"It shall be my highest ambition," said Slim.
"Good!" said General Young, rising and shaking each lad by the hand. "I was confident that you would accept, and here are the appointments already made out."
He gave to each lad a large envelope, stamped with the army seal.
"Transportation has been arranged for you to leave here to-night," General Young concluded. "You will sail from England for the United States day after to-morrow. I wish you every success. I would be very glad to hear from you occasionally, and to know of the progress you are making. Good-by!"
It would be difficult to describe the ecstacies of delight in which Joe, Jerry and Slim left the quarters of General Young to impart the knowledge of their great good fortune to Captain Mackinson.
That warm friend listened to them until he could not keep his countenance straight any longer.
"I forgot to tell you," he said, "that I am to go back there, also, as an instructor."
"Isn't that luck!" exclaimed Slim, expressing the sentiment of the other two. "That just about makes it perfect."
So we leave the boys from Brighton—Joe and Jerry and Slim—leave them upon the threshold of the broader careers which merit has won them, and bid them carry always with them our very best wishes in their aspirations which we know ever will be onward and upward.