"No; that's why I'm so pleased about it," Noll answered.
"And that's the only reason," added Hyman. "Take it from me that it's a period of hard work, tedious marching, blistered feet, aching muscles and all but crumbling bones. It's nothing but a big, torturesome hike through the mountains."
"I'll enjoy it," insisted Private Terry.
"Wait," advised Hyman.
Soon after the buglers of the post were sounding first call to afternoon parade. It was not until the men were falling in ranks that Bill Hooper and the morose Dowley heard about the coming tour of field duty.
"That will be our chance," muttered Hooper to Dowley, after the men had been dismissed at the conclusion of parade. The two were again by themselves, their scheming heads together.
"I don't believe the chance will be as good off in the field as it will be here at barracks," grunted Dowley.
"That's because you haven't been in the Army long enough to know," retorted big Bill Hooper.
"Blast the Army!" snarled Dowley.
"However did you come to enlist, anyway?" asked Hooper curiously.