serious business of the game, but was entering into
it as if it were a big frolic. He could not make believe as the boys
could, who played at soldiering. But the old words of command, uttered, in
the Little Colonel's high, excited voice, sent him bounding in the
direction she pointed, and the prostrate forms he found scattered about
the sham battle field, seemed to quicken his memory. Mrs. Walton presently
called the officer's attention to the efforts Hero was making to recall
his old lessons, and briefly outlined his history.

"I believe he would remember perfectly," said the Colonel, watching him
with deep interest, "if we were to take him over to our camp, and try him
among the regular uniformed soldiers. Of course our accoutrements are not
the kind he has been accustomed to, but I think they would suggest them.
At least the smell of powder would be familiar, and the guns and canteens
and knapsacks might awaken something in his memory that would revive his
entire training. I should like very much to make the experiment."

After some further conversation, Lloyd was called up to meet the
officers, and it was agreed that Hero should be taken over to the camp for
a trial on the day the sham battle was to take place.

"The day has not yet been definitely determined," said the Colonel, "but
I'll send you word as soon as it is. By the way, my orderly was once a
young French officer, and often talks of the French army. He'll welcome
Hero like a long-lost brother, for he has a soft spot in his heart for
anything connected with his motherland. Ill send him over either this
evening or to-morrow."

That evening the orderly rode over to bring word that the sham battle
would take place the following Thursday, and they were all invited to
witness it. Hero's trial would take place immediately after the battle.
While he stood talking to Mrs. Walton and Miss Allison, Lloyd and Kitty
came running down the hill with Hero close behind them.

The orderly turned with an exclamation of admiration as the dog came
toward him, and held out his hand with a friendly snap of the fingers.
"Ah, old comrade," he called out in French, in a deep, hearty voice.
"Come, give me a greeting! I, too, am from the motherland."

At sound of the familiar speech, the dog went forward, wagging his tail
violently, as if he recognised an old acquaintance. Then he stopped and
snuffed his boots in a puzzled manner, and looked up wistfully into the
orderly's fac