ts from pulling trigger merely for the
pleasure of hearing the report.

But when Harry and St. Clair related the incident the next morning to
Colonel Talbot, he spoke with gravity.

"There are many young men of birth and family in our army," he said,
"and they must learn that war is a serious business. It is more than
that; it is a deadly business, the most deadly business of all. If the
Yankees had caught you two, it would have served you right."

"They scared us badly enough as it was, sir," said St. Clair.

Colonel Leonidas Talbot smiled slightly.

"That part of it at least will do you good," he said. "You young men
don't know what war is, and you are growing fat and saucy in a pleasant
country in June. But there is something ahead that will take a little
of the starch out of you and teach you sense. No, you needn't look
inquiringly at me, because I'm not going to tell you what it is, but go
get some sleep, which you will need badly, and be ready at four o'clock
this afternoon, because the Invincibles march then and you march with
them."

Harry and St. Clair saluted and retired. They knew that it was not
worth while to ask Colonel Talbot any questions. Since he had met him
again in Virginia, Harry had recognized a difference in this South
Carolina colonel. The kindliness was still there, but there was a new
sternness also. The friend was being merged into the commander.

They chose a tent in order to shut out the noise and make sleep possible,
but on their way to it they were waylaid by Langdon, who had heard
something of their adventure the night before, and who felt chagrin
because he had lacked a part in it.

"Although everything generally happens for the best, there is a slip
sometimes," he said, "and I want to be in on the next move, whatever it
is. There is a rumor that the Invincibles are to march. You have been
before the colonel, and you ought to know. Is it true?"

"It is," replied Harry, "but that's all we do know. He was pretty sharp
with us, Tom, and among our three selves, we are not going to get any
favors from Colonel Leonidas Talbot and Lieutenant-Colonel Hector
St. Hilaire because we're friends of theirs and would be likely to
meet in the same drawing-rooms, if there were no war."

Harry and St. Clair slept well, despite the noises of a camp, but they
were ready at the appointed time, very precise in their new uniforms.
Langdon was with them and the three were eager for the m