rn to squad room, or you may remain about out-doors, if you'd
rather. Don't go far away from barracks, though."

"Thank you," Hal replied, and turned away with Noll.

CHAPTER VI

THE TROUBLE WITH CORPORAL SHRIMP

"I DON'T want to say or think anything disloyal," laughed Noll, as the
two chums turned in at barracks, "but I wish Shrimp would desert."

"I wish we could have Sergeant Brimmer to teach us all the time,"
returned Hal. "I can't believe that Corporal Shrimp is any good to the
service."

"I wouldn't be any good if I had to stand around for a fellow like
Shrimp all the time," Noll answered. "How different it is when we are
under a real soldier like the sergeant."

Corporal Shrimp was alone in the squad room when the two chums entered.
The corporal was scowling sulkily until he caught sight of Hal and Noll.

"Come over to yer beds, ye two blamed rookies!" ordered Shrimp, jumping
up. "I'll be bound ye know nothing yet of how to fold yer bedding."

"No, we don't," replied Hal, with an outward respect that he was far
from feeling.

"Then watch me, bandy-legs, while I put yer bed down in regulation
style."

Shrimp quickly threw the bedding down on Hal's cot. With the deft hands
of the trained soldier Shrimp made the bed up with neatness and
dispatch.

"And in the morning, after first call to reveille," continued the
Corporal, "ye'll turn yer mattress up--so. And fold and lay the
bedding--so. Now, let's see ye shake down yer bed and make it."

This task Hal performed rather well for the first time trying. But
Shrimp found a lot of fault, volubly, then finally shoved Hal Overton
aside and finished the bed-making with a few deft touches.

"Now, turn up yer mattress, and fold yer bedding," ordered the corporal.

Hal started patiently to obey, but there was no pleasing Shrimp. He
vented a couple of oaths, evidently in order to make the matter clearer.

"Now, do it over again," ordered Shrimp roughly.

"This fellow is venting his spite on us because he's angry at the way
Sergeant Brimmer relieved him this afternoon," thought Hal hotly. Yet he
tried patiently to follow out his instructions.

In the meantime four or five other recruits had entered the squad room.

"Here ye gibbering monkey! Not that way!" snarled Shrimp. "Stand aside!"

Seizing Hal by the shoulders Shrimp deliberately hurled him out into the
middle of the squad room. Hal did not fall, but he wheeled about, his
eyes flashing.