Chapter I: Front Matter

Uncle Sam's Boys as
Lieutenants
OR
Serving Old Glory as Line Officers

By
H. IRVING HANCOCK

Author of "Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks," "Uncle Sam's Boys
on Field Duty," "Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants," "Uncle
Sam's Boys in the Philippines," "Uncle Sam's Boys
on Their Mettle," The Motor Boat Club Series,
The High School Boys Series, The West
Point Series, The Annapolis Series,
The Young Engineers Series,
Etc., Etc., Etc.

Illustrated

P H I L A D E L P H I A
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY

COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY
HOWARD E. ALTEMUS

CONTENTS

PAGE

CHAPTER I--ON WAITING ORDERS 11

Uncle Sam's Boys grow impatient. A mother's logic. The
postman's whistle makes Hal nervous. "Who is Ad Interim?"
Uniforms are ready. A surprise for Mrs. Overton.
"Lieutenants" Overton and Terry now.

CHAPTER II--TROUBLE IN THE MAKING 25

In their new uniforms. All eyes on Uncle Sam's Boys. Honors
and insult. "See the Conquering Hero Comes." An invitation
declined. Bunny Hepburn loses his job. "I'll get even with
that cheap officer."

CHAPTER III--PLOTTERS LAY THEIR PLANS 41

Victims walk into a trap. "Get busy, Skinny!" Twelve against
two. "Sail into the soldier loafers!" Hal Overton's blood is
up. Bunny's eyes are closed. A fight to a finish.

CHAPTER IV--THE WAR DEPARTMENT ACTS 54

Hal and Noll under charges. Uncle Sam's Boys shunned by
neighbors. "We won't submit to such false charges." A town
divided against itself. A bitter attack in the press. "The
culprits face their ordeal to-day."

CHAPTER V--BEFORE A COURT OF INQUIRY 62

Looks dark for the young lieutenants. Perjurers have their
say. "I wouldn't believe 'em under oath." Gangsters get a
jolt. The findings of the Court of Inquiry. Hal and Noll
outwit the enemy.

CHAPTER VI--THE CALL TO DUTY 74

All in the soldier's game. A descendant of the knight of
old. "There isn't a thing left that we can ask for." A
parting shot. Mothers as "best girls." The goal of their
youthful dreams lays before Hal and Noll.

CHAPTER VII--AT THEIR NEW POST 80

Welcomed by the Major. Bachelors and glad of it. Hal and
Noll settle down in their new quarters. "At the officers'
club." An old friend in a new guise. "It's our old Algy."
Brother officers are cordial to the boys who have risen from
the ranks.

CHAPTER VIII--NEW LIEUTENANTS LOOK AND LISTEN 91

"Feathers" tells his life history. Algy reads brother
officers a lecture. "We do not smoke yet." The start to meet
their captains. The new life in the Army begins.

CHAPTER IX--THE SUMMONS TO DUTY 100

The new officers get their assignments. An invitation to
Mrs. Overton. The Mexican situation threatens. Frontier duty
promised. Young lieutenants perform their duties with snap
and precision. "The Mexican border trouble has broken out!"

CHAPTER X--ON ACTIVE SERVICE 111

Overton and Terry keenly alert to their work. "Quick work."
Platoons march. The camp at Agua Dulce. On a ticklish
mission. On the trail of the hidden rifles. The Greasers are
ugly.

CHAPTER XI--LIEUTENANT HAL GUARDS THE ENTRANCE 120

"Keep them from closing that door!" Mexicans assume a
threatening attitude. "Back, all of you!" Lieutenant Overton
draws his sword. His life hangs on a thread. Greasers cowed
by his nerve. Grimmer work ahead.

CHAPTER XII--IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY 131

A much-needed rest. Assigned to an important post. The night
patrol of the river bank. A nerve-trying vigil. "Halt! Who
goes there?" A stealthy step. Lieutenant Hal in the toils.

CHAPTER XIII--HALL SEES HIS REPUTATION BLASTED 139

Bound hand and foot. A disheartening discovery. A knife at
his throat. Sentries in a fix. Greasers gloat and threaten.
A Mexican boot in Hal's face. Moving day on the border.
"It's our night to laugh." Rejoicing on the Rio Grande.

CHAPTER XIV--WHEN THE TABLES WERE TURNED 149

A thrill of joy. Unarmed but free. Lieutenant Overton
plans his next move. Only a fighting chance. Crafty as an
Indian. The enemy's plans revealed. "Lift that hawser and
I'll shoot you!"

CHAPTER XV--LIEUTENANT OVERTON IN A QUANDARY 160

In command of a river tug. The skipper learns a lesson. A
duty well done. "A very bad business." Prisoners taken to
camp. "Do you begin to see a light, Mr. Overton?" A
suspicious craft sighted.

CHAPTER XVI--ORDERS THAT WERE DISOBEYED 170

Hal takes a long chance. The race on the river. Beaten by
the stranger. Lieutenant Overton has misgivings. Discipline
the soldier's greatest asset. The return to shore. "Now I'm
in for it."

CHAPTER XVII--A BREACH OF ORDERS 175

Overton meets his first rebuke. "Your defence is a manly
one." A message that was never delivered. Old friends
surprise Hal. Lieutenants Prescott and Holmes share the
tug's hospitality. Dave Darrin joins the happy family. "Real
doings" promised.

CHAPTER XVIII--AN ACT OF PIRACY 189

The cruise of the "Restless." "A real fighting bunch."
Ensign Darrin at the wheel. "Look sharp there!" A suspicious
craft sighted. The pursued motor boat refuses to lay to. The
"Restless" swept by a volley of rifle shots. The battle is
on.

CHAPTER XIX--THE BRIBE OF A TRAITOR 198

"Fire!" commands Lieutenant Hal Overton. A woman's shriek.
"Fix bayonets!" The stranger boarded. Mexicans ordered to
surrender. A young woman on board. Contraband discovered in
the hold. "We can fix it all with money."

CHAPTER XX--AN OFFICER AND HIS HONOR 207

A bribe hurled into the offender's face. "I'll pitchfork
that honor of yours." Ruggles makes a charge. What was found
in Lieutenant Overton's holster. "It's a cowardly lie!" Hal
faces disgrace.

CHAPTER XXI--UNDER A DARK CLOUD 221

Hal's face turns ghastly. "Do you believe me guilty, sir?"
Detained in camp on parole. "I'll fight every inch of the
way." Word that the Mexicans are rising. American women in
peril. Lieutenant Overton's bitter disappointment.

CHAPTER XXII--THE SERGEANT WHO REMEMBERED 232

"Ye lop-sided shadow of a rookie!" Sorry he didn't throw the
scoundrel overboard. Hal Overton is vindicated. Permission
to join the rescue party. "Sound the recall." Stirring times
ahead.

CHAPTER XXIII--IN THE THICK OF THE RIOT 238

Troops ordered to Holmesville. Up the river at racing speed.
"Sweethearts in peril." Flames in the sky. A lightning-like
landing. "Forward on double quick!" "Charge!" shouts
Lieutenant Overton.

CHAPTER XXIV--"THE SOLDIERS ARE COMING!" 247

A path hewn with swords. A sharp, ugly clash. A woman's
scream guides the three young officers. Just in time.
Enraged Texans held in check. A double service wedding.
Ready for the great war.

Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants