where we were going to
sleep--we gave him leave till to-morrow morning, when he is to meet
us in front of the railway station."

"By the way, boys, I suppose you know you have each got a step?"

"No," the boys cried. "Really?"

"Yes, really," the colonel said. "That good fellow, Cambriels, sent
in a strong report in your favor upon resigning his command;
rehearsing what you did with us, and requesting that the step might
be at once given to you. As a matter of course it was, in the next
Gazette."

"Of course, we feel pleased, colonel; but it seems absurd, so young
as we are. Why, if we go on like this, in another six months we may
be majors."

"In ordinary times it would be absurd, lads; and it would not be
possible for you to hold the grade you do now--still less higher
ones--unless you understood thoroughly your duty. At the present
moment, everything is exceptional. A man who, perhaps, only served
a few months in the army, years ago, is made a general, and sent to
organize a camp of new levies. Of course, he could not command
these troops in the field, could not even drill them on the parade
ground. But that is of no matter. He has a talent for organization,
and therefore is selected to organize the camp and, to enable him
to do so efficiently, he receives the nominal rank of general.

"In ordinary times a man could not get promoted--three or even four
times, in as many weeks--over the heads of hundreds of others,
without causing an immense amount of jealousy; without, in fact,
upsetting the whole traditions of the army.

"Now, it is altogether different. The officers of the regular army
are almost all prisoners. Everyone is new, everyone is unaccustomed
to his work; and men who show themselves to be good men can be
rewarded and promoted with exceptional rapidity, without exciting
any feeling of jealousy, whatever. Besides which, the whole thing
is provisional. When the war is over, everyone will either go back
into private life or, if they continue to serve, will be gazetted
into the regular army, according to some scale or other to be
hereafter determined upon. Some inconveniences no doubt will arise,
but they will hardly be serious.

"I was offered a general's rank, a month ago; but I declined it, as
it would have entailed either my undertaking duties for which I am
unfit; or setting to, to organize young levies, and giving up
active service.

"No, if you go on as you have hitherto done, boys, you ma