You are one of the right sort, I can see, but you are young to be pressed.

How old are you ?" "Sixteen," Jack replied.
"Then they had no right to take you," the sergeant said; "seventeen's the earliest age, and as a rule soldiers ain't much good till they are past twenty.

You would have a right to get off if you could prove your age; but of course you could not do that without witnesses or papers, and it's an old game for recruits who look young to try to pass as under age." "I shan't try," Jack answered; "I have made up my mind to it now, and there's an end to it.

But why ain't soldiers any good till they are past twenty, sergeant?
As far as I can see, boys are just as brave as men." "Just as brave, my lad, and when it comes to fighting the young soldier is very often every bit as good as the old one; but they can't stand fatigue and hardship like old soldiers.

A boy will start out on as long a walk as a man can take, but he can't keep it up day after day.