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, whe