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 w