THE CORPORAL WITH THE SHEEPISH GRIN Captain Cortland heard the young scout's report without losing his gravity, though he decided against trying a night attack on the enemy beyond. "Overton," he commented, "if you can do things like to-night's work very often there will be no doubt whatever that you have in you the making of a real genius for scouting. I commend you most heartily for this work." It was only when he went back to his tent to lie down that Captain Cortland gave way to silent laughter. At daybreak the camp was astir. The men who had been on guard duty and scouting through the night came in, somewhat heavy-eyed, after a relief had been marched out to take their places. These returned soldiers, as soon as they had breakfasted, threw themselves on the ground, under such shade as they could find, and took an hour of solid sleep. "The wagon train is approaching, sir," reported Sergeant Gray. "Then pass the order for the men to report at the train and draw rations to last until to-morrow night," directed Captain Cortland. "After to-morrow night the two companies will be together again for the balance of the field work." Lieutenant Prescott was acting as commissary officer for B Company, and he went immediately to the trail. Captain Cortland, stepping into his tent, buckled on his sword and then sauntered down to the wagon train to see that all went smoothly. As he reached the spot where the soldiers of B Company were drawing their rations, Captain Cortland caught sight of a corporal perched on the seat beside the driver of one of the wagons. "You here, Corporal Haynes?" demanded Captain Cortland, striving hard to preserve his official gravity. Grinning sheepishly, Corporal Haynes--in his stocking feet--sprang down into the trail and saluted. "Yes, sir," he admitted. "Ill?" "No, sir." "Were you captured, then?" "No, sir," answered Haynes, the sheepish look in his face increasing. "But I'm a non-combatant, sir; ruled out of the manoeuvres and ordered to stay with the wagon train, sir." "How did that happen?" inquired the captain, though he was able to make a very good guess. "While I was on outpost during the night, sir, my shoes were taken from me. I suspect, sir, that one of your scouts got 'em." "But we have quartermaster's supplies along. Why didn't you draw a new pair of shoes this morning?" "No shoes of my size, sir, in the supplies," reported Raynes, once more saluting. "So Captain Freeman told me that I certainly couldn't fight in my stocking feet. Therefore, sir, he ordered me to join the wagon train and respect all the obligations of a non-combatant." "Too bad, too bad, Corporal, for you are a valuable man," went on Captain Cortland. "I don't feel like one this morning, sir, after having my shoes taken," grinned the C Company corporal in embarrassment.