g on
earth; and that this regiment could do anything.

CHAPTER IV.

After this it became a common thing for passing regiments to camp near
Oakland, and the fire blazed many a night, cooking for the soldiers,
till the chickens were crowing in the morning. The negroes all had
hen-houses and raised their own chickens, and when a camp was near
them they used to drive a thriving trade on their own account, selling
eggs and chickens to the privates while the officers were entertained
in the "gret house."

It was thought an honor to furnish food to the soldiers. Every soldier
was to the boys a hero, and each young officer might rival Ivanhoe or
Coeur de Lion.

It was not a great while, however, before they learned that all
soldiers were not like their favorite knights. At any rate, thefts
were frequent. The absence of men from the plantations, and the
constant passing of strangers made stealing easy; hen-roots were
robbed time after time, and even pigs and sheep were taken without any
trace of the thieves. The boys' hen-house, however, which was in the
yard, had never been troubled. It was about their only possession, and
they took great pride in it.

One night the boys were fast asleep in their room in the office, with
old Bruno and Nick curled up on their sheep-skins on the floor. Hugh
was away, so the boys were the only "men" on the place, and felt that
they were the protectors of the plantation. The frequent thefts had
made every one very suspicious, and the boys had made up their minds
to be on the watch, and, if possible, to catch the thief.

The negroes said that the deserters did the stealing.

On the night in question, the boys were sound asleep when old Bruno
gave a low growl, and then began walking and sniffing up and down the
room. Soon Nick gave a sharp, quick bark.

Frank waked first. He was not startled, for the dogs were in the habit
of barking whenever they wished to go out-of-doors. Now, however, they
kept it up, and it was in a strain somewhat different from their usual
signal.

"What's the matter with you? Go and lie down, Bruno," called Frank.
"Hush up, Nick!" But Bruno would not lie down, and Nick would not keep
quiet, though at the sound of Frank's voice they felt less
responsibility, and contented themselves with a low growling.

After a little while Frank was on the point of dropping off to sleep
again, when he heard a sound out in the yard, which at once thoroughly
awakened him.