"Mr. Brisbane," sounded the major's voice, "I want you to meet a new officer, Mr. Overton. Mr. Pratt, Mr. Overton. Mr. Ferrers, Mr. ----"
"I think, Major, we have met before, sir," spoke Lieutenant Hal, turning to grasp the hand of Lieutenant Algy Ferrers, whom readers of "UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS" will well remember.
"Er--ah--yes," agreed Mr. Ferrers, but it was plain that his memory had deserted him as to Hal's face.
"Terry and I were sergeants at Fort Clowdry, Mr. Ferrers," Hal continued.
"Oh, I remember you now, of course," cried Algy heartily, but a slight flush mounted his cheeks at mention of Fort Clowdry.
Then Noll was presented to his brother officers.
Major Tipton withdrew, going to his own quarters just as luncheon was announced.
"Well, it seems good to see old faces once more," said Algy, turning to the two new "youngsters," as younger officers are termed.
This was during a lull following a general conversation in which Hal and Noll had modestly refrained from taking any unnecessary part. "How did you leave every one in the old Thirty-fourth?"
"All the officers were well," Hal answered. "We lost several of our men who went down before Moro bullets, and disease got a few also."
"Then you've seen real service?" asked Algy Ferrers enviously.
"Yes; as much as the Moros could give us," nodded Noll. "Truth to tell, it was hard enough fighting to suit amateurs like us."
"Jove, I'd give a month's pay even to be able to fire a sentry's gun," declared Algy wistfully. "Ever since I left the Thirty-fourth I've been plugging away at the Service School at Fort Leavenworth."
"We didn't see you there in July," said Hal.
"No; in June I was ordered to this regiment."
"We had no notion of ever meeting you down here," replied Noll, now noting the figures, "37," just over the crossed rifles of Algy's collar device.
"I don't belong to this battalion," Ferrers explained. "I'm here temporarily, only, on special duty. I belong with B company, first battalion. I'm just praying for this regiment to be ordered somewhere where I can see some of the real fighting work."
"You will see fighting enough one of these days," said Hal prophetically.
"Cut that, Ferrers!" warned Sears. "Most of us are quite content with ordinary garrison routine in 'God's country.'"