om, he asked,--

"What is your name, young man?"

"Thomas Jones," he replied.

"Well, Thomas, I conclude you will want to go with the men."

"Yes, sir."

"And do you know, the shortest route to the settlement in question?"

Tom answered affirmatively.

"Include a horse for the boy's use, captain, and see that he is well
provided for. He may be of use in piloting the way. At any rate he is
a noble-spirited fellow, and deserves consideration at our hands. How
many men will you need, captain?"

"I'd as lief have forty as more, if I can have my pick."

"Make such arrangements as will please you; and I hope to have a good
report when you come back. The rascally red-skins should be taught a
severe lesson for this outrage, or they may commit more."

Tom and his friend rose to withdraw with the under-officer, when the
general said,--

"But you have not told me how far you came this morning."

"We rode all night," returned Tom; "I took supper at this man's cabin,
and he brought me here in his wagon to save time."

"Bless me!" ejaculated the general, as he left the table; "that has
the true ring in it. Nancy, see that these folks have a sip of coffee,
and something to eat, and when you've broke your fast, my lad, come
out into the square. I guess the captain will be ready by that
time."

Tom felt some diffidence about accepting the invitation of the
general; but Mrs. McElroy was a true lady, and her winning smile, as
she filled his cup with the fragrant beverage from the silver urn, put
him at ease. She had many a woman's question to ask about his
adventures of yesterday morning, and seemed never to tire admiring his
heroic conduct. He was just explaining for the third time how he
pushed the savage from the cliff, when his voice was drowned by that
of a girl, who came tripping and singing through the long hall that
led into the dining-room. Hers were the same bird-like notes that came
through the open window. It was the general's only daughter, Alice,
who, as she burst into the apartment, stopped in surprise as she saw
strangers there.

"Just in time, Alice," said the mother, pleasantly, "to hear this
story."

The girl was scarcely in her teens, and her fair face, expressive of
good sense, gentleness, and intellectuality, was set off by a wealth
of auburn curls that fell in careless profusion over her shoulders.

Tom had never known anything of sentiment, or thought much of personal
looks, but he had a quic