the officials eagerly watched the reports to see which
way the desperate band would turn; and the next heard of Mr. Hayne was
the news that he had thrown up his leave and had hurried out to join his
company the moment the Eastern papers told of the trouble. It was all
practically settled by the time he reached the department; but the
spirit and intent of his action could not be doubted. And now here he
was at Warrener. That very morning during the _matinee_ he had entered
the office unannounced, walked up to the desk of the commander, and,
while every voice but his in the room was stilled, he quietly spoke:

"Permit me to introduce myself, colonel,--Mr. Hayne. I desire to
relinquish my leave of absence and report for duty."

The colonel quickly arose and extended his hand:

"Mr. Hayne, I am especially glad to see you and to thank you here for
all your care and kindness to our men. The doctor tells me that many of
them would have had to suffer the loss of noses and ears, even of hands
and feet in some cases, but for your attention. Major Stannard will add
his thanks to mine when he returns. Take a seat, sir, for the present.
You are acquainted with the officers of your own regiment, doubtless.
Mr. Billings, introduce Mr. Hayne to ours."

Whereat the adjutant courteously greeted the new-comer, presented a
small party of yellow-strapped shoulders, and then drew him into earnest
talk about the adventure of the train. It was noticed that Mr. Hayne
neither by word nor glance gave the slightest recognition of the
presence of the officers of his own regiment, and that they as
studiously avoided him. One or two of their number had, indeed, risen
and stepped forward, as though to offer him the civil greeting due to
one of their own cloth; but it was with evident doubt of the result.
They reddened when he met their tentative--which was that of a
gentleman--with a cold look of utter repudiation. He did not choose to
see them, and, of course, that ended it.

Nor was his greeting hearty among the cavalrymen. There were only a few
present, as most of the ----th were still out in the field and marching
slowly homeward. The introductions were courteous and formal, there was
even constraint among some two or three, but there was civility and an
evident desire to refer to his services in behalf of their men. All such
attempts, however, Mr. Hayne waved aside by an immediate change of the
subject. It was plain that to them too, he had