As Larry Russell came up, more hand-shaking followed; and then the Russells plied Gilbert with questions, all of which he answered as well as he could.
"I wish you were going with us," said the young lieutenant. "We might have some fine times together."
"That's true," put in Larry Russell. "But I guess we've got to stay here until we are mustered out."
"Perhaps we'll be sent to China later on," said Ben Russell. Then he turned, as he felt a pluck at his sleeve. "Hullo, Stummer! And you, too, Casey! How are you getting along? It's too bad that you left me to join the regulars, but I suppose it's all for the best."
"I dink you besser choin, too," replied the German soldier. "Uncle Sam vill need you in China, sure."
"Perhaps, Carl, but not now."
"To lave you is the wan sorrow of me partin' wid Manila," said Casey. "Sure, an' we was loike brothers, barrin' ye was captain an' I was a corporal. I hope we mate ag'in, so I do." And his honest eyes looked suspiciously moist. He had served with Ben all through the Cuban and Philippine campaigns.
The conversation now became general; and pres-
