Winchester was standing by the edge of the brook, and Dick, saluting him,
said:

"My mother wishes me to deliver to you her respects and best wishes."

A flush showed through the tan of the colonel's face, and Dick, noticing
it, was startled by a sudden thought. At first his feeling was jealousy,
but it passed in an instant, never to come again. There was no finer man
in the world than Colonel Winchester.

"She is well," he added, "and affairs could go no better at Pendleton."

"I am glad," said Colonel Winchester simply. Then he turned to a man
with very broad shoulders and asked:

"How are the new lads coming on?"

"Very well, sir," replied Sergeant Daniel Whitley. "Some of 'em are a
little awkward yet, and a few are suffering from change of water, but
they're good boys and we can depend on 'em, sir, when the time comes."

"Especially since you have been thrashing 'em into shape for so many days,
sergeant."

"Thank you, sir."

An orderly came with a message for Colonel Winchester, who left at once,
but Dick and the sergeant, his faithful comrade and teacher, stood beside
the stream. They could easily see the bathers farther down, splashing in
the water, pulling one another under, and, now and then, hurling a man