Getting this on and replacing his campaign hat, Hal started briskly toward officers' quarters. Lieutenant Prescott was in his room when Hal knocked, and promptly called, "Come in." Hal entered, saluting his lieutenant, who was writing at a table. He looked up long enough to receive and return Hal's soldierly salute. "With you in a moment, Sergeant," stated Lieutenant Prescott, who then turned back to his writing. "Very good, sir." Hal did not stir, but merely changed from his position of attention to one of greater ease. Lieutenant Prescott is no stranger to our readers. He was second lieutenant of Captain Cortland's B Company of the Thirty-fourth. Readers of our "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SERIES" recall Dick Prescott as a schoolboy athlete, and readers of the "WEST POINT SERIES" have followed the same Dick Prescott through his four years of cadetship at the United States Military Academy. After finishing a page and signing it, Lieutenant Prescott wiped his pen, laid it down and wheeled about in his chair. "You heard about Sergeant Gray?" asked the young West Pointer. "Nothing in especial, sir." "He was badly hurt ten minutes ago in stopping the runaway horses of Colonel Thorpe, of the Thirty-seventh Infantry. Colonel Thorpe was visiting our colonel, and only the two little Thorpe youngsters were in the carriage when the horses bolted, pitching the native driver from the seat." "Badly hurt, sir?" cried Hal Overton in a tone of genuine distress. "That will be bad news in the company, sir. I don't think any of them know it yet, or I would have heard it before. Sergeant Gray is a man we swear by, sir, in the squad rooms." "Sergeant Gray is a splendid soldier," observed Lieutenant Prescott warmly. "It is not believed that he will have to be retired, but he may have to put in two or three months on sick report before he can come back to duty. But that is not what I sent for you to tell you, Sergeant Overton. As Sergeant Hupner was left behind on detailed duty in the United States, the accident to Gray now leaves you the ranking sergeant in the company. Until further orders you will take over the duties of acting first sergeant, by Captain Cortland's direction." "Very good, sir." "This is Tuesday, Sergeant. Thursday, at eleven in the morning, the Thirty-fourth is due before the office of the captain of the port, to take boats for the transport 'Warren.' This regiment sails for Iloilo and other ports." "May I repeat that to the men, sir?" "It is going to be necessary, for you will have to see to it that all the personal and company baggage is ready for the teamsters at four to-morrow afternoon." "Very good, sir." "And, Sergeant, this is not official, but I believe it to be reliable; some of the Moro _dattos_ (chieftains) are said to be preparing to stir up trouble in some of the southern islands. In that case the Thirty-fourth will bear the brunt of it all." "I am really very glad to hear that, sir," cried Sergeant Hal eagerly.