So Hal and Noll met at the station, to take an early morning train. There were no relatives to see them off. Early as the hour was, though, Jud Jeffers and Tom Andrews had made a point of being on hand. "We wanted to see you start," explained Jud, his face beaming and eyes wistful with longing. "We didn't know what train you'd take, so we've been here since half-past six." "We may be back by early afternoon," laughed Hal. "Not you two!" declared Jud positively. "The recruiting officer will jump right up, shake hands with you, and drag you over to where you sign the Army rolls." The train came along in time to put a stop to a long conversation. As the two would-be soldiers stepped up to the train platform Jud and Tom did their best to volley them with cheers. Noll blushed, darting into a car as quickly as he could, and sitting on the opposite side of the train from these noisy young admirers. Hal, however, good-humoredly waved his hand from a window as the train pulled out. Then, with a very solemn face, all of a sudden, young Overton crossed and seated himself beside his chum. Neither boy carried any baggage whatever. If they failed to get into the Army they would soon be home again. If they succeeded in enlisting, then the Army authorities would furnish all the baggage to be needed. "Take your last look at the old town, Hal," Noll urged gravely, as the train began to move faster. "It may be years before we see the good old place again." "Oh, keep a stiff upper lip, Noll," smiled Hal, though he, also, felt rather blue for the moment. "Our folks will be down to the recruit drilling place to see us, soon, if we succeed in getting enrolled." It hurt both boys a bit, as long as any part of their home city remained in sight. Each tried bravely, however, to look as though going away from home had been a frequent occurrence in their lives. By the time that they were ten miles on their way both youngsters had recovered their spirits. Indeed, now they were looking forward with almost feverish eagerness to their meeting the recruiting officer. "I hope the Army surgeon doesn't find anything wrong with our physical condition," said Hal, at last. "Dr. Brooks didn't," replied Noll, as confidently as though that settled it. "But Dr. Brooks has never been an Army surgeon," returned Hal. "He may not know all the fine points that Army surgeons know." "Well we'll know before the day is over," replied Noll, with a catching of his breath. "Then, of course, we don't know whether the Army is at present taking boys under twenty-one." "The law allows it," declared Hal stoutly. "Yes; but you remember Sergeant Wright told us, fairly, that sometimes, when the right sort of recruits are coming along fast, the recruiting officers shut down on taking any minors." "I imagine," predicted Hal, "that much more will depend upon how we happen, individually, to impress the recruiting officer." In this Hal Overton was very close to being right.