ting up the forests and fields for possible enemies, but the young
officers once more enjoyed the luxury of the fire. Their clothing was
dried thoroughly, and their tough and sinewy frames recovered all their
strength and elasticity.

"To enjoy being dry it is well to have been wet," said Dalton
sententiously.

"That's just like you, you old Presbyterian," said Happy Tom. "I suppose
you'll argue next that you can't enjoy Heaven unless you've first burned
in the other place for a thousand years."

"There may be something in that," said Dalton gravely, "although the test,
of course, would be an extremely severe one."

"I know which way you're headed, George."

"Then tell me, because I don't know myself."

"As soon as this war is over you'll enter the ministry, and no sin will
get by you, not even those nice little ones that all of us like to
forgive."

"Maybe you're right, Happy, and if I do go into the ministry I shall
at once begin long and earnest preparation for the task which would
necessarily be the most difficult of my life."

"And may I make so bold as to inquire what it is, George?"

"Your conversion, Happy."

Langdon grinned.

"But why do you want to convert me, George? I'm perfectly happy as I am."

"For your own well being, Tom. Your happiness is nothing to me, but I
want to make you good."

Both laughed the easy laugh of youth, but Harry looked long at Dalton.
He thought that he detected in him much of the spirit of Stonewall
Jackson, and that here was one who had in him the makings of a great
minister. The thought lingered with him.

St. Clair was carefully smoothing out his uniform and brushing from it
the least particle of mud. His first preoccupation always asserted
itself at the earliest opportunity, and in a very short time he was the
neatest looking man in the entire force. Harry, although he often jested
with him about it, secretly admired this characteristic of St. Clair's.

"You boys sleep while you can," said Sherburne, "because we can't afford
to linger in this region. Our safety lies in rapid marching, giving the
enemy no chance to gather a large force and trap us. Make the best of
your time because we're up and away an hour after midnight."

The young officers were asleep within ten minutes, but the vigilant
riflemen patrolled the country in a wide circuit about them. Sherburne
himself, although worn by hard riding, slept but little. Anxiety kept
his eyes open. He