r stories of
danger while you are with the army, you'll never know peace of mind, for
there are always those faint-hearted ones ready to exaggerate the
falling of a leaf into the coming of the enemy. I have as much regard
for my own safety as for yours, and I say that here we can camp in peace
and safety."

This was sufficient for the corporal's recruit, and he set about making
himself comfortable, with the conviction that none knew better than his
comrade the general condition of affairs.

CHAPTER III.

AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.

Surely this camping by themselves was exceedingly pleasant, Isaac
thought, as the old soldier took upon himself the duties of cook,
leaving his recruit with nothing to do save watch him as he worked.

On the previous night they had slept in the midst of a noisy throng who
chattered and made merry until an exceedingly late hour, thus preventing
the more weary from sleeping, and everywhere in the air, hanging like
clouds, was the dust raised by the feet of so many men.

Now these two were in the seclusion of the woods, with a carpet of grass
for a bed; the rippling brook to lull them to slumber, and nothing more
noisy than the insect life everywhere around to disturb their slumbers.

Corporal 'Lige was in a rare good humor. He prepared an appetizing meal,
although his materials were none of the best, and when it had been
eaten, seated himself by Isaac's side with pipe in his mouth, ready and
willing to spin yarns of his previous experience as a soldier.

The boy was an eager listener; but after a certain time even the tones
of the old soldier's voice were not sufficient to banish the sleep
elves, and his eyes closed in unconsciousness just when his comrade had
arrived at the most exciting portion of his narrative.

"Perhaps I shan't be so willin' the next time you want to hear what I've
seen in this world," Corporal 'Lige said testily when he observed that
his audience was asleep, and then, knocking the ashes carefully from his
pipe, he lay down by the side of his small companion.

It seemed to Isaac that he had hardly more than closed his eyes in
unconsciousness when he was aroused by the pressure of some heavy
substance upon his hand, and looking up quickly he saw, in the dim
light, three men standing over the corporal.

The foot of one of these strangers was upon the boy's hand, as if he did
not think Isaac of sufficient importance either to warrant his taking
him prisoner,