“I understand some new troops are coming to the front here,” said Roger, who had just returned from the other end of the roadway they were constructing. “I met a corporal I know slightly, and he was telling me about them.” And he mentioned the number of the regiment.
“Why, Roger, that’s the command to which Nat Poole belongs!” cried Dave.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes; I took particular notice. And Gebauer belongs, too. In fact, he is a lieutenant of Nat’s company.”
“Well, I’m mighty sorry to hear that they are coming anywhere near us,” was Phil’s comment, and he looked thoughtfully at our hero as he spoke.
“I am sorry, too, in one way,” answered Dave promptly. “As soon as Nat Poole shows himself there is bound to be some sort of trouble.”
“And what about that Lieutenant Gebauer?” questioned Roger. “I know well enough you’ve got it in for him, Dave.”
“If Dave has, it’s because Gebauer deserves it,” remarked Phil.
“Oh, if he doesn’t bother me I won’t bother him,” answered our hero. “Just the same, if I get a chance I’m going to let him know I am aware of how he acted in Crumville, and that I don’t give him any credit for causing Jessie trouble.”
The weather now was all that could be desired, and the work of building roads and bridges progressed rapidly. On some of the bridge work there was considerable planning to be done, and Dave had to spend a good many hours over some blueprints. But he had the satisfaction of accomplishing what he had set out to do, and received some warm praise from Captain Obray.