l have to find a bed for me here, and take care of me for
a few days."

"Quinine is about your size," replied the steward, reaching for a
five-pound can of the stuff.

"That'll kill me, entirely!"

"Four ten-grain doses never killed any man," insisted the steward.

"I won't take it!"

"Oh, yes, you will, Kelly. This is the Army, and discipline is the rule.
I'll make sure of the first dose by seeing you take it here."

The hospital steward's tone was firm, and under the regulations he was
master of the situation.

"Then, for the love of Mike," gasped Kelly, "give me the bitter stuff in
a capsule."

"Certainly, if you like it that way, Kelly," assented the steward,
picking up a gelatine ten-grain capsule and packing it tight with the
white, bitter powder.

"I don't like it any way," growled Kelly.

"Now, that's nonsense, man. Why, all the medical authorities are agreed
that quinine is the greatest blessing to man ever discovered."

"Then why don't the doctors take more of it themselves?" scowled Private
Kelly.

"Here you are," continued the steward, capping the capsule and passing
it to the unwilling victim.

Kelly dropped the capsule into his mouth, resolving to hold it there
until he could get outside.

"Here's a glass of water. Wash it down," ordered the hospital steward.
"Then you can open your mouth and I'll make sure that you've swallowed
the stuff."

"Can't ye be after taking a soldier's word?" demanded Kelly, with a
burst of virtuous indignation.

"Not where quinine's the medicine," returned the steward, grinning.
"Now, down with the water, and then open your mouth."

There was no chance for sleight of hand here. Kelly actually swallowed
the hated stuff, then submitted the proof.

"Here are the other capsules," went on the steward, handing the victim a
small pill box. "Take one of the capsules at bed time and the other two
to-morrow morning and noon. Sergeant Overton, it will be as well for you
to see that Kelly obeys the order."

"May I go now?" demanded Kelly.

"Yes."

So sergeant and private passed out together.

"No wonder men sometimes desert," grumbled Private Kelly.

"Nonsense," laughed Hal. "Kelly, you're too good a soldier to be afraid
of just a bad taste in the mouth."

"I don't want a bitter taste in me mouth, unless an enemy is smart
enough to give it to me," grumbled Kelly, then added, "but by the
powers, that steward is an enemy of mine, and I'll have his scalp one of