than his companion at this sharp
discipline. He did not regard himself as a fit subject for such
treatment, and he could not understand why he had been subjected to it.
He was not liable to do military duty, and Major Pierson could hardly
think of pressing him into the service of the Confederacy. His two
captors were as prompt in their action as the two who had taken Percy,
and his hands were also tied behind him.

"Good-evening, gentlemen," said Christy, as soon as the soldiers had
bound him, and then stood in front to take a look at him. "Don't it
strike you that you are indulging in rather sharp practice?"

"We haven't any thing to do with the practice: all we have to do is to
obey orders," replied one of the men.

"But I think you have mistaken your orders," suggested the prisoner.

"I think not: if we have, we will set things to rights at once," replied
the man, who appeared to be the sergeant in command of the party. "But
our business is not so much with you as with the other young fellow."

Upon this, Christy was conducted to the gate, where Percy had not yet
recovered any of his self-possession. For his own part, he felt that a
mistake had been made, which must soon be corrected. He knew nothing
of the wide difference of opinion which had suddenly become apparent
between his father and his uncle, and he was sure that the latter could
soon effect his release.

"This is an outrage!" exclaimed Percy, who perhaps felt that it was
necessary for him to say something, now that Christy had come within
hearing distance.

"Perhaps it is, Mr. Pierson," replied the sergeant. "But that isn't any
of my business."

"You will be held responsible for it, sir!" protested Percy.

"Perhaps I shall; but I shall obey my orders," replied the soldier
doggedly.

"Who gave you your orders?" demanded Percy imperatively.

"Well, I don't belong to the class in catechism, and I don't answer all
the questions that are put to me."

"My father will have something to say about this business."

"He can say all he likes, but he need not say it to me; for I only obey
my orders, and I have nothing to do with giving them."

"What are you going to do with me?" asked Percy, when he found he could
make nothing of the sergeant.

"I don't know what they will do with you; but I reckon they won't
shoot you, as they might a fellow whose father was not a man of some
consequence," replied the sergeant, as he ordered one of his men to open
th