ranks and make officers of
them any more. When I enlisted this time I had to go in as a private;
but I have my old warrants in my pocket, and perhaps they will help me
get a new one when I reach the post where I am to serve."

"What's a non-com?" asked Bob.

"Why, a non-commissioned officer," answered the soldier, staring at Bob
as if he were surprised at his ignorance. "You never did any soldiering,
I'll bet."

"No, I never did," replied the recruit; "this is my first experience."

"And before you get through with it you will wish that you had never had
any experience at all."

"Don't you think I shall like the army?"

"Well, I know _I_ don't like it."

"Then why did you enlist again?"

"Because I couldn't do anything else. A man who has soldiered for nearly
fourteen years isn't fit for civil life. Now, make your citizen's
clothes into a bundle and take them around the corner to a little Jew
store you will find there. Mose buys all the recruits' cast-off
clothing. He'll not give you much for them, but the little he will give
you will keep you in gingerbread as long as you stay in the city."

"How long do you suppose that will be?"

"I am sure I don't know, but if recruits keep coming in as rapidly as
they have during the last few days, the lieutenant will probably take a
squad off next week."

"Where will he take it?"

"That's a conundrum. A private never knows where he is going until he
gets there."

"Where do you eat and sleep?"

"We take our meals at the restaurant next door, and having no bunks we
sleep on the benches in the office. You can go about the city as much as
you please, but you must be sure and report at meal-time. If you fail to
do that, you will have the police after you."

"Why will I?" asked Bob in surprise.

"Because the lieutenant will think you have deserted."

Bob was beginning to feel the tight rein of military discipline
already. At home he had always been accustomed to go and come when he
pleased, and he did not like the idea of having his liberty restricted
or of being obliged to obey without question the orders of a boy
scarcely older than himself. But it was too late to think of that now.
The youthful officer was backed up by the entire military and police
force of the United States, and there was no such thing as getting out
of reach of his authority.

"I am in for it," thought Bob as he rolled up his clothes and started
for the little Jew store around the corner, "