"Yet I know, Mr. Draney, that Sergeant Overton feels embarrassed by the mere fact of his having made a mistake. Sergeant Overton is one of our best and most capable soldiers, and he rarely makes a mistake of any kind." "I'm glad to hear that he's one of your best soldiers," replied Draney pleasantly. "It seems odd, doesn't it, Captain, to see so boyish a chap wearing sergeant's chevrons?" "Sergeant Overton, Mr. Draney, is more than merely a sergeant. He is acting first sergeant of B Company, and is likely to continue as such for some months to come." "He has risen so high?" cried Draney. "I certainly congratulate the young man." There appeared to be no further call for Hal to remain on the saloon deck. After flashing an inquiring look at his company commander, and saluting that officer, Hal next raised his uniform cap to Draney, then turned and made his way down to the spar deck. "Your sergeant looks like a very upright young man, Captain," observed Mr. Draney. "Overton?" rejoined Captain Cortland. "I am certain that he is the soul of honor." "His loyalty has often been tested, I presume?" persisted the florid-faced fellow. "He's a very thoroughly trustworthy young man, if that's what you mean." Captain Cortland was beginning to feel somewhat annoyed, for, truth to tell, he did not like Draney very well. "Is your sergeant," asked Draney, "a young man much interested in the joys of life, or is he of the quiet, studious sort who seldom care for good times?" "You seem to be uncommonly interested in Sergeant Overton, Mr. Draney," remarked the captain almost testily. "Only as a type of American soldier," replied Draney blandly. "I was wondering if my estimate of the young man were borne out by your experience with him." "Sergeant Overton is fond of the joys of life, if you mean the quiet and decent pleasures. He is a good deal of a student, and that type is never interested in drinking or gambling, or any of the vices and dissipations, if that is what you mean." Then, noting that Colonel North had just stepped out on deck from his stateroom, Captain Cortland added hastily: "Pardon me; I wish to speak with the commanding officer." As colonel and captain met they exchanged salutes. "I told Draney, sir, that I wished to speak with you," Captain Cortland reported, in a low voice. "I did not tell him, however, that I wished to speak with you mainly as a pretext for getting away from his society." "You don't like Draney?" smiled Colonel North, eying his captain shrewdly. "I certainly do not," Cortland confessed.