never need to go under fire, or expose
yourself to danger of any kind, unless you choose to."

Harry's face crimsoned to the hue of the western sky where the sun was
just going down. He started to answer hotly, but an understanding of
the Surgeon's evident kindness and sincerity interposed to deter him. He
knew there was no shaft of sarcasm hidden below this plain speech, and
after a moment's consideration he replied:

"I am very grateful, I assure you, for your kindness in this matter. I
am strongly tempted to accept your offer, bu there are still stronger
reasons why I should decline it."

"May I ask your reasons?"

"My reasons for not accepting the appointment?"

"Yes, the reasons which impel you to prefer a dinner of bitter herbs,
under Mr. Alspaugh's usually soiled thumb, to a stalled ox and my
profitable society," said the Surgeon, gayly.

Harry hesitated a moment, and then decided to speak frankly. "Yes," he
said, "your kindness gives you the right to know. To not tell you would
show a lack of gratitude. I made a painful blunder before in not staying
unflinchingly with my company. The more I think of it, the more I
regret it, and the more I am decided not to repeat it, but abide with
my comrades and share their fate in all things. I feel that I no longer
have a choice in the matter; I must do it. But there goes the drum for
roll-call. I must go. Good evening, and very many thanks."

"The young fellow's no callow milksop, after all," said the Surgeon
Denslow, as his eyes followed Harry's retreating form. "His gristle is
hardening into something like his stern old father's backbone."

Chapter IX. On the March.

"He smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the
Captains and the shouting."
-- Job.

The weary weeks in Camp of Instruction ended with the Summer.
September had come, and Nature was hanging out crimson battle-flags
every-where--on the swaying poppy and the heavy-odored geranium. The
sumach and the sassafras wore crimson signals of defiance, and the
maples blazed with the gaudy red, yellow and orange of warlike pomp.

The regiment made its first step on Kentucky soil with a little bit of
pardonable ostentation. Every one looked upon it as the real beginning
of its military career. When the transport was securely tied up at the
wharf, the Colonel mounted his horse, drew his sword, placed himself at
the head of the regiment, and gave the command "Forward."