.

The other members of the band received equally severe sentences, for all
had been engaged in battle with troops who represent law and order.

From that trial Hal and Noll journeyed to Denver. Major Davis, of the
Seventeenth Cavalry, also traveled from his post, for the trial of the
baffled men who had attempted to rob the United States mail was on in
the United States District Court. These men, too, were sent away to the
penitentiary for long terms.

The writer of the anonymous note against Hal had so far escaped
detection.

"We've been getting a lot of travel lately," smiled Hal as the two chums
trudged down the road from the railway station to Fort Clowdry on their
return from Denver.

"All we're going to have for a while, I hope," returned Noll Terry
quietly. "I'd sooner put in my time learning soldiering."

"Not tired of the army yet, Noll?"

"I never shall be, nor you either, Hal, as long as we're young enough to
serve."

"What I dread," mused Hal, "is the time when if we live to that age, we
shall be too old for the Army, and will have to go away and settle down
in some town as retired men of the Army."

"That will be time to die, won't it?" asked Noll, so solemnly that
Private Overton laughed merrily.

"That time is a long way off, Noll Terry. Let's see; we're eighteen now,
and a fellow doesn't have to be retired, for age, until he's sixty-two."

"Forty-four years," figured Noll. "Oh, well, a fellow ought to be able
to have a deal of fun in that number of years."

Both recruits were in merry mood as they turned in past the sentry at
the main entrance to the post grounds.

They kept on, full of life and spirits until they reached the edge of
the parade ground.

"Attention!" murmured Hal quietly.

Unostentatiously but with a world of reverence in their act both young
soldiers lifted their uniform caps close to the shadow of the grand old
Flag.

Without halting they passed on, returning their caps to their heads.
Both young men of the service walked a trifle more erectly, if that were
possible.

Nor had they gone much further when they espied a man coming toward
them. The broad white stripes down the seam of his trousers, and the
double-barred shoulder straps proclaimed the infantry officer. It was
Captain Cortland, commanding officer of B Company.

Both young soldiers raised their right hands smartly in salute as they
passed the officer, who returned their salute in kind. Then Cortland
h