"Say," drawled Bud to the other boys, "Ted put ther bloom o' youth on
Clarence's cheek, didn't he?"
"He certainly did," said Ben, "and probably saved Clarence from getting
a good, stout punch on the nose from me."
Ben held up for inspection a fist as big as a picnic ham, and worked it
around as if it was fitted to a toggle joint.
"He didn't get all that was coming to him, either," said Kit. "If ever
there was a cad he's got the job."
"And seems to be swelled up over it, too," said Clay.
"Ach, yes, dot iss der vay mit dem army offichers," sighed Carl. "Dey
vas so conspicuousness in deir uniforms dot dey vos ridiculousness."
"Say, Dutch, you want ter look out or you'll blow out all o' yer teeth
some o' these days sayin' them words," warned Bud.
"Well, it isn't such a good joke as it seems," said Kit reflectively. "A
young fellow in the army, and with the backing he has, can make it
pretty disagreeable for fellows like us living and doing business in a
country where an army post is part of the civil government. Have you
thought of that?"
"Kit's right," said Ted. "I guess we've made an enemy. But I'll be
mighty glad of it if it serves to accomplish one thing."
"What's that?" asked Ben.
"If it will keep him away from Hallie Croffut," was the answer.
"I reckon there's others who will help attend to that," said Ben
sturdily, whereat several of the boys smiled.
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