empt to get rid of him. The captain, for some reason or
other, appeared to have taken a decided liking to our officer. Perhaps he
hoped to share with him the powerful patronage of Senator Guilford.

After supper, Captain de Banyan proposed that they should go out and see
the "elephant;" but Somers, having no taste for the study of this
description of natural history, positively declined to see the
metaphorical monster.

"We must go somewhere," persisted the captain, taking up a newspaper.
"Here's a 'Lecture on the Battle of Bull Run, by Lieutenant-Colonel
Staggerback, who participated in that memorable action,'" he continued,
reading from the paper.

"I was in that battle myself; I don't object to that," replied Somers.

"Good! Then we'll go."

They walked up Broadway till they came to one of those gaudy saloons
where rum and ruin are tricked out in the gayest of colors.

"We are early for the lecture, Somers. Let's go in here, and see what
there is to be seen."

"No, I thank you; I don't care about going into any of these dens of vice
and sin."

"'Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As, to be hated, needs but to be seen,'"

repeated the captain with dramatic force.

"'But seen too oft----'

You needn't see it but once. Don't you want to see the lions of the
metropolis?"

"Don't object to the lions; but, in my opinion, you will find only the
donkeys in there."

"Let us see, at any rate."

"I will go in for a moment," replied Somers, who did not like to seem
over-squeamish.

They entered this outer gate to ruin. There was a bar at the end next to
the street, while at the other end a band of music was playing the
national airs. It looked like a very pleasant place to the young
lieutenant, who had never entered one of these saloons before.

CHAPTER IV

THE FIRE OF TEMPTATION

Captain de Banyan sauntered gracefully up the saloon, with Somers at his
side. He appeared to be perfectly at home, and to have all the ease and
finish of a thorough man of the world. His movements were calculated to
make a sensation; and, as he passed along, old topers and gay young
bloods paused to glance at him. If the captain had been in command of the
Army of the Potomac, his elevated position would hardly have justified a
more extensive flourish than he made.

Lieutenant Somers was duly impressed by the magnificence of his
companion, though the surroundin