Samson," said Fred; "but, remember, you are fighting
against him."

"That I arn't, sir. It's him fighting against me, and I only wish I may
run against him some day. I'd make him so sore that he'll lie down and
howl for his mother, poor soul, and she breaking her heart about him
turning out so badly; and, I say, Master Fred, if I don't have something
to eat, I shall be only fit to bury to-morrow."

"Come with me, Samson; I'm going up to my father's quarters. I'll see
that you have plenty to eat, if there is anything."

"Who'd be without a good master?" muttered Samson; and then aloud, "Here
he comes."

For Colonel Forrester came cantering up.

"Alive and well, Samson? Good lad! We couldn't spare you. Fred, my
boy, news has come in that a little party of the enemy has taken shelter
in the woodland yonder over the hill. Take a dozen men, surround them,
and bring them in. Don't let one of them escape. Turned back by one of
the regiments crossing their path as they were in retreat. Now, then,
to horse and away!"

Burning with excitement, Fred forgot all his weariness, buckled his
horse's bit, mounted, and turned to select his men, when he found Samson
already mounted, and at his elbow.

"Here, what do you want, sir?" he cried.

"What do I want, Master Fred? Why, to go with you."

"Nonsense! You are fagged out. Go and rest, and your horse too."

"Now, I do call that likely, Master Fred. Let you go without me. I
should just think not."

"But this is nonsense, Samson. I want fresh men."

"Just what I thought, sir. Nonsense for you to go without me, and you
don't want no fresh men. You want me, and I'm coming--there!"

Fred had neither time nor inclination to combat his follower's desire;
in fact, he was rather glad to have the sturdy, west-country man at his
elbow, so he rode up to the main portion of the regiment, selected
eleven out of a hundred who wanted to go with the young officer, and
rode off at a moderate trot across country, forded the stream, and then,
bearing away from the woodland, made as if to leave it on his right, so
as not to excite suspicion in case they were seen. But just as he was
well opposite, he gave an order, the men divided in two parties, and set
off at a gallop to surround the trees, the mounted men halting at about
a hundred yards apart, and waiting for the signal to advance.

The manoeuvre was soon executed, and the circle moved steadily toward
the centre of th