e over the town, the hills and
the brown waters of the Alabama. It was a peculiarly Southern country,
different, Harry thought, from his own Kentucky, more enthusiastic,
perhaps, and less prone to count the cost. The people had come not only
on the railroad, but they were arriving now from far places in wagons
and on horseback. Men of distinction, almost universally, wore black
clothes, the coats very long, black slouch hats, wide of brim, and white
shirts with glistening or heavily ruffled fronts. There were also many
black people in a state of pleasurable excitement, although the war--if
one should come--would be over them.

Harry and his two young friends were anxious to visit Montgomery and
take a good look at the town, but they did not ask for leave, as Colonel
Talbot had already sternly refused all such applications. The military
law continued to lie heavily upon them, and, soon after they finished
a solid breakfast with appetites sharpened by the open air, they were
ordered to fall into line. Arrayed in their fine new uniforms, to which
the last touch of neatness had been added, they marched away to the
town. They might see it as a company, but not as individuals.

They walked with even step along the grassy slopes, their fine
appearance drawing attention and shouts of approval from the dense
masses of people of all ages and all conditions of life who were
gathering. Harry, a cadet with a small sword by his side, felt his
heart swell as he trod the young turf, and heard the shouting and
applause. The South Carolinians were the finest body of men present,
and they were conscious of it. Eyes always to the front, they marched
straight on, apparently hearing nothing, but really hearing everything.

They reached the houses presently and Harry saw the dome of the capitol
on its high hill rising before them, but a moment or two later the
Guards, with the Palmetto flag waving proudly in front, wheeled and
marched toward the railroad station. There they halted in close ranks
and stood at attention. Although the young soldiers remained immovable,
there was not a heart in the company that did not throb with excitement.
Colonel Talbot and Major St. Hilaire were a little in advance, erect and
commanding figures.

Other troops, volunteer companies, were present and they spread to right
and left of the South Carolinians. Behind and everywhere except in the
cleared space before them gathered the people, a vast ma