nt,"
laughed Noll.

"No; but we had better turn in. We have as much work to do as any of the
enlisted men."

An hour later, when all was quiet, there came a heavy pounding on Hal's
door. As the young lieutenant awoke and leaped from his bed he was sure
that he heard a similar commotion going on at Noll's door.

"Who is it?" called Hal, throwing on a bathrobe and going toward the
hall door.

"Private Graham, of the guard, sir. Major Tipton's compliments to
Lieutenant Overton, and the major directs that the lieutenant report
immediately at headquarters."

Then, as Hal and Noll both opened their doors, the soldier added:

"Major Tipton authorized me to add, sir, that the Mexican border trouble
has broken out, and that you'll both march soon with your men."

CHAPTER X

ON THE SCENE OF BORDER TROUBLE

The speed with which a soldier can dress, and do it tidily, would
astonish the average civilian.

Very soon after the call had sounded at their doors Hal and Noll, their
swords hanging at their left sides and their revolvers belted on,
stepped in at headquarters.

"Come right in, gentlemen," called Major Tipton, from the rear office.

Lieutenant Brandon, battalion adjutant, was already with his chief.

"Your first call has come sooner than you expected," smiled Major
Tipton. "Captain Foster will be here presently, and then we will go over
the matter together. Ah, Foster! Come right in."

Then the orders were made clear.

"The department commander has directed me to send one company, or its
equivalent, up to the village of Agua Dulce," stated the major. "You
know where the village is, Captain--about twenty miles up the river. You
will start within the hour. Now, for the sake of giving our youngest
officers practice in handling their men I am going to send the second
platoons of F and H companies, and you, Foster, will command. You will
take one wall tent for the officers, Captain, and the men will each
carry their half of a shelter tent. You will take kitchen kit for one
company, and fifty rounds of ammunition for each man--though I trust you
will have no occasion to fire any shots. The quartermaster is now
ordering out three escort wagons to accompany you. If your provisions
run low you will receive more. You should be in camp, Captain, soon
after daylight."

"Agua Dulce," continued Major Tipton, "as you know, is a village with a
large proportion of Mexican population. The War Department is advised