"These are the two recruits, sir, who caught the prisoner," announced Sergeant Collins, making the rifle salute. "Your names and company, men?" asked Lieutenant Mayberry. "Private Overton, A Company, sir," replied Hal, saluting. "Private Terry, A Company, sir," from Noll. "How long have you men been on post?" asked the officer of the guard. "Since about noon, to-day, sir." Hal was spokesman this time. "And you've already started your Army career by catching a man in the act of desertion?" cried the lieutenant. "Men, you're beginning well. Corporal, lock the prisoner in a cell. Then report to me at my desk. Sergeant, bring Privates Overton and Terry inside with you." Hal and Noll, the sergeant and the corporal soon stood grouped before the desk of the officer of the day. Sergeant Collins had turned over the revolver that Private Hal had taken from Shrimp. Lieutenant Mayberry listened with very evident interest as the story of the capture was unfolded to him. "Corporal, did you see the boat in question?" asked the officer of the day, at last. "Yes, sir, though very indistinctly, in the distance. It was out of sight in the darkness, an instant after, sir." "But there can be no doubt that the boat was there, Corporal?" "I am absolutely certain of it, sir," replied the corporal. "That is all, now," finished Lieutenant Mayberry. "Overton and Terry, I am going to commend you, in an off-hand way, now, for your judgment and intelligence to-night. You have made an excellent beginning. You may very likely hear from the commanding officer later." At that moment a bugle call was heard. "That's taps, isn't it?" asked Hal, realizing for the first time how time had passed at the guard-house. "Yes," replied Sergeant Collins. "Tattoo went some time ago." "You won't find yourselves in any trouble, men," broke in Lieutenant Mayberry, with a slight smile. "Report to the non-commissioned officer in charge of your squad room that you have been at the guard-house under orders." As soon as dismissed Hal and Noll made a swift spurt for barracks. "Too bad, the first night, men," said Sergeant Brimmer quietly, meeting them just inside the door of the squad room. Hal promptly accounted for both himself and his chum. "Whew!" whistled the startled sergeant softly. "You caught Corporal Shrimp in the act of deserting? Men, your time to get square came around soon, didn't it?" "We didn't do it to get square, Sergeant," replied Hal. "We did it as a matter of military duty." "Well, go softly to your beds, men. I'll go with you, to see that you make 'em up according to rule." As Sergeant Brimmer went back to his own iron cot he muttered to himself: "Caught Shrimp, and turned him over to the guard! Those lads are going to make good soldiers. And it won't pay any comrade to make enemies of them needlessly." CHAPTER VIII THE CALL TO COMPANY FORMATION UNIFORMED rookies at last!