After a few moments the soldier climbed down from the seat of the wagon. He was wholly willing to tell the boys whatever they wanted to know about Fort Clowdry and to point out the features of interest in the surrounding lines of mountains.
"Ever go hunting?" asked the soldier, at last.
"Yes; after squirrels and partridges," laughed Hal.
"No real hunting, though?"
"None."
"Then, if you can keep out of discipline troubles, ye'll have some fun around here by and by."
"Soldiers don't have much time for hunting, do they?" Hal asked.
"Those that know how to hunt do," replied the older soldier. "That's part of the life here. Didn't ye ever hear about soldier hunting parties?"
"I certainly haven't," Hal admitted.
"Why, men of good conduct are often allowed to go off on hunting parties when the game's running right. Generally there's six or eight men to a party, and all have to be fair shots, for the K. O. doesn't aim to have too much ammunition wasted," explained the old soldier. "One of the party is a non-com and he has charge of the party."