nt shape and fashion so long as they
were near together.

They aided and abetted one another in more ways than one. Jim at
Surrey's request, and by a plan of his proposing, succeeded in getting
Sam's wife away from her home,--not from any liking for the expedition,
or interest in either of the "niggers," as he stoutly asserted, but
solely to please the Colonel. If that, indeed, were his only purpose, he
succeeded to a charm, for when Surrey saw the two reunited, safe from
the awful clutch of slavery, supplied with ample means for the journey
and the settlement thereafter, and on their way to a good Northern home,
he was more than pleased,--he was rejoiced, and said, "Thank God!" with
all his heart, and reverently, as he watched them away.

Before the summer ended Jim was down with what he called "a scratch"; a
pretty ugly wound, the surgeon thought it, and the Colonel remembered
and looked after him with unflagging interest and zeal. Many a book and
paper, many a cooling drink and bit of fruit delicious to the parched
throat and fevered lips, found their way to the little table by his
side. Surrey was never too busy by reason of his duties, or among his
own sick and wounded men, to find time for a chat, or a scrap of
reading, or to write a letter for the prostrate and helpless fellow, who
suffered without complaining, as, indeed, they did all about him, only
relieving himself now and then by a suppressed growl.

And so, with occasional episodes of individual interest, with marches
and fightings, with extremes of heat and cold, of triumph and defeat,
the long months wore away. These men were soldiers, each in his place in
the great war with the record of which all the world is familiar, a tale
written in blood, and flame, and tears,--terrible, yet heroic; ghastly,
yet sublime. As soldiers in such a conflict, they did their duty and
noble endeavor,--Jim, a nameless private in the ranks,--Surrey, not
braver perchance, but so conspicuous with all the elements which fit for
splendid command, so fortunate in opportunities for their display, so
eminent in seizing them and using them to their fullest extent,
regardless of danger and death, as to make his name known and honored by
all who watched the progress of the fight, read its record with
interest, and knew its heroes and leaders with pride and love.

In the winter of '63 Jim's regiment was ordered away to South Carolina;
and he who at parting looked with keen regret on