all I know," Prescott answered.
"At least B and C companies were sent. We detrained at Spartansburg,
eighteen miles from here. The two companies are now about six miles
above, save for this little detachment, which was sent down to report to
Captain Foster for some co-operation with you on the water."

"Lieutenant," spoke a sergeant of B company, approaching and saluting,
"may I ask, sir, whether the men are to eat field rations or whether
they're to be fed on the boat?"

"What do you say, Overton? How much food is there on the boat?"

"I'll find out from the cook," Hal answered. "Sergeant Kelly, are you
going to forget me in that fashion?"

"You're an officer now, sir," replied Sergeant Kelly, saluting. "I
awaited your pleasure, sir, about speaking."

"I can't see that you've changed any, Sergeant," smiled Hal, extending
his hand. "But for the difference in some of the stage-settings we might
seem to be in the Philippines instead of in Texas."

"This is 'God's country,' sir," replied Kelly, with an air almost of
reverence. "There's nothing in the Philippines as restful to the eye as
the meanest stretch in the United States."

Only a few months before while Hal and Noll were still in the
Philippines Kelly had been made a corporal. Kelly was one of the
staunchest souls in the Army. Many a time had he, with Noll and Hal,
braved death side by side when facing the treacherous Moros. Since that
time he had won the higher grade of sergeant.

"I'm heartily glad to see you again, Sergeant Kelly," Hal went on.

"Not more, sir, I'll be bound, than I am to see yourself," rejoined the
sergeant.

Then, with a final salute, Kelly fell back, muttering to himself:

"'Tis come, the time when I must be saying 'sir' to two broths of boys
that I've cooked bacon and coffee with over the same fire. But I don't
begrudge either boy his honors. The two of them, they're the best of
fine soldiers and true."

Hal hurriedly learned from the tug's cook that the provisions on board
were equal to furnishing all the newly arrived soldiers with breakfast
within an hour.

"And can I serve the two officers now with you, if you want,
Lieutenant," said the cook.

"Then please do so."

Hal led his two brother-officers to the cabin, where Prescott and
Holmes, after having removed their swords and belts, made hasty toilets
and seated themselves.

"I imagine a good many more commands will be ordered into the field,"
Prescott continued. "Eve