iration which he had used to give the great man
who commanded the university football team. The social hiatus between
them closed up insensibly, as it always does between men who are in
danger and suffering together. Danvers knew Spruce's footfall and his
thin face would lighten with a smile whenever the sergeant came in
sight. He liked the strong, soft touch of his hand, the soothing cadence
of his voice; he felt a gratitude which he was too boyish to express for
the comfort of Spruce's baths and rubbings and cheerfulness. The other
sick lads had a touch of the same feeling for the sergeant. As he passed
from cot to cot, even the sickest man could make some little sign of
relief at his return.

Spruce's heart, a simple and tender affair, as a soldier's is, oftener
than people know, swelled within him, not for the first time.

"Well, I guess I done right to come here," thought he, "and I guess all
the G boys will be out of the woods this week, and then I don't care how
soon we git our orders."

Danvers stopped him when he returned. "I want to speak to you, Chris,"
he next said, and a new note in his voice turned Spruce about abruptly.

"What's the matter, Dick?"

"Oh, nothing, I only wanted to be sure you'd come back and say good-by
before you got off. The regiment's got its orders, you know?"

"_No!_" cried Spruce. He swallowed a little gasp. "What are you giving
me?"

"Oh, it's straight; I heard them talking. Colonel has the order; the
boys are packing to-day."

Spruce's eyes burned, he was minded to make some exclamations of profane
joy, but his mood fell at the sight of the boy's quivering smile.

"Great, isn't it?" said Danvers. "I wish they'd waited two weeks and
given us fellows a show, but I dare say there won't be any show by that
time, the way they are after the dons at Santiago. Can't you get off
now, to pack? But--you'll be sure to come back and say good-by, Chris!"

"I ain't off yet," said Spruce, "and I ain't too sure I will be.
They're always gitting orders and making an everlasting hustle to pack
up, and then unpacking. You go to sleep."

He was about to move away, but Danvers detained him, saying that he
wanted to be turned; and as the soldier gently turned him, the boy got
one of his hands and gave it a squeeze. He tried to say something, but
was barely able to give Spruce a foolish smile. "Spruce, you're a
soldier and a gentleman!" he stammered. He turned away his head to hide
the tears i