uartermaster, who will assign you to quarters. And, Mr. Prescott, make
it a point to introduce Mr. Ferrers to Major Silsbee and also Captain
Ruggles of A company, for Mr. Ferrers is assigned to that company."

Prescott saluted smartly in leaving his colonel. Ferrers also
endeavored to salute, and imitated badly--with the wrong hand.

As soon as the door had closed Colonel North rose, sighed and muttered:

"With a seeming idiot like that on officers' row I can see our old and
happy life here passing."

Lieutenant Ferrers, after an infinite amount of coaching by Mr.
Prescott, turned out at afternoon parade. Ferrers did not take his post
with his company, but stood at one side, out of the way, watching the
work with a rather bored look.

By the time that the men were dismissed from parade every enlisted man
in barracks appeared to have heard a lot about Lieutenant Ferrers. Every
man was either telling or listening to some anecdote about the new young
officer, and roars of laughter rang on all sides, for Algy Ferrers,
during the brief afternoon, had managed, in spite of Prescott, to make a
whole lot of ridiculous breaks.

"That young shave-tail won't last two weeks in the service," predicted
Corporal Hyman, who, though he now belonged in another squad room, was
just now visiting with Sergeant Hupner's men.

"Oh, I don't know," Noll answered thoughtfully. "I've seen a lot of
worse enlisted men licked into shape and become good soldiers. I don't
know why the rule shouldn't work as well with a new officer."

Corporal Hal, at this moment, was down at the further end of the squad
room, close to an open window. Here, where he had plenty of space for
manoeuvring, he was practising some moves with the signal flag, while
Sergeant Hupner stood by criticising.

"Of all the dizzy young rookies with the waving shirt I consider you the
worst," jeered Corporal Hyman, stepping over. "Here, I'm going to take
that thing away from you. What you need, Overton, is rest."

Hyman made a dive for the signal flag. Corporal Hal resisted the effort
to take it away from him, and a good-natured scuffle followed. While it
was going on Hal was forced into the open window.

Hyman seized the staff, giving it a twist. Then Hal started to recover
it.

Thus the staff dropped and fell below, just as young Corporal Overton
sprang inward.

Instantly, however, the boy remembered that it might drop on some one's
head. He wheeled like a flash, bendin