Now Sergeant Brimmer stepped over to Hal and Noll with military stride, saying briskly: "Recruit Privates Overton and Terry dismissed." That was all. Brimmer was already on his way back to his own post. "Was that all we turned out for with the company?" asked Noll in a low voice. "Wasn't it enough?" retorted Hal in an equally low tone, as they watched the manoeuvres of the company at a distance. "There's one thing we didn't get commended for in that order," Noll went on. "What was that?" "Well, we had to tackle an armed man when we went up against the Shrimp. The order didn't say anything about courage." "That's because only exceptional courage is ever mentioned in orders," Hal explained. "Any soldier is expected to have courage enough to face firearms." When Sergeant Brimmer returned to squad room after parade he came straight over to Hal and Noll. "That was a pretty good thing for you this afternoon, men," he commented pleasantly. "It isn't often that a rookie gets commended in orders." "Does it bring any more pay?" laughed Noll. "No; but, my man, it goes on your record, and that's worth something. The commendation that was read out in orders this afternoon goes forward to your new colonel, when you're drafted to a line regiment, and that commendation becomes a part of your permanent record in the Army. Isn't that enough?" "It's too much," Hal declared, "for such a little thing as we did." "You men want promotion, don't you?" asked Sergeant Brimmer. "Surely," nodded Noll. "When you get to your regiment, and your company commander has occasion to appoint a new corporal, he looks over the records of the men in his company. Men, I guess you've each of you got your first grip on one of the chevrons that Shrimp dropped." For Shrimp had been tried by court-martial, three days before. The findings, verdict and sentence had been sent on through the military channels, and would not be published until approved by the department commander. But no one at the island doubted that Shrimp would lose his corporal's chevrons, would be dismissed the service and sentenced to imprisonment in addition. "I'd rather get chevrons, if they're coming my way, by some other means than pulling them off another man's sleeves," thought Hal to himself. CHAPTER IX ORDERED TO THE THIRTY-FOURTH TWELVE working days with arms, and Privates Overton and Terry were moved on into A Company. They were now deeper than ever in the work of learning the soldier's trade. A tremendous change had been worked in them. Though their faces were as youthful as ever, the boys seemed to have grown into the dignity of men--of trained men, at that. They carried themselves like soldiers, thought of themselves as soldiers, and were soldiers. For they loved their work better than ever.