n's
best regiments, has seen them. You know him; he was here yesterday."

As he spoke, Captain Sherburne sprang from his horse and pointed to
Harry.

"You remember me, Captain McGee," said Harry. "I stopped with you a
minute yesterday. I rode on a scouting expedition, and I have seen the
Union force myself. It outnumbers us at least two to one, but we'll have
the advantage of the defense."

"Yes, I know you," said McGee, his heavy and strong, but not very
intelligent face, brightening a little. "But it's a great responsibility
I've got here. We ought to have had more troops to defend such valuable
stores. I've got two hundred men, captain, and I should say that you've
about the same."

It was then that Captain Philip Sherburne showed his knightly character,
speaking words that made Harry's admiration of him immense.

"I haven't any men, Captain McGee," he said, "but you have four hundred,
and I'll help my commander as much as I can."

McGee's eyes gleamed. Harry saw that while not of alert mind he was
nevertheless a gentleman.

"We work together, Captain Sherburne," he said gratefully, "and I thank
God you've come. What splendid men you have!"

Captain Sherburne's eyes gleamed also. This troop of his was his pride,
and he sought always to keep it bright and sharp like a polished sword
blade.

"Whatever you wish, Captain McGee. But it will take us all to repel
the enemy. Kenton here, who saw them well, says they have a fine,
disciplined force."

The men now dismounted and led their horses to a little grove just in
the rear of the warehouse, where they were tethered under the guard of
the villagers, all red-hot partisans of the South. Then the four hundred
men, armed with rifles and carbines, disposed themselves about the
warehouse, the bulk of them watching the road along which the attacking
force was almost sure to come.

Harry took his place with Sherburne, and once more he was compelled
to admire the young captain's tact and charm of manner. He directed
everything by example and suggestion, but all the while he made the
heavy Captain McGee think that he himself was doing it.

Sherburne and Harry walked down the road a little distance.

"Aren't you glad to be here, Kenton?" asked the captain in a somewhat
whimsical tone.

"I'm glad to help, of course."

"Yes, but there's more. When I came to war I came to fight. And if we
save the stores look how we'll stand in Old Jack's mind. Lord, Kenton,
but he