"Attention," he called. "Men, in the absence of the captain and first lieutenant until Wednesday, Lieutenant Prescott is company commander. He has just notified me, as acting first sergeant, to inform the men that B and C Companies march from the post on Friday for a two weeks' period of training in field duty. Every man will promptly see to it that all his field outfit is in proper order. Any man wishing further instruction or advice will apply to me at any time up to our departure." Then Sergeant Hupner hurried forth to acquaint the men in the other squad rooms of B Company with the news. "Field work? Hurrah!" shouted Private Terry, always eager to experience new phases of the soldier's life. "You've never been off on field work, have you?" asked Hyman dryly. "No; that's why I'm so pleased about it," Noll answered. "And that's the only reason," added Hyman. "Take it from me that it's a period of hard work, tedious marching, blistered feet, aching muscles and all but crumbling bones. It's nothing but a big, torturesome hike through the mountains." "I'll enjoy it," insisted Private Terry. "Wait," advised Hyman. Soon after the buglers of the post were sounding first call to afternoon parade. It was not until the men were falling in ranks that Bill Hooper and the morose Dowley heard about the coming tour of field duty. "That will be our chance," muttered Hooper to Dowley, after the men had been dismissed at the conclusion of parade. The two were again by themselves, their scheming heads together. "I don't believe the chance will be as good off in the field as it will be here at barracks," grunted Dowley. "That's because you haven't been in the Army long enough to know," retorted big Bill Hooper. "Blast the Army!" snarled Dowley. "However did you come to enlist, anyway?" asked Hooper curiously. "I had reasons of my own," replied Dowley shortly. "Did the sheriff have anything to do with those reasons?" grinned Hooper darkly. "Don't get too curious!" warned the other. "Oh, I'm not nosey," laughed Hooper. "And we can't afford to quarrel. We're both pledged to getting Overton kicked out of the service." "Are you sure that he and Terry really expect to work their way up to becoming commissioned officers?" "I have it on the best of authority," declared Private Hooper. "Whose?" "Their own." "Did they tell you so?" "Not they! Those kids are too close-mouthed for that. At least, they didn't tell me direct, and I don't believe they've told any other enlisted men on the post. But I heard them talking it over, one day when they didn't know I was around. They expect to be made corporals before their first year is out. In three years they hope to be sergeants, and then they scheme to take the enlisted men's examination for commissions as second lieutenants." "Lieutenants? Shave-tails?" guffawed Dowley. "Hooper, they'll never even be corporals. It's a bob-tail discharge for theirs!"