"Any others?" asked Colonel North, tapping his knee with the pencil that he held in one hand.
"A few others, sir, but none with quite as good claims as the four men I've named."
"Whom do you favor most, Captain?"
"It's hard to say, sir. Hyman is nearly through with his enlistment, and Conrad in the middle of his third enlistment. Now, from length of service it looks as though Conrad ought to have one of the appointments."
"A man who is well along in his third enlistment, and hasn't been made a non-com. in all that time ought not to have much consideration if there are other men with better natural claims," replied Colonel North. "A man who is thoroughly qualified to be a corporal ought to get there in less than seven or eight years, don't you think so?"
"That's true, sir," Captain Cortland nodded.
"Is Hyman as good a man as Overton or Terry?" continued the regimental commander, apparently much interested.
"He has had longer experience, but I think Overton and Terry are both a shade above Hyman in natural aptitude; in fact, the lads are considerably above him."
"Then——"
"I see your drift, Colonel, and I agree with you. I therefore urge, sir, that Overton and Terry be appointed as corporals, and I will keep Hyman in mind for the next chance that comes up."