t, and had substituted for it a high beaver, which he had
obtained from some Irish emigrant on the road. He was a German; and his
name, he told me, was Karl Klitz. The shortest of the party, Barnaby
Gillooly, was also by far the fattest; indeed, it seemed surprising
that, with his obese figure, he could undergo the fatigue he must
constantly have been called upon to endure. He seemed to be a jolly,
merry fellow notwithstanding, as he showed by breaking into a hearty
laugh as Klitz, stumbling over a log, fell with his long neck and
shoulders on the one side, and his heels kicking up in the air on the
other. The last man was evidently a son of Erin, from the few words he
uttered in a rich brogue, which had not deteriorated by long absence
from home and country. He certainly presented a more soldierly
appearance than did his two comrades, but the ruddy blue hue of his nose
and lips showed that when liquor was to be obtained he was not likely to
let it pass his lips untasted.

The three soldiers were welcomed by the inhabitants of the hut, who were
glad to have strangers with whom they could chat, and who could bring
them news from the Eastern States.

On coming back to the house, after conducting the three men to the hut,
I found the lieutenant and his sergeant, Silas Custis, seated before the
fire; the young lieutenant every now and then, as was not surprising,
casting a glance at Clarice. But she was too busily occupied in getting
the supper-table ready to notice the admiration she was inspiring.

Rachel, with frying-pan in hand, now made her way towards the fire, and
begging those who impeded her movements to draw on one side, she
commenced her culinary operations. She soon had a huge dish of rashers
of bacon ready; while a couple of pots were carried off to be emptied of
their contents; and some cakes, which had been cooking under the ashes,
were withdrawn, and placed hot and smoking on the platter.

"All ready, genl'em," exclaimed Rachel; "you can fall to when you like."

The party got up, and we took our seats at the table. Clarice, who until
a short time before had been assisting Rachel, now returned--having been
away to arrange her toilet. She took her usual seat at the head of the
table; and the lieutenant, to his evident satisfaction, found himself
placed near her. He spoke in a pleasant, gentlemanly tone, and treated
Clarice in every respect as a young lady,--as, indeed, she was. He now
and then addressed me