"I'm heartily glad to see you again, Sergeant Kelly," Hal went on.
"Not more, sir, I'll be bound, than I am to see yourself," rejoined the sergeant.
Then, with a final salute, Kelly fell back, muttering to himself:
"'Tis come, the time when I must be saying 'sir' to two broths of boys that I've cooked bacon and coffee with over the same fire. But I don't begrudge either boy his honors. The two of them, they're the best of fine soldiers and true."
Hal hurriedly learned from the tug's cook that the provisions on board were equal to furnishing all the newly arrived soldiers with breakfast within an hour.
"And can I serve the two officers now with you, if you want, Lieutenant," said the cook.
"Then please do so."
Hal led his two brother-officers to the cabin, where Prescott and Holmes, after having removed their swords and belts, made hasty toilets and seated themselves.
"I imagine a good many more commands will be ordered into the field," Prescott continued. "Every few years a lot of discontented fellows over in Mexico start some kind of a revolution, but this present one appears to be the strongest one yet. Colonel North, I know, had a report to the effect that Mexicans enough were waiting on the other side of the river to organize a large army corps as soon as they can get guns enough from this side."
"Any arms captured on this side, yet, that you know of, Overton?"