Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/174

150 "It's possible, but I don't think so—now. You see I may be a fighting, but I'm not a fighting man—like you, for instance."

"I don't see the difference, captain."

"What I mean is this: I am ready to come at my country's call, but I am not willing to stand and wait for a mix-up. If you join the regular army, you'll have to remain a soldier, even if this war comes to an end the next day, while I, as a volunteer, will probably be discharged."

"That's true, but to me and to Pennington it doesn't make any difference."

"Are any of the others going into the regular army?"

"Yes, Rexford and Corporal Holwurth, and I overheard Stummer and Casey talking it over, too."

"I'll be sorry to lose you all," said Ben, seriously. "We have been close friends for a long time, and seen many hard knocks together."

"So we have, captain, and that's why we want you and Larry to join with us."

But Ben shook his head again. The regular service had no fascination for him, although he readily saw how it could appeal to such a dashing military