over it solemnly and slowly:

"God made man and man made money;
God made the bee and the bee made honey;
God made Satan and Satan made sin;
God made a little hole to put the devil in."

"What do you mean by that, Tom?" asked Harry. "I learned it from some
fellows over in a Maryland company. It's a charm that the children in
that state have to ward off evil. I've a great belief in the instincts
of children, and I'm protecting myself against cannon and rifles in the
battle that's bound to come. Say, you fellows do it, too. I'm not
superstitious, I wouldn't dream of depending on such things, but anyway,
a charm don't hurt. Now go ahead; just to oblige me."

Harry and St. Clair dug their holes and repeated the lines. Langdon
sighed with relief.

"It won't do any harm and it may do some good," he said.

They were interrupted by an orderly who summoned Harry to Colonel
Talbot's tent. The colonel had complimented the boy on his energy
and courage in bringing Stuart to his relief, when he was besieged
in the fort, and he had also received the official thanks of General
Beauregard. Proud of his success, he was anxious for some new duty
of an active nature, and he hoped that it was at hand. Langdon and
St. Clair looked at him enviously.

"He ought to have sent for us, too," said Langdon. "Colonel Talbot has
too high an opinion of you, Harry."

"I've been lucky," said Harry, as he walked lightly away. He found that
Colonel Talbot was not alone in his tent. General Beauregard was there
also. "You have proved yourself, Lieutenant Kenton," said General
Beauregard in flattering and persuasive tones. "You did well in the far
south and you performed a great service when you took relief to Colonel
Talbot. For that reason we have chosen you for a duty yet more arduous."

Beauregard paused as if he were weighing the effect of his words upon
Harry. He had a singular charm of manner when he willed and now he used
it all. Colonel Talbot looked keenly at the boy.

"You have shown coolness and judgment," continued Beauregard, "and they
are invaluable qualities for such a task as the one we wish you to
perform."

"I shall do my best, whatever it is," said Harry, proudly.

"You know that we have spent the month of June here, waiting," continued
General Beauregard in those soft, persuasive tones, "and that the
fighting, what there is of it, has been going on in the mountains to the
west. But this