"Just what I said—sergeants," said Lieutenant Mackinson, smiling.
"Have we—Do you—" Jerry stopped to begin all over again, and the young officer interrupted him.
"I suppose it's a little like telling secrets out of school," he said, "but then, after all, it isn't any secret, for the news was out yesterday afternoon. A lot of promotions were announced. Frank's been made a corporal, and you boys—Joe, too—advanced to sergeant."
It was fully a minute before either lad could express himself, and the lieutenant and Corporal Hoskins took a full measure of enjoyment out of their apparent happy gratification.
"Lieutenant—" Slim began.
"Captain, if you please," Mr. Mackinson corrected amiably. "You see, I was in the list, too."
Slim and Jerry simultaneously brought their horses to a halt while they came to a full military salute.
As they approached Major Jones' headquarters with their prisoners, Captain Mackinson turned another way and Corporal Hoskins dropped back.
Briefly, and without undue emphasis upon their own hardships or courage or common sense, they gave the details of their activities since they had left, and of the capture of Slim and the subsequent taking of his captors.
"You have done well, exceptionally well," the major responded. "In consequence whereof it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you have been advanced to the rank of sergeant. In that respect I might remind you that the next step is to a commission, and that merit and courage will take a man to any command in the United States army. It is the only standard of advancement, and there is no other instrument of preferment. I am happy to know that you young men have started so well. You two, and the friend who also was advanced to sergeant with you, have brilliant futures before you."