Tom Rover promptly. "I've
always been a high private in the rear rank in the past, and I suppose
that is what I shall be in the present and the future--although, of
course, I don't expect to stay in the rear rank when there is some
real fighting ahead," he added quickly. "Then I want to get in the
front-line trenches and go over the top."

"Bully for you, Dad!" shouted Andy slangily.

"I've already put in my application, and Major Kirby, who is an old
friend of mine, has promised to push it right through; so I think I'll
be landed here in a day or two."

The coming of Tom Rover and the ladies from New York City made the
party at the camp quite a large one. The boys and girls enjoyed
themselves thoroughly. It could be seen that a great weight was
lifted from the minds of the twins, and there was no holding them in
when it came to making fun.

All too soon it came time for the boys and girls to depart. The Rover
boys shook hands warmly with their fathers, and the girls of course
came in for a number of hugs and kisses.

"Take good care of yourself, Dad," said Jack to his parent. "Don't let
those Huns shoot you."

"I'm sure you'll be coming back a general, Dad," remarked Fred to his
father.

"And don't forget to bring back some German helmets, Dad, and things
like that!" cried Randy.

"We'll take any kind of souvenir, Dad--even a German sauerkraut
masher," put in Andy.

Then the boys and girls said good-bye to their mothers, and all
hurried off to the two automobiles awaiting them. In a minute more
they were leaving Camp Huxwell and were on their way to Camp Barlight.
Martha was openly crying, and tears filled the eyes of Mary, and who
could blame them? Even the boys looked mighty serious, and Ruth and
the others had quite a task trying to cheer them up.

"There is no use in talking," was the way Fred expressed himself:
"Going to France is a serious business. It's all well enough to talk
about shooting up the Huns, and all that sort of thing, but don't
forget that the Huns may do a little shooting on their own account."

"Oh, they'll come back safe and sound," declared Andy. "They've just
_got_ to!" Yet behind it all the fun-loving Rover felt just as bad as
any of them, but he was trying hard not to show it.

The boys were dropped off at the encampment, and then the girls
continued on the way to Clearwater Hall. They were to remain at the
Hall for the best part of a week longer, and then Mary and Martha we