"Come down to the end of the room with me," ordered Private Hyman.
Hal good-naturedly followed. So did the others.
"Now, let's see if you can do this," Hyman proposed. "Take a good start and jump over the first cot, then over the second, and right on down the line, as far as you can do."
That didn't look difficult. Hal leaped over the first cot, then, with hardly a pause, jumped over the second. So on he went, down over the line of ten cots.
"Now, go back again, over the cots on the other side," ordered Private Hyman.
Hal did so without difficulty, though he was flushed and panting by the time that he finished this brisk exercise.
"Kid, you're no good," grunted Hyman.
"I didn't try to make you believe I was any good," Hal retorted calmly.
"No, sir! Any man who jumps as easily and naturally as you do would jump the regulars any time, and go with the high-toned volunteer crowd."
"Humph! A fellow who can jump like that would jump right out of the service at the first breath of trouble," broke in another soldier.