n this division before. You ought to be a--hic--a
brigadier-general."

"Thank you, sir. You are very kind. I came to you for instructions in
regard to my mission over to the enemy."

"Bless me! yes; so you did. Well, I have not written them yet."

"I only want a pass from you, general, with such verbal instructions as
you may please to give me."

"So you do; the fact of it is, my interest in the moral welfare of my men
had driven the matter out of my mind."

The general called an orderly; and Somers was sent off to the adjutant
for the pass, which was given to him under the name he had assumed. When
he returned, the general was sound asleep on his camp-stool, rolling
about like a ship in a gale, with a prospect of soon landing at full
length on _terra firma_. Somers would gladly have received some military
information from the general, who was in a condition to tell all he knew;
which, however, could not have been much, under the circumstances. He
concluded that it would be best for him not to awaken the tipsy moralist;
and, after waiting a short time on the spot to avoid suspicion, he joined
Major Platner, who was smoking his cigar under a tree near the
headquarters.

"Well, young man, did you obtain your instructions?"

"Yes; all I require."

"Perhaps we ought to have seen the general before dinner," added the
major, using the remark as a "feeler" to induce his companion to inform
him what had transpired during the interview.

"Perhaps it would have been more agreeable to the general. However, he
seemed to be in a very talkative mood."

"He commonly is after dinner."

"He is a very jovial, good fellow."

"Very."

"But he appears to feel a deep interest in the moral welfare of those
under his command. He expressed himself as very averse to habits of
intemperance."

"Humph!" coughed the major.

"He said that whiskey was the great enemy the army has to contend
against, and intends to issue a general order directed at the vice of
intemperance."

"Did he?"

"He did; but I ought to add, that he took me to be a major in the
service; a mistake which was very natural, since I wore no coat."

"Very natural--after dinner," replied Major Platner suggestively.

"I told him I never drank any strong drink; and he kindly advised me
never to do so."

"The general is a brave man, and I hope he will be able to overcome all
his enemies."

The major permitted the conversation to go by default, and Somers
resp