THE WOLF HUNTERS 



"and he said it made no difference, that he had 

 other work that any greenhorn could do night 

 herding or driving the cavvy-yard. We're to get 

 our plunder out at the side of the road as he pulls 

 through the post. Now, as that is settled, let's 

 put on our best j ackets and go over to the captain's 

 quarters and ask for our discharges." 



"Well, Tom," said Jack, "we'll let you do the 

 talking for us, for likely enough the 'old man' will 

 give us a lot of taffy and try to persuade us to 

 re-enlist. You can give him our reasons for not 

 taking on again better than me and Peck." 



Before long we had marched briskly across the 

 parade-ground and lined up in front of the cap- 

 tain's door, with Tom in the post of honor on the 

 right. The captain opened the door and stepped 

 out, when we all three saluted, and as he re- 

 turned it he asked : 



"Well, men, what's wanting?" 



Standing rigidly at attention, Jack and I kept 

 silence while Tom spoke, saying: 



"We've called, sir, to see if the captain would 

 be so kind as to give us our discharges so we can 

 take advantage of the chance to go into the States 

 with the bull train that's camped in the bottom 

 yonder." 



"Why, yes; certainly," said the captain slowly; 

 "but I had hoped that you men would re-enlist 

 in time to get the benefit of the three months' extra 

 pay with furlough. You are pretty sure to re- 



10 



