"Corporal Raynes, you were despoiled by Overton while on outpost night before last. Then, yesterday afternoon, you fixed up a practical joke on Overton and Terry in order to pay Overton back for his conduct to you the night before?" queried Captain Freeman. "Yes, sir," admitted Raynes, feeling as though he would like to sink about a mile into the ground. "Corporal Raynes," continued his captain, half scathingly and half quizzically, "you have proved a most valuable man to your company during this period of field duty. First, while on outpost duty, you allow yourself to be despoiled of your rifle, shoes and canteen. Then, in your humorous efforts to get even, you perpetrate a near-joke that sends the enemy's two best scouts where they will be right on hand to learn our plans and betray us to the enemy. Corporal Raynes, you have covered yourself with glory indeed! Return to your company." Like wildfire the story spread down the line. Raynes had to endure jeering looks from nearly two hundred men. "Ain't it fearful how these kids gain glory from the very things that other folks do to smash 'em?" demanded Private Bill Hooper hoarsely in the ear of Private Dowley. "It's a long lane of luck that has no turning," growled Dowley. "After what I've seen of their luck, I'm almost afraid to put up any job against 'em," confessed Hooper. "You never did have much sand or wit, I reckon," snarled Dowley. "Are you still going to try to bring the kid soldiers to disgrace?" asked Hooper in an eager undertone. "If I do, I don't believe you'll be much help." "But I'd like to know----" "Bill Hooper, if I need your help in anything I'll be sure to let you know." "Now, Dowley, you needn't be so warm-tongued about it," urged Hooper. "Of course, if there's any safe scheme for fixing the records of these kids, I'm plumb crazy to have a hand in it, and that you know, Dowley." "Did the last thing we put up--spoiling Kid Overton's rifle--get traced back to us?" demanded Dowley. "Now, that scheme didn't work much trouble to the kid," complained Hooper. "He was in bad for half a day, then got a new rifle, and has been receiving bouquets ever since." "You wait--watch and listen," urged Dowley. "You won't be very much older when you'll hear something drop that'll fix Overton if he happens to be around." "I wish you'd tell me," half whined Bill Hooper. "I will, if I want your help," remarked Dowley dryly. "Well, so long as the kid is chased out of this regiment, I don't care who does it." "Fall in!" rang down the line. * * * * * "I'm glad I know who put up that job on us," laughed Private Overton, as he stepped to his place in ranks. "But I wonder how it feels to be Corporal Raynes just now?" hinted Private Terry facetiously. "I hope he won't get reduced to the ranks as a consequence," observed Hal. "That would he rather rough. But I don't believe Captain Freeman will do anything like that."