"We have looked up everything we could find about Fort Butler, sir," Noll answered.
"Good. We have plenty of room in the bachelor quarters, and no more cottages, at present, for married officers. So, gentlemen"--here the major's eyes twinkled merrily--"you will be doing me an especial favor if you do not contemplate marriage for the present."
"We are wholly free from engagements in that line, sir," Noll laughed.
"I am glad to hear it, Mr. Terry. A young officer should first find out if he can live on his pay, before he tries to make it do for two persons. Having been informed that you were bachelor officers I have already given orders that your quarters be made ready. We have twelve sets of officer's quarters here, and, including yourselves, only five officers to put in the quarters. And now I take it that you will want to go to your quarters after your long ride on the train?"
"We are wholly at your orders, sir," responded Hal.
"Then I will take time to play host in what is really Uncle Sam's house. I will take you over to your quarters myself. Pardon me for a few moments, while I do some telephoning."
Calling up the quarters of Captain Goodale, Major Tipton said:
"Captain, this is the commanding officer. Your new second lieutenant, Mr. Terry, is here. He will call upon you at two o'clock this afternoon, unless you have another engagement for that time. Two is all right, is it? Thank you, Captain."
Major Tipton then called up Captain Foster, informing him that Mr. Overton would call upon him at two o'clock that afternoon.
"Now, where is your baggage, gentlemen? At the station, I suppose."
"I will send for one of the battalion quartermaster sergeant's men to take your checks and have your baggage up here without delay."
A private soon entered, received the baggage checks of the young officers and departed.
"Now, come along, gentlemen," invited the major, reaching for his uniform cap. "I will take you over to your quarters at once."
Fort Butler looked like many another army post, in that the reservation was several hundred acres in extent; that it had well-laid, well-kept roads, a guard house, parade ground, hospital, administrative buildings, a barracks for enlisted men and other quarters for the officers. The post lay in a flat country bordering the river, and the grounds about the buildings were tastefully laid out.