"What is your regiment?"

"You mean our 'command.' Why, didn't I tell you? 'Teddy's Terrors,'
Roosevelt's Rough Riders. First Volunteer Cavalry, U.S.A., Colonel
Leonard Wood commanding."

"The very one!" cried Ridge. "Why didn't I think of it before? How I
wish I could join it."

"And why not?"

"I thought there were so many applications that the ranks were more than
full."

"So there may be, but, like lots of other full things, there's always
room for one more, if he's of the right sort."

"Do you imagine I would stand the slightest chance of getting in?"

"I should say you would. With me ready to use my influence in your
behalf, and me and Teddy the chums we are, besides you being the rider
you are. Why the first question Teddy asks of an applicant is 'Can you
ride a horse?' And when you answer, 'Sir, I am the man who wrote--I mean
who won the silver hurdles at the last Yokohama gym.', he'll be so
anxious to have you in the regiment that he'd resign in your favor rather
than lose you. Oh, if I only had your backing do you suppose I'd be a
mere private Terror? No, siree, I'd be corporal or colonel or something
of that kind, sure as you're born. But come on, let's get aboard, for
there's the tinkle-bell a-tinkling."