od Park and The Cedars.

"It's stopped snowing," announced Nat cheerfully. "Guess we will be able
to make it all right by daylight."

"Fall in! fall in!" called the major, making a place for Captain Mayberry
on the end of the seat that served as table and chairs collectively.

It was a queer meal--but a delightful one.

The relief that Major Dale brought was not in food alone.

"And there's the coffee!" he announced. "Will one of you boys just let
that stand on the stove in the captain's private room?"

Tom jumped to comply. He readily found the means of lighting the secret
room, and soon found other conveniences, such as water and cooking
utensils.

Captain Mayberry had not forgotten how to eat. He was "almost human," as
Nat whispered to Dorothy.

"Here, guard!" called the major. "Fetch that coffee. Help yourself." This
to the captain. "We eat according to rank this time."

Captain Mayberry seemed to smile. He took the cup of coffee--then the
others raised their cups to drink a toast.

"To the Guards!" proposed the major. "Long life and happiness to the last
of them!"

It was a strange sight--the cracked and broken cups that Tom had secured
in the captain's quarters raised to drink the honored toast!

"And a merry Christmas to Captain Mayberry!" called out Dorothy.

Old Abe dropped his cup--spilled his coffee. He looked down ruefully at
the puddle on the floor.

"Any mo'?" he asked. It was the first word he had spoken since he entered
the house.

Tom refilled the cup.

"Take care of that," he cautioned Abe. "It's about all."

"What time?" asked the major, addressing Nat.

"Four! Would you believe it? It will be daylight soon."

"Glad of it," replied the major. "We can't leave here any too quickly. It
has cleared, you say?"

"Beautifully," answered Nat; "and the sun to-morrow will be a 'ringer' for
the moon to-night. I'll bet it will be one of those dazzling days--"

"Likely," agreed the major. "We must take Mayberry back with us," he said
in a low voice. "Poor old chap! To think that I should find him--and in
such a pitiable condition!"

CHAPTER XXV

YOUTH AND OLD AGE

When the first streak of dawn threw its shadow upon the fleecy blanket
that surrounded the old Mayberry Castle, there stood before the door the
Fire Bird and the wagon old Abe called his "carry-all."

Into the latter vehicle Captain Mayberry was almost lifted, wrapped in
every conceivable sort of warm covering that