He and Noll plunged into hot chicken, potatoes and gravy, and plenty of side dishes. The late excitement had not destroyed the appetite of either recruit.
When they had finished Hal asked the waiter:
"How much do we owe you?"
"Nothing," replied the waiter. "I was told to say that the account is settled, with Major Davis's compliments."
Both recruits turned, saluting in the major's direction, as token of their thanks. He nodded, smiling.
Out on the platform, just before the train started, the recruits saw Major Davis again. That officer was turned halfway from them, without seeing them, so they passed along to the day coach in which they had been riding.
Now a dozen men crowded about them, eager to talk with the young heroes of the night.
"Pretty gritty work that you boys did," grinned one of the men. "Do you often have things like that to do in the Army?"
"We never did, before to-night," Hal answered quietly.
"Must take a lot of nerve."