jor with impressive formality.

"I am willing to serve my country, even with my life."

"I do not doubt it. I was impressed by your manner, and I have
recommended you to the general for the service he has in view. I hope you
will do credit to the selection I have made; for the most important duty
which a commander has to perform is to select proper persons for the
execution of special missions."

"I will endeavor to serve my country to the best of my ability; and I am
satisfied that I can go all over the Yankee camps without difficulty."

"Very well! You have confidence in yourself; and that is the first
requisite of success. If you discharge this duty with fidelity and skill,
you may be sure of being made a sergeant the moment you return."

"Thank you, Major Platner. I am very grateful to you, sir, for the
opportunity you thus afford me to distinguish myself."

"You will find me a good friend, if you are faithful and intelligent."

"Thank you, sir."

"Now you shall go with me to General M----'s headquarters, and he will
give you your final instructions."

Major Platner led the way; and Somers reverently followed a pace or two
behind him, flattering the officer in every action as well as word. They
reached the division headquarters, and our hero was ushered into the
presence of the general. He was a large, red-faced man, and had evidently
taken all the whiskey he could carry, at his dinner, from which he had
just returned.

"What have you got there, Platner?" demanded the general, in a tone so
rough, that Somers was reminded of the ogre in Jack the Giant-killer.

"The young man of whom I spoke to you this forenoon. He is a person of
remarkable address, courage and skill; and is just the man you need."

"All right; adieu, major!" added the general, bowing to the other.

Major Platner took the hint, and took himself off, leaving Somers
standing alone and somewhat abashed in the presence of the great man.

"Young man!" said, or rather roared, the rebel general, as he raised his
eyes from the ground, and fixed them with a half-drunken leer upon our
hero.

"Sir!"

"How much whiskey can you drink without going by the board?"

Somers did not know, had never tried the experiment, and was utterly
opposed to all such practices. But he desired to conciliate the tipsy
general; and, if he had not been fearful of being put to the test, he
would have signified his belief that he could carry off half a dozen
glasses