsbee dubiously.</p> + +<p>"No, Major; I've made an investigation. I +have a list of every firm or person in Clowdry +who owns a machine—only about a dozen in all, +and not one of them is an Everite. Major, the +letter was written on this post, and with an +Everite machine."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then, by the great guns, sir, I hope you go +further and catch the culprit," exploded Major +Silsbee, bringing his fist down on the desk.</p> + +<p>"Ah," sighed Lieutenant Wright. "That's +just where the trouble is. It will be a hard +task, sir."</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 LUCK OF THE YOUNG RECRUIT</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ON top of all this came the news that +Colonel North's quarters had been entered +the night following.</div> + +<p>Worse, the scoundrels had used chloroform +this time. Colonel North awoke at about three +in the morning, his head feeling heavy and dull. +He noted at once the strange odor in the room. +Then he roused his family. Traces of thieves +were found; within ten seconds after that +Colonel North had summoned the guard.</p> + +<p>Yet the two sentries on duty in officers' row +both declared that they had seen no prowlers.</p> + +<p>Almost every article of value had been found +and taken. A pair of costly revolvers belonging +to the regimental commander had gone with the +loot. Some money, too, had been found and +taken. Colonel North and his family placed +their loss at nearly four thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Ray," said Colonel North, to the +officer of the day, who had followed the guard, +"I think you had better summon Major Silsbee +at once."</p> + +<p>The major was there, inside of five minutes.</p> + +<p>"So the scoundrels have blistered you, too,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +sir?" demanded the white-faced battalion commander +wrathfully.</p> + +<p>"They have taken almost everything in the +way of valuable property that Mrs. North and I +own, Major."</p> + +<p>"We've got to put a stop to this, sir. And +we've got to find and bring the rascals to boot."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, Colonel; shall I pass the order +for a prompt search of barracks?" queried the +officer of the day.</p> + +<p>"No, Mr. Ray," replied Colonel North +promptly. "Until I have real proof I'm not +going to put the slight upon our enlisted men. +I believe they're all fine men. If I had taken +more time to think I never would have sanctioned +the last search of barracks. It shan't happen +again."</p> + +<p>Captain Ruggles of A Company, having heard +some excitement along the row, now came in.</p> + +<p>"What we might, and perhaps ought to do, +Major," continued the Colonel, "is to advise the +married officers whose homes have not yet been +robbed that they will do well to send their valuables +into town for safe-keeping at the bank for +the present."</p> + +<p>"We might, sir," assented Silsbee dryly. +"The bank in Clowdry is under the protection +of a police force of less than a dozen men. +Shall we admit, Colonel, that a dozen policemen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +are safer guardians of property than our four +hundred men of the Regular Army?"</p> + +<p>Colonel North looked troubled at that way of +putting the matter.</p> + +<p>"I believe Mrs. Ruggles and I have some +things worth stealing," broke in Captain Ruggles +quietly. "But I feel certain that neither +of us would like to throw any slight over the +ability of this battalion to protect its own property."</p> + +<p>"My head isn't very clear yet," admitted +Colonel North. "I realize that I have made a +poor suggestion. I don't imagine, Major, that +you'd be much better pleased if I directed you +to double the guard."</p> + +<p>"I shall obey, of course, Colonel, any orders +on that subject that you may give me," replied +Major Silsbee.</p> + +<p>"These robberies are likely to continue, at +intervals, until the quarters of all married officers +have been entered and despoiled, sir," suggested +Captain Ruggles, "so it seems to me, sir, +that it would be wise to put each guard on its +mettle."</p> + +<p>"I am thinking only of protecting you gentlemen +who have not yet sustained losses," continued +Colonel North.</p> + +<p>"And we appreciate your solicitude greatly, +sir," resumed Major Silsbee.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I leave it to you, Major."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall make it my business, sir, to see +to it that the men are instructed to be more +alert than ever in guard duty," replied Silsbee.</p> + +<p>The next morning the news, of course, traveled +swiftly all through the garrison.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll had a chance to chat together +for a few minutes before the sounding of the +first assembly after breakfast.</p> + +<p>"The thieves are around again," mused Noll +aloud.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Private Hal thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"I wish we might catch the rascals at it."</p> + +<p>"You've got time enough to think out your +plan, then," laughed Hal, in mild derision at +this suggestion.</p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"Well, the thieves are not due for a few days +yet on their next raid. It seems to be their +plan to leave intervals between their raids."</p> + +<p>"If the burglars are scheming further attempts +they may vary their plans by coming +again to-night," hinted Noll.</p> + +<p>"I hardly believe they will," replied Hal, +shaking his head.</p> + +<p>That day at noon Sergeant Gray warned Hal +for guard the following day. Just after dinner +Hal found that his chum Noll had also been +warned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If the thieves are coming again I hope it will +be to-morrow night," suggested Hal.</p> + +<p>"No good," retorted Noll cynically.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"We're only rooks."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"There isn't a ghost of a chance that we'd +be put on post up in officers' row. The oldest +and keenest soldiers will be put on that duty +every night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I suppose so," sighed Hal. "Of course +rookies are just rooks. We'll get the post down +by the commissary stores, where a wagon train +would be needed for stealing anything really +worth money."</p> + +<p>At guard mount the next morning both recruits +turned out spick and span. Knowing +that they could not expect to get any important +posts for night tours both boys hoped to be selected +by the officer of the day for orderly duty. +But two older soldiers were chosen for that. +When guard mount was over Sergeant Hupner, +as commander of the guard, marched the new +guard over to the guard-house, where the old +guard was relieved.</p> + +<p>This was the first time that the rookies had +been detailed to guard duty since joining their +regiment. No matter to what inconsequential +posts they might be assigned both were full of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +determination to show themselves model sentries.</p> + +<p>During the day Hal and Noll, who were assigned +to the same relief, had two tours. The +first was in officers' row; the second, which +ended just before dark, was down at the main +entrance of the post.</p> + +<p>Then followed some hours for leisure and +sleep.</p> + +<p>"You men will go on post again at two in the +morning," announced Corporal Sanders, who +was in command of the relief to which the rookies +belonged.</p> + +<p>Punctually that relief was turned out, aligned, +inspected and instructed.</p> + +<p>"Post number three, Private Overton. Post +number four, Private Terry," ran the corporal's +orders. "Post number five——"</p> + +<p>And so on.</p> + +<p>Hal's heart was already beating high with +hope. He had the post along officers' row, Noll +the one just beyond.</p> + +<p>"All sentries will exercise unusual vigilance," +announced Sergeant Hupner, as commander of +the guard. "This applies especially to the sentries +on posts number three and four. But let +no sentry, anywhere, allow his whole attention +to wander from his duties for an instant. Corporal, +march the relief."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Attention," called Corporal Sanders on receiving +this order. "Right shoulder arms! By +twos, left march!"</p> + +<p>Three minutes later the man on post three had +been relieved, Hal having been dropped into his +place.</p> + +<p>It was just after two o'clock in the morning +when Private Hal Overton began to pace his +post, watching the relief vanish in the darkness +in the direction of post number four.</p> + +<p>Then he heard a sentry's hail:</p> + +<p>"Halt! Who goes there?"</p> + +<p>"The relief."</p> + +<p>"Advance, relief."</p> + +<p>After that, the steps of the marching party +died off in the distance.</p> + +<p>In the darkest part of the moonless night Hal +walked up and down before the officers' quarters.</p> + +<p>But he did more than walk. Making his own +steps as noiseless as possible Hal felt that he +was truly "all ears and eyes."</p> + +<p>Thus some twenty minutes went by.</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, just as Hal had passed the +north side of Captain Ruggles' quarters the +young sentry halted like a flash.</p> + +<p>Under the dim starlight he saw two shadowy +forms leave by the captain's back door.</p> + +<p>Each carried a bundle, though Hal could not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +make out the size or shape of either very distinctly.</p> + +<p>"The burglars—at their tricks!" flashed Hal +exultantly.</p> + +<p>But he wasted no time thinking. In a twinkling +he slipped a cartridge into his rifle, bringing +the piece to his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Halt!" he challenged. "Who's there?"</p> + +<p>The two figures, crouching low, made a bolt +for the tall corn in a vegetable garden at the +rear of the grounds.</p> + +<p>"As fast as he could shout the words Private +Hal Overton shouted:</p> + +<p>"Halt! Who's there? Halt! Who's there?"</p> + +<p>Having obeyed a sentry's instructions to challenge +three times, and receiving no answer, Hal +pressed the trigger.</p> + +<p>A flash of flame lit the darkness around the +rifle. It leaped straight from the muzzle.</p> + +<p>Bang! The bullet sped in among the corn +stalks.</p> + +<p>Over it all sounded Hal's voice:</p> + +<p>"Corporal of the guard, post number three!"</p> + +<p>Hal shot back the bolt of his rifle, dropping in +a cartridge with fingers as steady as at drill.</p> + +<p>"Corporal of the guard, post number three!"</p> + +<p>The gate was too far away. Hal took the +fence at a bound, carrying his cocked piece with +him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + +<p>Straight to the growing corn the young private +took his speedy way.</p> + +<p>"Come out and show yourselves, or I fire at +once," Private Overton shouted.</p> + +<p>Crack! crack! Two pistol shots rang out +from the corn patch.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>THE DUEL IN THE DARK</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ALL this had occupied but a few seconds.</div> + +<p>Private Hal Overton was on duty, +and bent on business.</p> + +<p>"I'll get one, or both of the rascals—dead or +alive!" flashed through his mind.</p> + +<p>Not even those two pistol shots brought him +to a halt.</p> + +<p>Yet one of the bullets struck the ground beside +him as he raced, the other fanning his left +cheek with a little breeze.</p> + +<p>"Get back there, <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'bo'">boy</ins>!" growled a gruff voice. +"You don't want to be killed, do you?"</p> + +<p>For answer Hal sighted swiftly and fired.</p> + +<p>Then, for an instant, he dropped to one knee.</p> + +<p>From out of the corn patch a curse reached +his ears.</p> + +<p>"If you'd rather be a dead soldier, all right," +came the ugly response. "Give it to him good +and hot!"</p> + +<p>Hal had already slipped back the bolt of his +piece. Now, as fast as he could handle the material, +and while still down on one knee, he +slipped five cartridges into his magazine, and a +sixth he drove home in the chamber.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bright flashes, swift reports greeted him from +two points in the corn patch. These points were +about twenty feet apart.</p> + +<p>The young soldier simply couldn't cover both +points of attack.</p> + +<p>From the way the bullets whistled past his +face and body the recruit knew that both his enemies +were firing in deadly earnest.</p> + +<p>And now, from a third point, another assailant +joined in the firing, and Hal marveled, with +each second, that he still remained alive. He +felt as though he were the center of a leaden +storm.</p> + +<p>Yet, as coolly as he could, Soldier Hal chose +the man at the left and drove two shots straight +in the direction of the flashes.</p> + +<p>"He's got me," yelled a cursing voice.</p> + +<p>"I'll get you all, if you don't stop shooting +and come out," warned Overton coolly.</p> + +<p>He could hear the wounded man moving +rather swiftly through the corn.</p> + +<p>"He ought to leave a trail of blood," thought +Hal, swiftly, and turned his attention to the +next enemy.</p> + +<p>But that man had stopped his firing.</p> + +<p>Then Hal turned his rifle in the direction of +the flashes from the pistol farthest away.</p> + +<p>Bang! He sent one shot there, and the shooting +of the unknown stopped.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 292px;"> +<img src="images/illus222.png" width="292" height="450" alt="Hal Dropped to One Knee." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Hal Dropped to One Knee.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<p>Private Overton, however, could not know +whether he had hit the fellow.</p> + +<p>"That fellow in the middle may be left yet," +breathed Hal Overton, "I'll find out."</p> + +<p>He had three shots yet left in his magazine, +and his piece was at cock.</p> + +<p>Rising, he made swiftly for the corn, and dived +in.</p> + +<p>"Back for your life!" sounded a voice +straight ahead.</p> + +<p>Crack! crack!</p> + +<p>Two pistols shots fanned his face.</p> + +<p>But Hal took another running bound forward, +preferring to reserve his fire until he could +catch a good glimpse of the fellow's body.</p> + +<p>"Back, you fool!" hissed the voice, followed +by two more shots.</p> + +<p>"Come out with your hands up, or I'll get +you!" Hal retorted.</p> + +<p>Instead, the unknown and unseen turned and +ran some fifty feet.</p> + +<p>Hal pursued, without shooting.</p> + +<p>Crack! crack!</p> + +<p>For an instant Hal felt almost dizzy with sudden +dread, for those flashes seemed almost to +smite him in the face.</p> + +<p>Yes, he was afraid, for a brief space. The +coward is not the man who is afraid, but the man +who allows his fear to overmaster him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Fire again," yelled Hal, "and I'll know just +where to send a bullet."</p> + +<p>As he rushed onward he came out of the corn +patch.</p> + +<p>Fifty feet further on he saw the fugitive, just +dropping to the ground at the roots of a tree.</p> + +<p>Crack! crack! crack!</p> + +<p>Lying on the ground, his head hardly showing +beyond the roots, the fugitive was now in excellent +position to stop the young sentry's rush.</p> + +<p>Whizz—zz! whizz—zz! Click!</p> + +<p>Two of the speeding bullets flew past Hal's +head. The third struck and glanced off the rifle +butt just as Hal, dropping to one knee, was raising +the piece to his shoulder to sight.</p> + +<p>Bang! That was Hal's rifle, again in action. +He had aimed swiftly, but deliberately, for the +base of the tree.</p> + +<p>Against the military rifle of to-day an ordinary +tree offers no protection. The American +Army rifle, at short range, will send a bullet +through three feet of green oak.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" yelled the other. Though Hal did +not then know it, the bullet had driven a handful +of dirt into the fellow's mouth.</p> + +<p>Hal could hear the rascal spitting, so he +called:</p> + +<p>"Come <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'and'">on</ins> out and surrender, and I won't +fire again."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You go to blazes!" yelled an angry voice.</p> + +<p>Muffled as the voice was, it had a strangely +familiar sound to the young soldier.</p> + +<p>Hal seized the chance to fill his magazine as +he shot the bolt back. He slipped another cartridge +into the chamber.</p> + +<p>From the sounds beyond he knew that his +enemy was also reloading.</p> + +<p>"Any time you want me to stop shooting," +Hal coolly announced, "just call out that you +surrender."</p> + +<p>Then he brought his piece to his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>He could hear the bullet strike with a thud.</p> + +<p>Had there been light Hal could have scored +a hit, but all shooting in the dark is mainly guesswork.</p> + +<p>Crack! crack! The fugitive's pistol was also +in action.</p> + +<p>One of the bullets carried the young soldier's +sombrero from his head, but he was barely aware +of the fact. Yet, had that bullet been aimed two +inches lower, it would have found a resting place +in his brain.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>Hal fired his second shot with deliberation.</p> + +<p>"Stop that!" wailed the other, with a new +note of fear in his voice.</p> + +<p>"Surrender!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + +<p>Crack! crack!</p> + +<p>Two pistol shots made up the reply.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I've got to kill him, if he doesn't +get me first."</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>"Ow—ow—ow—ow!" That yell was genuine +enough to show that the young sentry's bullet +had struck flesh.</p> + +<p>"Do you surrender?"</p> + +<p>"Not to you!"</p> + +<p>Hal fired again. Then he crouched low, +slipping two more cartridges into his rifle.</p> + +<p>Crack! crack!</p> + +<p>"I'll get you yet," called a furious voice.</p> + +<p>Hal started as though he had been shot, +though he was not aware of a hit.</p> + +<p>"Tip Branders!" he called, in astonishment, +and fired again.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's me," came the admission. "Hal +Overton, are you going to kill an old friend?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>CAPTAIN CORTLAND HEADS THE PURSUIT</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>AWAY over by post number four Hal +heard three rifle shots ring out. +But he paid no heed. Instead he answered +the now terrorized wretch in front of +him:</div> + +<p>"I'll have to kill you, unless you surrender!"</p> + +<p>"Then I'll get you first," came the defiant answer.</p> + +<p>From the flashes, it could now be seen that +Tip Branders was firing with a revolver in each +hand.</p> + +<p>The bullets came in so swift and close that +Private Hal Overton expected, every instant, to +be bowled over.</p> + +<p>But still he fired deliberately, though he now +strove to make each shot effective.</p> + +<p>In a few moments he fired next to the last cartridge +in his magazine, just as the furious revolver +fusillade came to an end.</p> + +<p>"O-o-oh!"</p> + +<p>Then the young sentry felt, rather than saw, +something topple over at the base of the tree.</p> + +<p>Hal leaped up, at the same instant hearing +some one run up behind him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> + +<p>That brought the young sentry about like a +flash.</p> + +<p>"I'm Captain Ruggles, Sentry!" came the +prompt hail, and Private Overton recognized +the voice.</p> + +<p>Then Hal wheeled the other way, rushing toward +the tree, calling back as he ran:</p> + +<p>"I think I got the scoundrel, sir."</p> + +<p>In another moment Hal was beside the tree, +holding his rifle clubbed and ready, in case Tip +Branders was playing 'possum.</p> + +<p>But the fellow lay on the ground, curiously +huddled up, not moving a hand.</p> + +<p>"I got him with that last shot, sir," announced +Private Overton, turning and carefully saluting +his officer.</p> + +<p>"You've had a brisk and brave fight, Sentry," +cried Captain Ruggles warmly. "I heard +your first shot, and rushed here as fast as I could +come."</p> + +<p>In reality, long as the time had seemed, +hardly more than a full minute had passed. +Captain Ruggles, with a pair of white-striped +trousers drawn on over his pajamas, and slippers +on his feet, presented a picture of speed.</p> + +<p>Hal bent beside his old enemy of the home +town to see where Tip had been hit.</p> + +<p>Captain Ruggles, changing his revolver to his +left hand, drew a match and struck it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tip's first apparent wound was a graze at the +top of his right shoulder. A dark, red stain +appeared there. Another bullet had grazed his +right wrist.</p> + +<p>The third wound apparent was at the right +side of the chest.</p> + +<p>"It'll need a rain-maker (Army surgeon) to +tell whether that bullet touched the scoundrel's +right lung," declared Captain Ruggles.</p> + +<p>At that instant a woman's voice sounded from +one of the windows of the house behind them:</p> + +<p>"Corporal of the guard, you'll find Captain +Ruggles and the sentry somewhere back of the +garden."</p> + +<p>Then came the sounds of running feet. Corporal +Sanders was coming with the guard.</p> + +<p>That incident showed the young soldier, more +clearly than anything else could have done, how +brief the duel between Tip and himself had +been.</p> + +<p>For Hal knew that, when the alarm is sounded, +accompanied by the sound of a shot, the corporal +and the guard come on the dead run.</p> + +<p>"Right here, Corporal of the guard!" shouted +Captain Ruggles, standing up. "Send one man +back immediately for hospital men and a +stretcher."</p> + +<p>"Hospital men and a stretcher, Davidson," +called the corporal, and one soldier detached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +himself from the running squad, wheeling and +racing back.</p> + +<p>Then the corporal of the guard dashed up at +the head of his men, giving Captain Ruggles +the rifle salute by bringing his left hand smartly +against the barrel of his piece.</p> + +<p>Barely behind the guard came Lieutenant +Hayes, of A Company, who was officer of the +day.</p> + +<p>"The sentry has caught one of the burglars, +Hayes," called Captain Ruggles, as the lieutenant +came up on the run.</p> + +<p>"Glad of it, sir. It's about time."</p> + +<p>Then, turning to Hal, Lieutenant Hayes continued:</p> + +<p>"You're sentry on number three, Private +Overton?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Make your report in as few words as you +can."</p> + +<p>This Hal did, telling about the two men whom +he saw sneaking away with bundles, and also +about the third man who had joined in firing at +him.</p> + +<p>"Which way did the other two retreat, Private +Overton?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't see, sir," the young soldier answered. +"I was in the corn at that moment."</p> + +<p>The corporal of the guard, in the meantime,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +had sent another man to relieve Noll Terry on +post number four, directing Terry to report to +the officer of the day.</p> + +<p>Still another member of the guard had been +placed on post number three.</p> + +<p>All the other commissioned officers on post, +including Colonel North, now appeared, and the +investigating party was adjourned to the roadway.</p> + +<p>Noll reported that he had seen two fugitives +at a distance, and had fired three times.</p> + +<p>Under military discipline matters move rapidly. +Soldiers with lanterns were now searching +for the trail of those who had escaped. +Keen eyes were also seeking either bundle of +loot from Captain Ruggles's quarters. It was +thought that the thieves, in their haste to get +away, might have dropped their plunder.</p> + +<p>Tip Branders, still unconscious, and badly +hurt, according to the surgeon, was taken to the +post hospital, and the civil authorities in Clowdry +were notified.</p> + +<p>"That fellow you shot called you by name, +didn't he, Overton?" inquired Captain Ruggles.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal admitted.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you knew the fellow, then?" inquired +Colonel North. He spoke blandly, but he had +an instant recollection of the anonymous note<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +that had been received at battalion headquarters.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Hal spoke promptly. "The fellow +is Tip Branders. He comes from the same +home town that I do. He tried to enlist in the +Army, but was rejected because he could not +supply good enough references. Then he ran +away from home, taking with him some money +he stole from his mother, according to local accounts."</p> + +<p>"Did you know the fellow Branders was in +this part of the world?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then why, Private Overton, did you not report +your information promptly to your officers?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I did not have the least idea, sir, that +Branders was still in this neighborhood, and I +did not, at any time, connect him in my mind +with the robberies."</p> + +<p>"How often, and where, have you seen Branders +in this part of the country?" demanded +Colonel North, impressively, while the other officers +looked on with keen interest.</p> + +<p>Hal flushed, for he felt that now he was under +some suspicion himself.</p> + +<p>"I have seen Branders just once, sir," the recruit +replied. "Private Terry was with me at +the time."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This man here?" inquired Colonel North, +turning to glance at Noll, who stood by.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"When did you both see Branders, then?"</p> + +<p>"Our first day here, sir. You may recall, +Colonel, that you told Terry and me that we +need not go on duty that first day, but that we +might have the day to ourselves, as a reward +for having helped Major Davis in that mail-train +affair the night before our arrival at this +post."</p> + +<p>"I remember," nodded Colonel North. "But +you have not yet told me the circumstances of +your meeting with Branders."</p> + +<p>Hal hurriedly recounted the details of that +meeting, among the rocks past the ledge, out on +the road leading westward from the post.</p> + +<p>"At that time, Colonel," Private Hal Overton +continued, "Branders told us he was headed +for a ranch to the westward, where he expected +to get a job. We had no reason for disbelieving +him, at the time, and so it never even occurred +to us, until to-night, that he might be one of the +burglars who have been looting this post. Besides, +sir, though Tip had always been known as +a rather worthless fellow, we had never heard +of his being the associate of downright criminals."</p> + +<p>Now the searchers came in to report that they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +could find neither a trail nor any sight of +dropped bundles of loot.</p> + +<p>"At daylight, Major," suggested Colonel +North to Major Silsbee, "you may be able to +send out scouts who, with a better light, may +succeed in finding a trail."</p> + +<p>Hal turned to Lieutenant Hayes, saluting.</p> + +<p>"I wonder, sir, if it won't be best for me to +offer a suggestion to Colonel North?"</p> + +<p>The regimental commander turned at once.</p> + +<p>"You may speak, Private Overton."</p> + +<p>"I was about to inquire, sir," replied Hal, +saluting, "if it isn't likely that there may be +a good hiding place for thieves among the +rocks back of the ledge of which I spoke some +time ago."</p> + +<p>"What makes you think the thieves may be +there, Overton?"</p> + +<p>"The thought has just struck me, sir, that +Branders was probably lurking about in the vicinity +of a cave or other place of concealment, +on the day that he threw the stone at us. It +struck me, sir, that a squad of men might search +that locality with the chance of finding the rest +of Branders's associates and also of recovering +much of the stuff that has been stolen from +quarters on this post."</p> + +<p>"That's a bright suggestion, worth working +upon. Cortland, will you take a detachment of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +men and hasten out to that locality? Post men +all around while it is still dark, and then, with +a few men, plunge right through that neighborhood. +Overton and Terry will go with you as +guides, so that you may strike the exact spot +without loss of time."</p> + +<p>Captain Cortland dispatched a soldier to go +at once to Sergeant Hupner's squad room, with +orders to turn out the men in that room at once +and under arms, with fifty rounds of ammunition +per man.</p> + +<p>This done, Captain Cortland hastened to his +own quarters, soon returning with his sword +hanging at his belt and his revolver in its holster.</p> + +<p>"While you are gone, Cortland," said Colonel +North, "Silsbee and I will make whatever other +investigations we can think of."</p> + +<p>In an almost incredibly short space of time +Sergeant Hupner's squad was ready, and turned +into officers' row.</p> + +<p>"Overton and Terry, you will walk ahead of +the detachment, and I will go with you," Captain +Cortland announced. "Sergeant Hupner, +march your detachment in column of twos, +twenty paces to the rear of the guides. Forward!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>THE STIRRING GAME AT DAWN</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>"THERE is the ledge, sir, right in yonder," +announced Hal, peering through +the darkness. A wind was coming up +and the stars had faded. It was in the darkest +hour before dawn.</div> + +<p>Captain Cortland stepped back, holding out +one hand as a signal.</p> + +<p>Sergeant Hupner saw, and halted his detachment, +marching almost without a sound.</p> + +<p>"Remain here, guides, with the detachment," +directed the company commander, in a whisper. +"Sergeant Hupner, you and I will go forward +and reconnoitre."</p> + +<p>As soon as the officer and the non-commissioned +officer had departed Private Bill Hooper +growled out:</p> + +<p>"What kind of a fool chase is this you've got +us into, Overton?"</p> + +<p>"Silence in the ranks," hissed Corporal Cotter +sharply. "Not a word!"</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes later Captain Cortland and +the sergeant returned.</p> + +<p>"Take twelve of the men, now, Sergeant. +You know where to post them," directed Captain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +Cortland briskly. "As soon as you have +done so return to me."</p> + +<p>Hupner marched off in the darkness with his +dozen men. In a few minutes he was back.</p> + +<p>"We'll want until daylight now for the rest +of our work," announced the company commander.</p> + +<p>Slowly enough the time passed. No word +was spoken. All was as still around the little +military force as though they had been isolated +in the center of a vast desert.</p> + +<p>Then the first faint signs of dawn came. +Some of the soldiers were seated on the ground, +gaping and with difficulty refraining from +going to sleep, for these men of Uncle Sam's +Army had been routed from their beds in the +middle of the night.</p> + +<p>The morning light increased, though it was +still dim, and the first vague shapes near the +ledge began to take more definite shape.</p> + +<p>"We won't need to wait more than five minutes +more, Sergeant Hupner," declared the captain.</p> + +<p>Cortland stood holding his watch close to his +face. As soon as he could read the time he +turned to whisper:</p> + +<p>"Now, Overton, lead us up to the exact spot +from which you had your interview with the +fellow Branders."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Shall the men load, sir?" whispered Sergeant +Hupner.</p> + +<p>"Yes; full magazines."</p> + +<p>As silently as possible the men of the little +searching party slipped back the bolts of their +pieces and loaded.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, Overton," whispered Captain +Cortland.</p> + +<p>Just behind Soldier Hal stepped the company +commander himself, watching every footstep +in order not to step on any loose stone that +might sound a premature alarm.</p> + +<p>Yet one man among them slipped and made +a noise. It was trifling, but almost instantly +a whistle sounded ahead.</p> + +<p>Without even thinking to wait for orders Hal +returned the whistle.</p> + +<p>"That you, Tip?" called the voice of an invisible +man. "Good for you, lad. We thought +you was a goner."</p> + +<p>Hal did not answer further, for Captain Cortland +broke in:</p> + +<p>"Rush 'em, men! We've got 'em."</p> + +<p>"Ho! The blazes you have!" sounded a +rough voice ahead. "Come on, boys—it's the +sojers! Give it to 'em!"</p> + +<p>Almost in an instant the crevices between the +rocks ahead were full of red flashes.</p> + +<p>Bullets sped, struck rocks with spiteful thuds<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +and flattened out before bounding into the air +again.</p> + +<p>"Lie down, men!" shouted Captain Cortland. +"Give it to the rascals as long as they shoot +at us."</p> + +<p>All in a moment this rock-strewn spot had +become a bedlam of discharging firearms.</p> + +<p>Two regulars were hit before they could find +cover from which to fire. These men, however, +made no outcry, but, finding themselves unable +to handle their rifles, lay quietly where +they had fallen until the time came for them +to have attention.</p> + +<p>Though he had sharply ordered his men to +lie down, Captain Cortland did nothing of the +sort himself. Instead, with his revolver drawn, +he stood up, peering ahead and trying to get +sight of the scoundrels beyond.</p> + +<p>Bullets flew all about the captain, many of +them passing his head. But he stood there +calmly until he caught just the opportunity for +which he had waited.</p> + +<p>Then his pistol spoke, and a groan beyond +showed that he had been a successful marksman.</p> + +<p>"Squad, rise!" shot out the commander's +order. "Charge!"</p> + +<p>Crouching low, the soldiers sprang suddenly +forward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Halt! Lie down," continued Cortland. He +had gained sixty feet by his rush without loss +of a man. "Fire only when you see something +to shoot at. Commence firing at will."</p> + +<p>Now the firing slackened, though it was not +less deadly. Even the scoundrels ahead slowed +down their fire, as though they found their +weapons becoming hot.</p> + +<p>Captain Cortland was in no hurry. He meant +to have the scoundrels, dead or alive, but he +did not intend to risk his own men needlessly. +The army officer knew it was now only a question +of time. Nor did he fear running out of +ammunition, for the greater part of his small +command was not yet in action, but posted beyond.</p> + +<p>The daylight grew stronger; then the upper +rim of the sun peeped over the horizon, sending +its rays into the sky.</p> + +<p>"Cease firing," commanded Cortland at last. +Then he called over the rocks.</p> + +<p>"Are you fellows ready to surrender to +United States forces?"</p> + +<p>"Not until we're all dead," came the taunting +reply.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll try to accommodate you by killing +you with as little delay as possible," called +back the captain. Then, to his own little force +he added:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Men, advance as you see opportunity. Fire +whenever you see anything to aim at."</p> + +<p>Steadily the regulars crawled forward, a foot +or a yard at a time.</p> + +<p>As they moved they tried, Indian fashion, to +find new cover behind rocks over which they +could aim and fire.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll, not ten feet apart, occasionally +glanced at each other after firing.</p> + +<p>Both young rookies were thoroughly enjoying +this actual taste of fighting life.</p> + +<p>It was not many minutes before the advancing +handful of soldiers were within seventy or +eighty feet of the rocks that sheltered the rascals.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly they saw three crouching +figures begin to retreat among the rocks.</p> + +<p>With a cheer the attacking force went forward, +crouching.</p> + +<p>But just then three rifles from out beyond +spoke, and bullets whistled past the scoundrels +from a new quarter.</p> + +<p>"Great smoke, boys!" bellowed one of the +fugitives hoarsely. "The sojers have us +hemmed in on all sides."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we have," shouted Captain Cortland. +"Do you want to surrender?"</p> + +<p>"Make your men stop shooting or moving, +and give us two minutes to think."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll keep on advancing and firing until +we have your surrender," retorted Captain +Cortland grimly. "Whenever you want to surrender +tell me so and raise your hands high +in the air."</p> + +<p>"Wait a min——"</p> + +<p>"Keep on firing, men," called Captain Cortland.</p> + +<p>"Hold on! We give in, Cap."</p> + +<p>"Cease firing, men," called the commander +of B Company. "Now you fellows jump up +and show yourselves with your hands reaching +for the sky."</p> + +<p>Three rough-looking figures clambered up on +rocks, holding their empty hands as high as +they could get them. One of them had his neck +bound, and there was blood on his clothing. +This was the first man whom Hal had wounded +back of Captain Ruggles's quarters at the beginning +of the fray.</p> + +<p>"Stand just that way until we reach you," +ordered the army officer. "Close in on them, +men, and fire if you see one of them reach for +a weapon."</p> + +<p>But the trio plainly had no further intentions +in the way of fighting. They waited, sullen-faced +and silent, until the soldiers had +reached them and had taken away their +weapons.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You have handcuffs, Sergeant?" inquired +the captain.</p> + +<p>Hupner and Corporal Cotter both produced +the steel bracelets. The three rogues were +swiftly handcuffed.</p> + +<p>"You'll find our boss over yonder," nodded +one of the men. "He's bad hit, too."</p> + +<p>They found the fellow, nearly unconscious, +but groaning, his right shoulder badly shattered +by the bullet from Captain Cortland's +revolver.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant," directed B Company's commander, +"send a messenger back to the post +for hospital men and an ambulance. You can +report that two of our own men have been hit."</p> + +<p>The leader of the scoundrels was lifted and +carried back where the two men of B Company +lay. Captain Cortland directed such aid +as could be given on the spot to all of the +wounded men.</p> + +<p>"Shall I call in the men I posted, sir?" inquired +Hupner.</p> + +<p>"Not yet, Sergeant. There may be others +of this gang hidden somewhere among the +rocks. But you may take three men and search +for others."</p> + +<p>Within ten minutes the search had been made +thoroughly. No more of the evil band had +been found.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll go back just as soon as the ambulance +arrives and the wounded have been taken +care of," announced Captain Cortland.</p> + +<p>Hal, at that moment, had his eye on one of +the prisoners. He saw a gleam of satisfaction +show in the fellow's eyes.</p> + +<p>"May I speak, sir?" asked Private Overton, +saluting Captain Cortland.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded the officer.</p> + +<p>"May some of us remain behind them, sir, +to search all this ground over?"</p> + +<p>"For what, Overton?"</p> + +<p>"It doesn't seem likely, sir, that these scoundrels +have been living in the open air. And +they must have some place for concealing their +booty."</p> + +<p>"Quite right, Overton. Corporal Cotter, take +Overton, Terry and two other men and make a +thorough search of the rocks and ground hereabouts."</p> + +<p>Hal turned swiftly to the man in whose eyes +he had seen that gleam of satisfaction the moment +before. Now the fellow was scowling.</p> + +<p>"That was a hit," Hal murmured to himself. +"The rascals have some hiding place around +here."</p> + +<p>"Now we'll divide the ground up in small +squares," announced Corporal Cotter as he led +his picked men away. "We'll search each<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +square minutely, so that no little patch may be +overlooked."</p> + +<p>"Won't it be best, Corporal," hinted Hal, +"to start where the thieves were when the +fighting began?"</p> + +<p>"Just the ticket, Overton," nodded the corporal.</p> + +<p>So the search began at that point. Nor did +it last long, for Hal, thrusting with the butt +of his rifle, poked a large bush partly aside +exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"I guess you'd better come here, Corporal," +the recruit called.</p> + +<p>As Cotter came running to the spot Private +Overton displayed a hole rising some three feet +above the grounds. It had been covered by the +foliage of the bush.</p> + +<p>"Looks like the mouth of a cave, doesn't +it?" Hal asked, with gleaming eyes.</p> + +<p>"A whole lot," agreed Corporal Cotter, producing +a pocket electric flashlight. "You can +follow me in, Overton, if you like."</p> + +<p>Corporal and private crawled into the hole. +They did not have to go more than six feet +before they stood in a stone-walled chamber +of considerable size. Roughly, it appeared to +be an apartment of about twenty by thirty-five +feet.</p> + +<p>"Beds, tables, chairs, lamps, grub," enumerated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +Corporal Cotter, looking about him +gleefully. "Take the lamp, Overton. I'm +going back to call the captain."</p> + +<p>Less than two minutes later Captain Cortland +stood in the rockbound chamber.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is a place!" whistled the officer +in surprise.</p> + +<p>"This chest is locked, sir," reported Hal, +who had been improving his time by looking +about. "Do you think it may contain loot. +Captain?"</p> + +<p>"There's an ax," nodded Cortland, glancing +around him. "Corporal, just try the ax on the +chest—carefully."</p> + +<p>With a few blows Cotter had the chest open. +Captain Cortland knelt by the wooden chest +to inspect.</p> + +<p>"This is clothing on top," he announced. +"But—ah, what does this look like?"</p> + +<p>In the middle of the chest's contents he had +come upon carefully wrapped packages of +jewelry, watches and the like.</p> + +<p>"We won't go any further just now," declared +the captain. "But we'll take back this +chest with us."</p> + +<p>On the return to Fort Clowdry the prisoners, +though captured on the military reservation, +were turned over to the civil officers. Even +Tip Branders and the wounded chief of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +band were taken to Clowdry for care by the +town authorities.</p> + +<p>The chest was found to have contained all +the stolen jewelry. The money that had been +taken on the same raids, however, was not +found. Plainly the thieves had used the money +for the needs of the moment.</p> + +<p>Hal and Noll, on their return, reported +promptly to the commander of the guard, for +they still belonged to the guard detail.</p> + +<p>"Queer, ain't it?" asked Private Bill Hooper +that morning in Hupner's squad room as the +men were washing up before morning mess +call.</p> + +<p>"What is?" demanded Private Hyman.</p> + +<p>"Why, that kid, Overton, knew one of the +gang—one, at least—all the time. Yet Overton +shot his old-time friend. And Overton +knew all along where the bunch was hiding. +And did you hear how neatly he led Corporal +Cotter right to the cave of the gang? Now if +that don't prove——"</p> + +<p>Hyman promptly knocked Hooper down.</p> + +<p>"It proves, Bill," growled Hyman, "that +you're so fond of lying that you don't know +the truth when you hear it."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>TIP BRANDERS recovered.</div> + +<p>So did the leader of the gang with +which Tip had foolishly cast his evil +lot down in Pueblo, when he had first come +west after robbing his mother. The man +wounded in the neck had been at no time in a +dangerous condition.</p> + +<p>Not much sympathy need be wasted on Tip. +He had chosen his own place in life, and had +filled it.</p> + +<p>Before Tip was out of the local hospital, and +in his cell in jail, his mother, who had read +of his fate in a newspaper in her home town, +joined her son in the town of Clowdry.</p> + +<p>She stood by her son to the last, until the +testimony of officers and soldiers from Fort +Clowdry had sent him away to prison for ten +years.</p> + +<p>At first, on his recovery, Tip Branders had +been inclined to be boastful. He had shown +his boldness by his thieving exploits and by +daring to face the steady rifle fire of Private +Hal Overton, United States Army. But when +the sentence of the court came upon him Tip<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +broke down. He wept and could hardly stand. +He implored the judge to lessen his sentence. +All the braggadocio in him ran out as rapidly +as the sawdust from a punctured doll.</p> + +<p>The other members of the band received +equally severe sentences, for all had been engaged +in battle with troops who represent law +and order.</p> + +<p>From that trial Hal and Noll journeyed to +Denver. Major Davis, of the Seventeenth Cavalry, +also traveled from his post, for the trial +of the baffled men who had attempted to rob +the United States mail was on in the United +States District Court. These men, too, were +sent away to the penitentiary for long terms.</p> + +<p>The writer of the anonymous note against +Hal had so far escaped detection.</p> + +<p>"We've been getting a lot of travel lately," +smiled Hal as the two chums trudged down the +road from the railway station to Fort Clowdry +on their return from Denver.</p> + +<p>"All we're going to have for a while, I +hope," returned Noll Terry quietly. "I'd +sooner put in my time learning soldiering."</p> + +<p>"Not tired of the army yet, Noll?"</p> + +<p>"I never shall be, nor you either, Hal, as +long as we're young enough to serve."</p> + +<p>"What I dread," mused Hal, "is the time +when if we live to that age, we shall be too old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +for the Army, and will have to go away and settle +down in some town as retired men of the +Army."</p> + +<p>"That will be time to die, won't it?" asked +Noll, so solemnly that Private Overton laughed +merrily.</p> + +<p>"That time is a long way off, Noll Terry. +Let's see; we're eighteen now, and a fellow +doesn't have to be retired, for age, until he's +sixty-two."</p> + +<p>"Forty-four years," figured Noll. "Oh, +well, a fellow ought to be able to have a deal of +fun in that number of years."</p> + +<p>Both recruits were in merry mood as they +turned in past the sentry at the main entrance +to the post grounds.</p> + +<p>They kept on, full of life and spirits until they +reached the edge of the parade ground.</p> + +<p>"Attention!" murmured Hal quietly.</p> + +<p>Unostentatiously but with a world of reverence +in their act both young soldiers lifted their +uniform caps close to the shadow of the grand +old Flag.</p> + +<p>Without halting they passed on, returning +their caps to their heads. Both young men of +the service walked a trifle more erectly, if that +were possible.</p> + +<p>Nor had they gone much further when they +espied a man coming toward them. The broad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +white stripes down the seam of his trousers, +and the double-barred shoulder straps proclaimed +the infantry officer. It was Captain +Cortland, commanding officer of B Company.</p> + +<p>Both young soldiers raised their right hands +smartly in salute as they passed the officer, who +returned their salute in kind. Then Cortland +halted.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you back, Overton."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>"And you, too, Terry."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>"And, by the way, Terry, I have remembered +your request that you be transferred to B Company, +and to Sergeant Hupner's squad room. +Captain Freeman said he was sorry to lose you, +Terry; but since you wanted to be with your +friend, he has consented to your transfer to B +Company. The matter has been arranged +through the adjutant, and my first sergeant will +notify you of your transfer when you return to +your former squad room. I'm very glad, +Terry, to have so good a soldier as yourself in +B Company, even if I do have to rob Captain +Freeman."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," replied Noll, with another +salute.</p> + +<p>Then the two young soldiers resumed their +walk. Just as soon as they were out of earshot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +of Captain Cortland, Noll broke forth jubilantly:</p> + +<p>"In the same company at last, Hal, old fellow. +Oh, won't it be great, now that we're +truly bunkies at last!"</p> + +<p>Great indeed—greater than either Hal Overton +or Noll Terry guessed. They stood at the +beginning, though neither suspected it, of some +exciting and never-to-be-forgotten incidents and +phases of the soldier's life.</p> + +<p>What followed, however, will have to be reserved +for the next volume in this series, which +will be published under the title: "<span class="smcap">Uncle Sam's +Boys on Field Duty</span>; Or, Winning Corporal's +Chevrons." In this volume the two young soldiers +will be found to be no longer recruits, but +trained soldiers of the Regular Army, and in +the midst of a series of rousing adventures incidental +to the military life.</p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">The End.</span></h3> + + +<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> + +<h2> +Best and Least Expensive<br /> +<span class="u">Books for Boys and Girls</span><br /> +</h2> + + +<h2>The Motor Boat Club Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are +wonderfully entertaining, and they are at the same time sound +and wholesome. No boy will willingly lay down an unfinished +book in this series.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>7 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +<br /> + +Sold by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price.</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +<big>Henry Altemus Company</big><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: 45%;" /> +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span></p> +<h2>Submarine Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By VICTOR G. DURHAM</h3> + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Square Dollar Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise Steal.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In the Lists Against the Crooked Land Deal.</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The College Girls Series</h2> + +<h3>By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.</h3> + +<div class='hang1'>1 GRACE HARLOWE'S FIRST YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SECOND YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 GRACE HARLOWE'S THIRD YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 GRACE HARLOWE'S FOURTH YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN TO OVERTON CAMPUS.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 GRACE HARLOWE'S PROBLEM.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>7 GRACE HARLOWE'S GOLDEN SUMMER.</div> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<p>All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid +on receipt of only 50 cents each.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span></p> +<h2>Pony Rider Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</h3> + +<p>These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.</p> + +<div class="hang1">1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the +Lost Claim.—2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The +Veiled Riddle of the Plains.—3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN +MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail.—4 THE +PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby +Mountain.—5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, +Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.—6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS +IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.—7 THE PONY +RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of +Bright Angel Gulch.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Boys of Steel Series</h2> + +<h3>By JAMES R. MEARS</h3> + +<p>Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story +is full of adventure and fascination.</p> + +<div class="hang1">1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of +the Shaft.—2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the +Diamond Drill Shift.—3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; +Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.—4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE +STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder Pits.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Madge Morton Books</h2> + +<h3>By AMY D. V. CHALMERS</h3> + +<div class='hang1'>1 MADGE MORTON—CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 MADGE MORTON'S SECRET.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 MADGE MORTON'S TRUST.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> +<h2>West Point Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young +Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>1 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Annapolis Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted +in these volumes.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>1 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Young Engineers Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High +School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry +Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksand.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a Pick.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> +<h2>Boys of the Army Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States +Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master +pen.</p> + + +<div class='hang1'>1 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States Army.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against the Moros.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>7 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>8 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE GREAT MARNE DRIVE; Or, Putting Old Glory in the Forefront in France.<br /></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.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow.<br /></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.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>5 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA.<br /></div> + +<div class='hang1'>6 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS.<br /></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_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. +Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating +volumes.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Grammar School Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar +school boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>High School Boys' Vacation Series</h2> + +<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3> + +<p>"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"</p> + +<p>This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the +country over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the +publishers, making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, +Tom Reade, and the other members of Dick & Co. are the most +popular high school boys in the land. Boys will alternately thrill +and chuckle when reading these splendid narratives.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co.'s Rivals on Lake Pleasant.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails."</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> +<h2>The Circus Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON</h3> + +<p>Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely +interesting and exciting life.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the Sawdust Life.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The High School Girls Series</h2> + +<h3>By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M.</h3> + +<p>These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the +reader fairly by storm.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the Ways.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Automobile Girls Series</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA DENT CRANE</h3> + +<p>No girl's library—no family book-case can be considered at all +complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.</p> + +<div class="hang1">1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer +Parade.—2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; +Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.—3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS +ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.—4 +THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out +Against Heavy Odds.—5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM +BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies.—6 THE +AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the +Plots of Foreign Spies.</div> + +<div class='center'> +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> + +<p><a href="#Page_145">Page 145</a>, a paragraph break was inserted at before the first line.</p> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors corrected.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 27680-h.txt or 27680-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/8/27680">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/6/8/27680</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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 in the Ranks + or, Two Recruits in the United States Army + + +Author: H. Irving Hancock + + + +Release Date: December 31, 2008 [eBook #27680] +Most recently updated: June 21, 2011 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS*** + + +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 27680-h.htm or 27680-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/8/27680/27680-h/27680-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/8/27680/27680-h.zip) + + + + + +UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS + +Or + +Two Recruits in the United States Army + +by + +H. IRVING HANCOCK + +Author of The Motor Boat Club Series, The High School Series, The West +Point Series, The Annapolis Series, The Young Engineers' Series, Etc., +Etc. + +Illustrated + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "And These Are Your Applications?" + +_Frontispiece._] + + + +Philadelphia +Henry Altemus Company + +Copyright, 1910, by Howard E. Altemus + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. A LESSON IN RESPECT FOR THE UNIFORM 7 + + II. AT THE RECRUITING OFFICE 25 + + III. THE ORDEAL OF EXAMINATION 37 + + IV. MRS. BRANDERS GETS A NEW VIEW 54 + + V. IN THE AWKWARD SQUAD 63 + + VI. THE TROUBLE WITH CORPORAL SHRIMP 79 + + VII. WHEN THE GUARD CAME 93 + + VIII. THE CALL TO COMPANY FORMATION 104 + + IX. ORDERED TO THE THIRTY-FOURTH 112 + + X. A SWIFT CALL TO DUTY 123 + + XI. GUARDING THE MAIL TRAIN 129 + + XII. THE ROOKIES REACH FORT CLOWDRY 139 + + XIII. "TWO NEW GENERALS AMONG US" 149 + + XIV. THE SQUAD ROOM HAZING 158 + + XV. PRIVATE BILL HOOPER LEARNS 167 + + XVI. THE MYSTERY OF POST THREE 178 + + XVII. HAL UNDER A FIRE OF QUESTIONS 190 + + XVIII. THE ANONYMOUS LETTER 198 + + XIX. A SECRET COWARD 206 + + XX. THE LUCK OF THE YOUNG RECRUIT 212 + + XXI. THE DUEL IN THE DARK 221 + + XXII. CAPTAIN CORTLAND HEADS THE PURSUIT 229 + + XXIII. THE STIRRING GAME AT DAWN 238 + + XXIV. CONCLUSION 250 + + + + +Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks + + + + +CHAPTER I + +A LESSON IN RESPECT FOR THE UNIFORM + + +"AW, what's the difference between a soldier and a loafer?" demanded +"Bunny" Hepburn. + +"A soldier ain't a loafer, and it takes nerve to be a soldier. It's a +job for the bravest kind of a man," retorted Jud Jeffers indignantly. + +"Answer my c'nundrum," insisted Bunny. + +"It ain't a decent conundrum," retorted Jud, with dignity, for his +father had served as a volunteer soldier in the war with Spain. + +"Go on, Bunny," broke in another boy in the group, laughing. "I'll be +the goat. What is the difference between a soldier and a loafer?" + +"A soldier gets paid and fed, and the other loafer doesn't," retorted +Bunny, with a broadening grin. A moment later, when he realized that his +"joke" had failed to raise a laugh, Bunny looked disappointed. + +"Aw, go on," flared up Jud Jeffers. "You don't know anything about a +soldier." + +"But my dad does," retorted Bunny positively. "Dad says soldiers don't +produce anything for a living; that they take their pay out of the +pockets of the public, and then laugh at the public for fools." + +"And what does your father do for a living?" demanded Jud hotly. + +"He's a man who knows a lot, and he lectures," declared Bunny, swelling +with importance. "When my dad talks a whole lot of men get excited and +cheer him." + +"Yes, and they buy him beer, too," jeered Jud, hot with derision for the +fellow who was running down the soldiers of the United States. "Your +father does his lecturing in small, dirty halls, where there's always a +beer saloon underneath. You talk about men being producers--and your +father goes around making anarchistic speeches to a lot of workingmen +who are down on everything because they aren't clever enough to earn as +good wages as sober, industrious and capable workmen earn." + +"Speech, Jud!" laughingly roared another boy in the crowd that now +numbered a score of youngsters. + +"Don't you dare talk against my dad!" sputtered Bunny, doubling his +fists and trying to look fierce. + +"Then don't say anything against soldiers," retorted Jud indignantly. +"My father was one. I tell you, soldiers are the salt of the earth." + +"Say, but they're a fine and dandy-looking lot, anyway," spoke up Tom +Andrews, as he turned toward the post-office window in front of which +the principal actors in this scene were standing. The place was one of +the smaller cities in New Jersey. + +In the post-office window hung a many-colored poster, headed "Recruits +Wanted for the United States Army." Soldiers of the various arms of the +service were shown, and in all the types of uniforms worn on the +different occasions. + +"Oh, yes, they're a fine and dandy lot of loafers--them soldiers!" +declared Bunny Hepburn contemptuously. + +This opinion might not have gotten him into trouble, but he emphasized +his opinion by spitting straight at the glass over the center of the +picture. + +"You coward!" choked Jud. + +Biff! + +Jud Jeffer's fist shot out, with all the force there is in +fourteen-year-old muscle. The fist caught Bunny Hepburn on the side of +the face and sent him sprawling. + +"Good for you, Jud!" roared several of the young boys together. + +"Go for him, Jud! He's mad, and wants it," called Tom Andrews. + +Bunny was mad, all the way through, even before he leaped to his feet. +Yet Bunny was not especially fond of fighting, and his anger was +tempered with caution. + +"You dassent do that again," he taunted, dancing about before Jud. + +"I will, if you give me the same cause," replied Jud. + +Bunny deliberately repeated his offensive act. Then he dodged, but not +fast enough. Jud Jeffer's, his eyes ablaze with righteous indignation, +sent the troublesome one to earth again. + +This time Bunny got up really full of fight. + +From the opposite side of the street two fine-looking young men of about +eighteen had seen much of what had passed. + +"Let's go over and separate them, Hal," proposed the quieter looking of +the pair. + +"If you like, Noll, though that young Hepburn rascal deserves about all +that he seems likely to get." + +"Jud Jeffers is too decent a young fellow to be allowed to soil his +hands on the Hepburn kid," objected Oliver Terry quietly. + +So he and Hal Overton hastened across the street. + +Bunny Hepburn was now showing a faint daub of crimson at the lower end +of his nose. Bunny was the larger boy, but Jud by far the braver. + +"Here, better stop all of this," broke in Hal good-naturedly, reaching +out and grabbing angry Bunny by the coat collar. + +Noll rested a rather friendly though detaining hand on Jud Jeffers's +shoulder. + +"Lemme at him!" roared Bunny. + +"Yes! Let 'em finish it!" urged three or four of the younger boys. + +"What's it all about, anyway?" demanded Hal Overton. + +"That fellow insulted his country's uniform. It's as bad as insulting +the Flag itself!" contended Jud hotly. + +"That's right," nodded Hal Overton grimly. "I think I saw the whole +thing. You're right to be mad about it, Jud, but this young what-is-it +is too mean for you to soil your hands on him. Now, see here, +Hepburn--right about face for you!" + +Hal's grip on the boy's coat collar tightened as he swung Bunny about +and headed him down the street. + +"Forward, quick time, march! And don't stop, either, Hepburn, unless you +want to hear Jud pattering down the street after you." + +Hal's first shove sent Bunny darting along for a few feet. Bunny +discreetly went down the street several yards before he halted and +lurched into a doorway, from which he peered out with a still hostile +look on his face. + +"Your view of the uniform, and of the old Flag, is all right, Jud, and +I'm mighty glad to find that you have such views," Hal continued. "But +you mustn't be too severe on a fellow like Bunny Hepburn. He simply +can't rise above his surroundings, and you know what a miserable, +egotistical, lying, slanderous fellow his father is. Bunny's father +hates the country he lives in, and would set everybody to tearing down +the government. That's the kind of a brainless anarchist Hepburn is, and +you can't expect his dull-witted son to know any more than the father +does. But you keep on, Jud, always respecting the soldier and his +uniform, and the Flag that both stand behind." + +"It gets on a good many of us," spoke up Tom Andrews, "to hear Bunny +always running down the soldiers. He believes all his father says, so he +keeps telling us that we're a nation of crooks and thieves, that the +government is the rottenest ever, and that our soldiers and sailors are +the biggest loafers of the whole American lot." + +"It's enough to disgust anybody," spoke up Oliver Terry quietly. "But, +boys, people who talk the way the Hepburns do are never worth fighting +with. And, unless they're stung hard, they won't fight, anyway." + +"Oh, won't they?" growled Bunny, who, listening to all this talk with a +flaming face, now retreated down the street. "Wait until I tell dad all +about this nonsense about the Flag and the uniform!" + +Hal and Noll stood for some moments gazing at the attractive recruiting +poster in the post-office window. One by one the boys who had gathered +went off in search of other interest or sport, until only Jud and Tom +remained near the two older boys. + +"I reckon you think I was foolish, don't you, Hal?" asked Jud, at last. + +"No; not just that," replied Overton, turning, with a smile. "No +American can ever be foolish to insist on respect for the country's Flag +and uniform." + +"I simply can't stand by and hear soldiers sneered at. My father was a +soldier, you know, even if he was only a war-time volunteer, and didn't +serve a whole year." + +"When you get out of patience with fellows like Bunny Hepburn," +suggested Noll Terry, "just you compare your father with a fellow like +Bunny's father. You know, well enough, that your father, as a useful and +valuable citizen, is worth more than a thousand Hepburns can ever be." + +"That's right," nodded Hal, with vigor. "And there's another man in this +town that you can compare with Bunny's father. You know Mr. Wright? +Sergeant Wright is his proper title. He's an old, retired sergeant from +the Regular Army, who served his country fighting Indians and Spaniards, +and now he has settled down here--a fine, upright, honest American, +middle aged, and with retired pay and savings enough to support him as +long as he lives. I haven't met many men as fine as Sergeant Wright." + +"I know," nodded Jud, his eyes shining. "Sergeant Wright is a fine man. +Sometimes he talks to Tom and me an hour at a time, telling us all about +the campaigns he has served in. Say, Hal, you and Noll ought to call on +him and ask him for some of his grand old Indian stories." + +"We know some of them," laughed Hal. "Noll and I have been calling there +often." + +"You have?" said Jud gleefully. "Say, ain't Sergeant Wright one of the +finest men ever? I'll bet he's been a regular up-and-down hero himself, +though he never tells us anything about his own big deeds." + +"He wears the medal of Congress," replied Hal warmly. "A soldier who +wears that doesn't need to brag." + +"Say," remarked Jud thoughtfully, "I guess you two fellows are about as +much struck with the soldiers as I am." + +"I'll tell you and Tom something--if you can keep a secret," replied Hal +Overton, after a side glance at his chum. + +"Oh, we can keep secrets all right!" protested Tom Andrews. + +"Well, then, fellows, Noll and I are going to New York to-morrow, to try +to enlist in the Regular Army." + +"You are?" gasped Jud, staring at Hal and Noll in round-eyed delight. +"Oh, say, but you two ought to make dandy soldiers!" + +"If the recruiting officer accepts us we'll do the best that's in us," +smiled Hal. + +"You'll be regular heroes!" predicted Jud, gazing at these two fortunate +youngsters with eyes wide open with approval. + +"Oh, no, we can't be heroes," grimaced Noll. "We're going to be +regulars, and it's only the volunteers who are allowed to be heroes, you +know," added Noll jocosely. "There's nothing heroic about a regular +fighting bravely. That's his trade and his training." + +"Don't you youngsters tell anyone," Hal insisted. "Or we shall be sorry +that we told you." + +"What do you take us for?" demanded Jud scornfully. + +Hal and Noll had had it in mind to stroll off by themselves, for this +was likely to be their last day in the home town for many a day to come. +But Jud and Tom were full of hero worship of the two budding soldier +boys, and walked along with them. + +"There's Tip Branders," muttered Tom suddenly. + +"I don't care," retorted Jud. "He won't dare try anything on us; and, if +he does, we can take care of him." + +"What has Tip against you?" asked Hal Overton. + +"He tried to thrash me, yesterday." + +"Why?" + +"I guess it was because I told him what I thought of him," admitted Jud, +with a grin. + +"How did that happen?" + +"Well, Tom and I were down in City Hall Park, sitting on one of the +benches. Tip came along and ordered us off the bench; said he wanted to +sit there himself. I told him he was a loafer and told him we wouldn't +get off the bench for anybody like him." + +"And then?" asked Hal. + +"Why, Tip just made a dive for me, and there was trouble in his eyes; so +I reconsidered, and made a quick get-away. So did Tom. Tip chased us a +little way, but we went so fast that we made it too much work for him. +So he halted, but yelled after us that he'd tan us the next time he got +close enough." + +Tip Branders surely deserved the epithet of "loafer." Though only +nineteen he had the look of being past twenty-one. He was a big, +powerful fellow. Though he had not been at school since he was fifteen, +Tip had not worked three months in the last four years. His mother, who +kept a large and prosperous boarding-house, regarded Tip as being one of +the manliest fellows in the world. She abetted his idleness by supplying +him with too much money. Tip dressed well, though a bit loudly, and +walked with a swagger. He was in a fair way to go through life without +becoming anything more than a bully. + +Hal Overton, on the other hand, was a quiet though merry young man, just +above medium height, slim, though well built, brown-haired, blue-eyed, +and a capable, industrious young fellow. The elder Overton was a clerk +in a local store. Ill-health through many years had kept the father from +prospering, and Hal, after two years in High School, had gone to work in +the same store with his father at the age of sixteen. + +Oliver Terry, too, had been at work since the age of sixteen. Noll's +father was engineer at one of the local machine shops, so Noll had gone +into one of the lathe rooms, and was already accounted a very fair young +mechanic. + +Both were only sons; and, in the case of each, the fathers and mothers +had felt sorry, indeed, to see the young men go to work before they had +at least completed their High School courses. + +By this time the fathers of both Hal and Noll had found themselves in +somewhat better circumstances. Hal and Noll, being ambitious, had both +felt dissatisfied, of late, with their surroundings and prospects, and +both had received parental permission to better themselves if they +could. So our two young friends, after many talks, and especially with +Sergeant Wright, had decided to serve at least three years in the +regular army by way of preliminary training. + +Unfortunately, few American youths, comparatively speaking, are aware of +the splendid training that the United States Army offers to a young +American. The Army offers splendid grounding for the young man who +prefers to serve but a single enlistment and then return to civil life. +But it also offers a solidly good career to the young man who enlists +and remains with the colors until he is retired after thirty years of +continuous service. + +Both Hal and Noll had looked thoroughly into the question, and each was +now convinced that the Army offered him the best place in life. Both +boys had very definite ideas of what they expected to accomplish by +entering the Army, as will appear presently. + +Tip--even Tip Branders--had something of an ambition in life. So far as +he had done anything, Tip had "trained" with a gang of young hoodlums +who were "useful" to the political machine in one of the tough wards of +the little city. Tip's ultimate idea was to "get a city job," at good +pay, and do little or nothing for the pay. + +But Tip dreaded a civil service examination--knew, in fact, that he +could not pass one. In most American cities, to-day, an honorably +discharged enlisted man from the Army or Navy is allowed to take an +appointment to a city position without civil service examination, or +else to do so on a lower marking than would be accepted from any other +candidate for a city job. + +So, curiously enough, Tip had decided to serve in the United States +Army. One term would be enough to serve his purpose. + +Tip, too, had kept his resolve a secret--even from his mother. + +As Hal and Noll, Jud and Tom strolled along they came up with Tip +Branders. + +"So this is you, you little freshy!" growled Tip, halting suddenly, and +close to Jud. "Now I'll give ye the thrashing I promised yesterday." + +His big fist shot out, making a grab for young Jeffers. + +But Hal Overton caught the wrist of that hand, and shoved it back. + +"That doesn't look exactly manly in you, Branders," remarked Hal +quietly. + +"Oh, it doesn't, hey?" roared Tip. "What have you got to say about it?" + +"Nothing in particular," admitted Hal pleasantly. "Nothing, except that +I'd rather see you tackle some one nearer your own size." + +"Would, hey?" roared Tip. "O. K!" + +With that he swung suddenly, and so unexpectedly that the blow caught +Hal Overton unawares, sending him to the sidewalk. + +"I believe I'll take a small hand in this," murmured Noll Terry, +starting to take off his coat. + +But Hal was up in a twinkling. + +"Leave this to me, please, Noll," he begged, and sailed in. + +Tip Branders was waiting, with an ugly grin on his face. He was far +bigger than Hal, and stronger, too. Yet, for the first few moments, Tip +had all he could do to ward off Hal's swift, clever blows. + +Then Tip swung around swiftly, taking the aggressive. + +It seemed like a bad mistake, for now Hal suddenly drove in a blow that +landed on Brander's nose, drawing the blood. + +"Now, I'll fix ye for that!" roared Tip, after backing off for an +instant. + +Just as he was about to charge again the big bully felt a strong grip on +his collar, while a deep, firm voice warned him: + +"Don't do anything of the sort, Branders, or I'll have to summon an +officer to take you in." + +Tip wheeled, to find himself looking into the grizzled face of Chief of +Police Blake. Tip often bragged of his political "pull," but he knew he +had none with this chief. + +"I got a right to smash this fellow," blustered Tip. "He hit me." + +"I'll wager you hit him first, though, or else gave young Overton good +cause for hitting you," smiled the chief. "I know Overton, and he's the +kind of boy his neighbors can vouch for. I don't know as much good of +you. But I'll tell you, Tip, how you can best win my good opinion. Take +a walk--a good, brisk walk--straight down the street. And start now!" + +Something in the police chief's voice told Tip that it would be well to +obey. He did so. + +"Too many young fellows like him on the street," observed Chief Blake, +with a quiet smile. "Good morning, boys." + +At the next corner Hal and Noll turned. + +"Oh, you're going to see Sergeant Wright?" asked Jud. + +"Yes," nodded Hal. "Our last visit to him." + +"Then you won't want us along," said Jud sensibly. "But say, we wish you +barrels of luck--honest--in the new life you're going into." + +"Thank you," laughed Hal good-humoredly, holding out his hand. + +"Send me a brass button soon, one that you've worn on your uniform +blouse, will you?" begged Jud. + +"Yes," agreed Hal, "if there's nothing in the regulations against it." + +"And you, Noll? Will you do as much for me?" begged Tom. + +"Surely, on the same conditions," promised Noll Terry. + +"But we haven't succeeded in getting into the service yet, you must +remember," Hal warned them. + +"Oh, shucks!" retorted Jud. "I wish I were as sure of anything that I +want. The recruiting officer'll be tickled to death when he sees you two +walking in on him." + +"I hope you're a real, true prophet, Jud," replied Hal, with a wistful +smile. + +Neither of these two younger boys had any idea how utterly Hal Overton +had set his heart on entering the service, nor why. The reader will +presently discover more about the surging "why." + +On one of the side streets the boys paused before the door of a cozy, +little cottage in which lived Sergeant Wright and the wife who had been +with him nearly the whole of his time in the service. + +Ere they could ring the bell the door opened, and Sergeant Wright, U. S. +Army, retired, stood before them, holding out his hand. + +"Well, boys," was the kindly greeting of this fine-looking, middle-aged +man, "have you settled the whole matter at home?" + +"Yes," nodded Hal happily. "We go to New York, to-morrow, to try our +luck with the recruiting officer." + +"Come right in, boys, and we'll have our final talk about the good old +Army," cried the retired sergeant heartily. + +It was that same afternoon that Tip Branders next espied Jud and Tom +coming down a street. Tip darted into a doorway, intent on lying in wait +for the pair. + +As they neared his place of hiding, however, Tip heard Jud and Tom +talking of something that changed his plan. + +"What's that?" echoed Tip to himself, straining his hearing. + +"Say," breathed Tom Andrews fervently, "wouldn't it be fine if we could +go to New York to-morrow morning, too, and see Hal and Noll sworn into +the United States Army?" + +Tip held his breath, listening for more. He heard enough to put him in +possession of practically all of the plans of Hal and Noll. + +"Oho!" chuckled Tip, as he strode away from the place later. "So that +pair of boobs are going to try for the Army. Oh, I daresay they'll get +in. But so will I--and in the same company with them. I wouldn't have +missed this for anything. I'll be the thorn in Hal Overton's side the +little while that he'll be in the service! I've more than to-day's +business to settle with that stuck-up dude!" + +All of which will soon appear and be made plain. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +AT THE RECRUITING OFFICE + + +THE solemn time came the following morning. + +Both Hal and Noll were "only children," or, at least, so thought their +mothers. + +Messrs. Overton and Terry, the elders, gave their sons' hands a last +strong grip. No good advice was offered by either father at parting. +That had already been attended to. + +Naturally the boys' mothers cried a good bit over them. Both mothers, in +fact, had wanted to go over to New York with their sons. But the fathers +had objected that this would only prolong the pain of parting, and that +soldiers in the bud should not be unfitted for their beginnings by +tears. + +So Hal and Noll met at the station, to take an early morning train. +There were no relatives to see them off. Early as the hour was, though, +Jud Jeffers and Tom Andrews had made a point of being on hand. + +"We wanted to see you start," explained Jud, his face beaming and eyes +wistful with longing. "We didn't know what train you'd take, so we've +been here since half-past six." + +"We may be back by early afternoon," laughed Hal. + +"Not you two!" declared Jud positively. "The recruiting officer will +jump right up, shake hands with you, and drag you over to where you sign +the Army rolls." + +The train came along in time to put a stop to a long conversation. + +As the two would-be soldiers stepped up to the train platform Jud and +Tom did their best to volley them with cheers. + +Noll blushed, darting into a car as quickly as he could, and sitting on +the opposite side of the train from these noisy young admirers. + +Hal, however, good-humoredly waved his hand from a window as the train +pulled out. Then, with a very solemn face, all of a sudden, young +Overton crossed and seated himself beside his chum. + +Neither boy carried any baggage whatever. If they failed to get into the +Army they would soon be home again. If they succeeded in enlisting, then +the Army authorities would furnish all the baggage to be needed. + +"Take your last look at the old town, Hal," Noll urged gravely, as the +train began to move faster. "It may be years before we see the good old +place again." + +"Oh, keep a stiff upper lip, Noll," smiled Hal, though he, also, felt +rather blue for the moment. "Our folks will be down to the recruit +drilling place to see us, soon, if we succeed in getting enrolled." + +It hurt both boys a bit, as long as any part of their home city remained +in sight. Each tried bravely, however, to look as though going away from +home had been a frequent occurrence in their lives. + +By the time that they were ten miles on their way both youngsters had +recovered their spirits. Indeed, now they were looking forward with +almost feverish eagerness to their meeting the recruiting officer. + +"I hope the Army surgeon doesn't find anything wrong with our physical +condition," said Hal, at last. + +"Dr. Brooks didn't," replied Noll, as confidently as though that settled +it. + +"But Dr. Brooks has never been an Army surgeon," returned Hal. "He may +not know all the fine points that Army surgeons know." + +"Well we'll know before the day is over," replied Noll, with a catching +of his breath. "Then, of course, we don't know whether the Army is at +present taking boys under twenty-one." + +"The law allows it," declared Hal stoutly. + +"Yes; but you remember Sergeant Wright told us, fairly, that sometimes, +when the right sort of recruits are coming along fast, the recruiting +officers shut down on taking any minors." + +"I imagine," predicted Hal, "that much more will depend upon how we +happen, individually, to impress the recruiting officer." + +In this Hal Overton was very close to being right. + +The ride of more than two hours ended at last, bringing the young +would-be soldiers to the ferry on the Jersey side. As they crossed the +North River both boys admitted to themselves that they were becoming a +good deal more nervous. + +"We'll get a Broadway surface car, and that will take us right up to +Madison Square," proposed Noll. + +"It would take us too long," negatived Hal. "We can save a lot of time +by taking the Sixth Avenue "L" uptown and walking across to Madison +Square." + +"You're in a hurry to have it over with?" laughed Noll, but there was a +slight tremor in his voice. + +"I'm in a hurry to know my fate," admitted Hal. + +Oliver Terry had been in New York but once before. Hal, by virtue of his +superiority in having made four visits to New York, led the way +straight to the elevated railroad. They climbed the stairs, and were +just in time to board a train. + +A few minutes later they got out at Twenty-third Street, crossed to +Fifth Avenue and Broadway, then made their way swiftly over to Madison +Square. + +"There's the place, over there!" cried Noll, suddenly seizing Hal's arm +and dragging him along. "There's an officer and a man, and the soldier +is holding a banner. It has something on it that says something about +recruits for the Army." + +"The man you call an officer is a non-commissioned officer--a sergeant, +in fact," Hal replied. "Don't you see the chevrons on his sleeve?" + +"That's so," Noll admitted slowly. "Cavalry, at that. His chevrons and +facings are yellow. It was his fine uniform that made me take him for an +officer." + +"We'll go up to the sergeant and ask him where the recruiting office +is," Hal continued. + +Certainly the sergeant looked "fine" enough to be an officer. His +uniform was immaculate, rich-looking and faultless. Both sergeant and +private wore the olive khaki, with handsome visored caps of the same +material. + +The early April forenoon was somewhat chilly, yet the benches in the +center of the square were more than half-filled by men plainly "down on +their luck." Some of these men, of course, were hopelessly besotted or +vicious, and Uncle Sam had no use for any of these in his Army uniform. +There were other men, however, on the seats, who looked like good and +useful men who had met with hard times. Most of these men on the benches +had not breakfasted, and had no assurance that they would lunch or dine +on that day. + +It was to the better elements among these men that the sergeant and the +private soldier were intended to appeal. Yet the sergeant was not +seeking unwilling recruits; he addressed no man who did not first speak +to him. + +In the tidy, striking uniforms, their well-built bodies, their well-fed +appearance and their whole air of well-being, these two enlisted men of +the regular army must have presented a powerful, if mute, appeal to the +hungry unfortunate ones on the benches. + +"Good morning, Sergeant," spoke Hal, as soon as the two chums had +reached the Army pair. + +"Good morning, sir," replied the sergeant. + +"You're in the recruiting service?" Hal continued. + +"Yes, sir." + +Always the invariable "sir" with which the careful soldier answers +citizens. In the Army men are taught the use of that "sir," and to look +upon all citizens as their employers. + +"Then no doubt you will direct us to the recruiting office in this +neighborhood?" Hal went on. + +"Certainly, sir," answered the sergeant, and wheeling still further +around he pointed north across the square to where the office was +situated. + +"You can hardly miss it, sir, with the orderly standing outside," said +the sergeant, smiling. + +"No, indeed," Hal agreed. "Thank you very much, Sergeant." + +"You're welcome, sir. May I inquire if you are considering enlisting?" + +"Both of us are," Hal nodded. + +"Glad to hear it, sir," the sergeant continued, looking both boys over +with evident approval. "You look like the clean, solid, sensible, right +sort that we're looking for in the Army. I wish you both the best of +good luck." + +"Thank you," Hal acknowledged. "Good morning, Sergeant." + +"Good morning, sir." + +Still that "sir" to the citizen. The sergeant would drop it, as far as +these two boys were concerned, if they entered the service and became +his subordinates. + +It seemed to Hal and Noll as if they could not get over the ground fast +enough until they reached that doorway where the orderly stood. The +orderly directed them how to reach the office upstairs, and both boys, +after thanking him, proceeded rapidly to higher regions. + +They soon found themselves before the door. It stood ajar. Inside sat a +sergeant at a flat-top desk. He, too, was of the cavalry. There were +also two privates in the room. + +Doffing their hats Hal and Noll entered the room. Overton led the way +straight to the sergeant's desk. + +"Good morning, Sergeant. We have come to see whether we can enlist." + +"How old were you on your last birthday?" inquired the sergeant, eyeing +Hal keenly. + +"Eighteen, Sergeant." + +"And you?" turning to Noll. + +"Seventeen," Noll replied. + +"You are too young, I'm sorry to say," replied the sergeant to Noll. + +Then, turning to Hal, he added: + +"You may be accepted." + +"But I've got another birthday coming very soon," interjected Noll. + +"How soon?" + +"To-morrow." + +"You'll be eighteen to-morrow?" questioned the sergeant. + +"Yes, sir." + +"That will be all right, then," nodded the sergeant. "You won't need to +be sworn in before to-morrow. You have both of you parents living?" + +"Yes, sir," Hal answered, this time. + +"It is not necessary, or usual, to say 'sir,' when answering a +non-commissioned officer," the sergeant informed them. "Say 'sir,' +always, when addressing a commissioned officer or a citizen." + +"Thank you," Hal acknowledged. + +"Now, you have the consent of your parents to enlist?" + +"Yes, Sergeant." + +"Both of you?" + +"Yes." + +"Aldridge!" + +One of the pair of very spruce-looking privates in the room wheeled +about. + +"Furnish these young men with application blanks, and take them over to +the high desk." + +Having said this the sergeant turned back to some papers that he had +been examining. + +"You will fill out these papers," Private Aldridge explained to the +boys, after he had led them to the high desk. "I think all the +questions are plain enough. If there are any you don't understand then +ask me." + +It was a race between Hal and Noll to see which could get a pen in his +hand first. Then they began to write. + +The first question, naturally, was as to the full name of the applicant; +then followed his present age and other questions of personal history. + +For some time both pens flew over the paper or paused as a new question +was being considered. + +When he came to the question as to which arm of the service was +preferred by the applicant Noll turned to Hal to whisper: + +"Is it still the infantry?" young Terry asked. + +"Still and always the infantry," Hal nodded. + +"All right," half sighed Noll. "I'm almost wishing for the cavalry, +though, so I could ride a horse." + +"The infantry is best for our plans," Hal replied. + +When they had finished making out their papers Hal and Noll went back to +the sergeant's desk. + +"Do we hand these to you?" Hal asked. + +"Yes," said the sergeant, taking both papers. He ran his eyes over them +hurriedly, then rose and passed into an inner office. When he came out +all he said was: + +"Take seats over there until you're wanted." + +Two or three minutes later a buzzer sounded over the sergeant's head. +Rising, he entered the inner room. + +"Our time's come, now, I guess," whispered Noll. + +"Or else something else is going to happen," replied Hal, smiling. "You +and I are not the only two problems with which the Army concerns +itself." + +Noll's guess was right, however. The sergeant speedily returned to the +outer office and crossed over to the boys, who rose. + +"Lieutenant Shackleton will see you," announced the sergeant. "Step +right into his office. Stand erect and facing him. Use the word, 'sir,' +when answering him, and be very respectful in all your replies. Let him +do all the talking." + +"We understand, thank you," nodded Hal. + +The sergeant, who had his cap in his hand, turned to leave the office +for a few moments on other business. As he was going out he nearly +bumped into a heavily-built young fellow who was entering. + +Hal Overton had reached the door leading into the lieutenant's office +and pulled it open. + +Just as he did so he heard a rather familiar voice behind him demand: + +"Where's the officer in charge?" + +"In that office," replied one of the soldiers, pointing. + +The newcomer did not stop to thank the soldier, but sprang toward the +door that Hal had just opened. + +"Here, you kids can stand aside until a man gets through with his +business in there," exclaimed Tip Branders, gripping Hal by the +shoulders and swinging him aside. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE ORDEAL OF EXAMINATION + + +HAL OVERTON was so astonished that he offered no resistance to the bully +from home. + +Instead, Hal and Noll paused by the door, while Tip, with a confident +leer on his face, strode into the inner office. + +Lieutenant Shackleton, a man of twenty-eight, in blue fatigue uniform, +with the single bar of the first lieutenant on his shoulder-straps, +looked up quickly and in some amazement. + +"Who are you?" he asked. + +"I've come to see you about enlisting in the Army," continued Tip, who, +with his hat still on, was marching up to the desk. + +"Take off your hat." + +"Eh? Huh?" + +"Take off your hat!" came the repeated order, with a good deal more of +emphasis. + +"Hey? Oh, cert. Anything to oblige," assented Tip, with a sheepish grin, +as he removed his hat. + +"Is your name Overton?" asked the recruiting officer, glancing at the +papers before him. + +"Naw, nothing like it," returned Tip easily. + +"Or, Terry?" + +"Them two boobs is outside," returned Tip, with evident scorn. "I told +'em to stand aside until I went in and had my rag-chew out with you." + +Lieutenant Shackleton flashed an angry look at Branders, though a keen +reader of faces would have known that this experienced recruiting +officer was trying hard to conceal a smile. The lieutenant had dealt +with many of these "tough" applicants. + +"Orderly!" rasped out the lieutenant. + +Private Aldridge appeared in the doorway, standing at attention. + +"Orderly, I understand that this man wishes to enlist----" + +"That's dead right," nodded Tip encouragingly. + +"But his application has not been received by me," continued the +lieutenant, ignoring the interruption. "Take him outside and let +Sergeant Wayburn look him over first. Also ask the sergeant to inform +this man as to the proper way to approach and address an officer." + +"Very good, sir," replied Private Aldridge. He tried to catch Tip's eye, +but Branders was not looking at him, so the soldier crossed over to +Branders, resting a hand on his arm. + +"Come with me," requested the soldier. + +"Hey?" asked Tip. + +"My man, go with that orderly," cried Lieutenant Shackleton, in an +annoyed tone. + +"Me? Oh, all right," nodded Tip, and went out with the soldier. + +"Overton! Terry!" called the recruiting officer. + +"Here, sir," answered Hal, as both boys entered the room. + +"One of you close the door then come here," directed Lieutenant +Shackleton. + +Noll closed the door, after which both boys advanced to the roll-top +desk behind which the lieutenant sat. + +"You are Henry Overton and Oliver Terry?" asked the officer. + +"Yes, sir," Hal answered. + +"And these are your applications?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"You have filled them out truthfully, in every detail?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"You, Overton, are already eighteen?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"And you, Terry, will be eighteen years old to-morrow?" + +"Yes, sir----" from Noll. + +The lieutenant looked them both over keenly, as if to make up his own +mind about their ages. + +"May I speak, sir?" queried Hal. + +"Yes." + +"To satisfy any doubt about our ages, sir, we have brought with us +copies of our birth certificates, both certified to by the city clerk at +home." + +"You're intelligent lads," exclaimed the officer, with a gratified +smile. "You go at things in the right way. Be good enough to turn over +the certificates to me." + +Hal took some papers from his pocket, passing two of them over to the +recruiting officer, who examined the certificates swiftly. + +"All regular," he declared. "Terry, of course, if he passes, cannot be +sworn in until to-morrow. You have other papers there?" + +"Yes, sir," Hal admitted. "The consent for our joining, signed by both +our fathers and mothers, since we are under twenty-one." + +"But I cannot know, until I have ascertained, that these are the genuine +signatures of your parents. That investigation will take a little time." + +"Pardon me, sir," Hal answered, laying the two remaining papers before +the officer, "but you will find both papers witnessed under the seal of +a notary public, who states that our parents are personally known to +him." + +"Well, well, you are bright lads--good enough to make soldiers of," +laughed Lieutenant Shackleton almost gleefully, as he scanned the added +papers. + +"May I speak, sir?" + +"Yes." + +"We can't claim credit for bringing these papers. We are well acquainted +with a retired sergeant of the Army, who suggested that these papers, in +their present form, would save us a lot of bother." + +"Then you don't deserve any of the credit?" + +"No, sir." + +"You deserve a higher credit, then, for you are both honest lads." + +Again the lieutenant turned to look them over keenly, sizing them up, as +it were. Both were plainly more than five-feet-four, and so would not be +rejected on account of height. They seemed like good, solid youngsters, +too. + +"Smoke cigarettes?" suddenly shot out the lieutenant. + +"No, sir!" + +"Smoke anything else, or chew tobacco? Or drink alcoholic beverages?" + +"We have never done any of these things, sir," Hal replied. + +"I see that you express a preference for the infantry," continued the +recruiting officer. + +"Yes, sir," Hal replied. + +"I am almost sorry for that," continued the officer. "I would like to +see two lads of your evident caliber going into my own arm of the +service--the cavalry." + +"We have chosen the infantry, sir," Hal explained, "because we will have +more leisure time there than in the cavalry or artillery." + +"Looking for easy berths?" asked Lieutenant Shackleton, with a suddenly +suspicious ring to his voice. + +"No, sir," Hal rejoined. "May I explain, sir?" + +"Yes; go ahead." + +"We both of us have hopes, sir, if we can get into the Army, that we may +be able to rise to be commissioned officers. We have learned that there +is less to do in the infantry, ordinarily, and that we would therefore +have more time in the infantry for study to fit ourselves to take +examinations for officer's commissions." + +"Then, to save you from possible future disappointment, I had better be +very frank with you about the chances of winning commissions from the +ranks," said the lieutenant. "In the Army we have some excellent +officers who have risen from the ranks. Each year a few enlisted men are +promoted to be commissioned officers. The examination, however, is a +very stiff one. Out of the applicants each year more enlisted men are +rejected than are promoted. The difficulty of the examination causes +most enlisted men to fail." + +"Thank you, sir. We have thought of all that, and have looked over the +nature of the examinations given enlisted men who seek to be officers," +Hal replied. "We know the examinations are very hard, but we have twelve +years if need be in which to prepare ourselves for the examination. +Enlisted men, so I am told, may apply for commissions up to the age of +thirty." + +"Yes; that is right," nodded the lieutenant. "But how much schooling +have you behind you?" + +"We have each had two years in High School, sir." + +"On that basis you will both have hard times to prepare yourselves for +officers' examinations. However, with great application, you may make +it--if you achieve also sufficiently good records as enlisted men." + +This explanation being sufficient, Lieutenant Shackleton paused, then +went on: + +"As you are unusually in earnest about enlisting I fancy that you want +to hear the surgeon's verdict as soon as possible." + +"Yes, sir, if you please," replied Hal. + +"Orderly!" + +One of the two soldiers entered. Lieutenant Shackleton made some +entries on the application papers, then handed them to the soldier. + +"Orderly, take these young men to the surgeon at once." + +"Yes, sir. Come this way, please." + +Hal and Noll were again conducted into the outer office. The sergeant +had returned by this time and was at his desk. Over at the high desk +stood Tip Branders, making out his application. + +"Oh, we're it, aren't we?" demanded Tip, looking around with a scowl at +the chums. "You freshies!" + +"Be silent," ordered the sergeant looking up briskly. + +"Well, those two kids----" began Tip. But the sergeant, though a +middle-aged man, showed himself agile enough to reach Tip Branders' side +in three swift, long bounds. + +"Young man, either conduct yourself properly, or get out of here," +ordered the sergeant point-blank. + +Muttering something under his breath, Tip turned back to his writing, at +which he was making poor headway, while the orderly led Hal and Noll +down the corridor, halting and knocking at another door. + +"Come in!" called a voice. + +"Lieutenant Shackleton's compliments, sir, and two applicants to be +examined, sir." + +"Very good, Orderly," replied Captain Wayburn, assistant surgeon, Army +Medical Corps, as he received the papers from the orderly. The latter +then left the room, closing the door behind him. + +"You are Overton and Terry?" questioned Captain Wayburn, eyeing the +papers, then turning to the chums, who answered in the affirmative. + +Captain Wayburn, being a medical officer of the Army, wore shoulder +straps with a green ground. At the ends of each strap rested the two +bars that proclaimed his rank of captain. Being a staff officer, Captain +Wayburn wore black trousers, instead of blue, beneath his blue fatigue +blouse. Moreover, the black trousers of the staff carried no broad side +stripe along the leg. The side stripe is always in evidence along the +outer leg side of the blue trousers of the line officer, and the color +of the stripe denotes to which arm of the service the officer belongs--a +white stripe denotes the infantry officer, while a yellow stripe +distinguishes the cavalry and a red stripe the artillery officer. + +Captain Wayburn now laid out two other sets of papers on his desk. These +were the blanks for the surgeon's report on an applicant for enlistment. + +At first this examination didn't seem to amount to much. The surgeon +began by looking Hal Overton's scalp over, next examining his face, neck +and back of head. Then he took a look at Hal's teeth, which he found to +be perfect. + +"Stand where you are. Read this line of letters to me," ordered the +surgeon, stepping across the room to a card on which were ranged several +rows of printed letters of different sizes. + +Hal read the line off perfectly. + +"Read the line above." + +Hal did so. He read all of the lines, to the smallest, in fact, without +an error. + +"There's nothing the matter with your vision," remarked Captain Wayburn, +in a pleased tone. "Now tell me--promptly--what color is this?" + +The surgeon held up a skein of yarn. + +"Red," announced Hal, without an instant's hesitation. + +"This one?" + +"Green." + +"And this?" + +"Blue." + +And so on. Hal missed with none of the colors. + +"Go to that chair in the corner, Overton, and strip yourself, piling +your clothing neatly on the chair. Terry, come here." + +Noll went through similar tests with equal success. By the time he had +finished Hal was stripped. Now came the real examination. Hal's heart +and other organs were examined; his skin and body were searched for +blemishes. He was made to run and do various other exercises. After this +the surgeon again listened to his heart from various points of +examination. Finally Hal was told to lie down on a cot. Now, the +examination of the heart was made over again in this position. It was +mostly Greek to the boy. When the examination was nearly over Noll was +ordered to strip and take his turn. + +When it was over Captain Wayburn turned to them to say: + +"If I pronounced you young men absolutely flawless in a physical sense, +it wouldn't be much of an exaggeration. You are just barely over the one +hundred and twenty pound weight, but that is all that can be expected at +your age." + +"You pass us, sir," asked Hal eagerly. + +"Most decidedly. As soon as Terry is dressed I'll hand you each your +papers to take back to the recruiting officer." + +Five minutes later Hal and Noll returned to the main waiting room. + +"Pass?" inquired the sergeant, with friendly interest. + +"Yes," nodded Hal. + +Tip Branders was sitting in a chair, a dark scowl on his face. + +"Orderly, take Branders to the surgeon, now," continued the sergeant, +and Tip disappeared. Then the sergeant knocked at the door of the +lieutenant's office and entered after receiving the officer's +permission. He came out in a moment, holding the door open. + +"Overton and Terry, the lieutenant will see you now." + +Hal and Noll entered, handing their papers back to Lieutenant +Shackleton, who glanced briefly at the surgeon's reports. + +"I don't see much difficulty about your enlisting," smiled the officer. +"I congratulate you both." + +"We're delighted, sir," said Noll simply. + +"Now, Overton, I can let you sign, provisionally, to-day but I can't +accept your friend, Terry, until to-morrow, when he will have reached +the proper age for enlisting. This may seem like a trivial thing to you, +but Terry is just one day short of the age, and the regulations provide +that an officer who knowingly enlists a recruit below the proper age is +to be dismissed from the service. Now, if you prefer, Overton, you can +delay enlisting until to-morrow, so as to enter on the same date with +your friend." + +"I'd prefer that, sir," admitted Hal. + +"You are both in earnest about enlisting?" + +"Indeed we are, sir," breathed Noll fervently. + +"I believe you," nodded the officer. "Now, have you money enough for a +hotel bed and meals until to-morrow forenoon?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then be here at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, sharp, and I'll sign +you both on the rolls of the Army. Now, furnish me with home references, +and, especially, the name of your last employer. These will be +investigated by telegraph. Also, are you acquainted with the chief of +police in your home city?" + +Hal and Noll answered these questions. + +Then, having nothing pressing on his hands for the moment, Lieutenant +Shackleton offered the boys much sound and wholesome advice as to the +way to conduct themselves in the Army. He laid especial stress upon +truthfulness, which is the keystone of the service. He warned them +against bad habits of all kinds, and told them to pick their friends +with care, both in and out of the service. + +"In particular," continued the lieutenant, "I want to warn you against +contracting the 'guard-house habit.' That is what we call it when a +soldier gets in the habit of committing petty breaches of discipline +such as will land him in the guard-house for a term of confinement for +twenty-four hours or more. The 'guard-house habit' has spoiled hundreds +of men, who, but for that first confinement, would have made admirable +soldiers. The enlisted man with the 'guard-house habit' is as useless +and hopeless as the tramp or the petty thief in civil life." + +It was an excellent talk all the way through. Both boys listened +respectfully and appreciatively. It struck them that Lieutenant +Shackleton was giving them a large amount of his time. They learned, +later, that a competent officer is always willing and anxious to talk +with his men upon questions of discipline, duty and efficiency. It is +one of the things that the officer is expected and paid to do. + +By the time they came out Tip was just returning from the surgeon's +examination. + +"You freshies needn't think ye're the only ones that passed," growled +Tip in a low voice, as he passed. + +Neither chum paid any heed to Branders. Somehow, as long as he kept his +hands at his sides, Branders didn't seem worth noticing. + +"Make it?" asked the sergeant at the street door. + +"Yes; we sign to-morrow, if our references are all right," Hal nodded +happily. + +With a sudden recollection that soldiers must hold themselves erect, +Hal and Noll braced their shoulders until they thought they looked and +carried themselves very much as the sergeant did. They kept this pose +until they had turned the corner into Broadway. + +"Whoop!" exploded the usually quiet Noll Terry unexpectedly. + +"What's wrong, old fellow?" asked Hal quickly. + +"Nothing! Everything's right, and we're soldiers at last!" cried Noll, +his eyes shining. + +"At least, we shall be to-morrow, if all goes well," rejoined Hal. + +"Oh, nonsense! Everything is going to go right, now. It can't go any +other way." + +As he spoke, Noll turned to cross Broadway at the next corner. + +Hal made a pounce forward, seizing his comrade by an arm. Then he backed +like a flash, dragging Noll back to the sidewalk with him. Even at that +a moving automobile brushed Noll's clothes, leaving a layer of dirt on +them. + +"Things will go wrong, if you don't watch where you're going," cried Hal +rather excitedly. "Noll, Noll, don't try to walk on clouds, but remember +you're on Broadway." + +"Let's get off of Broadway, then," begged young Terry. "I'm so tickled +that I want a chance to enjoy my thoughts." + +"We'll cross and go down Broadway, then," Hal proposed. "I have the +address of a hotel with rates low enough to suit our treasury, and it's +some blocks below here." + +"Say," muttered Noll, "of all the things I ever heard of! Think of Tip +Branders wanting to serve the Flag!" + +The boys talked of this puzzle, mainly, until they reached their street +and crossed once more to go to the hotel. They registered, went to their +room, and here Noll put in the next twenty minutes in making his clothes +look presentable again. + +"If you've got that done, let's go downstairs," proposed happy Hal. "I'm +hungry enough to scare the bill of fare clear off the table." + +As they descended into the lobby Hal suddenly touched Noll's arm and +stood still. + +"I guess Tip is going to stay right with us," whispered Overton in his +chum's ear. "That's Tip's mother over there in the chair. She and her +son must be stopping at this hotel." + +"They surely are," nodded Noll, "for there's Tip himself just coming +in." + +Neither mother nor son noted the presence of the chums near by. + +Tip hurried up to his mother, a grin on his not very handsome face. + +"Well, old lady," was that son's greeting, "I've gone and done it." + +"You don't mean that you've gotten into any trouble, do you, Tip?" asked +his mother apprehensively. + +"Trouble--nothing!" retorted Tip eloquently. "Naw! I've been around to +the rookie shed and got passed as a soldier in the Regular Army." + +"What?" gasped his mother paling. + +"Now, that ain't nothing so fierce," almost growled Tip. "But there is a +fool rule--me being under twenty-one--that you've got to go and give +your consent. So that's the cloth that's cut for you this afternoon, old +lady." + +"Oh, oh, oh!" cried Mrs. Branders, sinking back in her chair and +covering her face with her hands. "What have I ever done that I should +be disgraced by having a son of mine going to--enlist in the Army!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MRS. BRANDERS GETS A NEW VIEW + + +THE chums waited to hear no more. It was none of their affair, so they +slipped into one of the adjacent dining rooms. + +Hal's eyes were flashing with indignation over Mrs. Brander's remark. + +Noll, on the other hand, was smiling quietly. + +"That must be a severe blow to Mrs. Branders," murmured Noll aloud, as +the boys slipped into their chairs at table. "To think of gentle Tip +going off into anything as rough and brutal as the Army! And poor little +Tip raised so tenderly as a pet!" + +As it afterwards turned out, however, Mrs. Branders, after offering her +son a present of a hundred dollars to stay out of the Army, had at last +tearfully given her consent to his becoming a soldier. + +She even went to the recruiting office that afternoon with Tip, and gave +a reluctant consent to her son's enlistment. + +"Be here at nine o'clock, sharp, to-morrow morning," directed Lieutenant +Shackleton. + +It was doubtful if either youngster slept very well that night. Both +were too full of thoughts of the Army and of the service. When Hal did +dream it was of Indians and Filipinos. + +Both were up early, and had breakfast out of the way in record time--and +then they hurried to Madison Square. They reached there ten minutes +ahead of time. + +The sergeant, however, came along five minutes later, and admitted them +to the recruiting office. + +Hardly had they stepped inside when Tip and his mother also appeared. +Then came the other enlisted men stationed at this office. Punctually at +the stroke of nine Lieutenant Shackleton entered, lifted his uniform cap +to Mrs. Branders and entered his own inner office. + +"Now you kids will get orders to skin back home," jeered Tip, in a low +tone, as he glanced over at Hal and Noll. + +"No pleasantries of that sort here," directed the sergeant, glancing up +from his desk. + +The door of the inner office opened, and Lieutenant Shackleton stepped +out. + +"Overton and Terry, your references prove to be absolutely good. I will +enlist you presently." + +Then the officer moved over to where Tip Branders and his mother sat. +Tip rose awkwardly. + +"Branders, I'm sorry to say we must decline your enlistment," announced +the recruiting officer, in a low tone. + +"Wot's that?" demanded Tip unbelievingly. + +"I find myself unable to accept you as a recruit in the Army," replied +the lieutenant. + +"Why, wot's the matter?" demanded Tip, thunderstruck. "Didn't I get by +the sawbones all right?" + +"If you mean the surgeon, yes," replied the recruiting officer. "But I +regret to say that we do not receive satisfactory accounts of you from +the home town." + +"Wot's the matter? Somebody out home trying to give me the crisscross?" +demanded Tip indignantly. + +"We do not receive a satisfactory account of your character, Branders, +and therefore you are not eligible for enlistment," went on Shackleton. +"Madam, I am extremely sorry, but the regulations allow me to pursue no +other course in the matter. I cannot enlist your son." + +"See here, officer----" began Mrs. Branders hoarsely, as she got upon +her feet. + +"When addressing Mr. Shackleton, call him 'lieutenant,' not 'officer,'" +murmured one of the orderlies in her ear. + +"You mind your own business," flashed Mrs. Branders, turning her face +briefly to the orderly. Then she wheeled, giving her whole attention to +the lieutenant. + +"See here, officer, do you mean to say that my boy ain't good enough to +get into the Army?" + +"I am sorry, madam, but the report we receive of his character isn't +satisfactory," answered Shackleton quietly. + +"What? My boy ain't good enough to go with the loafers and roughs in the +Army?" cried Mrs. Branders angrily. "He's too good for 'em--a heap sight +too good for any such low company! But s'posing Tip has been just a +little frisky sometimes, what has that got to do with his being a +soldier? I thought you wanted young fellows to fight--not pray!" + +"The soldier who can do both makes the better soldier, madam," replied +the lieutenant, feeling sorry for the mother's humiliation. "And now I +will say good morning to you and your son, madam, for I am very busy +to-day. Overton and Terry, come into my office." + +Before turning, Lieutenant Shackleton bowed to Mrs. Branders as +gracefully and courteously as he could have done to the President's +wife. Then he started for his office, leaving Mrs. Branders and Tip to +depart in bewilderment and anger. + +Hal and Noll followed the lieutenant, trying not to let their faces +betray any feeling over Tip's troubles. + +"You still wish to enlist?" asked Shackleton, turning to the waiting +lads, after he had seated himself. + +"Yes, sir," answered both. + +"Then you will sign the rolls," directed the recruiting officer, passing +papers forward, dipping a pen in ink and passing it to Hal. + +Hal signed, slowly, with a solemn feeling. It was Noll's turn next. + +"I will now administer the oath," continued Lieutenant Shackleton +gravely, as he rose at his desk. "Raise your right hand, Overton, and +repeat after me." + +This was the oath of service that Hal repeated: + +"'I Henry Overton, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and +allegiance to the United States of America; that I will serve them +honestly and faithfully against all their enemies whomsoever; and that I +will obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the +orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and +articles of war.'" + +Then Noll took the same oath. + +"You have already signed the same oath as a part of your enlistment +contract," continued Lieutenant Shackleton. "I have now to certify that +you have taken the oath and signed before me." + +Seating himself once more the recruiting officer certified in the +following form on each set of papers: + + "Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this -- + day of ---- , A. D. ---- + + "THOMAS P. SHACKLETON, + "First Lieutenant, 17th Cavalry, + "Recruiting Officer." + +"That is all," finished the recruiting officer. "You are now recruits in +the United States Army. I wish you both all happiness and success. You +will take your further orders from my sergeant, or from the corporal to +whom he turns you over. You will probably find yourself at the recruit +rendezvous at Bedloe's Island in time for dinner to-day." + +Touching a button on his desk the lieutenant waited until the sergeant +entered. + +"Sergeant, turn these men over to Corporal Dodds. Come back in ten +minutes for the papers." + +"Very good, sir." + +The sergeant led them down the corridor, opening a door and leading the +way inside. + +"Corporal Dodds, here are two recruits. Take care of them until I bring +the papers." + +"Very good, Sergeant." + +The door closed. + +"Help yourselves to chairs, or stand and look out of the window, if +you'd rather," invited Corporal Dodds, who, himself, was seated at a +small desk. + +Hal and Noll tried sitting down at first. This soon became so irksome +that they rose and went to one of the windows. + +Corporal Dodds said nothing until the door opened once more, and the +sergeant entered with an envelope. + +"Here are the papers for Privates Overton and Terry. You are directed to +see that the young men go with you on the eleven o'clock ferry to +Bedloe's Island. You will report with these recruits to the post +adjutant as usual." + +"Very good, Sergeant," replied Corporal Dodds, and again the boys were +alone with their present guide. + +To the raw young recruits it was a tremendously solemn day, but to the +corporal, it was simply a matter of dry routine. + +"Ten-fifteen," yawned the corporal, at last. "Come along, rookies; +nothing like being on time--in the Army, especially." + +"Rookie" is the term by which a new recruit is designated in Army slang. +It is a term of mild derision. + +Corporal Dodds paused long enough at the recruiting office to turn over +his key to the sergeant; then he led the way to the street, across to +the Sixth Avenue Elevated road, and thence they embarked on a train +bound down town. + +All the way to the Battery Corporal Dodds did not furnish his pair of +recruits with more than a dozen words by way of conversation. + +But neither Hal nor Noll felt much like talking. Though either would +have died sooner than admit it, each was suffering, just then from acute +homesickness, and also from a secret dread that the Army might not turn +out to be as rosy as they had painted it in their imagination. + +"This way to the Army ferry," directed Corporal Dodds, leading them +across the Battery. + +Once aboard a small steamer that flew the flag of the Quartermaster's +Department, United States Army, Corporal Dodds watched his two young +rookies as though he suspected they would desert if they got a chance. + +After the ferry had left the slip, however, Dodds paid no more heed to +them. He at least left them free to end it all by jumping over into the +bay, if they wished to do so. + +Finding that he was under no restrictions, Private Hal Overton, United +States Army, sauntered forward to the bow. Private Noll Terry, feeling, +if anything a bit more forlorn, followed him. + +Just as they were nearing the dock at Bedloe's Island, Noll ventured: + +"I wonder how Tip Branders feels about now." + +"I wonder," muttered Hal. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +IN THE AWKWARD SQUAD + + +ONCE they were ashore our young rookies found Bedloe's Island a very +much larger bit of real estate than it appears to the passerby on a +steamboat. + +It was, in fact, a long walk from the dock to the adjutant's office at +headquarters. + +"Hit up the stride, rookies," ordered Corporal Dodds. "Double-time +march--hike. Don't keep the post adjutant from his luncheon." + +Corporal Dodds' real reason for haste was that he had a crony in one of +the squad rooms at barracks whom he wanted to see as early as possible. + +Shortly the rookies and their guide entered the adjutant's office. The +adjutant proved to be a captain of infantry with a corporal and two +privates on duty in his office as clerks. + +"Sir, I report with two recruits," announced Corporal Dodds, coming to a +salute, which the adjutant returned. + +"Their papers?" asked the adjutant. + +"Here, sir." + +"Very good, Corporal. You may go." + +Turning to the chums Captain Anderson asked: + +"You are Overton?" + +"Yes, sir," Hal replied, doing his best to salute as neatly as Corporal +Dodds had. Again the adjutant returned the salute in kind. "Then you are +Terry?" he asked, turning. + +"Yes, sir," Noll returned, not omitting to salute. + +The adjutant called to his principal clerk. + +"Corporal, make the proper entries for these men. Then take them over to +Sergeant Brimmer's squad room." + +With that the adjutant picked up his uniform cap and left the office, +all the enlisted men present rising and standing at attention until he +had closed the door after him. + +The corporal made the necessary entries, then rose and picked up his own +uniform cap. + +"Come with me, rookies," he directed briefly. + +So Hal and Noll followed, feeling within them another surge of that +curiously lonely and depressed feeling. + +This corporal led them into the barracks building, and down a corridor +on the ground floor. He paused, at last, before a door that he flung +open. Striding into the room, the corporal looked about him. + +"Where is Sergeant Brimmer?" he asked. + +"Not here now," replied another corporal, coming forward. + +"Two rookies. Hand 'em over to Brimmer when he comes in," replied the +conductor from the adjutant's office. + +With that he strode out again, shutting the door after him. + +The last corporal of all proved to be an older man than any of his +predecessors. He appeared to be about thirty-five years old; he was +tall, dark-featured and rather sullen-looking. + +In this room there were twenty cot beds, arranged in two opposite rows, +with their heads to the walls. On each cot the bedding had been rolled +back in a peculiarly exact fashion. + +At the further end of the squad room was a table and several chairs. + +The occupants of the room, at this moment, were a dozen men, besides the +corporal. Three of the men, like our young rookies, were still wearing +the clothes in which they had enlisted. The others wore light blue +uniform trousers and fatigue blouses of dark blue. Some of these men in +uniform looked almost indescribably "slouchy." They were men who had +received their uniforms, but who had not yet had enough of the +setting-up drills to know how to wear their uniforms. + +"What are you looking about you for?" demanded the corporal. "Wondering +why dinner ain't spread on that table yonder?" + +"No," replied Hal quietly. "We're just waiting to be told what to do +with ourselves." + +"What do I care what you do with yourselves?" demanded the corporal, +turning on his heel and walking away. + +So Hal and Noll remained where they were, the feeling of loneliness +growing all the time. + +"Don't mind Corporal Shrimp any more than you have to," advised one of +the uniformed rookies, coming over to them after a few moments. "Shrimp +is a terror and a grouch all the time. Sergeant Brimmer you'll find a +real old soldier, and a gentleman all the time." + +"Then it's just our luck to find Sergeant Brimmer out," smiled Hal. + +"Here he comes now," murmured the uniformed rookie, as the door of the +squad room opened. + +At the first glimpse of the newcomer Hal made up his mind that he was +going to like Sergeant Brimmer. He was a man of about thirty, tall, +rather slender, erect, thoroughly well built, with light, almost golden +hair and mustache, and a keen but kindly blue eye. + +"Recruits?" he asked, as he approached the boys. + +Both answered in the affirmative. + +"Corporal Shrimp," called Brimmer, "have you no report to make to me +about these new men?" + +"Why, yes," answered Shrimp, coming from the further end of the room. +"These men have just been brought here from the adjutant. They're +assigned to your squad room." + +"Very good, Corporal. Men, what are your names?" + +Hal and Noll both answered. + +"Friends?" asked Sergeant Brimmer. + +"Chums," Hal stated. + +"Then you'll be bunkies, too, of course. You want beds together, don't +you?" + +"If we may have them," Noll answered. + +"Follow me, then. Here you are. Eight and nine will be your beds until +further orders. Later, when you have your clothing issued, Corporal +Shrimp or I will show you how and where to take care of it. Now, men, +you'll likely find it a bit dull here for a day or two. Recruits +generally do. Then that will all wear off, and you'll be glad you're in +the Army. If there's anything you need to know, ask Corporal +Shrimp"--Hal winced inwardly--"or me. The mess call will soon go for +dinner. When it does, follow me outside, but take your places in the +rear of A Company, which is the recruit company that you now belong to. +I'll show you where to stand. New recruits don't march with the +battalion--not until they've been drilled enough to know how to march." + +"Is there a battalion here, Sergeant?" + +"Two recruit companies, at present. The non-commissioned officers, of +course, are trained soldiers. Then there are a few old-time privates in +each company--just enough to give the recruits some steadiness. The +trained privates also act as instructors sometimes." + +With this remark Sergeant Brimmer moved away. + +"He's all right," murmured Noll Terry. "If all were like Sergeant +Brimmer we wouldn't feel so lonely and blue." + +Noll had let that last word escape him without thinking. But Hal, who +felt just as blue, pretended not to have heard. + +"It'll all look different to us, just as soon as we get into uniform, +and get past the first breaking-in," predicted young Overton. + +Ta-ra-ra-ra-ta! sounded a bugle, out in the corridor. + +"That must be the call to dinner," muttered Hal. + +But a uniformed recruit, passing them, stopped to say, pleasantly: + +"No; that's first call to mess. Every call by the bugler has a 'first +call,' sounded just a little while before. That 'first call' is always +just the same strain. But the real call differs, according to what is +meant. The mess call itself, which is the one you'll hear next, sounds +like this." + +The recruit hummed mess call for them. + +"Thank you," acknowledged Hal gratefully. + +"Feeling lonesome?" asked the uniformed rookie. + +"J-j-just a bit," assented Hal. + +"I'm getting almost over it," smiled the uniformed one, "The older men, +those who have seen service with a regiment, tell me that a man soon +gets to find delight in being in the Army. But that's after he has +gotten away from the recruit rendezvous." + +"Oh, we'll get over it before then," promised Hal. "We'll be all over it +by to-morrow." + +"Look out for that Shrimp," whispered the uniformed rookie. + +"Does anyone ever need that warning, after seeing the corporal and +hearing him talk?" laughed Hal, in an undertone. + +"Don't you rookies go to take this squad-room for a vawdy-vill show," +growled Corporal Shrimp, from the near distance, as he heard the three +laughing. Sergeant Brimmer had just stepped outside. + +Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta! sounded a bugle again in the corridor. + +"A little time to ourselves now," whispered the uniformed recruit. +"That's mess call." + +The men in the room were quickly filing out. Outside of barracks A +Company was falling in, with B Company to the left of it. + +"You un-uniformed recruits take your position at the rear, without +forming," ordered Sergeant Brimmer coming up. "As your company starts +Corporal Shrimp will instruct you how to form at the rear of the +company." + +What followed was little understood by the two recruits. But presently +the two first sergeants gave their commands, and marched their companies +into the mess hall. + +"Fall in lively, there, by twos!" growled Shrimp roughly. "Hurry up! +Don't get in the way of the head of B Company!" + +To give emphasis to his orders Shrimp seized Hal and Noll each by an arm +and swung them into place. + +Both recruits went in with flushed faces. Shrimp's treatment had been +such as to make them feel uncomfortably "raw." But as the men marched to +their seats at the long tables in the mess hall this feeling of +humiliation left both boys. + +Hal's new friend occupied a seat at their right. + +"All the corporals ain't Shrimps," he whispered. "We've probably got +one of the meanest corporals in the Army." + +"He knows how to make everyone else feel as mean as himself," Hal +whispered back. + +Then all hands fell to at the meal, which tasted uncommonly good. It +consisted of a stew, with plenty of meat and potatoes, and other +vegetables in it. There was also bread and butter. Pie and coffee +followed. Then the recruit companies were marched out again and were +dismissed. + +"We have twenty minutes for relaxation now," laughed Hal's new friend, +who had introduced himself as Private Stanley. "After that I suppose +Shrimp will get you for the setting-up drills. He always has the new men +in our squad room. He----" + +At this moment Sergeant Brimmer stepped up to the trio as they stood in +the open air chatting. + +"Overton and Terry, you'll be under Corporal Shrimp's orders after the +recreation period. He'll instruct you in some of the first work of the +recruit. Go with him when he orders you to turn out." + +"Very good, Sergeant." + +No sooner had a bugle sounded than Corporal Shrimp appeared, followed by +two other un-uniformed rookies walking behind him. + +"You, Overton, and you, Terry, fall in by twos behind these two raw +rookies," ordered Shrimp. "Try to act a bit as though you were marching, +at that. Don't be too dumb! Forward!" + +Conscious that they were not cutting much of a figure, Hal and Noll +followed the pair ahead of them. + +Shrimp led them to a bit of green some distance away from any of the +larger drill grounds. + +"Squad halt!" he rumbled. "Now, rookies, you'll fall in in single rank, +facing the front and about four inches apart. No, no, ye idiots!" as the +four rookies started confusedly to obey. "You'll wait until I give the +order 'fall in.' When I do, Overton, being the tallest, will take his +place at the right, Terry next him, then Strawbridge, and then Healy. +Now, rookies, d'ye think ye understand? And you'll take your places +about four inches apart--just enough distance to allow each man the free +use of his body. Fall in!" + +So confused were the poor rookies under the scowling glances of Shrimp +that, in their haste to obey, they nearly upset each other. + +"Ye're a bad lot," commented the corporal, eyeing them with extreme +disfavor. "You don't even know how to judge the interval between each +man. Now, let every man except the man at the left rest his left hand +on his hip, just below where his belt would be if he wore one. Let the +right arm hang flat at the side. Now, each man move up so that his right +arm just touches his neighbor's left elbow. Careful, there! Don't crowd. +Now, let your left arms fall flat. There, you ostriches, you have the +interval from man to man as well as rookies can get it inside of a week. +Now, each one of you note his interval from the man at his right. So. +Fall out!" + +Without moving the rookies stood looking uncertainly at Corporal Shrimp. + +"Fall out, I say!" roared the corporal. + +"Do we go back to the squad room?" asked one of the rookies. + +"Listen to the man, now!" growled Shrimp. "Do you go back to the squad +room! You'll be lucky if ye ever live to see the squad room again. Fall +out--fall out of ranks, ye idiots!" + +"Oh," answered the same rookie. "Why didn't you say so?" + +"Why didn't I say so?" roared Shrimp. "Why didn't I say so, indeed! +Ye'll take the order the way I give it--not the way ye want it. When I +tell ye to fall in, that means to get into line, with the proper +interval from man to man. When I say fall out, ye're to get out of ranks +again. Now, then--fall in!" + +In a twinkling the recruits jumped to obey. Shrimp surveyed their +alignment with a scowl. Nothing that a recruit could do would satisfy +him. + +"Left hand on the hips, again. Now, get the interval--get it!" roared +Shrimp. "Dress up there, ye rookie idiots!" + +Shrimp would have made an excellent drillmaster had he possessed the +patience and the human decency of Sergeant Brimmer. But this corporal +made his work doubly hard, and hindered the rookies from learning, by +his persistent nagging and bad temper. + +"Now, we'll see whether ye can do as well at learning the position of +the soldier," he snapped out nastily, after a while. "Whenever, in +barracks, or elsewhere, in ranks or out, if you hear the command, +'Attention,' ye'll come to the position of the soldier. Now, watch me, +ye thick-pated rookies, and, as I describe it, bit by bit, I'll come to +the position of the soldier." + +After lounging for an instant Corporal Shrimp continued: + +"Heels on the same line, and as near together as possible. Turn your +feet out equally so that they form an angle of sixty degrees." + +Then, straightening up, this irate drillmaster went on: + +"Hold your knees straight, but don't have 'em stiff. Keep your body +erect on the hips, but inclined ever so little forward; keep your +shoulders squared, and let 'em fall equally. Let your arms and hands +hang naturally, with the backs of the hands outward and the little +fingers almost touching the seams of your trousers legs. Keep your +elbows near the body. Head erect and square to the front. Draw yer chin +in slightly, but don't hold it as if it was glued there, and keep yer +eyes straight to the front." + +Corporal Shrimp illustrated excellently in his own person. But then he +glared at the rookies and shouted, "Attention!" + +Of course none of the rookies did it just right. + +"Fall out! Overton, ye lobster, come on the carpet before me, and I'll +teach ye or make ye crazy!" + +"The--the carpet?" asked Hal, staring dubiously. His head was tired from +the corporal's badgering, or he would have been brighter. + +"On that spot!" glared Shrimp, pointing at the grass about six feet in +front of him, and adding an oath that made Hal's face flush. But young +Overton obeyed, nevertheless. Shrimp scolded and hounded, but Hal did +his best to keep his patience and really learn. Then it was Noll's turn. +Terry came in for a worse badgering than ever. + +"Ye bandy-legged griddle-greaser!" snarled Shrimp, beside himself. "Is +that what ye call letting yer arms hang naturally. Where did ye get yer +ideas of nature, anyway, ye spindle-shanked carpenter's apprentice?" + +Sergeant Brimmer had stepped within view, though behind the corporal's +back, and stood looking quietly on. + +"Ye wart on an Army buzzard!" howled Shrimp. "Ye----" + +"That will do, Corporal," broke in Sergeant Brimmer quietly. "You're +relieved, Corporal. I have time to take over the squad myself. You may +go to the squad room." + +Shrimp turned with a glare, but with the snarl somehow dying on his +lips. He gasped with anger and humiliation, then turned about and +stalked away toward barracks. + +During the next hour things went along very differently. Sergeant +Brimmer was an alert drillmaster, and he permitted no lagging or +indifference on the part of the recruits. Neither did he hesitate to +single out any rookie who did a thing improperly. But the sergeant's +method of drilling was wholly manly. He was patient, even if firm, and +he called no rookie uncomplimentary names. + +"Fall out," ordered the sergeant presently. "Sit down if you want to, +men, or walk about. And I'll answer any questions that you may want to +ask me out of ranks." + +"What a difference between non-coms," uttered Hal to Noll, as the two +chums stepped away a few yards. "Sergeant Brimmer is a man, first of +all. I'd cheerfully drill under him until I dropped." + +"Non-com" is the abbreviation used in the Army for non-commissioned +officer--a corporal or sergeant. + +"I hope we don't have to have much to do with Shrimp," muttered Noll +Terry. "And I hope we don't find many Shrimps in the Army." + +"Fall in!" sounded Sergeant Brimmer's voice, at last. How the young +rookies sprang to obey, their eyes shining with interest! + +Sergeant Brimmer now began to explain the "rests." Next he came to the +salute. For some minutes he drilled them in the first principles of +marching. But brief rests were frequent, and during these rests he +answered all questions put to him. + +"Fall in!" he shouted once more. The rookies fell in as eagerly as +before. "Squad, attention!" + +At that instant a far-off bugle sounded. + +"That closes this period of instruction," announced the sergeant. +"Dismissed!" + +As the four broke out of ranks Hal approached their instructor +respectfully. + +"Sergeant, 'dismissed' means that we're through, doesn't it?" + +"Yes, Overton. And this squad is dismissed until supper time. You can +return to squad room, or you may remain about out-doors, if you'd +rather. Don't go far away from barracks, though." + +"Thank you," Hal replied, and turned away with Noll. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE TROUBLE WITH CORPORAL SHRIMP + + +"I DON'T want to say or think anything disloyal," laughed Noll, as the +two chums turned in at barracks, "but I wish Shrimp would desert." + +"I wish we could have Sergeant Brimmer to teach us all the time," +returned Hal. "I can't believe that Corporal Shrimp is any good to the +service." + +"I wouldn't be any good if I had to stand around for a fellow like +Shrimp all the time," Noll answered. "How different it is when we are +under a real soldier like the sergeant." + +Corporal Shrimp was alone in the squad room when the two chums entered. +The corporal was scowling sulkily until he caught sight of Hal and Noll. + +"Come over to yer beds, ye two blamed rookies!" ordered Shrimp, jumping +up. "I'll be bound ye know nothing yet of how to fold yer bedding." + +"No, we don't," replied Hal, with an outward respect that he was far +from feeling. + +"Then watch me, bandy-legs, while I put yer bed down in regulation +style." + +Shrimp quickly threw the bedding down on Hal's cot. With the deft hands +of the trained soldier Shrimp made the bed up with neatness and +dispatch. + +"And in the morning, after first call to reveille," continued the +Corporal, "ye'll turn yer mattress up--so. And fold and lay the +bedding--so. Now, let's see ye shake down yer bed and make it." + +This task Hal performed rather well for the first time trying. But +Shrimp found a lot of fault, volubly, then finally shoved Hal Overton +aside and finished the bed-making with a few deft touches. + +"Now, turn up yer mattress, and fold yer bedding," ordered the corporal. + +Hal started patiently to obey, but there was no pleasing Shrimp. He +vented a couple of oaths, evidently in order to make the matter clearer. + +"Now, do it over again," ordered Shrimp roughly. + +"This fellow is venting his spite on us because he's angry at the way +Sergeant Brimmer relieved him this afternoon," thought Hal hotly. Yet he +tried patiently to follow out his instructions. + +In the meantime four or five other recruits had entered the squad room. + +"Here ye gibbering monkey! Not that way!" snarled Shrimp. "Stand aside!" + +Seizing Hal by the shoulders Shrimp deliberately hurled him out into the +middle of the squad room. Hal did not fall, but he wheeled about, his +eyes flashing. + +Corporal Shrimp stood surveying him angrily. + +"Making faces at me, are ye, ye Army-lawyer?" howled Shrimp, springing +toward Hal. + +He launched a blow full at the young rookie. Private Overton, who had +some knowledge of boxing and of its companion foot-work, stepped aside. + +But as Shrimp recovered and prepared to launch another blow, Hal Overton +threw his hands up at guard. + +Then recollecting that he was a private soldier, under discipline, Hal +let his hands fall uselessly at his side, while a hot flush of shame +mounted to his brow. + +"Going to hit me, were ye?" sneered Shrimp, in an ugly tone. "It's well +ye didn't! Now, stand where ye are till I take some of the conceit out +of ye!" + +Shrimp raised his right fist deliberately. + +"Corporal!" + +There was no mistaking that crisp tone. It was one of sharp command. +Sergeant Brimmer, who had just opened the door and looked in, now came +striding down the squad room. + +"Corporal, stand at attention!" + +Shrimp wheeled about, coming to the position of the soldier as he faced +the sergeant. But the corporal's countenance was still as black as +thunder. Sergeant Brimmer, too, was thoroughly angry, though righteously +so. + +"Corporal Shrimp, you're in arrest for striking at and humiliating a +private soldier. Come with me to the company commander." + +"Now, see here, Sergeant," began Shrimp hoarsely, "you don't know what I +have to put up with with these rookies. I have to do something to keep +discipline among men who are new to barracks. I----" + +"Hold your tongue and come with me," insisted Sergeant Brimmer crisply. + +There was no disregarding that angry, authoritative tone. As the +sergeant wheeled Shrimp turned and went with him, as though stricken +suddenly dumb. + +"Good enough!" rose a cry, as the door closed on the two non-coms. + +"Got what he needs," muttered some one else. + +"I hope he stays in arrest," added another rookie. "This squad room was +a good deal like a madhouse when the sergeant wasn't here." + +Twenty minutes went by before the door opened to admit Sergeant Brimmer +on his return. + +"Now, men, come close. I want to tell you a few things," began the +sergeant. "The first is this. No non-commissioned officer has any right +to swear at any of you. It is in violation of regulations. If any +non-commissioned officer calls you vile names, or swears at you, it is +your right, and your duty, too, to report it to the non-commissioned +officer in charge of the squad room. If he fails to take heed of your +complaint, then go to the first sergeant of the company. If he fails to +heed your complaint, then go to the company commander. Is that clear?" + +The recruits nodded. + +"Second," pursued Sergeant Brimmer, "no non-commissioned officer has any +right to strike you, unless it be strictly in self-defense, or in +defense of an officer who is threatened by you. You have the same remedy +of complaint, if any non-commissioned officer strikes you, or lays +violent hands on you, as in the case of vile or profane language. Is +that clear." + +"Yes, Sergeant," came from all sides. + +"Any questions?" asked Sergeant Brimmer, looking about him. + +"Has any officer any right to direct bad language at an enlisted man, or +to strike him?" queried Noll. + +"The officer has no more right than anyone else, except in an emergency +of danger to himself or others," replied Sergeant Brimmer. "But there's +this difference: I've been in the Army fourteen years, and I never knew +an officer to degrade himself in that fashion. But occasionally a +non-commissioned officer will so disgrace himself. Either the officer or +non-commissioned officer who swears at or strikes an enlisted man may be +court-martialed, and, if it is found that he is guilty, he is dismissed +from the service." + +"We've had an awful lot to put up with from Corporal Shrimp, Sergeant," +announced one of the uniformed recruits. + +"I'm afraid you have, men. But I don't want you to carry tales to me. +Tale-bearing is never worth while, nor encouraged, in the Army. Corporal +Shrimp's case is now before the commanding officer. To-night or +to-morrow an officer will be here to take the complaints of any of you +men who have grievances. You will be expected to complain to the officer +only about wrongs that have been done you by Corporal Shrimp. The +officer will not permit any tale-bearing about anything that happened to +anyone else. Corporal Shrimp is now in another squad room, under arrest. +He will probably be court-martialed. In any case he won't return here +until his case has been thoroughly disposed of." + +The door opened, and a corporal of twenty-five years, or under, entered, +striding straight up to Brimmer. + +"Sergeant, I am directed by the company commander to report to you for +quarters and duty here," announced the newcomer. + +"Very good, Corporal Davis. I will assign you to your cot at once." + +The new corporal was speedily assigned, after which the sergeant left +the room on duty. + +"Are there any new recruits here who do not fully understand the care of +their bedding?" inquired Corporal Davis pleasantly. + +"I do not, Corporal," Hal answered. + +"Nor do I," came from Noll. + +"Which are your beds, then?" asked Davis promptly. + +Within fifteen minutes both Hal and Noll knew how to make beds, and how +to fold them away for the day. + +Davis proved to be a younger edition of the sergeant. He was not +familiar with the recruits, but taught what he was there to teach, and +did it with a mingling of firmness and patience. + +"From policing of quarters in the morning until tattoo at night," went +on Corporal Davis, "you are not allowed to take down your bedding and +make up the bed, except under orders for purposes of instruction. At +tattoo you may make up your bed and turn in promptly, if you wish. At +taps you must have your bed made, and get into it at once. Any man up +after taps, except by permission, is subject to discipline." + +Supper call came soon after. When the evening meal was finished our +young rookies found that they had the evening to themselves. They could +stay in squad room, or could go out into the open, if they preferred, +though, as rookies, they could not roam as they pleased over the whole +post. + +Hal and Noll elected to take a stroll after supper. + +"Hal," proposed Noll, "I want to ask you something." + +"Permission granted," laughed Private Overton. + +"Do you think you're going to like the Regular Army as much as you +expected!" + +"Yes, siree," replied Hal promptly, and with enthusiasm. "Shrimp was +hard to swallow, and he would have made this place purgatory to us. But +he was caught, red-handed, and we've had a lesson, the first day in the +service, that real justice rules always in the Army. The breaking-in as +recruits, Noll, is going to be harder than I thought, even if we have +such fine men as Brimmer and Davis all the time. But, after we get +through that period, and at last know our duties and understand the +life, we're going to be mighty glad that we took the oath and enlisted +under the Flag." + +"It's mighty good to hear you say that," replied Noll Terry almost +gratefully. "But I'm afraid we have a fearful lot ahead of us to learn. +It will take an awfully long time to learn all we have got to know, I +fear." + +"A recruit generally stays about three months at the rendezvous," Hal +went on. "After that he's drafted to his regiment, sent away to join it, +and then he's a real soldier at last." + +"With still a lot to learn, though," added Noll. + +"Yes," Hal assented. "I imagine that the real soldier always learns as +long as he remains in the service." + +After a long walk, doubling back and forth over some roads and paths +several times, our young rookies found themselves looking at the water +by the Jersey end of the island. + +"I wonder if we'd be allowed to go over there by the water's edge!" +suggested Hal. "It would be fine to sit down there and hear the waves +lap up against the shore. I don't want to go in yet, Noll, but I am +tired enough to want to sit down." + +"Here comes some one in uniform," murmured Noll. + +It was a sergeant passing, though one the rookies had not seen before. + +"Sergeant," called Hal, "may I ask you a question?" + +"Of course," answered the sergeant, halting and regarding them. + +"We're rookies; just joined to-day," continued Hal. "We were wondering +if it would be any breach of discipline for us to go over there by the +shore and sit down near the water for a while." + +"There's no rule against it," replied the sergeant. "But I'd advise you +to be back before taps, for it generally takes a recruit some time to +get his bed made right." + +"Thank you, Sergeant. We'll be sure to go back in time." + +As the sergeant passed on Hal and Noll headed for the shore. + +"Here's as good a place as any, Noll," said Hal, as they reached the +shore. He pointed to a little depression in the ground. There was a +little rise of ground before them as they threw themselves down flat, +though it did not wholly shut off their view of the water. + +Little waves lapped up monotonously against the beach. + +"My, but that's a sound to make one drowsy," laughed Noll contentedly. + +"We mustn't let it have that effect on us," uttered Hal, half in alarm. +"I am tired, but it would never do to fall asleep here and be late at +tattoo. I don't know what kind of scrape that would get us into." + +"Do you know," went on Noll, "this day's doings all seem like parts of a +dream to me. I can't realize, yet, that I'm a soldier. I suppose it's +because we haven't our uniforms yet." + +"That has something to do with it, of course," nodded Hal. "I thought +this a pretty good suit of clothes when I left home, but now I feel +actually shabby and fearfully awkward when I look about me at older +recruits in their snappy uniform. It'll really seem like a big load off +my mind, Noll, when I find myself in the blue." + +"The fellows tell me that a rookie generally has his first issue of +uniform in about three days," said Noll. "That won't be so very long to +wait." + +"Won't it, though?" almost grumbled Hal. "Any time at all is too long to +wait, when we've been dreaming so long about wearing the uniform." + +"Why, we'd be a discredit to the uniform at present," smiled Noll. +"Think how awkward we looked and felt, and were to-day. It seemed as +though it were going to be simply impossible to learn the first steps of +a soldier's business." + +"We'll learn faster, now," suggested Hal; "now that Shrimp has gone out +of our lives." + +"_Has_ he gone out of our lives, I wonder?" mused Noll. + +"Say," hinted Hal, "I'd have given a lot to have seen Tip Branders +drilling under Shrimp." + +"I don't suppose we'll be very likely to see Tip again, for some years," +suggested Noll. + +In this he was in error, as will presently appear. + +"How's the time running along, I wonder?" was Noll's next thought. + +Hal drew his watch from a pocket, laid it on the ground, and struck a +match, screening the blaze with his hands. + +"We've nearly an hour yet," Overton answered. + +"I don't know but we'd better go back before we have to," ventured Noll. +"Hullo, there's a boat out there, putting in this way." + +Though neither of the boys knew it some of the glow of the burning match +had been visible in the darkness out on the water, and this boat was +coming in answer to a fancied signal. + +"I'm going to watch that boat a bit," whispered Hal in his chum's ear. + +"Why?" + +"Well, I don't believe it has any right to land here at night. Any +boatman here on honest business ought to go around to the dock, I +think." + +"Pooh!" breathed Noll. + +"Don't make any noise, anyway." + +It was very dark, but the rookies could see a small rowboat head into +the beach just a little way below them. There was one man in the boat, +and he promptly sounded a low, cautious whistle. It was answered from +behind the young recruits, somewhere. Then the sound of steps. + +Some one was approaching, and the boatman, standing up in his craft, +listened, then called in a low voice: + +"That you, Sim?" + +"Yep." + +"Good!" answered the boatman. "I got your word, 'phoned from New York. +I've got cit clothes for you in the boat, also a weight to sink your +uniform with, when you make the change." + +Now the newcomer trod down straight past the place of concealment of the +boys. Something in his figure was wholly familiar. + +"Why, that's Corporal Shrimp!" called Hal, springing up and running down +toward the shore. Noll followed his chum on the instant, both arriving +at once. + +"Well, what do you rookies want here?" demanded Shrimp, turning upon +them with an oath. + +"I guess we're here on duty," clicked Hal resolutely. "You're supposed +to be in arrest, Corporal, and here you are leaving the post on the +sly!" + +"I'm out of arrest, and on duty. Stand aside!" snarled Shrimp, his look +becoming very ugly. + +"Is it a kind of duty that calls for you to sneak away in this fashion, +put on citizen's clothes, and sink your uniform in the bay?" demanded +Private Overton mockingly. "If you tell me that, Corporal, I don't +believe you." + +Corporal Shrimp uttered another ugly oath. Then, with a flashing +movement, he drew a service revolver from under his blouse and thrust +the muzzle almost in Private Overton's face. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +WHEN THE GUARD CAME + + +"LOOK out, Sim Shrimp!" called the boatman quickly, warningly. + +For, while Hal had stood looking gamely at the revolver, Noll Terry had +side-stepped, and now leaped at the corporal. + +Whack! Noll struck up the glinting barrel of the weapon. + +Private Overton, seeming to move in the same instant, leaped forward in +front. + +Bang! The revolver was discharged, but harmlessly into the air, as both +rookies tackled the corporal and bore him to the ground. + +"Help, here, Bill!" cried Shrimp, as he found himself going over +backward. + +The boatman leaned over to snatch up an oar. As he rose with it he saw +Private Hal Overton rise with the corporal's revolver in his hand. + +"Stay where you are, Corporal, and don't make any fuss," advised Hal +grimly. "Your friend had better stay where he is if he doesn't want to +know what it feels like to have a bullet going through him." + +"Drop that gun, and let me up! Get out of my way," ordered Shrimp. +"You're interfering with me in the discharge of my duty, and I'll put +you both in a lot of trouble." + +"Don't you try to get up," ordered Noll, who had thrown himself across +the corporal and was holding him down. + +"Sentry!" yelled Hal. "Sentry." + +He should have called, "Corporal of the guard!" but he didn't know that. + +Another shot at some distance was heard, followed by a lusty shout from +a sentry of: + +"Corporal of the guard, post number seven!" + +"Let me up out of this, and I'll let you both off," proposed Corporal +Simeon Shrimp. + +"You'll stay just where you are," ordered Hal, "and I give you my word +that, if I see any signs of your trying to escape, I'll drill you +through with all the bullets this revolver carries." + +Running feet were now coming rapidly their way. + +"Lemme go--boys, do," pleaded the corporal brokenly, terror ringing in +his voice. "Boys, you don't know what fearful trouble you'll get me +into." + +"That's a different song," retorted Private Hal Overton dryly. "But it +wouldn't do any good to let you go now. Your friend has shoved off, and +is rowing like mad." + +The steps of running men now came nearer. + +[Illustration: Both Rookies Tackled the Corporal.] + +"This way, Corporal of the guard!" called Private Overton. + +In another moment the corporal and two men of the guard raced to the +spot. + +"This is Corporal Shrimp. He was under arrest, and trying to escape," +announced Hal. "There was a friend of his here with a boat, and he's out +yonder now, Corporal, trying to get away." + +"Load with ball cartridge, hail that boat, and fire if the man doesn't +come about promptly and row in," ordered the corporal, turning to one of +the members of the guard. + +The soldier so directed loaded his rifle like lightning. + +"Boat ahoy, turn about and come back!" shouted the soldier. + +There was no answer from the water. + +"Turn about and come back," repeated the soldier. + +Still no answer. Then, after a third hail, the soldier raised his rifle +to his shoulder, sighting as best he could in the darkness. + +Bang! The rifle spat forth a jet of fire and sent a bullet whistling +over the water. + +"Send a couple of more shots after him," ordered the corporal. + +Still no answer from out on the water. And, by this time, the boat was +so far away in the darkness that it was impossible to judge in which +direction to aim. + +"Cease firing. The rascal has escaped," said the corporal of the guard. +"You are recruits, aren't you?" turning to Hal and Noll. + +"Yes, Corporal." + +"You're right about Corporal Shrimp being in arrest. Corporal, you've +taken a long chance in breaking your arrest like this." + +Shrimp said not a word. He was cunning enough to know that nothing he +could say now would help his case any. + +Suddenly one of the two members of the guard stepped forward, bringing +his rifle to port. + +"Halt!" he called. "Who goes there?" + +"Sergeant of the guard," replied another voice out of the darkness. + +"Advance, Sergeant of the guard, to be recognized." + +Not only the sergeant came forward, but four other members of the guard +with him. + +"Corporal Shrimp, breaking arrest and attempting to desert, Sergeant," +reported the corporal of the guard. + +"Shrimp, what a fool you've been to-day!" muttered Sergeant Collins. +"Let him up, men. Hold out your hands, Corporal Shrimp. I've got to do +it." + +His face sallow with dread and humiliation, Shrimp held out his hands, +while the sergeant snapped a pair of handcuffs into place over his +wrists. + +"March the prisoner to the guard-house, Corporal," directed the sergeant +of the guard. Then he turned to Private Hal, who still held the +revolver. + +"You two are recruits?" + +"Yes, Sergeant." + +"You stopped the prisoner from escaping?" + +"Yes, Sergeant." + +"Where did you get that revolver?" + +"It is the one that Corporal Shrimp drew on us when we attempted to +prevent him from escaping." + +"You took it away from him in a scuffle?" + +"Yes, Sergeant." + +"Mighty fine work for a pair of young recruits," declared Sergeant +Collins promptly. "Your names?" + +Hal and Noll informed the sergeant of the guard on this point as the +sergeant turned on his way back to the guard-house. + +"You'll come with me, Overton and Terry. The officer of the day will +need to hear your statements." + +"We'll not be censured, Sergeant, for being late at the squad room?" + +"Hardly," came the dry retort. "You're now under orders from the guard. +Don't worry, men." + +Shrimp's voice was audible once more. He was swearing volubly over the +trick that fate had played him. + +"Stop that prisoner's swearing," ordered Sergeant Collins sharply. + +In a short time the guard party reached the post guard-house. + +Lieutenant Mayberry, officer of the day, stood just outside of the door. + +"What have you there, Corporal?" asked Lieutenant Mayberry curiously. + +"Corporal Shrimp, sir, for breaking arrest and attempting to desert, +sir," replied the corporal of the guard, bringing his hand to his piece +in a rifle salute, which the officer of the day acknowledge by bringing +his right hand up to the visor of his cap. + +"Where did you catch him?" + +"At the shore, sir, over there," replied the corporal of the guard, +pointing. + +"There's no sentry post over there, Corporal." + +"No, sir; the prisoner was caught by two rook--recruits, sir." + +"Two recruits?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Where are they?" + +"Coming, sir, with the sergeant of the guard." + +At this moment Sergeant Collins stepped forward into the light. + +"These are the two recruits, sir, who caught the prisoner," announced +Sergeant Collins, making the rifle salute. + +"Your names and company, men?" asked Lieutenant Mayberry. + +"Private Overton, A Company, sir," replied Hal, saluting. + +"Private Terry, A Company, sir," from Noll. + +"How long have you men been on post?" asked the officer of the guard. + +"Since about noon, to-day, sir." Hal was spokesman this time. + +"And you've already started your Army career by catching a man in the +act of desertion?" cried the lieutenant. "Men, you're beginning well. +Corporal, lock the prisoner in a cell. Then report to me at my desk. +Sergeant, bring Privates Overton and Terry inside with you." + +Hal and Noll, the sergeant and the corporal soon stood grouped before +the desk of the officer of the day. Sergeant Collins had turned over the +revolver that Private Hal had taken from Shrimp. + +Lieutenant Mayberry listened with very evident interest as the story of +the capture was unfolded to him. + +"Corporal, did you see the boat in question?" asked the officer of the +day, at last. + +"Yes, sir, though very indistinctly, in the distance. It was out of +sight in the darkness, an instant after, sir." + +"But there can be no doubt that the boat was there, Corporal?" + +"I am absolutely certain of it, sir," replied the corporal. + +"That is all, now," finished Lieutenant Mayberry. "Overton and Terry, I +am going to commend you, in an off-hand way, now, for your judgment and +intelligence to-night. You have made an excellent beginning. You may +very likely hear from the commanding officer later." + +At that moment a bugle call was heard. + +"That's taps, isn't it?" asked Hal, realizing for the first time how +time had passed at the guard-house. + +"Yes," replied Sergeant Collins. "Tattoo went some time ago." + +"You won't find yourselves in any trouble, men," broke in Lieutenant +Mayberry, with a slight smile. "Report to the non-commissioned officer +in charge of your squad room that you have been at the guard-house under +orders." + +As soon as dismissed Hal and Noll made a swift spurt for barracks. + +"Too bad, the first night, men," said Sergeant Brimmer quietly, meeting +them just inside the door of the squad room. + +Hal promptly accounted for both himself and his chum. + +"Whew!" whistled the startled sergeant softly. "You caught Corporal +Shrimp in the act of deserting? Men, your time to get square came around +soon, didn't it?" + +"We didn't do it to get square, Sergeant," replied Hal. "We did it as a +matter of military duty." + +"Well, go softly to your beds, men. I'll go with you, to see that you +make 'em up according to rule." + +As Sergeant Brimmer went back to his own iron cot he muttered to +himself: + +"Caught Shrimp, and turned him over to the guard! Those lads are going +to make good soldiers. And it won't pay any comrade to make enemies of +them needlessly." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE CALL TO COMPANY FORMATION + + +UNIFORMED rookies at last! + +How proud each of our young rookies felt when at last he had a chance to +survey himself in a glass. + +Never, it seemed, had uniforms fitted quite as neatly before. + +Never, at all events, had young recruits felt any keener delight than +did Hal and Noll when they found themselves in their first infantry +uniforms. + +From that happy instant they were looked upon as the two brightest, +keenest recruits on post. + +On the first day of their uniformed lives Sergeant Brimmer came to them. + +"You are directed to fall in at parade, this afternoon, without arms. At +formation I will place you in the rear rank." + +Though they had their uniforms, their rifles had not yet been issued. + +"What does it all mean?" wondered Noll. "We're not promoted to the +company yet. We're not out of the squad work yet." + +"We can wait to find out what it means," Hal answered. "It won't be +many hours till parade time, now." + +Then, at the bugle call, these young soldiers hurried outside, where +Corporal Davis formed them and marched them away. + +Having finished with the "school of the soldier" our two rookies were +now in the "school of the squad." + +In a company of infantry the squad consists of seven privates and a +corporal. Marching in column of twos, or in column of fours, the +corporal's place is on the left of the front rank of the squad; he +himself makes the eighth man. But, for purposes of instructing recruits, +the squad consists of eight rookies and a corporal. + +Davis now led them away to the field, where he halted them. + +"We will first," he announced, "take up the six setting-up drills of the +manual, and go through with them three or four times. You men will do it +as snappily as possible to-day." + +These exercises consist of various gymnastic movements with the arms, of +bending until the hands touch the ground, and of leg-raising work. The +setting-up drills are very similar to ordinary work without apparatus in +a gymnasium--but with this difference: the rookie is made to go through +with them more and more snappily each time that he is set to the work. +The result is that, within a few weeks, an awkward and perhaps +shuffling, shambling young man is trained and built into the erect, +alert, snappy and dignified soldier. + +The setting-up work performed, Corporal Davis next drilled the rookies +in alignments, interval-taking, marchings, turnings and "about," which +corresponds to the old-time "about-face." It might be well to remark +that all military commands in these days, have been greatly simplified +as compared with the old style of doing things. + +Davis was an alert and industrious instructor, yet he abused none of the +men, nor ever lost his patience. He was making rapid progress with this +squad. + +"Fall out," he called, from time to time. + +"To-morrow you will have your arms issued to you," he announced during +one of the rests. "Then you will learn the manual of arms, and also how +to march with arms. Your work will be harder, but you're being prepared +for harder work now." + +By this time Hal and Noll had been in the Army nearly three weeks. Some +of the rookies in the same squad had been in the service considerably +longer. The length of time that he remains a recruit depends very much +upon the rookie himself. + +"Our arms?" said Noll to his chum. "That's the last step toward being a +real soldier." + +"No; the last step is when your company commander pronounces you a +qualified private soldier," rejoined Hal Overton. "And that's after +you've been drafted into a real regiment, at that." + +The loneliness had all vanished now. Both Hal and Noll were now wholly +in love with the life, and anxious for the day when they should be sent +forth to their regiment. They had requested that they be sent to the +same regiment, and had little doubt but that their wish would be +granted. + +No longer did the arduous work make them tired. Instead, the steady, +brisk and systematic exercise left them keen and very much alive when +the command "dismissed" came. + +At last a bugle sounded the recall for the rookie squads. Corporal Davis +finished the instruction in which he was engaged, then called out: + +"Halt! Dismissed." + +In an instant the rookies left the ranks, glad of a bit of play-time +before supper. + +But Davis called after two of them: + +"Overton and Terry, don't forget that you're under orders to report at +company formation before parade this afternoon." + +"We won't forget it, Corporal," Hal answered. + +"Why are you ordered to company formation?" asked one of the men of the +squad curiously. + +"We haven't the least idea," Hal answered frankly. + +"Oh, well, I can be near enough to find out," rejoined the curious one. + +"Say," suggested Noll almost excitedly, "it can't be that we're +considered far enough advanced to turn out with the company?" + +"Hardly likely," murmured Hal, "when we don't know the manual of arms +yet." + +"Then what----" + +"Wait." + +Yet Hal Overton was certainly decidedly curious, despite his coolness. +Both our young rookies hung about until they heard first call for +parade. Then they hurried toward the company parade ground. + +Soon the fall-in order was given, and the older rookies fell in under +arms. Sergeant Brimmer, true to his word, stepped up and placed Hal and +Noll six paces to the rear of the second platoon. + +"Obey all orders that do not call for the manual of arms," was his +parting instruction. Then Brimmer went to his own position. + +The company was assembled, roll-call followed and there was a brief +inspection of arms. While this was going on the post adjutant appeared +and took up post. + +"Publish the orders," commanded the captain, at last. + +From the breast of his blouse the adjutant drew forth an official paper. +While the men in ranks stood at order arms, the adjutant read aloud: + +"'For exceptional zeal, intelligence and loyalty in preventing the +escape and attempted desertion of a prisoner, Recruit Privates Overton +and Terry are hereby commended.'" + +This was signed by the post commander. + +Now Sergeant Brimmer stepped over to Hal and Noll with military stride, +saying briskly: + +"Recruit Privates Overton and Terry dismissed." + +That was all. Brimmer was already on his way back to his own post. + +"Was that all we turned out for with the company?" asked Noll in a low +voice. + +"Wasn't it enough?" retorted Hal in an equally low tone, as they watched +the manoeuvres of the company at a distance. + +"There's one thing we didn't get commended for in that order," Noll went +on. + +"What was that?" + +"Well, we had to tackle an armed man when we went up against the +Shrimp. The order didn't say anything about courage." + +"That's because only exceptional courage is ever mentioned in orders," +Hal explained. "Any soldier is expected to have courage enough to face +firearms." + +When Sergeant Brimmer returned to squad room after parade he came +straight over to Hal and Noll. + +"That was a pretty good thing for you this afternoon, men," he commented +pleasantly. "It isn't often that a rookie gets commended in orders." + +"Does it bring any more pay?" laughed Noll. + +"No; but, my man, it goes on your record, and that's worth something. +The commendation that was read out in orders this afternoon goes forward +to your new colonel, when you're drafted to a line regiment, and that +commendation becomes a part of your permanent record in the Army. Isn't +that enough?" + +"It's too much," Hal declared, "for such a little thing as we did." + +"You men want promotion, don't you?" asked Sergeant Brimmer. + +"Surely," nodded Noll. + +"When you get to your regiment, and your company commander has occasion +to appoint a new corporal, he looks over the records of the men in his +company. Men, I guess you've each of you got your first grip on one of +the chevrons that Shrimp dropped." + +For Shrimp had been tried by court-martial, three days before. The +findings, verdict and sentence had been sent on through the military +channels, and would not be published until approved by the department +commander. But no one at the island doubted that Shrimp would lose his +corporal's chevrons, would be dismissed the service and sentenced to +imprisonment in addition. + +"I'd rather get chevrons, if they're coming my way, by some other means +than pulling them off another man's sleeves," thought Hal to himself. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ORDERED TO THE THIRTY-FOURTH + + +TWELVE working days with arms, and Privates Overton and Terry were moved +on into A Company. + +They were now deeper than ever in the work of learning the soldier's +trade. + +A tremendous change had been worked in them. Though their faces were as +youthful as ever, the boys seemed to have grown into the dignity of +men--of trained men, at that. + +They carried themselves like soldiers, thought of themselves as +soldiers, and were soldiers. For they loved their work better than ever. + +"We need only to get to our regiment now, to be wholly happy," Noll +declared to his chum. "Oh, why can't more young fellows, droning their +lives out in offices, or tending senseless machines in shops, understand +the joy of this free, manly life?" + +Of course, not all rookies at the post had conceived as large an idea of +Army life. + +Two, who had joined at about the same time as Overton and Terry, had not +proved themselves wholly suited to a life of discipline. This pair had +committed several breaches of the rules, and had at last been haled +before courts-martial and dismissed the service. + +Only the young man who has in him the makings of a man and a soldier +finds the life of the Army attractive. The incompetent, the shiftless +and the vicious are no better off in the Army than they would be +anywhere else. In fact they are out of their element. + +Shrimp, the sullen, had gone, too, at last. The order had been published +that sent him to undergo a year's imprisonment for having attempted to +desert. + +This corporal had had in him three quarters of the makings of a good +soldier. He had been promoted once, and fell short of being a soldier +only as he fell short of being a man. + +Ahead of any that had joined at about the same time, Hal and Noll were +"warned" for guard-duty. Sergeant Brimmer gave them the order, and +seemed happy in doing it. + +"You men are doing your work splendidly," he added briefly. "Read up the +manual of guard-duty for all you're worth before guard-mount to-morrow +morning." + +"I think we know it by heart, already, Sergeant," Hal answered. + +"I don't doubt that in the least. But it can't do you any harm to read +up some more." + +"Thank you, Sergeant; we'll do it." + +Guard-mounting is a ceremony of importance in the Army. It is done to +music, where music is available. Every man who turns out on the new +guard--which means that he is to be on duty for the next twenty-four +hours--is expected to present himself with his person, uniform and +equipments absolutely clean and tidy. The two men who thus make the most +soldierly appearance are detailed as orderlies at headquarters. These +orderlies do not have to walk post as sentries, and have in all ways a +much easier time than the other members of the guard. There is always +keen rivalry for the position of orderly. + +On this morning, after the formation of the guard, and inspection, the +post adjutant stepped forward. + +"Privates Denton and Burke will fall out and report as orderlies," he +commanded. + +Denton and Burke obeyed, striving hard to suppress their exultation. + +"Orderly detail would have fallen to Privates Overton and Terry, who +present the most soldierly appearance," continued the adjutant, in his +official tone. "But this is the first tour of guard duty for Privates +Overton and Terry, and it is considered essential that they first of all +learn to walk post and become familiar with the duties of sentries." + +At that the glee in the faces of Privates Denton and Burke faded +somewhat. Hal and Noll tried to keep their own faces expressionless. + +Hal Overton never forgot his feelings when he shouldered his rifle, with +bayonet fixed, and patrolled his first sentry post for two hours. + +He felt even more the sense of responsibility when he came to his first +night tour of sentry duty. + +In his way the sentry is a tremendously important personage. On his post +he represents the whole sovereignty of the United States of America. The +youngest sentry in the Army may halt and detain any officer, no matter +of how exalted rank, until he is certain that the man halted is an +officer entitled to pass. Of course, with a sentry of common sense the +mere appearance of the uniform is enough under ordinary circumstances. +But no personage in the United States may attempt to go by a sentry +without the sentry's permission. + +"How'd you enjoy it, Overton?" asked Sergeant Brimmer, who was sergeant +of the guard, when Hal came in from his tour of night duty. + +"I hope I didn't get myself into trouble," Hal answered. + +"How so, lad?" + +"I halted the commanding officer of the post." + +"Was he in uniform?" + +"No; in civilian dress. He had been to the city, I guess, and was coming +up from the shore. It was dark, and I saw only the civilian clothes. So +I challenged him." + +"What did the K. O. say?" + +"K. O." is the Army abbreviation for "commanding officer." + +"He asked me what I was trying to do?" smiled Hal. "So I repeated my +question, 'who's there,' Then he answered, 'the commanding officer.' I +replied: 'Advance, commanding officer, to be recognized.' He seemed +uncertain about it, but I made him step right up to me. When I saw who +it was I told him to proceed." + +"Did you hold your gun at port all the time?" inquired Sergeant Brimmer. + +"Yes; until I recognized the commanding officer. Then I came to present +arms, and he returned my salute, then walked by." + +"Your skirts are clear enough, then," nodded the sergeant of the guard. + +"But why did he ask me, so crossly, what I was trying to do?" asked Hal. + +"Why," mused the sergeant, "my own idea of it is that K. O. was trying +you out on purpose. And I'll wager the K. O. was glad to find a rook +sentry so thoroughly alive to his job. Though I doubt if you'll get +commended in orders for just being awake. But that reminds me of +something that happened to me, in the Philippines," laughed Brimmer. "I +was sergeant of the guard out there, and one night the colonel of +another regiment tried to go by our guard. At that time the law was that +no civilian could be on the streets after half-past eight. 'Twas called +the curfew law there. + +"Well, Colonel Blank came up in a carriage at about ten in the evening. +He wasn't in uniform, mind you, lad. Well, the sentry on number one +post, who didn't know the colonel, stopped his carriage, of course. + +"'I'm Colonel Blank,' says the man in the carriage. 'Corporal of the +guard,' calls the sentry. 'I'm Colonel Blank,' says the man in the +carriage to the corporal of the guard. Now, the corporal didn't know the +colonel either. So the corporal bawls, 'Sergeant of the guard.' That was +I, that night, and I didn't know the colonel, either. So I asked: 'Beg +your pardon, sir, but do you know any of the officers of this command?' + +"'Name the officers,' says the man in the carriage. So I named them. + +"'I don't know one of your officers,' says the man in the carriage. + +"'Then I'm sorry, sir,' says I, 'but I'll have to ask you, sir, to step +into our guard-house until some officer of your regiment comes over in +uniform and identifies you.' + +"At that the man in the carriage puts on an awful scowl, draws himself +up very stiff, and answers, 'I'll do nothing of the sort, Sergeant.' + +"'I beg your pardon, sir,' says I, 'but if you are Colonel Blank, then +you know very well, sir, that you'll have to step inside the guard-house +and wait.'" + +Sergeant Brimmer chuckled heartily over the recollection. + +"And did Colonel Blank obey you, and go inside and wait?" asked Hal. + +"Did he?" asked Brimmer, looking surprised. "Of course he did. What's a +guard for in the Army, if it can't enforce its orders? And it was past +midnight when we finally got an officer, by telephone, to come over and +go bail for his colonel's identity. Then, of course, we turned the +colonel loose." + +"Did he complain against you?" queried Private Hal. + +"Who? Colonel Blank? He's too good a soldier," laughed Sergeant Brimmer. +"And he's General Blank, now. Before he left, the colonel complimented +me on my fitness for guard duty." + +"A sentry, or a corporal or sergeant of the guard is a pretty big +soldier, isn't he?" smiled Hal. + +"In some ways," nodded the sergeant, "he's a bigger man than the +President. The President is only the head of the nation, while the +sentry on post is the whole nation itself!" + +Noll had the last two hours before daylight on post that night, but +nothing happened to him except the arrival of the corporal with the +relief just as dawn was breaking. + +The days and the weeks sped by rapidly now. There were always new duties +to be learned, but our young rookies had now picked up the habit of +learning so easily and quickly that everything seemed a matter of +course. + +"How do you like Army life now, Noll?" Hal asked one day. + +"I wouldn't swap this life for any other," exclaimed Private Noll Terry, +his eyes shining. "Hal, have you never suspected that they're making men +out of us here? We're learning to obey without asking why, and we're +being trained in a way that will fit us to lead other men one of these +days. And look how strong all the gymnastics with a rifle is making us. +We sleep as we never slept before, and it takes a heap to make us +tired." + +"We're eating everything in sight, if that's a sign of good physical +condition," laughed Hal. + +"But I wish I could hear the orders sending us to our regiment," sighed +Noll. + +"Don't be downspirited," urged Hal, smiling cheerfully. "Our stay here +at the rendezvous can't last much longer, anyway." + +"How long have we been here, anyway?" Noll wondered. + +"Why, we came here early in April and it's now past the middle of June," +Hal went on. "Let me think. Why, it's just ten weeks to a day since we +took the oath to serve the Flag." + +"And a rook generally puts in three months here----" Noll began, when a +soldier, close to the door of the squad room, called out: + +"Attention!" + +Instantly every man in the room rose and wheeled about, standing at the +position of the soldier. An officer, followed by the first sergeant of A +Company, was entering the room. + +As the officer came to a halt the first sergeant called: + +"Overton and Terry, step forward." + +Hal and Noll approached the officer and the sergeant, then again stood +at attention. The officer was the post adjutant, and now he spoke: + +"Overton and Terry, your company commander is satisfied that you are now +sufficiently instructed to go to your regiment. We have a draft for two +men for the first battalion of the Thirty-fourth Infantry, stationed at +Fort Clowdry, in the Colorado mountains. If you have any objections to +that regiment, or station, I will listen to them." + +"Colorado will very exactly suit me, sir, thank you," Hal replied, his +pleasure showing in his face. + +"And me also, sir," added Noll. + +"Very good, then. You will both report to Sergeant Brimmer, on his +return, that you are released from further duty here. You will report at +my office at half-past two this afternoon for your instructions. That is +all. Sergeant, follow me to the next squad room." + +The instant that the door closed Hal and Noll began to execute a swift +little dance of joy, while the other rookies looked on in grinning +congratulation. + +"What sort of regiment is the Thirty-fourth, Sergeant?" asked Hal, after +he and Noll had reported to Sergeant Brimmer. + +"Just like any other infantry regiment," replied Sergeant Brimmer. +"They're all alike. The only difference is in the station, and the +station of each infantry command is usually changed every two or three +years. For that matter, though you join in the Rockies, your regiment, +two months later, may be ordered to the Philippines." + +That afternoon Hal and Noll reported at the post adjutant's office. Here +they were provided with their railway tickets through to their new +station, and were handed each a sum of money in place of rations. In +addition they were granted four days' furlough before starting, this +furlough to be spent at their homes. Then, each carrying his canvas case +containing his surplus outfit, the young recruits started down to the +dock to take the three-thirty boat to New York City. + +What a glorious furlough it was, while it lasted! All their old +schoolmates in the home town, and all the smaller youngsters, listened +to the tales Hal and Noll told of the Army. Two or three dozen +youngsters then and there formed their resolutions to enlist in the Army +as soon as they were old enough. + +Tip Branders had left town. Where Tip had gone was not known--but Uncle +Sam's two young recruits were destined to find out later on. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A SWIFT CALL TO DUTY + + +"SEE that man in the black derby and the brown suit, coming this way, +Noll? The one with the iron-gray hair?" + +"Of course," replied Noll. + +"Salute him, if we get close enough." + +"Why?" + +"He's an officer." + +"Maybe," half-assented Noll, eyeing the man with iron-gray hair. + +"There isn't much doubt about it," retorted Hal. "He boarded the train +at Kansas City. It's summer, but he's going somewhere up in the hills, +for he had an overcoat over one arm when he boarded the train, and that +overcoat was an officer's coat. He's in the service, and he isn't any +junior officer, either, judging by the color of his hair." + +"But----" + +"Sh! Be ready with your salute." + +The two young recruits, their uniforms looking spick and span, despite +their long journey by train, now brought their right hands smartly up to +their cap visors as the man with iron-gray hair stepped close. + +He gave Hal and Noll a prompt, smart acknowledgment of their salute, +then suddenly paused, glanced at them, and asked: + +"My men, how did you know me to be an officer?" + +"I observed your overcoat, sir, when you boarded the train at Kansas +City," Hal answered. + +"You judged rightly, men," replied the officer, with a smile. "I am +Major Davis, Seventeenth Cavalry. And you, as I see by your caps, belong +to the Thirty-fourth Infantry." + +"Yes, sir," Hal answered. "We are joining the first battalion at Fort +Clowdry." + +"Recruits?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I wish you a pleasant life in the Army, men." + +"Thank you, sir; we feel certain of finding it," Hal replied. + +Both young soldiers saluted, again, as the major turned to resume his +walk. + +The train had stopped at Pueblo, Colorado, in the middle of the +afternoon. It would be but half an hour's delay. Noll had been eager to +step out away from the railway station and see as much of Pueblo as was +possible. Hal had negatived this idea, through fear that they might be +left behind. + +"And we've not an hour to spare, you know, Noll. This is the last train +for us to take if we're to report in season. So we'd better stay close +to the conductor." + +During the forenoon the train had rolled across the mesa or tableland +below Pueblo. Hal and Noll, seated in one of the two day coaches of the +train, had studied the mesa with longing eyes. Here they caught +occasional glimpses of cowboys on ponies, for this mesa is still a +favorite cattle region. + +At this height of some five thousand feet above sea level even the late +June day was not really hot. It was a glorious country on which the +young recruits feasted their eyes. + +"Where do we eat next?" asked Noll, of a trainman standing by. + +"Any time and place you like, if you've got the chow with you," replied +the trainman. + +"What is the next eating station at which the train stops?" Noll +insisted. + +"Salida. We ought to stop there about nine o'clock to-night." + +"Good eating place?" + +"Great." + +"It's a long time to wait," complained Noll, whom the mountain air was +making furiously hungry. "Come along, Hal. We'll lay in a few sandwiches +as a safety-valve." + +"I hope they're not as bad as some we've bought along the way," Hal +laughed, as they started toward the railroad restaurant. "Do you +remember the sandwich we bought at Chicago that had the stamp on the +under side, 'U. S. Army, 1863?'" + +"No, and neither do you," grinned Noll. + +"Fact," insisted Hal. "I found the stamp on the sandwich, and threw it +out of the car. I'm sorry, now; I wish I had saved that sandwich for a +curiosity. Father would have been proud of it." + +Noll with a bag of sandwiches, Hal with a box of fruit, the two recruits +turned toward the train again. + +They were soon under way. After leaving Pueblo they forgot all about +eating, for some time, for the train now bore them through some of the +most picturesque parts of the lower Rocky Mountains. Both rookies spent +their time on one of the car platforms, hanging far out at either side +to get better views, as well as glimpses down steep cliffs into gullies +below. + +"Say, it's going to be dark, soon," remarked Noll, looking toward the +western sky. "Why on earth didn't we get a train that would do the whole +trip between Pueblo and Salida in daylight?" + +"Because we didn't know the route well enough," sighed Hal. "However, +we may think we've had plenty of Rocky Mountains before our regiment's +station is changed." + +Half an hour later both went back to their seat in the car. Black night +had come on and shut out all further possibility of viewing the +wonderful country through which the train was passing. + +"We can eat, anyway," sighed Noll. + +For the next fifteen minutes they regaled themselves, though they were +careful not to eat enough to spoil their appetite for a good hot supper +at Salida. + +Then, as peering out of the window revealed nothing, Noll settled back +in the seat. + +"If I go to sleep, be sure to wake me at Salida," he begged. "What time +is the train due at Fort Clowdry?" + +"Two o'clock in the morning," Hal answered. + +"That's a beastly time to have to be awake," growled Noll, and began to +slumber. + +Not for long, however. On a steep up-grade the train was barely crawling +along. + +Suddenly it stopped, and with a considerable jolt, too. + +Bang, bang, bang! The whistle of bullets was heard alongside the train, +wherever windows were open. + +"What's that?" demanded Noll, jumping up. + +But Hal was in the aisle before him. Both hastened to the rear door. + +"Here, laddy-bucks," called a brakeman grimly, "stay inside! It's +healthier!" + +"What's up?" demanded Hal, without pausing. + +"Judging by the sound, the train is held up, laddy-buck. It's a bad +business going outside if that's the case." + +But at this instant the door was opened before Hal's face. Major Davis +bounded into the car. + +"Come with me, men," he called sharply. "You're not armed, are you?" + +"No, sir." + +Even at that exciting moment Hal did not forget his salute. + +"Then keep behind me," ordered the major, drawing his revolver. "This is +a mail train, and, as a United States officer, I can't allow an attempt +to rob it pass without an attempt at a protest." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +GUARDING THE MAIL TRAIN + + +MAJOR DAVIS backed quickly out of the car, holding his weapon behind his +back as he dropped to the ground beside the car. + +He did not look to see whether the rookies were behind him, but they +were. + +Ahead, and about them, all was black, save for the light that came +through the car windows. + +In a twinkling, out of the fringe of darkness, almost beside the +recruits, stepped a masked man. + +"Back, all three of you. Back into the car!" called the masked man +sharply. + +Major Davis wheeled like a flash, bringing his revolver to bear. But he +could not use it. A sudden move of the recruits prevented. + +"Noll!" called Hal sharply, and threw himself to the ground before the +masked ruffian. + +Like a flash Hal wrapped his arms around the knees of the masked robber. +In almost the same instant Hal struggled to his feet, carrying the +unknown's legs up with him. + +Of course the ruffian toppled over backward. But Noll, who had darted to +his chum's aid, hurled himself upon the fellow, striking him hard three +times between the eyes. + +The masked man's revolver was discharged as he toppled over backward, +but the bullet sped harmlessly off into the night. + +In another second Hal had the fellow's revolver. + +"Fix him, Noll!" called Private Overton, darting forward to the +officer's side. + +"I have, already," muttered Noll. But he bent for an instant over the +unconscious ruffian's body, then darted forward. + +"Here's his box of cartridges, Hal," panted Noll. + +All this had seemed to occupy but a few seconds. + +"Splendidly done!" glowed Major Davis. "Now come forward, and support +me." + +At the moment of the discharge of the pistol the uncoupled engine +started forward, away from the train, with a hissing of steam. This +noise must have drowned out the noise of the single shot from the train +robbers up forward. + +Suddenly Major Davis shot out his left arm, and Hal, bumping against it, +halted beside the officer. + +"There are two of the men, standing by the mail car," whispered the +major. "Raise your revolver. Ready! Fire!" + +[Illustration: "Back, All Three of You!"] + +Both the major's revolver and Hal's spat out jets of flame. Both poured +their shots in rapidly at the two men whom they could just make out in +the darkness ahead. + +Then Hal had a sudden, new sensation, not by any means agreeable. + +The two men, neither hit so far, turned and raised their own weapons. It +seemed like two bright cascades of flame just ahead, as the ruffians +fired, kneeling. + +Bullets whistled close to the major and the two recruits on either side. + +Then, just as suddenly, one of the ruffians toppled over; it was +impossible to tell whether Major Davis or Hal Overton had scored the +hit. + +Thereupon, the other man, lowering his weapon, leaped for the steps of +the mail car and vanished. + +Major Davis ran forward, followed by both recruits. Noll was intent on +getting a revolver for himself. + +But Davis, more accustomed to the ways of fighting men, suddenly +crouched low, peering under the body of the car just behind the mail +coach. + +Almost immediately the major began to fire again, in answer to shots +that came from underneath the car. + +But Noll waited for nothing. His sole thought was to possess a weapon. +He halted over the fallen one, snatched an empty revolver from his side, +then saw that the man was wounded in the right breast. + +"You must have some cartridges," muttered Noll, rummaging in the +fellow's clothes. + +He found the box just in time. + +"Lie down, you two!" called Major Davis sharply to Hal and Noll. "You'll +be fired on from ahead." + +Hal threw himself flat, and none too soon, for now a gust of bullets +swept down from the head of the train. + +As coolly as he could Hal Overton reloaded. Noll, also lying flat on the +ground, was similarly engaged. + +Hal was ready to fire first. There was need of it, too, for he could +dimly make out two men, near the extreme head of the train, who were +firing rapidly and firing their weapons in a fashion that drove up +spurts of dirt all about the recruits. + +For a few seconds the fight seemed as serious to those engaged in it as +battle on a larger scale could have been. + +Major Davis now made the first direct move. He crawled swiftly under the +car, putting himself on the same side with the man he was after. + +There was more shooting on the other side of the train; then, suddenly +it stopped. + +The two ahead, who were engaging Hal and Noll, dodged off to the side of +the track into the darkness. Now, all firing stopped, for all weapons +were empty. + +"I hope that other scoundrel didn't get the major!" throbbed Hal +anxiously. + +Yet he couldn't go to see. He had his own work on this side of the +train. + +"Where are our pair?" whispered Noll, creeping closer. + +"I don't know," Hal answered, also in a whisper. "But crawl off a little +way. Bunching together gives 'em a better mark to hit." + +Lying flat on the ground, both recruits played the waiting game. + +Had the pair ahead stolen off altogether in the darkness? + +"I'll wait a few moments," Hal decided. "Then, if I don't hear from the +scoundrels, I'll cross over to see what has happened to Major Davis." + +Crack! crack! crack! The vanished pair of train robbers were opening +fire again, from behind a boulder that sheltered them admirably. Hal and +Noll had no protection other than they could get from lying close to the +ground. But they answered the fire briskly. + +Crack! crack! crack! As fast as revolvers were emptied the marksmen +reloaded and again began firing. In daylight the execution would have +been swifter, but all hits made in black darkness are made by the grace +of luck. + +In the first place the only target anyone in the combat had was the +flash of an opponent's pistol. + +The train robbers behind the ledge changed their positions after nearly +every shot. And Hal and Noll, after the warm, uncomfortable experience +of having bullets fan their faces persistently, found it advisable to +crouch low and dart here and there, firing from new positions. + +All this time the scores of people on the train were sitting in +terrified silence. Passengers or train crews rarely interfere in a case +of this kind. + +Not even the train's lights aided either side, for the two young +recruits had taken pains to close in on the ledge sufficiently to escape +illumination by the train's lights. + +Crack! crack! crack! This was a new note, coming from past the forward +end of the ledge. + +Almost in the same instant a howl sounded from behind the barrier of +rock. + +Then another voice was heard, shouting. + +"Hold on! We surrender! Stop the shooting!" + +Instantly this hail was answered by another. It sounded good to the +young recruits as Major Davis roared from behind the forward end of the +ledge: + +"Then throw up your hands, keep them up, and walk into the train light +where we can see you." + +"You won't shoot?" demanded the voice of the surrendering one. + +"Not unless you attempt tricks," replied the voice of Major Davis. + +"All right. Here I come." + +A lone figure rose over the edge of the ledge, and a tall, masked man, +holding his hands very high, strode toward the train, passing between +Hal and Noll, who instantly turned and covered him with their weapons. + +"Where's the other man?" demanded Major Davis, still invisible in the +blackness beyond. + +"You'll find him behind the ledge," returned the surrendered one. "He's +hurt too bad to move." + +"Overton," called the major, "keep your weapon trained right on that +prisoner. Terry, join me behind the ledge." + +"Yes, sir," answered both recruits. + +Noll was quickly with the major on the further side of the ledge. Here +they speedily found a masked man, short and rather thick-set, who had +the appearance of being unconscious. He was breathing with great effort, +a deep crimson spot appearing on his right breast. + +"May I ask, sir, about the man you went under the train to get?" queried +Noll. + +"He's dead, my man," replied Major Davis very quietly. + +"Shall I try to lift this man, sir?" + +"No; take his revolver, and search him for other weapons, as far as you +can do so without disturbing the fellow and putting him in more pain. +We'll let that hiding train crew move the casualties to the baggage +car." + +So Noll completed his search, while the conductor, baggage-master and +some of the brakemen, noting that the firing had stopped, ventured +forth. + +"You trainmen take care of the dead and wounded," directed Major Davis +crisply. "Terry, rejoin your comrade. I shall have to trouble you two +men to stand guard over the prisoners in the baggage car until we reach +Salida." + +Both recruits saluted. Noll returned to the track in time to find that +the first man whom he and Hal had bowled over was just coming back to +his senses. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE ROOKIES REACH FORT CLOWDRY + + +ONCE more the train was under way. The engineer had taken his uncoupled +engine some distance up the track, but had returned when sent for, and +now the train, twenty additional minutes late, was crawling up the steep +grade. + +The wounded men lay on the floor of the car, receiving the attentions of +a physician who had been found among the passengers. + +The unwounded ones stood in a corner at the forward end of the car, +Private Hal Overton, revolver in hand, watching the men closely. + +Noll, a revolver in either hand, stood a little past the middle of the +car, looking wholly businesslike. + +Major Davis, having gone back to make sure that his own belongings were +safe, now returned to the baggage car. + +"Fellow," he asked of the tall prisoner, "what on earth made you stop +this train?" + +"Hard up," replied the man sullenly. "And a friend told us that the last +time he held up a mail train, he and his pal found twelve thousand +dollars in the registered mail pouches." + +"You'll find at least twelve years in the mail pouches this trip," +retorted Major Davis grimly. + +Half an hour later a stop was made at a little tank station, to enable +Major Davis to wire ahead to Salida for officers to be in readiness when +they arrived. + +Then the train crawled on again through the inky darkness. Noll relieved +Hal, presently, though there seemed little need of alertness. The two +prisoners capable of fighting looked pretty well cowed. Down at the rear +end of the car, covered with a rubber blanket, lay the rigid remains of +the man killed by the major. + +Something more than an hour late the train pulled in at Salida. There +was a crowd on hand, including four sheriff's officers. These latter +came to the baggage car just before the train stopped. + +"Will you take full responsibility for the prisoners now?" asked Major +Davis of one officer who led the rest and who displayed his badge. + +"Yes, sir," replied the deputy sheriff. + +"Then I'll go and have something to eat," smiled the major dryly. "My +men, do you eat here, too?" + +"Yes, sir," Hal answered, saluting. + +It was not an invitation to join their officer. Both recruits fully +understood that. The gulf of discipline prevents officers and men +eating together. + +On the platform before the station-building Major Davis halted long +enough to say: + +"My men, I appreciate your help to-night. It would have been too much +for me alone. You men stood by me like soldiers. As a United States Army +officer I would have felt disgraced had I allowed a United States mail +car to be rifled without striking a blow to stop it." + +"It was a daring thing to do, sir," Hal ventured, with another salute. + +"It was my plainest sort of duty, as an officer," replied Major Davis, +returning the salute. + +"May I ask, sir," ventured Hal, "whether it would have been our duty, +had we been armed, and you not on the train?" + +"Not unless led by an officer," replied the major. "But where did you +young men learn to obey so promptly, and without questioning or +hesitation?" + +"At the recruit rendezvous, sir." + +"Which one?" + +"At Bedloe's Island, sir." + +"Who was your instructor?" + +"One of them, sir, was a namesake of yours--Corporal Davis." + +"He will be glad to hear of this," nodded the major, smiling. "Corporal +Davis is my son." + +"Your son, sir--an enlisted man?" stammered Hal. + +"Yes. My son enlisted in order to try to win a commission. Thank you, +men, and good-night. I will tell the sheriff's men that you will be +found at Fort Clowdry if you are wanted as witnesses." + +Again acknowledging their salutes, Major Davis stepped inside. + +Hal and Noll waited a moment before entering the station. When they did +so, and passed on to the lunch room, they saw Major Davis at a table in +one corner, so the rookies passed on to stools before the lunch counter. + +"How long have we to eat?" asked Hal, of one of the trainmen. + +"You've about twenty-two minutes left." + +"I feel as if I could make excellent use of all the time," laughed Hal. + +He and Noll plunged into hot chicken, potatoes and gravy, and plenty of +side dishes. The late excitement had not destroyed the appetite of +either recruit. + +When they had finished Hal asked the waiter: + +"How much do we owe you?" + +"Nothing," replied the waiter. "I was told to say that the account is +settled, with Major Davis's compliments." + +Both recruits turned, saluting in the major's direction, as token of +their thanks. He nodded, smiling. + +Out on the platform, just before the train started, the recruits saw +Major Davis again. That officer was turned halfway from them, without +seeing them, so they passed along to the day coach in which they had +been riding. + +Now a dozen men crowded about them, eager to talk with the young heroes +of the night. + +"Pretty gritty work that you boys did," grinned one of the men. "Do you +often have things like that to do in the Army?" + +"We never did, before to-night," Hal answered quietly. + +"Must take a lot of nerve." + +"We didn't think of it at the time," smiled Hal. "It seemed all in the +way of business." + +"You ought to have seen the folks you left behind here," put in another +man. + +"Oh, shut up," called others. + +"No, I won't," retorted the last speaker. "What do you suppose we folks +that you left behind in this car were doing?" + +"Nothing very noisy, was it?" queried Hal. + +"Not particularly," admitted the man, with a laugh. "We were lying along +the aisle, or else we crawled under seats. At one time there were +altogether too many bullets hitting the side of the car, or coming +through the windows. None of us in here got hit, but that was because +of the good care we took of ourselves." + +"Oh, we might have done something," protested another man, "only we +didn't have anything to shoot with." + +"These two young soldiers didn't have anything to shoot with, either, at +the outset of the trouble. They hustled outside and got their guns from +the enemy." + +"Got any of those guns now?" asked another passenger, crowding forward. +"Want to sell any of 'em?" + +"We haven't even a cartridge," Hal replied. + +"What did you do with them?" + +"Turned them over to the sheriff's officers, of course." + +It was nearly an hour before the curious passengers would consent to +leave the young soldiers to themselves. Noll finally managed to convey +an excellent hint by leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes as if +in sleep. + +Hal dozed somewhat, but by one o'clock in the morning both recruits were +wide awake. + +"What time are we due at Clowdry?" Hal asked the passing brakeman. + +"More'n an hour late," answered the trainman. + +"Whew! That means we won't get there until after three in the morning," +muttered Hal. + +"I wish we wouldn't get there until daylight," rejoined Noll. "Then I'd +feel like dropping back for another nap." + +Nearly everyone else in the car was dozing, it being after midnight. + +It was half-past three o'clock in the morning when the brakeman rested +his hand on Hal's shoulder. + +"We ought to be at Clowdry in five minutes now," said the brakeman. + +"Much obliged," Overton answered. "Thank goodness, Noll." + +By the time that the train slowed up both recruits were out on the rear +platform of the car, each gripping his canvas case. + +"Clowdry! Clowdry!" bawled the brakeman. + +Hal and Noll dropped off into the black night. The only light was in the +station, past which the train slowly rolled. + +There was no one in the station save the telegraph operator. On these +mountain divisions, where accidents may so easily happen, a night +operator is kept at every station. + +Hal and Noll stood on the station platform until the train had pulled +out. Then, as their eyes became more accustomed to the darkness, they +made out what appeared to be a small hotel on the other side of the +track. There were two or three other buildings near by that looked like +dwellings. + +"Clowdry is a pretty large city," observed Noll, with a grin. + +The real town was nearly a mile away. + +"I wonder where the fort is," returned Hal. "We'll ask the operator." + +Apparently the operator was too well accustomed to seeing soldiers to +take any deep interest in this new pair. But he was obliging, at any +rate. + +"Wait a minute," he called back, in answer to Private Overton's +question, "and I'll go and show you the road." + +So the two soldiers stood by their canvas cases until the operator had +finished at his clicking instruments. Then the operator came out, +heading for the rear door of the station. + +"I'll show you from here, Jack," called the operator. "You see that +road? Follow it about a half a mile; take the first turn to the left, +and then keep straight on until you come to the fort." + +"How far is Fort Clowdry?" Hal wanted to know. + +"About three miles from here." + +"Good road?" questioned Noll. + +"Tenderfeet, ain't you?" asked the operator, smiling. + +"Yes," admitted Hal. + +"Thought you must be," nodded the operator, "else you'd know that the +road between an Army post and the nearest freight station is always a +good one. Them Army wagon bosses would put up a fearful holler if they +had to drive the transport wagons over bad roads. Just joining?" + +"Yes," assented Hal. + +"Good luck to you! Well, follow the road and you can't have any +trouble." + +"Thank you, and good-night," came from both recruits. Then, each taking +a new grip on his canvas case, which was fairly heavy, the recruits +started down the road. + +They came, finally, to the turn to the left. + +"These equipment cases don't grow any lighter with distance, do they?" +laughed Hal. + +"Mine doesn't," grunted Noll. + +When they had walked on a good deal farther Noll remarked: + +"I wish we had that operator here!" + +"What for?" + +"He told us it was three miles. We could ask him what kind of miles." + +"There's daylight coming," nodded Hal, pointing to the east. "That will +make the distance seem shorter." + +The sun up, at last, gave the recruits their first glimpse of their +first station in the Army. Fort Clowdry lay before them. There were no +frowning parapets, no stone battlements, no cannon in sight. Fort +Clowdry, as seen at the distance, consisted of a great number of +buildings, of all sizes. + +Boom! went a gun suddenly. + +"Great!" cried Hal, his eyes shining. "That's the essence of the +soldier's life--the sunrise gun. The Flag has just been hauled up." + +In the middle distance the recruits caught sight of a soldier pacing, +his gun, with bayonet fixed, at shoulder arms. + +"That sentry will put us on the rest of our way," predicted Noll. + +It being now broad daylight the sentry did not challenge the newcomers. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +"TWO NEW GENERALS AMONG US" + + +"SENTRY, we're recruit privates, joining the regiment at this station," +announced Hal. "Where do we report?" + +Bringing his rifle to port arms the soldier replied: "This is post +number seven. You'll find post number one at that building under the +fir-tree. That's the guard-house. Report, first, to the corporal of the +guard." + +"Thank you, Sentry." + +"Welcome." + +Bringing his piece to shoulder arms, the sentry resumed his pacing. + +Hal and Noll now followed a well-kept road to the guard-house. Outside +stood the corporal of the guard for this relief. As he gazed at the +young soldiers, noting their canvas cases, he did not need to be told +that they were recruits. None but recruits have cases the pattern they +were carrying. + +"Corporal," reported Hal, "we are Privates Overton and Terry, under +orders to join the Thirty-fourth." + +"Take seats inside, then," said the corporal. "Go to sleep in your +chairs, if you want to." + +Several other privates, belonging to the guard, were dozing in chairs. +But Hal and Noll felt now too wide awake to think of dozing. They longed +to step outside for a better look at this post, which was to be their +future home. Yet, having been directed to remain inside, they obeyed. + +It was a long while afterward before a bugler blew the first call to +reveille, which is the "Army alarm clock," the signal to rise. + +"Attention!" called the corporal, a few minutes afterward. + +All the dozers sprang to their feet, standing at attention. + +The officer of the day entered, looking over the men. + +Then his glance fell upon the recruits. + +"You are new men joining?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir," Hal and Noll answered, presenting their orders. + +"Corporal, when mess call sounds send a private of the guard with these +men to put them in D Company's mess for their first meal." + +"Very good, sir." + +"Overton and Terry, you will report at the adjutant's office promptly at +nine o'clock." + +"Very good, sir." + +The officer remained to glance over the guard report, then went away. + +"When does that mess call sound, Corporal?" asked Hal. + +"Five minutes more. Bates, you'll take the recruits to D Company's +mess." + +Nor did either recruit feel sorry when he was ushered into the enlisted +men's mess, near barracks. + +"Attention!" roared one waggish soldier. + +As by instinct the men in the room stood at attention. + +"Two new young generals are honoring us this morning," grinned the wag. + +"Throw him out!" growled a sergeant. "It's bad enough to be a rookie +without having it rubbed in." + +The first sergeant now gave the seating order, and the men fell in at +table. The wag sat at Noll's left. + +"I find I'm mistaken," called the wag, down the table. "Our guests are +only colonels." + +"You'll be a general, one of these days, if you don't look out, Fowler," +warned another soldier near by. + +"The gypsies always told my mother I'd be a general," replied Fowler +complacently. + +"Yes, a general prisoner," continued the soldier who had just warned the +wag. + +This raised a prompt laugh, for, in the Army, a "general prisoner" is +one who is serving a term of confinement after sentence by a general +court-martial. + +"There are generals, and generals, of course," admitted Fowler. + +"There'd be a general famine, Fowler, if you ever stopped talking at +mess long enough to do all the eating that your mouth calls for." + +"How long have you young gentlemen been out of West Point?" asked +Fowler, turning to Noll. + +Noll grinned, but did not make any answer to this question. + +"I hope you are West Pointers," continued the company wag. "Nearly all +of the gentlemen present are West Pointers." + +"Give the rooks time to eat their meal in comfort," ordered a sergeant +gruffly. "Have you forgotten the day, Fowler, when you were the greenest +rook that the Thirty-fourth ever had?" + +"I never was a rook," retorted Fowler. + +"You never got beyond being one," retorted a corporal. "Don't mind this +chin-bugler, lads. He doesn't know any better." + +Hal was paying attention strictly to the meal before him. A good-sized +piece of steak and a dish of baked potatoes had come his way, and he +enjoyed them keenly. The men of this battalion had a first class +commissary officer and lived well. + +"You've visiting cards with you, of course?" continued Fowler, after a +few moments. + +"No," Noll admitted. + +"Why, rook, you'll need cards. You've got to call on the K. O. +(commanding officer) after breakfast. But we'll fix you out. I'll lend +you my pack. The jack of clubs is the one you want to send in to the K. +O. Then he'll know 'tis a husky lad that has honored the Thirty-fourth +by joining." + +"You'll live most of the time at the guard-house, if you take Fowler for +your authority on doughboy life," broke in a quiet soldier across the +table. + +"More likely the happy house would be our address," laughed Hal. + +"Doughboy" is the term applied to an infantry soldier. Hal and Noll, +being in an infantry regiment, had thereby become doughboys. The "happy +house" is the part of a military hospital where mild cases of insanity +are confined. + +The meal was soon over, and the first sergeant took the trouble to go up +to the boys. + +"When do you report at the adjutant's office?" he asked. + +"At nine o'clock, Sergeant," Hal responded. + +"Then, as long as you don't bother anyone else, you can just as well +stroll where you please around the post, until nine," continued the +sergeant. "Of course you know that nine o'clock means nine to the very +minute?" + +"We were taught a lot about punctuality at the rendezvous station," Hal +answered. + +"Punctuality is about the greatest virtue in Army life," nodded the +first sergeant of D Company, as he moved away. + +In the interval of time at their disposal Hal and Noll were able to see +a good deal of Fort Clowdry. + +The center of the life there was the great parade ground, a level, +grassy plain. + +At the north end of this plain stood a row of pretty dwellings. The +largest was the residence of Colonel North, commanding officer of the +Thirty-fourth. Next to the colonel's residence was that of Major +Silsbee, the battalion commander. Past the major's residence was a row +of somewhat smaller cottages, each the home of a married officer. The +name and rank of each officer was on a doorplate. At the furthest end of +the row from Colonel North's dwelling was a building containing quarters +for bachelor officers. + +On another side of the parade ground were various buildings devoted to +the life of the post. There was an Officers' Club, a library, a +gymnasium, and at one corner, the post hospital. + +Further away from the parade ground were the quarters of enlisted +married men, and, beyond that, the barracks of the four companies of the +Thirty-fourth stationed at Fort Clowdry. Chapel also faced the parade +ground, and, near it, a Y. M. C. A. building. + +Further away was the power house, for the buildings and roads on the +post were lighted by electricity. + +"Have we time to go over to the power house?" asked Noll. + +"We haven't," decided Hal, after consulting his watch. "In twelve +minutes we must be at the adjutant's office." + +"Here comes an officer," whispered Noll. + +Both young soldiers were alert as a first lieutenant came down the road +toward them. At the same instant Hal and Noll raised their right hands +smartly in salute, which was promptly returned by that officer. + +They had already inquired where the adjutant's office was located. +Having passed the officer, our young recruits now hastened over to the +headquarters building. + +"Adjutant's office?" inquired Hal of an orderly before a door. + +"Right inside," nodded the orderly. + +Noll fell in behind Hal as the latter stepped into the office. +At a flat-top desk sat a battalion sergeant-major, who is the +non-commissioned assistant of the regimental adjutant. + +At a roll-top desk in another corner of the office the adjutant himself, +a first lieutenant, was seated. + +"We are recruits reporting, Sergeant," announced Hal, in a low tone. + +"You have your orders with you?" asked the sergeant-major. + +"Yes, Sergeant." Hal handed both sets of papers to his questioner. + +At the same time each recruit was alert to salute the officer at the +roll-top desk, in case he should look up. But he didn't until the +battalion sergeant-major placed the papers on his desk. + +"Come here, men," directed the officer. + +Both rookies stepped over to his desk, halted and saluted. + +"Recruit Privates Overton and Terry?" asked the adjutant, after a glance +at the papers. + +"Yes, sir." + +The adjutant turned to examine a list that lay on his desk. + +"Private Overton to B Company. Private Terry to C Company." + +From an inner room stepped out a gray-haired officer, wearing on his +shoulder-straps the silver eagles of a colonel. This must be Colonel +North, the Thirty-fourth's K. O. Both recruits immediately came to the +salute again. + +"These are the young men I wanted to see, are they not, Wright?" asked +the colonel. + +"They are, sir," replied the adjutant, rising. + +"Major Silsbee!" called the colonel, looking over one shoulder. + +That officer entered, also from the inner room, and again the recruits +saluted. + +"Major," went on the colonel, "these are the young men I told you about, +who are joining your battalion." + +Major Silsbee looked them over keenly, even if briefly. + +"They look the part, Colonel," was the major's comment. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE SQUAD ROOM HAZING + + +"MEN, we have had word of you in advance of your coming," continued the +colonel. + +"Yes, sir," replied Hal. + +"Very good word, indeed. It seems that you took stirring part in +assisting an Army officer last night." + +"We obeyed Major Davis's orders, sir, if that is what you refer to," Hal +assented, once more saluting. + +"And did it in a manner that distinguishes you as good soldiers, eh, +major?" went on the colonel, turning to Major Silsbee. + +"Yes," replied Major Silsbee. "Major Davis's commendation is not earned +except by merit." + +"You are surprised, I take it," resumed Colonel North, bending a shrewd +yet kindly glance on the recruits, "that we should already know of your +conduct last night. Major Davis wired me concerning it from Salida last +night. Men, this is a very good start, or, rather, a second one, for +your record, as forwarded me from the recruit rendezvous, mentions that +you have already been commended in orders for aiding in preventing the +escape of a prisoner. You start well, men, in the Thirty-fourth. Report +to your respective first sergeants that, with the approval of your +company commanders, you will not take up with duty until to-morrow. That +will give you time to look about the post. If you wish, you have also +permission to be off post this afternoon, for three hours beginning at +two o'clock. That is all." + +"Thank you, sir," acknowledged each recruit, saluting. Then they stepped +forth. + +"At the rate we're getting commended, we ought soon to be brigadier +generals," smiled Hal. + +"A second lieutenancy, even after four years, will suit me well enough," +retorted Noll. "But what shall we do now?" + +"Plainly enough our first duty is to report to our first sergeants, as +ordered." + +"Too bad we couldn't be bunkies, in the same company," murmured Noll. + +"Yes; I would rather have had it that way. But I take it that one of the +first lessons a fellow has to learn in the Army is that he can't have +things his own way." + +"At all events we can be together during a good deal of our leisure +time," declared Noll. + +"Nothing--not even being half the world apart--could prevent our being +chums, old fellow." + +Reaching barracks each recruit inquired where to find his own first +sergeant. Hal was soon facing Sergeant Gray, of B Company. The first +sergeant of a company is a highly important man. He is the ranking +non-commissioned officer of his company, and might aptly be termed the +"foreman" of the company. He lives right with his company all the time, +and knows each man thoroughly. The first sergeant is responsible to the +company commander for the discipline and order of the company. + +"Is your name Overton?" asked Sergeant Gray, holding out his hand. "Glad +to have you with us, Overton. You'll bunk in Sergeant Hupner's squad +room. Remember that, when there's anything you really need to know, the +non-commissioned officers of the company are paid to instruct you. Don't +be afraid to ask necessary questions." + +"I won't, thank you, Sergeant." + +"And don't be sensitive or foolish, Overton, about any little pranks +some of the men are more or less bound to play upon you at first. The +easiest way to keep out of trouble is to be good-natured all the time. +But that doesn't mean that you have to submit to any abuse." + +"Thank you, Sergeant." + +"Now, I'll take you to Sergeant Hupner." + +That was more easily said than done. Sergeant Gray took Hal to the squad +room in which he was to live thereafter, but Hupner was out at the time. + +"Just stay here a little while, and report to Sergeant Hupner when he +comes in," directed the first sergeant. "He'll assign you to a bed and +make you feel at home." + +Hardly had Sergeant Gray closed the door when Hal thought he had taken +the measure of the eight other privates present. They looked like a +clean, capable and genial lot of young fellows. He was speedily to find +that they were "genial" enough. + +"So you want to be a regular, do you?" quizzed one of the soldiers, +halting before Hal, and looking him over. + +"Why, I am one already, am I not?" asked Hal, smiling. + +"No, sir, you're not," retorted the questioner. "How did you start in? +Made a grand stand play on the train last night, didn't you? Helped to +shoot up a lot of train robbers, didn't you?" + +"That was under orders of an Army officer," Hal replied good-naturedly. +The other soldiers had crowded about the pair. + +"You went and played the hero, didn't you?" persisted the questioner. +"Probably you didn't know that a regular is never allowed to be a hero. +Heroes serve only in the volunteers." + +This is a well-known joke in the Army. In war time local pride in the +volunteer regiments is always strong. Local newspapers always devote +most of their war space to the "heroic" doings of the local volunteer +regiment. The regulars do the bulk of the fighting, and the most +dangerous, but their deeds of daring are rarely chronicled in the +newspapers. All the praise goes to the volunteer regiments. Hence, in +war time, a stock Army question is, "Are you a hero or a regular?" + +"I guess you've made a mistake," remonstrated Hal, still good-naturedly. +"My friend and I didn't do anything in the heroic line. We simply fired +when told to, and stopped firing, when told to. We didn't make any +charges, capture any forts, or do anything in the least heroic. We +simply stood by and did what the major told us." + +"Good," nodded one of the other men. "The kid is bound to be a regular, +all right. He doesn't brag, and I don't believe he's looking for any +write-up in the newspapers." + +"How did you feel under fire last night?" continued the merciless +questioner. "Brave as a lion?" + +"Don't you believe it," laughed Hal. + +"Were you cool under fire?" + +"Yes; I was!" Hal's answer leaped forth. "Cool? Why, man, I was so cold +that it took me an hour, afterwards, to get warm again." + +"He's got you there, Hyman," laughed another soldier. "Oh, the kid's +going to be one of us, all right. He's no bouquet chaser." + +"I don't know about that," replied Private Hyman gravely. "So many +heroes in disguise try to sneak in among the regulars that it pays us to +keep our eyes open. What sort of a medal are you going to order from +Congress, kid?" + +"A leather one," smiled Hal, "though I'd really prefer a tin medal." + +Good-natured laughter greeted this answer. + +But Private Hyman persisted: + +"In war time you'd chuck us, just to get a commission in the volunteers, +wouldn't you?" + +"Not even for a general's commission in the volunteers," retorted Hal. + +"Are you good at athletics?" + +"No." + +"Know anything about gymnastics?" + +"Only one or two things." + +"Come down to the end of the room with me," ordered Private Hyman. + +Hal good-naturedly followed. So did the others. + +"Now, let's see if you can do this," Hyman proposed. "Take a good start +and jump over the first cot, then over the second, and right on down the +line, as far as you can do." + +That didn't look difficult. Hal leaped over the first cot, then, with +hardly a pause, jumped over the second. So on he went, down over the +line of ten cots. + +"Now, go back again, over the cots on the other side," ordered Private +Hyman. + +Hal did so without difficulty, though he was flushed and panting by the +time that he finished this brisk exercise. + +"Kid, you're no good," grunted Hyman. + +"I didn't try to make you believe I was any good," Hal retorted calmly. + +"No, sir! Any man who jumps as easily and naturally as you do would jump +the regulars any time, and go with the high-toned volunteer crowd." + +"Humph! A fellow who can jump like that would jump right out of the +service at the first breath of trouble," broke in another soldier. + +"He'd desert," agreed a third. + +"Walk on your hands?" queried Hyman. + +Hal proved that he could do so by throwing his heels up into the air and +taking a dozen steps on his hands before he again came to an erect +attitude. + +"Brains are all in your heels," remarked Private Hyman thoughtfully. +"Can you pick that man up and carry him around on your back?" + +The soldier indicated weighed at least a hundred and sixty pounds. + +"I'll try," nodded Hal. Backing up to the soldier, he locked elbows, +back to back, lifted the heavy one to his back and carried him twenty +feet down the squad room. + +"Any fellow with all that strength in his back would get his back up at +trouble, and back out of any fight that came his way," declared Private +Hyman. "But see here, can you place your head on one chair and your feet +on another, stiffen your body and lie there without touching the floor +in any way." + +"Let's see," proposed Hal. Two chairs were quickly swung forward. Hal, +who had good muscular control, took the attitude named, stiffened his +body, and lay between the chairs for some moments. + +"He lies well and easily," observed one of the onlookers. + +"Yes," agreed Private Hyman. "He's easily the champion liar of the +company." + +At that Hal sprang to his feet again. + +As he did so he accidentally pushed one of the chairs over backward. It +was close to the door, which, at that instant, opened. The flying chair +struck the incomer across his shins, bringing an angry exclamation from +the man. + +"Don't you know anything, rook?" demanded the man, Private Bill Hooper. +Hooper stood five feet ten in his socks. He was just under thirty, a man +who was not popular in the company because of his unruly temper. + +"I'm sorry," apologized Hal. "I didn't know you were there." + +"You'll be sorrier, now," cried Hooper fiercely. Striding up to young +Overton, Hooper landed a sound box on one of the boy's ears. + +Hal flushed crimson in an instant. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +PRIVATE BILL HOOPER LEARNS + + +"HOLD on, Hooper!" + +"Don't act like a dog!" + +"He's only a kid--can't you see?" + +Then something happened like lightning. + +Private Hal Overton had meant to take all his hazing good-humoredly. But +a blow struck in anger, and without just cause, was more than he was +prepared to brook. + +"Sergeant Gray told me I was not expected to stand abuse," flashed +through his mind. + +So, instead of cringing away from a repetition of the blow, Hal took a +sudden bound forward. + +Whack! + +"I have no use for a box on the ear," smiled Hal grimly. "So you can +have it back!" + +Private Bill Hooper let out a roar, then sprang for the boy, intending +to pulverize the young rookie with his fists. But five or six of the men +sprang between them, forming an effective human wall. + +"Shame on you, Hooper!" + +"That's no way for a man to act." + +"Get off your blouse, kid," blustered Private Hooper, as he unfastened +his own blouse and tossed it over the end of a cot. "You need a +trimming, and you're going to get it right now!" + +"Here, kid, button your blouse up again," ordered Private Hyman. "You +ain't called upon to fight that bully. Hooper, if you're spoiling for +fight I'll do my best to be kind to you." + +But Hal, the flush dying from his cheeks, coolly continued unbuttoning +his blouse. Then he pulled it off, handing it to a soldier near by. + +"Dress yourself, kid. You don't have to fight a man twice your size." + +"Let some one else have the job, kid. There's some of us here will take +it." + +"The kid will stand up and take his own trimming," announced Hooper, +with ugly emphasis. + +"No, no, no!" + +"Beat it, Hooper!" + +"Mates," went on Hal, as soon as he could make himself heard, "I'm +willing to stand for anything that's coming to a rook. But this is a +case that calls for something different. I've got to satisfy this man +that I can stand up before a pair of fists, or he'll never respect me +enough to let me alone." + +"Why, kid, a man of Hooper's size will reduce you to powder," objected +Hyman seriously. "It's all right to have sand, and I guess you've got +it, but you've no call to be slaughtered." + +"He'll thrash me," agreed Hal coolly, "but I'll get in enough on him to +make him want to let me alone after this. I'm ready for the fellow." + +Realizing that the rookie was in earnest the soldiers stepped away from +between the pair. + +"But you play fair, Hooper, or we'll kick you all over the squad room," +warned another soldier. + +Private Hooper clenched his fists, and stood flexing his arms, which, +through his shirt-sleeves, appeared to be decidedly powerful. + +"Step up, kid, and get your trimming," he invited, with a ferocious +smile. + +"I don't know much about fighting," admitted Hal, smiling pleasantly. +"All I know my dancing teacher taught me." + +That raised a laugh and angered Hooper. This was just what the rookie +wanted to do, for he judged that Hooper could be prodded into a blind +rage. + +Hooper now jumped forward, aiming an ugly swing for Hal's head. But the +rookie side-stepped swiftly out of the way. As he did so, one foot +dragged in front of the advancing bully. Hooper tripped over that foot, +and the force of his swing carried him forward so that he fell flat on +his face. + +"Too bad! I hope you didn't hurt yourself," teased Hal sweetly, whirling +about like a flash. + +Hooper was up with an oath, wind-milling his big arms. + +"Take that!" he roared, aiming a heavy blow straight at Hal's chest. + +"Against the rules of my dancing master!" mimicked Hal, bounding to the +left. As he did so he let his right fist drop on the point of Hooper's +chin. + +"Ugh!" grunted the bully. + +"Spit it out, if it got in your mouth," advised Hal unconcernedly, as he +again faced his antagonist. + +From the way he dodged the next six or eight assaults it did look as +though Hal had spoken the truth when he stated that he had learned his +style of fighting from a dancing master. For the nimble rookie never did +seem to be just where Bill Hooper looked for him when landing blows. + +"Take your partners!" mocked Hal Overton, as he darted past again. This +time, however, he landed a very hot and powerful blow right against +Hooper's right eye. + +Now cautious cries of approval went up from the other men crowding +about. All of the men were careful not to make much noise, through fear +of bringing interference. + +A minute later Hooper received such a stinging blow on the nose that it +brought a little trickle of red. + +"Woof!" panted Hal, in going by again. + +"Woof!" echoed Hooper. "Wow--ow--ugh!" + +Then he doubled up, winded, for Hal, after feinting for the big fellow's +face had calmly but forcefully struck him just above the beltline. +Hooper was out of it for the present, and he knew it. + +"Now sail in and finish him, rook!" called four or five men at once. + +"Not this time," replied Hal, going over to the soldier who held his +blouse, taking the garment and putting it on. "I'll save the rest for +the next dance whenever Hooper feels festive." + +Grateful that he didn't have to stand and take punishment in his present +condition, Hooper groped to a chair and sat down. + +"Now, then, mates," announced Hal modestly, "when we were interrupted I +was trying to show you that I don't ache to be a hero. Being a regular +is good enough for me. I am ready to answer any further questions." + +But just at that moment a bugle sounded the call to drill. + +"You've answered enough questions for the present, rook," replied +Private Hyman, patting Overton on the shoulder as he went by. Hooper +struggled into his blouse, then went over to a sink and washed the red +from his nose before hurrying out with the others. The big private +didn't even look at Hal Overton as he went by. + +Being excused from duty for the day, Hal went in search of Noll Terry. +He found him waiting outside of barracks. + +"Whew, but I've been through a mill," sighed Noll. + +"I've been ground just a bit myself," laughed Hal. + +"Did the fellows twit you about last night's work?" asked Noll +curiously. + +"Well, some," admitted Hal. + +"If there's anything left that the fellows in the squad room can think +of to do to me, I'm wondering what it is," grunted Private Terry. + +"Oh, they'll think up enough things," Hal declared. "We needn't imagine +that our mates will exhaust themselves in twenty minutes of fun. You +didn't lose your temper, did you, Noll?" + +"No; and I don't want to. But there's one fellow in our room that I am +certain I'll have to fight before I get through." + +"There's a fellow in our room that I don't believe I will have to +fight," chuckled Private Overton. + +"Have you been in a fight already?" asked Noll, flashing a swift look at +his chum. + +"Oh, no," Hal answered. "A dancing lesson was as far as I got this +morning. But come along, Noll. I want to get where we can get a look at +the great mountains yonder. My, how they seem to tower above the fort +and wall us in!" + +Fort Clowdry was some fifty-two hundred feet above sea level. From +there, however, high mountains were visible that extended some thousands +of feet higher in the air. All about was a great view of rugged mountain +scenery. + +Over past the buildings at the west end of the post the two rookies +wandered. Now they had a noble view of the mountains. + +"Are you going off post this afternoon, as the colonel said we could?" +asked Noll, by and by. + +"Not unless you very much want to, Noll. Can't we put in the time better +learning our way around the post?" + +"Perhaps we can," assented Noll. + +A soldier came along, driving a pair of mules to which a quarter +master's wagon was hitched. As he drew near, with a heavy load aboard, +he halted to rest the mules. + +"Rooks, ain't ye?" questioned the soldier. + +"Yes," admitted Hal. + +"Taking a survey of the post?" + +"Rather. We don't have to report for duty until to-morrow." + +After a few moments the soldier climbed down from the seat of the wagon. +He was wholly willing to tell the boys whatever they wanted to know +about Fort Clowdry and to point out the features of interest in the +surrounding lines of mountains. + +"Ever go hunting?" asked the soldier, at last. + +"Yes; after squirrels and partridges," laughed Hal. + +"No real hunting, though?" + +"None." + +"Then, if you can keep out of discipline troubles, ye'll have some fun +around here by and by." + +"Soldiers don't have much time for hunting, do they?" Hal asked. + +"Those that know how to hunt do," replied the older soldier. "That's +part of the life here. Didn't ye ever hear about soldier hunting +parties?" + +"I certainly haven't," Hal admitted. + +"Why, men of good conduct are often allowed to go off on hunting parties +when the game's running right. Generally there's six or eight men to a +party, and all have to be fair shots, for the K. O. doesn't aim to have +too much ammunition wasted," explained the old soldier. "One of the +party is a non-com and he has charge of the party." + +"What do the hunters get?" queried Hal. + +"Well, for bigger game, bear and mountain antelope mostly. Then some +parties go after birds; there's plenty of them, too, in the mountains, +at the right seasons." + +"Say!" exploded Noll, his eyes shining. + +"Think ye'd like to go on a hunting party, do ye?" asked the soldier. +"Get up yer record for marksmanship, then." + +"What's done with the game?" asked Noll innocently. + +"What----" the soldier started to repeat. Then he added, dryly: + +"Oh, we send the game to the hospitals in Denver and Pueblo, of course!" + +"Don't we get any of it to eat?" asked Noll, looking up. + +"Say, don't ever go off with a party that doesn't bring back a big haul +of game," advised the older soldier. "If ye do, the company cooks will +lynch ye. Why, that's what we go hunting for--to vary the bill of fare +here at the post. Sometimes, when we're all just aching for bear steaks, +an officer and twenty or thirty men all hike off at once into the +mountain trails. There are plenty of game dinners at Clowdry, at +different times in the year." + +Then the soldier climbed leisurely to the seat of his wagon and started +on again. + +"I wonder if he was fooling us about hunting parties," mused Hal. + +Later on, however, the rookies discovered that the soldier had told them +the truth. On some of the Western posts, hunting forms one of the +diversions of the men. + +Presently they met another soldier, this time afoot. + +"How far can we go without getting off the reservation?" Hal inquired. + +"The way you're headed now you can go another mile without getting off +limits," the soldier replied. + +"Reservation" is a term applied to the limits of an Army post. Wherever +an Army post exists it includes land reserved by the United States from +the jurisdiction of the individual state. Hence the name of reservation. + +It was wilder country out here, away from the well-kept roads. + +"Come on," urged Hal. "I'm going to take a good walk yet." + +They had gone along, briskly, for at least another half mile when some +flying missile went by Hal's head. Noll, who was just behind him, saw +the missile, and watched it land on the ground beyond. + +"Whoever is throwing rocks of that size--quit!" shouted Noll, wheeling +to his left and glaring at an irregularly-shaped ledge some sixty yards +away. + +"Let's see who it is, anyway," cried Hal, darting toward the ledge. + +By the time they reached the ledge they heard some lively scrambling +among the rocks beyond, but neither rookie could see anyone. All was +quiet for a few moments. Then a foot slipped on a stone, at a little +distance. Hal raced straight in the direction of the sound. He was in +time to see a crouching, running figure darting in and out among the +rocks. + +"Come on, Noll! We've got him!" yelled Hal. + +In another minute they had overtaken the fugitive, who now stood panting +at bay. + +"Well, you're a nice one!" ejaculated Private Hal Overton. + +"Tip Branders--out here in Colorado!" ejaculated Noll Terry. + +"No; my name ain't Branders. Ye've got me mixed up with somebody else!" +glowered the young man at bay. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE MYSTERY OF POST THREE + + +"OH, no, your name isn't Tip Branders!" mocked Hal Overton. + +"That's what I said," retorted the young man at bay. + +"Then how do you know who we are?" + +"I don't know who ye are, and what's more, I don't care," retorted the +other. + +"Tip, I guess you've forgotten to write home lately," broke in Noll. +"What would you say if you should hear that your uncle in Australia had +died and left your mother more than two million dollars?" + +The young man's eyes opened very wide indeed. He gasped, and then his +eyes flashed eagerly. + +"Has the old lady all that money?" he demanded. "Noll Terry, what else +do you know about it?" + +The young man came briskly forward now, all trembling with eagerness. + +"I don't know anything at all about it," retorted Noll coolly, "and I +don't believe it either." + +"But you said----" + +"Oh, Tip, what an idiot you are to think you can deny your identity to +us," jeered Noll, while Hal laughed merrily. + +"Say, if you're trying to have sport with me," snarled Tip, "I'll----" + +"Is it your idea of sport to shy rocks at us?" demanded Private Hal. + +"I didn't shy anything at you," asserted Tip sullenly. + +"Why, for that matter," Hal went on jeeringly, "I don't suppose you'll +even admit that you're here, at all?" + +"Don't get too festive, just because you've got the government's blue +clothes on," Tip retorted sullenly. "A plain, ordinary soldier ain't +such a much." + +"Opinions may differ about that, of course," Hal admitted. "But being a +soldier was too much of a job for you to get a chance at, wasn't it, +Tip?" + +"I'm just as well suited as it is," rejoined Tip, flushing a bit, none +the less. + +"You haven't told us what you're doing out in this country," Noll +suggested. + +"And I don't know that it's any of your business, either," Branders went +on. "Ain't nothing to be ashamed of, though. You know I used to travel a +bit with the political crowd at home." + +"With the heelers of the city," Noll amended. + +Tip scowled, but continued: + +"Well, I got into a bit of a row, that's all. So I lit out until things +could blow over a bit." + +"And took some of your mother's cash before you left, I heard," nodded +Private Noll Terry. + +"She gave it to me," cried Tip fiercely. "Now, see here, don't you +fellows say nothing about seeing me out in this part of the country. I'm +out here trying to run down a good, new start in life. You just keep +your tongues behind your teeth as far as my affairs are concerned." + +"What kind of a new start can you make out in these hills?" queried Hal. + +"That's what I'm here to find out. My cash has about run out, so I'm +walking. I'm bound for a ranch about forty miles west of here, where I +expect to land a job. So don't you go to talking too much about me, and +trying to spoil me." + +"Why did you try to knock me over with a small-sized boulder?" Hal +insisted. + +"Because I wanted to play a joke on you," retorted Tip, with a grin. + +"That's a lie, but let it go at that," rejoined Hal Overton. "It would +be too much, anyway, wouldn't it, Tip, to expect the truth from you?" + +"You always were down on me," replied Branders half coaxingly. "If you'd +only taken more trouble to understand me you'd have understood that I'm +not a half bad fellow." + +"No; only about nine-tenths bad," grimaced Noll derisively. + +"Well, there's no use in my staying here to talk with you fellows," +muttered Tip angrily. "You never were friends of mine. So I'll be on my +way." + +"Tramping it for forty miles, are you?" called Noll, as Tip turned away. + +"'Bout that," Branders called back over his shoulder. + +"Then, man alive, why don't you keep to the road, instead of scrambling +over these rough boulders?" + +Tip's only answer was a snort. + +"Come back to the road," proposed Hal to his chum. So the two rookies +clambered back over the ledge and down onto the excellent military road. +But they caught no further glimpse of Tip Branders; plainly he preferred +different paths. + +"What do you make out of Tip?" asked Noll, a minute later. + +"Nothing," Hal answered, "except that he was lying, as usual, of course. +Tip never tells the truth; there's no sport in it." + +"I'd like to know what he is doing out in this country." + +"Oh, I reckon," suggested Hal, "that, as he couldn't be a soldier, he +thought he'd take up cowboy life as the next best thing." + +"He won't last long as a cowboy," laughed Noll. "Tip hates work, and the +cowboy is about the hardest worked man in America." + +"Well, we don't have to worry about Tip," muttered Hal. "We don't even +have to talk about him. Noll, look at those noble old mountains!" + +"Some day, when we have enough time off, we must walk to the mountains," +urged Noll. "I wonder how many miles away they are--five, or six?" + +"Hm!" laughed Hal. "I asked Sergeant Gray, and he said that range over +there is about forty miles away." + +"Forty!" Noll looked plainly unbelieving. + +"You'll find out, Noll Terry, that the air in these glorious old Rocky +Mountains is so mighty clear that you can't judge distances the way you +did back East. I'd rather have Sergeant Gray's word than any evidence +that my own eyes can supply me with." + +"We won't get to that mountain range, then, until we have a week off," +sighed Noll. + +After wandering about for some time more the young rookies strolled +back to barracks. Hal had yet to find Sergeant Hupner and get assigned +to a bed and a locker. + +Hupner proved to be a rather short, but keen and very pleasant fellow. +He was of German origin, but had no accent in his speech, having been +educated in this country. + +"You'll like the regiment, the battalion and B Company, Overton, when +you get used to us," Sergeant Hupner informed the young rookie. + +"I'm sure of it, Sergeant," Hal replied. "But it'll be far more to the +point, won't it, if I make my comrades like me?" + +"Oh, you'll get along all right," replied Hupner, who had had a report +on the quiet of Hal's performance with big Bill Hooper that morning. +"The main thing for a recruit, Overton, is not to act as if he knew it +all until he really does. And no old soldier does claim to know too +much. You'll have to fall in for dinner in about ten minutes. When the +company assembles report to Sergeant Gray, who'll give you your place in +the ranks." + +When the two recruits marched into company mess, that noon, both Hal and +Noll felt odd. The chums had not been used to being separated. + +After dinner the two were together again, however. Guided by Hyman they +went to the recreation hall, on the second floor of barracks building. +This hall was fitted up for games and sports, and at one end was a stage +with scenery. + +"Who gives the shows?" asked Hal. + +"Once in a great while the men chip in from company funds to hire a real +company, or troupe," replied Private Hyman. "The officers always add +something, then. But, more often, the men supply their own talent. We've +got a lot of show talent of all sorts among nearly four hundred men." + +Hyman was soon called away to a drill, though not before he had pointed +out other places of interest. Hal and Noll went over to the library, the +gym. and the Y. M. C. A. building. They wound up their afternoon of +leisure by attending parade just before retreat. Retreat is always +followed, immediately, by the firing of the sunset gun and the hauling +down of the post Flag for the night. + +When tattoo was sounded by the bugler that night both chums were glad +enough to turn down their beds and get into them. Neither Hal nor Noll +remained awake more than two minutes. + +The windows were open, and a cool, delicious breeze, circulated through +the squad room. Hal slept the sleep of the truly tired, hearing nothing +of the martial snores of some of the men on adjoining cots. It was late +in the night when Private Overton was awakened by the sound of a rifle +shot. + +"I must have been dreaming through the scenes of last night again," Hal +muttered drowsily. + +None of the other men in the room appeared to have heard the sound at +all. + +But now it came again. A shot was followed by a second, then by a third. + +"Corporal of the guard--post number three!" yelled a lusty voice, though +the distance was such that Hal Overton heard the sound only faintly. + +Crack--crack! + +Then a bugle pealed on the air, though still Hal's comrades in the squad +room slumbered on. + +Too curious to turn over and go to sleep again, Hal stole softly from +his cot and reached an open window on the side that looked out over the +parade. + +There was no moon, but in the light of the stars Hal could see several +uniformed men running swiftly across the parade ground to officers' row. + +"It's no dream," muttered Overton, intensely interested, "for there goes +the corporal with the guard. What on earth can it mean?" + +There was something up--and something exciting, at that, for experienced +sentries never fire except in case of need. Moreover, several +sentries--no fewer than four--had just fired almost simultaneously. + +Nor did the corporal and his squad return within the next few minutes. + +Whatever it was that had resulted in turning out the guard, the need for +the guard plainly still continued. + +"There's no more shooting, anyway," Hal reflected. "I may as well go +back to bed." + +It was some minutes ere he could sleep. When he did fall off it seemed +as though only a minute or two had passed when the bugle again pealed. + +Hal was on his feet in a second. So were most of the other soldiers in +the squad room this time. + +"Why, it's daylight now," uttered Hal, looking astounded. + +"Of course it is, rook," laughed the soldier whose bed was next to +Hal's. "That bugler sounded first call to reveille. Don't you know what +that is yet?" + +In other words the soldier's alarm clock had "gone off." Though all of +these men had slept through the call for the corporal of the guard, +simply because it did not concern them, every man had turned out at the +first or second note of "first call to reveille." + +Every man dressed swiftly. As soon as he got his clothing on each +soldier turned up his bedding according to the regulations. + +There was some "policing" of the room done. That is, everything was made +shipshape and tidy. Last of all, and within a very few minutes from the +start, the men made their way briskly to the sinks, where soap and +water, comb and brush, put on the finishing touches. A sergeant, two +corporals and nearly a score of men were now as neat and clean as +soldiers must ever be. + +"What was that row in the night, Corporal? Do you know?" Hal asked. + +"What row in the night?" asked Corporal Cotter. + +"Why, there was a lot of shooting, and a call for the corporal of the +guard to post number six." + +"First I've heard of it," replied Corporal Cotter. "But we'll know +before long. Now, step lively, rook, for you're on duty with the rest +to-day." + +By the time that Sergeant Gray's squad room emptied at the call of the +bugle it was instantly plain outside that something unusual was going +on. + +A and D Companies, as they fell in, proved each to be twenty men short. + +"There are extra guards out, and a picket down the road to town," +muttered Private Hyman, who stood next to Hal in the ranks. + +"What does it mean?" asked Hal Overton, but instantly his thoughts went +back to the shots and the excitement of the night. + +"Silence in the ranks," growled Corporal Cotter. + +But at breakfast tongues were unloosed. Hal quickly told what little he +had seen and heard in the night. Others passed the gossip that twenty +men had been silently summoned from a squad room in A Company, and +twenty more from a squad room in D Company. + +"There's some mischief floating in the air--that's certain," muttered +Private Hyman. + +"How did you happen to be up to see and hear it all, Overton?" demanded +Sergeant Gray. + +Hal explained, frankly and briefly, but the sergeant's eyes were keenly +questioning. + +Before the meal was over the company commander, Captain Cortland, +entered the room. + +"Keep your seats, men. Go on with your breakfast. Sergeant Gray, I will +speak with you for a moment." + +The first sergeant hastily rose, going over to his captain and saluting. +After the company commander had gone, at the end of a brief, almost +whispered conversation, Gray came back to his seat, looking wholly +mysterious. + +"B Company, rise," ordered the first sergeant, at the end of the meal. +"Attention! The men of this company will have ten minutes for +recreation, then be prepared to fall in at an extra inspection on the +parade ground. After filing out of here no man will go indoors again +before inspection." + +"Is it to be inspection without arms, Sergeant Gray?" called Sergeant +Hupner. + +"Inspection just as you stand," replied Sergeant Gray, then gave the +marching order. + +"What on earth is up, Hal?" demanded Noll, when the two young rookies +met outside of mess a few minutes later. + +"I wish I knew," was Hal's puzzled reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +HAL UNDER A FIRE OF QUESTIONS + + +IMMEDIATELY after the bugle call for assembly the four companies of the +first battalion of the Thirty-fourth fell in by companies on the parade +ground. + +After roll-call had been read each company commander stepped before his +own command. + +"Was any man of B Company absent from his squad room at any time around +two o'clock this morning?" called Captain Cortland, looking keenly over +his command. Other company commanders were asking the same question. "If +so, that man will fall out." + +Not a man fell out of any of the four companies. + +"Was any man in B Company up and moving about the squad room at or about +two o'clock this morning?" was Captain Cortland's next question. "If so, +fall out." + +Private Hal Overton quickly left his place in the ranks. + +"Advance, Private Overton," ordered Captain Cortland. + +Hal stepped forward, halting six paces from his company commander and +saluting. + +"You were up and about in the squad room at that time, Private Overton?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Did you leave the squad room?" + +"No, sir." + +"You are positive of that?" + +"Positive, sir." + +"You did not leave the squad room, even for a moment?" + +"No, sir." + +"What brought you out of your bed?" + +"I heard shots, sir, and calls for the guard." + +"What else did you see or hear, Private Overton?" + +"I went to the window, and saw that there was some excitement up by the +officers' quarters, sir." + +"Then what did you do?" + +"After listening and looking for some time, sir, I returned to my bed, +wondering what it was all about." + +Hal was the only soldier in the battalion who had fallen out of ranks. + +"Follow me," ordered Captain Cortland. He led the young soldier back to +where Adjutant Wright and the sergeant-major were standing by Major +Silsbee. + +"Lieutenant Wright," reported Captain Cortland, "Private Overton admits +being up in the squad room at the time when the shots were fired in the +dark hours this morning. He claims that he did not leave the squad room, +and that it was the noise that woke him and made him curious." + +"Go to my office, Private Overton, with Sergeant-major Beall," directed +the adjutant briefly. + +Hal and the sergeant-major saluted, then stepped away. + +"Is it allowable, Sergeant, for a rookie to ask what this is all about?" +asked Hal respectfully, as the two neared the adjutant's office at +headquarters. + +"You'd better not ask. I'm not going to tell you anything," replied +Beall. + +So Hal was silent, though he could hardly escape the feeling that he was +being treated a good deal like a suspected criminal. Though he knew that +he was innocent of any wrong-doing in connection with the excitement of +the night before he could not help feeling undefined dread. + +Lieutenant Wright speedily returned to his office, taking his seat at +his desk. Hal was summoned and made to stand at attention before the +adjutant. + +"Now, Private Overton," began the adjutant, fixing a frigid gaze on the +rookie, "you may as well tell me all you know about last night's +business." + +Hal quickly told the little that he knew. + +"Come, come, my man," retorted Lieutenant Wright, "that much won't do. +Out with the rest of it." + +"There isn't any 'rest of it' that I know of, sir," Private Hal answered +respectfully. + +"Now, my man----" + +With that preliminary Lieutenant Wright proceeded to put the young +recruit through a severe, grilling cross-examination. But Hal kept his +head through it all, insisting that he had told all he knew. + +"Overton," rapped in the adjutant, at last, "you are very new to the +Army, and you don't appear to realize all the facilities we have for +compelling men to speak. If you remain obtuse any longer, it may be +necessary for me to order you to the guard-house under confinement." + +"I am very sorry, Lieutenant," Hal replied, flushing, "that you will not +believe me. On my word of honor as a soldier I have told you all that I +know of the matter." + +The adjutant bent forward, looking keenly into the rookie's eyes. Hal +did not flinch, returning the gaze steadily, respectfully. + +Then, in a somewhat less gruff tone, Lieutenant Wright continued: + +"That is all for the present, Private Overton. Report to your company +commander, at once." + +The adjutant and sergeant-major left headquarters a moment later, going +by a different path. As Hal glanced down the parade ground he saw the +men out of ranks, though every man was still close to his place. + +"Major," reported the adjutant, after the exchange of salutes between +the officers, "Private Overton denies having left the squad room in the +early hours this morning. For that matter, sir, if he had not been +honest, he need not have reported that he was out of his bed, or that he +heard the sentries' shots." + +"It was well he did admit that much," replied the major, "for he let it +out at company mess this morning." + +"I went at the young recruit, sir, so severely that I was almost ashamed +of myself," continued the adjutant. "I am under the impression, sir, +that Private Overton told me the truth." + +"So am I," admitted Major Silsbee thoughtfully. "His record, so far, is +against the idea of his being mixed up in rascally business. I think it +likely that Private Overton's extreme fault, if he is guilty of any, is +that he is possibly shielding some other soldiers whom he saw sneak +back into barracks after the excitement was over. Probably he isn't even +guilty of that much." + +"Are you going to search the squad rooms, sir?" inquired the adjutant. + +"Yes, Wright, though it makes me feel almost sick to put such an affront +upon hundreds of innocent and decent men." + +"The decent ones, sir, will welcome the search." + +"That is what Colonel North told me. Summon the company commanders, and +direct them to go into each squad room of their companies with the +sergeant in charge of the squad room." + +Hal, in the meantime, had returned to B Company. He found many of his +comrades regarding him suspiciously, and flushed in consequence. But +Corporal Cotter, Private Hyman and others stepped over to him. + +"What's it all about, rookie? Do you know?" asked the corporal. + +"Not a blessed thing, Corporal," replied the young recruit. + +"Look! Here come the company commanders back," called another soldier, +in a low tone. + +"Sergeant Gray and the other sergeants of B Company will follow me to +barracks," called Captain Cortland. + +Now the curious soldiers saw each company commander, followed by his +sergeants, step back to barracks. + +For an hour the puzzled men of the battalion waited on the parade +ground. + +Then, in some mysterious manner, the news of what had really happened +began to spread. + +In the night unknown men had broken into Major Silsbee's house. This had +not been a difficult thing to do as, on a military post, doors are +rarely locked. Not one of the three entrances to Major Silsbee's +quarters had been locked at the time. + +Downstairs the thieves had gathered a few articles together, but had not +taken them, as they had found better plunder upstairs. From a +dressing-room adjoining Mrs. Silsbee's sleeping apartment the prowlers +had taken a jewel case containing jewels worth some three thousand +dollars. There had also been about two hundred dollars in money in the +case. + +As the thieves were leaving the house they were seen by a sentry some +sixty yards away. The sentry had challenged, then fired. The thieves had +fled, swiftly, running directly away from all light. But another sentry +had also seen them, and had fired. Both sentries had agreed that there +were four men, and that they wore the uniforms of soldiers. + +The thieves made good their escape. Soon after the alarm was given +forty men from A and D companies had been silently turned out to aid in +establishing a stronger guard, and the barracks building had been +watched through the rest of the night. + +Yet no soldier had been caught trying to get back into barracks, nor had +any man been missing at roll-call unless well accounted for. + +"Somewhere in this battalion, then," murmured Noll to a man in C +Company, "there are four soldiers who are thieves." + +"Yes," replied the soldier bluntly, "and it looks as though your bunkie +at the recruit rendezvous might know something about it." + +"Hal Overton doesn't know," flared Noll promptly, "or he'd have told!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE ANONYMOUS LETTER + + +IT was a four days' wonder, and then it dropped. + +The search at barracks had revealed nothing. There was not a soldier on +the post against whom any tangible suspicion pointed. + +"There's just one way that a clue might be found," muttered Private Bill +Hooper, one morning in Sergeant Hupner's squad room. "In time it may +turn out that a sweetheart of some soldier gets some pretty jewelry +trinkets given to her." + +He glared covertly, though meaningly, at Hal Overton. + +But Hal was far enough away neither to see nor to hear Hooper's fling. + +"You'll never get caught on that trick, Bill," jeered Private Hyman. "No +girl would look at you, even if you displayed the whole of the missing +jewelry." + +"I've had my share of sweethearts in my day," growled big Private +Hooper. + +"That was before your face changed for worse," grinned Hyman. + +"Don't get gay with me," warned Hooper sulkily, "or your face may +suffer some changes!" + +"Go over and thump the kid," proposed Hyman. + +It was Hal who was meant by the term "kid." + +"I don't like that youngster," muttered Hooper. "And I don't trust him, +either." + +"That'll never worry Hal Overton," smiled Hyman. "Hooper, you look so +untidy that it's a wonder Sergeant Hupner doesn't 'call' you oftener for +it. And you clean up your rifle about once a fortnight. Look at Overton +over there." + +Hal was at work with his kit of cleaning tools, going over his rifle as +methodically and industriously as though it were a piece of rare silver +plate. + +"He'll rub and polish that old piece of his until he wears it out," +mumbled Hooper. + +"One of the surest signs of the good soldier is when you see him putting +in a lot of his spare time caring for his uniforms and equipments," +broke in Sergeant Hupner, behind them. "Hooper, go and brush your +uniform, and clean your boots and polish 'em. I'll report you, if I see +you so slouchy in the future." + +Bill Hooper moved away, scowling. + +Sergeant Gray strode in at that moment. + +"Do you want leave to go to town to-day, reporting back at tattoo, +Hyman?" inquired the first sergeant. + +"Thank you, yes, Sergeant." + +"All right; I'll turn you in on the list to Captain Cortland. I'll +notify you of leave within half an hour." + +Then he stepped over to Hal. + +"Overton, you haven't had any leave to visit town since you joined. +Would you like to take leave to-day?" + +"No, Sergeant, thank you." + +Sergeant Gray looked his surprise. + +"Why not?" he demanded. + +"I have too much to learn right here, Sergeant. I'm going to stick, and +work, until I'm out of the recruit class." + +"Good boy!" murmured Gray, in an undertone, and passed on. But Gray +stopped when he came up with Hupner. + +"Hupner, you've got a valuable man in Overton." + +"I know it, Sergeant." + +"Give him all the little points you can that will take him out of the +recruit class promptly." + +"Why, Sergeant," smiled Hupner, "Overton can go out of the recruit class +at about any time now. Report him for the guard detail any time that you +want. He'll make good. He's keen on every bit of his work. He can go +through his manual of arms like a juggler. He has studied his infantry +drill regulations until he's about worn the book out; he knows his +manual of guard duty by heart, and it would be mighty hard to trip him +anywhere in his small arms firing manual. Have you noticed his facings +and his marching at drill?" + +"Yes," nodded Sergeant Gray thoughtfully. "The boy's a good one, all +right." + +"Take it from me, Sergeant--you needn't hesitate to detail the kid for +guard or any other duty. He'll suit Captain Cortland." + +"I'll detail him for guard, then, as soon as I can," returned Sergeant +Gray. "That gives a young soldier confidence as soon as anything else +ever does." + +As often as is practicable enlisted men are given a day's leave, with +permission to go off post and visit the nearest town. This leave is +given to men known to be of good conduct. A "bad" soldier, when one is +found, gets little in the way of leave. + +Whenever a soldier or an ex-soldier is found slandering the Army service +it is invariably safe to set him down as a man who, through very poor +soldierly qualities, or actual viciousness, got "in the bad books" of +his officers. There is every desire on the part of regimental and +company officers to make it pleasant for a truly good soldier, and to +keep him in the service until he has reached retiring age. + +The man who gets into bad company when away on leave is the soldier who +has the most difficulty in getting leave another time. + +On the other hand, the soldier of good conduct can have much leave +during the month. It is a practice at many posts, when a man has a +trade, and can get small jobs to do near the post, to allow him as many +half days for that work as may be granted him without injury to the +service. In this way handy men or mechanics among the soldiers often add +many dollars to their pocket money. + +As Private Bill Hooper went away to clean up his uniform and shoes, Hal +blithely kept at work putting his rifle in A 1 order. + +Both were interrupted, half an hour later, by the bugle call for +separate company drill. + +Private Overton was among the first on the drill ground. His clothing +looked as though it had just come from the tailor's; his rifle had the +appearance of being fresh from the arsenal. + +"There's a man for you, Hyman," spoke Sergeant Hupner, in an undertone. +"If the kid keeps on as he has started he'll be a winner." + +"I've had my eye on him," nodded Private Hyman. "He seems to be good all +the way through." + +"Is he ever a little bit fresh in the squad room?" continued Sergeant +Hupner. + +"If the kid is," replied Hyman, "I've never happened to be around at +that time. But he stands up for himself when he has to. I suppose you've +heard, Sergeant, how he trimmed Bill Hooper off?" + +"Yes," nodded Hupner; "that sort of thing won't hurt Hooper at all, +either." + +"Hooper may lay for a chance to accuse Overton of something in the squad +room that the kid didn't do." + +"I'll have my eyes open for Hooper," replied Hupner dryly. "I haven't +anything against any of the other sergeants in this battalion, but I +really wish some other sergeant had Hooper in his squad room." + +"B Company fall in," sounded the voice of Captain Cortland. + +First Lieutenant Hampton and the sergeants hastened to their posts, +while the corporals and privates went to their places in the ranks. + +The command for open order was given, after which Captain Cortland +commanded: + +"Inspect the second platoon, Lieutenant Hampton." + +With that the company commander himself passed behind the backs of the +men of the first platoon, looking each man over keenly. + +"Private Hooper, fall out!" ordered Captain Cortland sharply. + +When the captain had finished his own work, and Lieutenant Hampton had +reported all men in the second platoon to be soldierly in appearance, +Captain Cortland turned to Bill Hooper with a look of disapproval. + +"Private Hooper, this is the third time within a month that you've +failed to report in neat and soldierly appearance. Who is in charge of +your squad room?" + +"Sergeant Hupner, sir." + +"Sergeant Hupner," resumed the captain, "what have you to say to this +man's appearance?" + +"I ordered him, at least a half an hour ago, sir, to clean himself up." + +"Keep right after Private Hooper, Sergeant. If he fails again to keep +himself as a soldier should, report him to the first sergeant." + +Hooper's face burned darkly. Even honest Sergeant Hupner flushed. A +shiftless soldier is a sore trial to the sergeant responsible for him. + +Now, at the brisk command, B Company moved off in column of fours. A +long practice march followed. While out, the company was halted and +drilled searchingly. It was a hard morning's work, B Company returning +just in time for dinner. In the afternoon there was another drill. +Parade wound up the day. + +On his return from parade Lieutenant Wright, the adjutant, found in his +office mail a letter that caused him a good deal of astonishment. + + "Watch Private Overton, B. Company, if you want to + find a man who knows a lot about the robbery the + other night. He has been acting suspiciously, and + I have it from a man in his squad room that + Overton sometimes talks in his sleep in a way to + show that either he was one of the robbers, or + else that he knows who they are. + + "A FRIEND." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A SECRET COWARD + + +IF any official notice was taken of that lying anonymous note the +rascally writer thereof did not have the satisfaction of discovering it +for some time to come. + +Duties in the battalion went on, as usual, at Fort Clowdry, the next +day. + +Late in the afternoon, however, came a brief battalion drill, followed +by the glorious spectacle of dress parade. + +After the regimental band had played the colors down the line, and the +other ceremonies had been observed, Adjutant Wright took his post to +publish the orders. + +These were few, and the reading did not occupy long. As the officer +returned the papers to the breast of his coat the men expected to see +him step back. Instead, however, the adjutant sharply called: + +"Battalion, attention! I am directed by the battalion commander to make +an inquiry. Each man will pay close heed, and answer if he is able. Has +any non-commissioned officer or private in this battalion heard, at any +time lately, any man in the same squad room with him talk in his sleep +in such a way as to indicate that the man talking in his sleep had any +knowledge concerning the men who recently broke into and robbed the +battalion commander's quarters? Any man having such knowledge will fall +out." + +There was a tense silence, but the ranks of the first battalion remained +intact. + +"If there is any non-commissioned officer or private who did not fully +understand my question, he will fall out," continued the adjutant. + +Still no man fell out. + +"If the man who addressed the anonymous letter to the battalion adjutant +is present he will step out," continued Lieutenant Wright. + +Still the ranks remained unbroken. + +Being at "attention," each man in the four companies was looking fixedly +ahead. But curiosity was running wild under all those blue fatigue +blouses! + +"An anonymous letter has been received at battalion headquarters," +continued the adjutant sternly. "This letter accuses a soldier, who is +named, of having guilty knowledge concerning the perpetrators of the +robbery of the other night. The writer of this letter asserts that other +men in the squad room have heard the anonymously accused soldier talking +in his sleep in such a manner as to implicate the accused in the +robbery. + +"No man present has acknowledged having heard such talk. Either some +soldiers now in ranks have lied in denying having heard such talk, or +else the writer of the anonymous letter is a liar. I am directed by the +battalion commander to state his belief that the writer of the anonymous +letter is the liar. + +"The writer of the letter has been ordered to fall out and reveal +himself. If that writer is present, then he knows in his own mind, and +one of these days his comrades will know, that he is too much of a +coward to face responsibility for his sneaking action. + +"The man who writes an anonymous letter is always a coward, a sneak, and +usually a liar, too. I am directed by the battalion commander to state +that, if the writer of this anonymous letter can be found, he will be +placed on trial for his act, which is one unworthy of a soldier. + +"I am further directed by the battalion commander to state that no +letter anonymously accusing an enlisted man will react in any way +against the accused. The battalion commander feels that he cannot state, +too strongly, his intense contempt for any coward who will resort to +slandering a comrade in an anonymous letter. + +"The battalion commander will be glad, at any time, to receive from any +man in his command any information or report that may be made honestly +and for the good of the service. But the man making such report will go +to headquarters and make it in person, or else will put his information +in writing and sign it fully and manfully." + +After an impressive pause Adjutant Wright stepped back, saluted his +commanding officer, then stepped to his proper position. + +At a signal from the adjutant the buglers now sounded retreat. As the +last notes died out the sunset gun was fired. Rifles flew to "present +arms," swords flashed to salute and male civilian onlookers uncovered +their heads while the band crashed out with "The Star Spangled Banner." + +As the band played, the Flag fluttered down from the peak of the post +flag staff and descended into the hands of its defenders. One man stood +in the ranks at that moment who was unfit to touch even the border of +that national emblem. + +"Order arms!" rang out, as the last note died out. "Right shoulder +arms!" + +Then by column of fours the battalion marched briskly off the field, to +be halted and dismissed near barracks. + +No sooner were the men in their quarters than the same angry inquiry +rose in each squad room: + +"Who has been writing lying letters about a comrade?" + +No one admitted being the dastard, of course, yet over at headquarters +Major Silsbee, at that very moment, was asking: + +"What makes you so very sure, Wright, that some man in this command +wrote the anonymous letter?" + +"It is all very simple, sir," replied the adjutant. "Look at the note +again, sir, and you'll see that it is typewritten----" + +"Of course, Wright; I've known that from the first." + +"But, sir, it's written in the style of type that is used on the Everite +typewriter. This post is equipped with Everite typewriters; we have them +here at headquarters, and every first sergeant has one, too, for his +clerk." + +"And there may be a dozen more Everite typewriters over in Clowdry," +suggested Major Silsbee dubiously. + +"No, Major; I've made an investigation. I have a list of every firm or +person in Clowdry who owns a machine--only about a dozen in all, and not +one of them is an Everite. Major, the letter was written on this post, +and with an Everite machine." + +"Then, by the great guns, sir, I hope you go further and catch the +culprit," exploded Major Silsbee, bringing his fist down on the desk. + +"Ah," sighed Lieutenant Wright. "That's just where the trouble is. It +will be a hard task, sir." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE LUCK OF THE YOUNG RECRUIT + + +ON top of all this came the news that Colonel North's quarters had been +entered the night following. + +Worse, the scoundrels had used chloroform this time. Colonel North awoke +at about three in the morning, his head feeling heavy and dull. He noted +at once the strange odor in the room. Then he roused his family. Traces +of thieves were found; within ten seconds after that Colonel North had +summoned the guard. + +Yet the two sentries on duty in officers' row both declared that they +had seen no prowlers. + +Almost every article of value had been found and taken. A pair of costly +revolvers belonging to the regimental commander had gone with the loot. +Some money, too, had been found and taken. Colonel North and his family +placed their loss at nearly four thousand dollars. + +"Lieutenant Ray," said Colonel North, to the officer of the day, who had +followed the guard, "I think you had better summon Major Silsbee at +once." + +The major was there, inside of five minutes. + +"So the scoundrels have blistered you, too, sir?" demanded the +white-faced battalion commander wrathfully. + +"They have taken almost everything in the way of valuable property that +Mrs. North and I own, Major." + +"We've got to put a stop to this, sir. And we've got to find and bring +the rascals to boot." + +"Pardon me, Colonel; shall I pass the order for a prompt search of +barracks?" queried the officer of the day. + +"No, Mr. Ray," replied Colonel North promptly. "Until I have real proof +I'm not going to put the slight upon our enlisted men. I believe they're +all fine men. If I had taken more time to think I never would have +sanctioned the last search of barracks. It shan't happen again." + +Captain Ruggles of A Company, having heard some excitement along the +row, now came in. + +"What we might, and perhaps ought to do, Major," continued the Colonel, +"is to advise the married officers whose homes have not yet been robbed +that they will do well to send their valuables into town for +safe-keeping at the bank for the present." + +"We might, sir," assented Silsbee dryly. "The bank in Clowdry is under +the protection of a police force of less than a dozen men. Shall we +admit, Colonel, that a dozen policemen are safer guardians of property +than our four hundred men of the Regular Army?" + +Colonel North looked troubled at that way of putting the matter. + +"I believe Mrs. Ruggles and I have some things worth stealing," broke in +Captain Ruggles quietly. "But I feel certain that neither of us would +like to throw any slight over the ability of this battalion to protect +its own property." + +"My head isn't very clear yet," admitted Colonel North. "I realize that +I have made a poor suggestion. I don't imagine, Major, that you'd be +much better pleased if I directed you to double the guard." + +"I shall obey, of course, Colonel, any orders on that subject that you +may give me," replied Major Silsbee. + +"These robberies are likely to continue, at intervals, until the +quarters of all married officers have been entered and despoiled, sir," +suggested Captain Ruggles, "so it seems to me, sir, that it would be +wise to put each guard on its mettle." + +"I am thinking only of protecting you gentlemen who have not yet +sustained losses," continued Colonel North. + +"And we appreciate your solicitude greatly, sir," resumed Major +Silsbee. + +"I leave it to you, Major." + +"Then I shall make it my business, sir, to see to it that the men are +instructed to be more alert than ever in guard duty," replied Silsbee. + +The next morning the news, of course, traveled swiftly all through the +garrison. + +Hal and Noll had a chance to chat together for a few minutes before the +sounding of the first assembly after breakfast. + +"The thieves are around again," mused Noll aloud. + +"Yes," nodded Private Hal thoughtfully. + +"I wish we might catch the rascals at it." + +"You've got time enough to think out your plan, then," laughed Hal, in +mild derision at this suggestion. + +"How so?" + +"Well, the thieves are not due for a few days yet on their next raid. It +seems to be their plan to leave intervals between their raids." + +"If the burglars are scheming further attempts they may vary their plans +by coming again to-night," hinted Noll. + +"I hardly believe they will," replied Hal, shaking his head. + +That day at noon Sergeant Gray warned Hal for guard the following day. +Just after dinner Hal found that his chum Noll had also been warned. + +"If the thieves are coming again I hope it will be to-morrow night," +suggested Hal. + +"No good," retorted Noll cynically. + +"Why not?" + +"We're only rooks." + +"Well?" + +"There isn't a ghost of a chance that we'd be put on post up in +officers' row. The oldest and keenest soldiers will be put on that duty +every night." + +"Oh, I suppose so," sighed Hal. "Of course rookies are just rooks. We'll +get the post down by the commissary stores, where a wagon train would be +needed for stealing anything really worth money." + +At guard mount the next morning both recruits turned out spick and span. +Knowing that they could not expect to get any important posts for night +tours both boys hoped to be selected by the officer of the day for +orderly duty. But two older soldiers were chosen for that. When guard +mount was over Sergeant Hupner, as commander of the guard, marched the +new guard over to the guard-house, where the old guard was relieved. + +This was the first time that the rookies had been detailed to guard duty +since joining their regiment. No matter to what inconsequential posts +they might be assigned both were full of determination to show +themselves model sentries. + +During the day Hal and Noll, who were assigned to the same relief, had +two tours. The first was in officers' row; the second, which ended just +before dark, was down at the main entrance of the post. + +Then followed some hours for leisure and sleep. + +"You men will go on post again at two in the morning," announced +Corporal Sanders, who was in command of the relief to which the rookies +belonged. + +Punctually that relief was turned out, aligned, inspected and +instructed. + +"Post number three, Private Overton. Post number four, Private Terry," +ran the corporal's orders. "Post number five----" + +And so on. + +Hal's heart was already beating high with hope. He had the post along +officers' row, Noll the one just beyond. + +"All sentries will exercise unusual vigilance," announced Sergeant +Hupner, as commander of the guard. "This applies especially to the +sentries on posts number three and four. But let no sentry, anywhere, +allow his whole attention to wander from his duties for an instant. +Corporal, march the relief." + +"Attention," called Corporal Sanders on receiving this order. "Right +shoulder arms! By twos, left march!" + +Three minutes later the man on post three had been relieved, Hal having +been dropped into his place. + +It was just after two o'clock in the morning when Private Hal Overton +began to pace his post, watching the relief vanish in the darkness in +the direction of post number four. + +Then he heard a sentry's hail: + +"Halt! Who goes there?" + +"The relief." + +"Advance, relief." + +After that, the steps of the marching party died off in the distance. + +In the darkest part of the moonless night Hal walked up and down before +the officers' quarters. + +But he did more than walk. Making his own steps as noiseless as possible +Hal felt that he was truly "all ears and eyes." + +Thus some twenty minutes went by. + +Then, suddenly, just as Hal had passed the north side of Captain +Ruggles' quarters the young sentry halted like a flash. + +Under the dim starlight he saw two shadowy forms leave by the captain's +back door. + +Each carried a bundle, though Hal could not make out the size or shape +of either very distinctly. + +"The burglars--at their tricks!" flashed Hal exultantly. + +But he wasted no time thinking. In a twinkling he slipped a cartridge +into his rifle, bringing the piece to his shoulder. + +"Halt!" he challenged. "Who's there?" + +The two figures, crouching low, made a bolt for the tall corn in a +vegetable garden at the rear of the grounds. + +"As fast as he could shout the words Private Hal Overton shouted: + +"Halt! Who's there? Halt! Who's there?" + +Having obeyed a sentry's instructions to challenge three times, and +receiving no answer, Hal pressed the trigger. + +A flash of flame lit the darkness around the rifle. It leaped straight +from the muzzle. + +Bang! The bullet sped in among the corn stalks. + +Over it all sounded Hal's voice: + +"Corporal of the guard, post number three!" + +Hal shot back the bolt of his rifle, dropping in a cartridge with +fingers as steady as at drill. + +"Corporal of the guard, post number three!" + +The gate was too far away. Hal took the fence at a bound, carrying his +cocked piece with him. + +Straight to the growing corn the young private took his speedy way. + +"Come out and show yourselves, or I fire at once," Private Overton +shouted. + +Crack! crack! Two pistol shots rang out from the corn patch. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE DUEL IN THE DARK + + +ALL this had occupied but a few seconds. + +Private Hal Overton was on duty, and bent on business. + +"I'll get one, or both of the rascals--dead or alive!" flashed through +his mind. + +Not even those two pistol shots brought him to a halt. + +Yet one of the bullets struck the ground beside him as he raced, the +other fanning his left cheek with a little breeze. + +"Get back there, boy!" growled a gruff voice. "You don't want to be +killed, do you?" + +For answer Hal sighted swiftly and fired. + +Then, for an instant, he dropped to one knee. + +From out of the corn patch a curse reached his ears. + +"If you'd rather be a dead soldier, all right," came the ugly response. +"Give it to him good and hot!" + +Hal had already slipped back the bolt of his piece. Now, as fast as he +could handle the material, and while still down on one knee, he slipped +five cartridges into his magazine, and a sixth he drove home in the +chamber. + +Bright flashes, swift reports greeted him from two points in the corn +patch. These points were about twenty feet apart. + +The young soldier simply couldn't cover both points of attack. + +From the way the bullets whistled past his face and body the recruit +knew that both his enemies were firing in deadly earnest. + +And now, from a third point, another assailant joined in the firing, and +Hal marveled, with each second, that he still remained alive. He felt as +though he were the center of a leaden storm. + +Yet, as coolly as he could, Soldier Hal chose the man at the left and +drove two shots straight in the direction of the flashes. + +"He's got me," yelled a cursing voice. + +"I'll get you all, if you don't stop shooting and come out," warned +Overton coolly. + +He could hear the wounded man moving rather swiftly through the corn. + +"He ought to leave a trail of blood," thought Hal, swiftly, and turned +his attention to the next enemy. + +But that man had stopped his firing. + +Then Hal turned his rifle in the direction of the flashes from the +pistol farthest away. + +Bang! He sent one shot there, and the shooting of the unknown stopped. + +[Illustration: Hal Dropped to One Knee.] + +Private Overton, however, could not know whether he had hit the fellow. + +"That fellow in the middle may be left yet," breathed Hal Overton, "I'll +find out." + +He had three shots yet left in his magazine, and his piece was at cock. + +Rising, he made swiftly for the corn, and dived in. + +"Back for your life!" sounded a voice straight ahead. + +Crack! crack! + +Two pistols shots fanned his face. + +But Hal took another running bound forward, preferring to reserve his +fire until he could catch a good glimpse of the fellow's body. + +"Back, you fool!" hissed the voice, followed by two more shots. + +"Come out with your hands up, or I'll get you!" Hal retorted. + +Instead, the unknown and unseen turned and ran some fifty feet. + +Hal pursued, without shooting. + +Crack! crack! + +For an instant Hal felt almost dizzy with sudden dread, for those +flashes seemed almost to smite him in the face. + +Yes, he was afraid, for a brief space. The coward is not the man who is +afraid, but the man who allows his fear to overmaster him. + +"Fire again," yelled Hal, "and I'll know just where to send a bullet." + +As he rushed onward he came out of the corn patch. + +Fifty feet further on he saw the fugitive, just dropping to the ground +at the roots of a tree. + +Crack! crack! crack! + +Lying on the ground, his head hardly showing beyond the roots, the +fugitive was now in excellent position to stop the young sentry's rush. + +Whizz--zz! whizz--zz! Click! + +Two of the speeding bullets flew past Hal's head. The third struck and +glanced off the rifle butt just as Hal, dropping to one knee, was +raising the piece to his shoulder to sight. + +Bang! That was Hal's rifle, again in action. He had aimed swiftly, but +deliberately, for the base of the tree. + +Against the military rifle of to-day an ordinary tree offers no +protection. The American Army rifle, at short range, will send a bullet +through three feet of green oak. + +"Wow!" yelled the other. Though Hal did not then know it, the bullet had +driven a handful of dirt into the fellow's mouth. + +Hal could hear the rascal spitting, so he called: + +"Come on out and surrender, and I won't fire again." + +"You go to blazes!" yelled an angry voice. + +Muffled as the voice was, it had a strangely familiar sound to the young +soldier. + +Hal seized the chance to fill his magazine as he shot the bolt back. He +slipped another cartridge into the chamber. + +From the sounds beyond he knew that his enemy was also reloading. + +"Any time you want me to stop shooting," Hal coolly announced, "just +call out that you surrender." + +Then he brought his piece to his shoulder. + +Bang! + +He could hear the bullet strike with a thud. + +Had there been light Hal could have scored a hit, but all shooting in +the dark is mainly guesswork. + +Crack! crack! The fugitive's pistol was also in action. + +One of the bullets carried the young soldier's sombrero from his head, +but he was barely aware of the fact. Yet, had that bullet been aimed two +inches lower, it would have found a resting place in his brain. + +Bang! + +Hal fired his second shot with deliberation. + +"Stop that!" wailed the other, with a new note of fear in his voice. + +"Surrender!" + +Crack! crack! + +Two pistol shots made up the reply. + +"I'm afraid I've got to kill him, if he doesn't get me first." + +Bang! + +"Ow--ow--ow--ow!" That yell was genuine enough to show that the young +sentry's bullet had struck flesh. + +"Do you surrender?" + +"Not to you!" + +Hal fired again. Then he crouched low, slipping two more cartridges into +his rifle. + +Crack! crack! + +"I'll get you yet," called a furious voice. + +Hal started as though he had been shot, though he was not aware of a +hit. + +"Tip Branders!" he called, in astonishment, and fired again. + +"Yes, it's me," came the admission. "Hal Overton, are you going to kill +an old friend?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +CAPTAIN CORTLAND HEADS THE PURSUIT + + +AWAY over by post number four Hal heard three rifle shots ring out. But +he paid no heed. Instead he answered the now terrorized wretch in front +of him: + +"I'll have to kill you, unless you surrender!" + +"Then I'll get you first," came the defiant answer. + +From the flashes, it could now be seen that Tip Branders was firing with +a revolver in each hand. + +The bullets came in so swift and close that Private Hal Overton +expected, every instant, to be bowled over. + +But still he fired deliberately, though he now strove to make each shot +effective. + +In a few moments he fired next to the last cartridge in his magazine, +just as the furious revolver fusillade came to an end. + +"O-o-oh!" + +Then the young sentry felt, rather than saw, something topple over at +the base of the tree. + +Hal leaped up, at the same instant hearing some one run up behind him. + +That brought the young sentry about like a flash. + +"I'm Captain Ruggles, Sentry!" came the prompt hail, and Private Overton +recognized the voice. + +Then Hal wheeled the other way, rushing toward the tree, calling back as +he ran: + +"I think I got the scoundrel, sir." + +In another moment Hal was beside the tree, holding his rifle clubbed and +ready, in case Tip Branders was playing 'possum. + +But the fellow lay on the ground, curiously huddled up, not moving a +hand. + +"I got him with that last shot, sir," announced Private Overton, turning +and carefully saluting his officer. + +"You've had a brisk and brave fight, Sentry," cried Captain Ruggles +warmly. "I heard your first shot, and rushed here as fast as I could +come." + +In reality, long as the time had seemed, hardly more than a full minute +had passed. Captain Ruggles, with a pair of white-striped trousers drawn +on over his pajamas, and slippers on his feet, presented a picture of +speed. + +Hal bent beside his old enemy of the home town to see where Tip had been +hit. + +Captain Ruggles, changing his revolver to his left hand, drew a match +and struck it. + +Tip's first apparent wound was a graze at the top of his right shoulder. +A dark, red stain appeared there. Another bullet had grazed his right +wrist. + +The third wound apparent was at the right side of the chest. + +"It'll need a rain-maker (Army surgeon) to tell whether that bullet +touched the scoundrel's right lung," declared Captain Ruggles. + +At that instant a woman's voice sounded from one of the windows of the +house behind them: + +"Corporal of the guard, you'll find Captain Ruggles and the sentry +somewhere back of the garden." + +Then came the sounds of running feet. Corporal Sanders was coming with +the guard. + +That incident showed the young soldier, more clearly than anything else +could have done, how brief the duel between Tip and himself had been. + +For Hal knew that, when the alarm is sounded, accompanied by the sound +of a shot, the corporal and the guard come on the dead run. + +"Right here, Corporal of the guard!" shouted Captain Ruggles, standing +up. "Send one man back immediately for hospital men and a stretcher." + +"Hospital men and a stretcher, Davidson," called the corporal, and one +soldier detached himself from the running squad, wheeling and racing +back. + +Then the corporal of the guard dashed up at the head of his men, giving +Captain Ruggles the rifle salute by bringing his left hand smartly +against the barrel of his piece. + +Barely behind the guard came Lieutenant Hayes, of A Company, who was +officer of the day. + +"The sentry has caught one of the burglars, Hayes," called Captain +Ruggles, as the lieutenant came up on the run. + +"Glad of it, sir. It's about time." + +Then, turning to Hal, Lieutenant Hayes continued: + +"You're sentry on number three, Private Overton?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Make your report in as few words as you can." + +This Hal did, telling about the two men whom he saw sneaking away with +bundles, and also about the third man who had joined in firing at him. + +"Which way did the other two retreat, Private Overton?" + +"I couldn't see, sir," the young soldier answered. "I was in the corn at +that moment." + +The corporal of the guard, in the meantime, had sent another man to +relieve Noll Terry on post number four, directing Terry to report to the +officer of the day. + +Still another member of the guard had been placed on post number three. + +All the other commissioned officers on post, including Colonel North, +now appeared, and the investigating party was adjourned to the roadway. + +Noll reported that he had seen two fugitives at a distance, and had +fired three times. + +Under military discipline matters move rapidly. Soldiers with lanterns +were now searching for the trail of those who had escaped. Keen eyes +were also seeking either bundle of loot from Captain Ruggles's quarters. +It was thought that the thieves, in their haste to get away, might have +dropped their plunder. + +Tip Branders, still unconscious, and badly hurt, according to the +surgeon, was taken to the post hospital, and the civil authorities in +Clowdry were notified. + +"That fellow you shot called you by name, didn't he, Overton?" inquired +Captain Ruggles. + +"Yes, sir," Hal admitted. + +"Ah, you knew the fellow, then?" inquired Colonel North. He spoke +blandly, but he had an instant recollection of the anonymous note that +had been received at battalion headquarters. + +"Yes, sir," Hal spoke promptly. "The fellow is Tip Branders. He comes +from the same home town that I do. He tried to enlist in the Army, but +was rejected because he could not supply good enough references. Then he +ran away from home, taking with him some money he stole from his mother, +according to local accounts." + +"Did you know the fellow Branders was in this part of the world?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then why, Private Overton, did you not report your information promptly +to your officers?" + +"Why, I did not have the least idea, sir, that Branders was still in +this neighborhood, and I did not, at any time, connect him in my mind +with the robberies." + +"How often, and where, have you seen Branders in this part of the +country?" demanded Colonel North, impressively, while the other officers +looked on with keen interest. + +Hal flushed, for he felt that now he was under some suspicion himself. + +"I have seen Branders just once, sir," the recruit replied. "Private +Terry was with me at the time." + +"This man here?" inquired Colonel North, turning to glance at Noll, who +stood by. + +"Yes, sir." + +"When did you both see Branders, then?" + +"Our first day here, sir. You may recall, Colonel, that you told Terry +and me that we need not go on duty that first day, but that we might +have the day to ourselves, as a reward for having helped Major Davis in +that mail-train affair the night before our arrival at this post." + +"I remember," nodded Colonel North. "But you have not yet told me the +circumstances of your meeting with Branders." + +Hal hurriedly recounted the details of that meeting, among the rocks +past the ledge, out on the road leading westward from the post. + +"At that time, Colonel," Private Hal Overton continued, "Branders told +us he was headed for a ranch to the westward, where he expected to get a +job. We had no reason for disbelieving him, at the time, and so it never +even occurred to us, until to-night, that he might be one of the +burglars who have been looting this post. Besides, sir, though Tip had +always been known as a rather worthless fellow, we had never heard of +his being the associate of downright criminals." + +Now the searchers came in to report that they could find neither a +trail nor any sight of dropped bundles of loot. + +"At daylight, Major," suggested Colonel North to Major Silsbee, "you may +be able to send out scouts who, with a better light, may succeed in +finding a trail." + +Hal turned to Lieutenant Hayes, saluting. + +"I wonder, sir, if it won't be best for me to offer a suggestion to +Colonel North?" + +The regimental commander turned at once. + +"You may speak, Private Overton." + +"I was about to inquire, sir," replied Hal, saluting, "if it isn't +likely that there may be a good hiding place for thieves among the rocks +back of the ledge of which I spoke some time ago." + +"What makes you think the thieves may be there, Overton?" + +"The thought has just struck me, sir, that Branders was probably lurking +about in the vicinity of a cave or other place of concealment, on the +day that he threw the stone at us. It struck me, sir, that a squad of +men might search that locality with the chance of finding the rest of +Branders's associates and also of recovering much of the stuff that has +been stolen from quarters on this post." + +"That's a bright suggestion, worth working upon. Cortland, will you take +a detachment of men and hasten out to that locality? Post men all +around while it is still dark, and then, with a few men, plunge right +through that neighborhood. Overton and Terry will go with you as guides, +so that you may strike the exact spot without loss of time." + +Captain Cortland dispatched a soldier to go at once to Sergeant Hupner's +squad room, with orders to turn out the men in that room at once and +under arms, with fifty rounds of ammunition per man. + +This done, Captain Cortland hastened to his own quarters, soon returning +with his sword hanging at his belt and his revolver in its holster. + +"While you are gone, Cortland," said Colonel North, "Silsbee and I will +make whatever other investigations we can think of." + +In an almost incredibly short space of time Sergeant Hupner's squad was +ready, and turned into officers' row. + +"Overton and Terry, you will walk ahead of the detachment, and I will go +with you," Captain Cortland announced. "Sergeant Hupner, march your +detachment in column of twos, twenty paces to the rear of the guides. +Forward!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE STIRRING GAME AT DAWN + + +"THERE is the ledge, sir, right in yonder," announced Hal, peering +through the darkness. A wind was coming up and the stars had faded. It +was in the darkest hour before dawn. + +Captain Cortland stepped back, holding out one hand as a signal. + +Sergeant Hupner saw, and halted his detachment, marching almost without +a sound. + +"Remain here, guides, with the detachment," directed the company +commander, in a whisper. "Sergeant Hupner, you and I will go forward and +reconnoitre." + +As soon as the officer and the non-commissioned officer had departed +Private Bill Hooper growled out: + +"What kind of a fool chase is this you've got us into, Overton?" + +"Silence in the ranks," hissed Corporal Cotter sharply. "Not a word!" + +Fifteen minutes later Captain Cortland and the sergeant returned. + +"Take twelve of the men, now, Sergeant. You know where to post them," +directed Captain Cortland briskly. "As soon as you have done so return +to me." + +Hupner marched off in the darkness with his dozen men. In a few minutes +he was back. + +"We'll want until daylight now for the rest of our work," announced the +company commander. + +Slowly enough the time passed. No word was spoken. All was as still +around the little military force as though they had been isolated in the +center of a vast desert. + +Then the first faint signs of dawn came. Some of the soldiers were +seated on the ground, gaping and with difficulty refraining from going +to sleep, for these men of Uncle Sam's Army had been routed from their +beds in the middle of the night. + +The morning light increased, though it was still dim, and the first +vague shapes near the ledge began to take more definite shape. + +"We won't need to wait more than five minutes more, Sergeant Hupner," +declared the captain. + +Cortland stood holding his watch close to his face. As soon as he could +read the time he turned to whisper: + +"Now, Overton, lead us up to the exact spot from which you had your +interview with the fellow Branders." + +"Shall the men load, sir?" whispered Sergeant Hupner. + +"Yes; full magazines." + +As silently as possible the men of the little searching party slipped +back the bolts of their pieces and loaded. + +"Go ahead, Overton," whispered Captain Cortland. + +Just behind Soldier Hal stepped the company commander himself, watching +every footstep in order not to step on any loose stone that might sound +a premature alarm. + +Yet one man among them slipped and made a noise. It was trifling, but +almost instantly a whistle sounded ahead. + +Without even thinking to wait for orders Hal returned the whistle. + +"That you, Tip?" called the voice of an invisible man. "Good for you, +lad. We thought you was a goner." + +Hal did not answer further, for Captain Cortland broke in: + +"Rush 'em, men! We've got 'em." + +"Ho! The blazes you have!" sounded a rough voice ahead. "Come on, +boys--it's the sojers! Give it to 'em!" + +Almost in an instant the crevices between the rocks ahead were full of +red flashes. + +Bullets sped, struck rocks with spiteful thuds and flattened out before +bounding into the air again. + +"Lie down, men!" shouted Captain Cortland. "Give it to the rascals as +long as they shoot at us." + +All in a moment this rock-strewn spot had become a bedlam of discharging +firearms. + +Two regulars were hit before they could find cover from which to fire. +These men, however, made no outcry, but, finding themselves unable to +handle their rifles, lay quietly where they had fallen until the time +came for them to have attention. + +Though he had sharply ordered his men to lie down, Captain Cortland did +nothing of the sort himself. Instead, with his revolver drawn, he stood +up, peering ahead and trying to get sight of the scoundrels beyond. + +Bullets flew all about the captain, many of them passing his head. But +he stood there calmly until he caught just the opportunity for which he +had waited. + +Then his pistol spoke, and a groan beyond showed that he had been a +successful marksman. + +"Squad, rise!" shot out the commander's order. "Charge!" + +Crouching low, the soldiers sprang suddenly forward. + +"Halt! Lie down," continued Cortland. He had gained sixty feet by his +rush without loss of a man. "Fire only when you see something to shoot +at. Commence firing at will." + +Now the firing slackened, though it was not less deadly. Even the +scoundrels ahead slowed down their fire, as though they found their +weapons becoming hot. + +Captain Cortland was in no hurry. He meant to have the scoundrels, dead +or alive, but he did not intend to risk his own men needlessly. The army +officer knew it was now only a question of time. Nor did he fear running +out of ammunition, for the greater part of his small command was not yet +in action, but posted beyond. + +The daylight grew stronger; then the upper rim of the sun peeped over +the horizon, sending its rays into the sky. + +"Cease firing," commanded Cortland at last. Then he called over the +rocks. + +"Are you fellows ready to surrender to United States forces?" + +"Not until we're all dead," came the taunting reply. + +"Then we'll try to accommodate you by killing you with as little delay +as possible," called back the captain. Then, to his own little force he +added: + +"Men, advance as you see opportunity. Fire whenever you see anything to +aim at." + +Steadily the regulars crawled forward, a foot or a yard at a time. + +As they moved they tried, Indian fashion, to find new cover behind rocks +over which they could aim and fire. + +Hal and Noll, not ten feet apart, occasionally glanced at each other +after firing. + +Both young rookies were thoroughly enjoying this actual taste of +fighting life. + +It was not many minutes before the advancing handful of soldiers were +within seventy or eighty feet of the rocks that sheltered the rascals. + +Then suddenly they saw three crouching figures begin to retreat among +the rocks. + +With a cheer the attacking force went forward, crouching. + +But just then three rifles from out beyond spoke, and bullets whistled +past the scoundrels from a new quarter. + +"Great smoke, boys!" bellowed one of the fugitives hoarsely. "The sojers +have us hemmed in on all sides." + +"Yes, we have," shouted Captain Cortland. "Do you want to surrender?" + +"Make your men stop shooting or moving, and give us two minutes to +think." + +"We'll keep on advancing and firing until we have your surrender," +retorted Captain Cortland grimly. "Whenever you want to surrender tell +me so and raise your hands high in the air." + +"Wait a min----" + +"Keep on firing, men," called Captain Cortland. + +"Hold on! We give in, Cap." + +"Cease firing, men," called the commander of B Company. "Now you fellows +jump up and show yourselves with your hands reaching for the sky." + +Three rough-looking figures clambered up on rocks, holding their empty +hands as high as they could get them. One of them had his neck bound, +and there was blood on his clothing. This was the first man whom Hal had +wounded back of Captain Ruggles's quarters at the beginning of the fray. + +"Stand just that way until we reach you," ordered the army officer. +"Close in on them, men, and fire if you see one of them reach for a +weapon." + +But the trio plainly had no further intentions in the way of fighting. +They waited, sullen-faced and silent, until the soldiers had reached +them and had taken away their weapons. + +"You have handcuffs, Sergeant?" inquired the captain. + +Hupner and Corporal Cotter both produced the steel bracelets. The three +rogues were swiftly handcuffed. + +"You'll find our boss over yonder," nodded one of the men. "He's bad +hit, too." + +They found the fellow, nearly unconscious, but groaning, his right +shoulder badly shattered by the bullet from Captain Cortland's revolver. + +"Sergeant," directed B Company's commander, "send a messenger back to +the post for hospital men and an ambulance. You can report that two of +our own men have been hit." + +The leader of the scoundrels was lifted and carried back where the two +men of B Company lay. Captain Cortland directed such aid as could be +given on the spot to all of the wounded men. + +"Shall I call in the men I posted, sir?" inquired Hupner. + +"Not yet, Sergeant. There may be others of this gang hidden somewhere +among the rocks. But you may take three men and search for others." + +Within ten minutes the search had been made thoroughly. No more of the +evil band had been found. + +"We'll go back just as soon as the ambulance arrives and the wounded +have been taken care of," announced Captain Cortland. + +Hal, at that moment, had his eye on one of the prisoners. He saw a gleam +of satisfaction show in the fellow's eyes. + +"May I speak, sir?" asked Private Overton, saluting Captain Cortland. + +"Yes," nodded the officer. + +"May some of us remain behind them, sir, to search all this ground +over?" + +"For what, Overton?" + +"It doesn't seem likely, sir, that these scoundrels have been living in +the open air. And they must have some place for concealing their booty." + +"Quite right, Overton. Corporal Cotter, take Overton, Terry and two +other men and make a thorough search of the rocks and ground +hereabouts." + +Hal turned swiftly to the man in whose eyes he had seen that gleam of +satisfaction the moment before. Now the fellow was scowling. + +"That was a hit," Hal murmured to himself. "The rascals have some hiding +place around here." + +"Now we'll divide the ground up in small squares," announced Corporal +Cotter as he led his picked men away. "We'll search each square +minutely, so that no little patch may be overlooked." + +"Won't it be best, Corporal," hinted Hal, "to start where the thieves +were when the fighting began?" + +"Just the ticket, Overton," nodded the corporal. + +So the search began at that point. Nor did it last long, for Hal, +thrusting with the butt of his rifle, poked a large bush partly aside +exclaiming: + +"I guess you'd better come here, Corporal," the recruit called. + +As Cotter came running to the spot Private Overton displayed a hole +rising some three feet above the grounds. It had been covered by the +foliage of the bush. + +"Looks like the mouth of a cave, doesn't it?" Hal asked, with gleaming +eyes. + +"A whole lot," agreed Corporal Cotter, producing a pocket electric +flashlight. "You can follow me in, Overton, if you like." + +Corporal and private crawled into the hole. They did not have to go more +than six feet before they stood in a stone-walled chamber of +considerable size. Roughly, it appeared to be an apartment of about +twenty by thirty-five feet. + +"Beds, tables, chairs, lamps, grub," enumerated Corporal Cotter, +looking about him gleefully. "Take the lamp, Overton. I'm going back to +call the captain." + +Less than two minutes later Captain Cortland stood in the rockbound +chamber. + +"Well, this is a place!" whistled the officer in surprise. + +"This chest is locked, sir," reported Hal, who had been improving his +time by looking about. "Do you think it may contain loot. Captain?" + +"There's an ax," nodded Cortland, glancing around him. "Corporal, just +try the ax on the chest--carefully." + +With a few blows Cotter had the chest open. Captain Cortland knelt by +the wooden chest to inspect. + +"This is clothing on top," he announced. "But--ah, what does this look +like?" + +In the middle of the chest's contents he had come upon carefully wrapped +packages of jewelry, watches and the like. + +"We won't go any further just now," declared the captain. "But we'll +take back this chest with us." + +On the return to Fort Clowdry the prisoners, though captured on the +military reservation, were turned over to the civil officers. Even Tip +Branders and the wounded chief of the band were taken to Clowdry for +care by the town authorities. + +The chest was found to have contained all the stolen jewelry. The money +that had been taken on the same raids, however, was not found. Plainly +the thieves had used the money for the needs of the moment. + +Hal and Noll, on their return, reported promptly to the commander of the +guard, for they still belonged to the guard detail. + +"Queer, ain't it?" asked Private Bill Hooper that morning in Hupner's +squad room as the men were washing up before morning mess call. + +"What is?" demanded Private Hyman. + +"Why, that kid, Overton, knew one of the gang--one, at least--all the +time. Yet Overton shot his old-time friend. And Overton knew all along +where the bunch was hiding. And did you hear how neatly he led Corporal +Cotter right to the cave of the gang? Now if that don't prove----" + +Hyman promptly knocked Hooper down. + +"It proves, Bill," growled Hyman, "that you're so fond of lying that you +don't know the truth when you hear it." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +CONCLUSION + + +TIP BRANDERS recovered. + +So did the leader of the gang with which Tip had foolishly cast his evil +lot down in Pueblo, when he had first come west after robbing his +mother. The man wounded in the neck had been at no time in a dangerous +condition. + +Not much sympathy need be wasted on Tip. He had chosen his own place in +life, and had filled it. + +Before Tip was out of the local hospital, and in his cell in jail, his +mother, who had read of his fate in a newspaper in her home town, joined +her son in the town of Clowdry. + +She stood by her son to the last, until the testimony of officers and +soldiers from Fort Clowdry had sent him away to prison for ten years. + +At first, on his recovery, Tip Branders had been inclined to be +boastful. He had shown his boldness by his thieving exploits and by +daring to face the steady rifle fire of Private Hal Overton, United +States Army. But when the sentence of the court came upon him Tip broke +down. He wept and could hardly stand. He implored the judge to lessen +his sentence. All the braggadocio in him ran out as rapidly as the +sawdust from a punctured doll. + +The other members of the band received equally severe sentences, for all +had been engaged in battle with troops who represent law and order. + +From that trial Hal and Noll journeyed to Denver. Major Davis, of the +Seventeenth Cavalry, also traveled from his post, for the trial of the +baffled men who had attempted to rob the United States mail was on in +the United States District Court. These men, too, were sent away to the +penitentiary for long terms. + +The writer of the anonymous note against Hal had so far escaped +detection. + +"We've been getting a lot of travel lately," smiled Hal as the two chums +trudged down the road from the railway station to Fort Clowdry on their +return from Denver. + +"All we're going to have for a while, I hope," returned Noll Terry +quietly. "I'd sooner put in my time learning soldiering." + +"Not tired of the army yet, Noll?" + +"I never shall be, nor you either, Hal, as long as we're young enough to +serve." + +"What I dread," mused Hal, "is the time when if we live to that age, we +shall be too old for the Army, and will have to go away and settle down +in some town as retired men of the Army." + +"That will be time to die, won't it?" asked Noll, so solemnly that +Private Overton laughed merrily. + +"That time is a long way off, Noll Terry. Let's see; we're eighteen now, +and a fellow doesn't have to be retired, for age, until he's sixty-two." + +"Forty-four years," figured Noll. "Oh, well, a fellow ought to be able +to have a deal of fun in that number of years." + +Both recruits were in merry mood as they turned in past the sentry at +the main entrance to the post grounds. + +They kept on, full of life and spirits until they reached the edge of +the parade ground. + +"Attention!" murmured Hal quietly. + +Unostentatiously but with a world of reverence in their act both young +soldiers lifted their uniform caps close to the shadow of the grand old +Flag. + +Without halting they passed on, returning their caps to their heads. +Both young men of the service walked a trifle more erectly, if that were +possible. + +Nor had they gone much further when they espied a man coming toward +them. The broad white stripes down the seam of his trousers, and the +double-barred shoulder straps proclaimed the infantry officer. It was +Captain Cortland, commanding officer of B Company. + +Both young soldiers raised their right hands smartly in salute as they +passed the officer, who returned their salute in kind. Then Cortland +halted. + +"Glad to see you back, Overton." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"And you, too, Terry." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"And, by the way, Terry, I have remembered your request that you be +transferred to B Company, and to Sergeant Hupner's squad room. Captain +Freeman said he was sorry to lose you, Terry; but since you wanted to be +with your friend, he has consented to your transfer to B Company. The +matter has been arranged through the adjutant, and my first sergeant +will notify you of your transfer when you return to your former squad +room. I'm very glad, Terry, to have so good a soldier as yourself in B +Company, even if I do have to rob Captain Freeman." + +"Thank you, sir," replied Noll, with another salute. + +Then the two young soldiers resumed their walk. Just as soon as they +were out of earshot of Captain Cortland, Noll broke forth jubilantly: + +"In the same company at last, Hal, old fellow. Oh, won't it be great, +now that we're truly bunkies at last!" + +Great indeed--greater than either Hal Overton or Noll Terry guessed. +They stood at the beginning, though neither suspected it, of some +exciting and never-to-be-forgotten incidents and phases of the soldier's +life. + +What followed, however, will have to be reserved for the next volume in +this series, which will be published under the title: "UNCLE SAM'S BOYS +ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons." In this volume the two +young soldiers will be found to be no longer recruits, but trained +soldiers of the Regular Army, and in the midst of a series of rousing +adventures incidental to the military life. + + +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. 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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. 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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. 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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 37, "glacing" changed to "glancing" (glancing at the papers) + +Page 39, "you" changed to "your" (these are your applications) + +Page 74, "degress" changed to "degrees" (angle of sixty degrees) + +Page 84, "ex-expected" changed to "expected" (You will be expected) + +Page 127, "and" changed to "an" (Half an hour later) + +Page 145, paragraph break inserted at: "I wish we wouldn't get. + +Page 192, word "the" inserted into text (the squad room at the) + +Page 195, "roms" changed to "rooms" (search the squad rooms) + +Page 221, "bo" changed to "boy" (Get back there, boy!) + +Page 226, "and" changed to "on" (Come on out) + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS*** + + +******* This file should be named 27680.txt or 27680.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/8/27680 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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