g, and wanted to be off.

"'Member how the rabbits used to scuttle off up there, Master Fred, and
show their white tails as they popped into their holes?"

Fred nodded, and let his reins fall upon his horse's neck.

"And that there hole up in the Rill, sir? 'Member how I come and found
your clothes up beside it, and fetched my garden line to fish for your
rope?"

"Oh yes, yes, yes!" said Fred, sadly.

"And we never went down that place again, after all, sir. Well, let's
hope that we shall some day. I'm getting tired of soldiering, and feel
as if it would be a real pleasure to have a mug of our cider again, and
pull up a weed."

"I'm afraid I am getting tired of it, too, Samson; but I cannot see the
end."

"And on a fine day like this, sir, with the blue sky up above, and the
green grass down below, and the birds singing, it's just lovely. Why, I
feel so well and happy this morning that I do believe, if he was here, I
could go so far as to shake hands with my brother Nat."

"Why, of course, Samson," said Fred, thoughtfully.

"No," added Samson, "I don't think I could go so far as that."

"And if Scarlett Markham were here," thought Fred, "I believe I could
grasp his hand, and be like a brother again, as in the past."

"Wonder where we are going, and whether it means another fight, sir?"
said Samson, after a pause. "Look, sir!--the colonel. Master's waving
his hand."

Fred saw the motion, and trotted up to his father's side.

"Fred, my boy, do you know where we are making for?"

"No, father!"

"Home."

"Oh, father!" said Fred, with his pale face flushing. "I am glad."

"Oh, Fred, my boy," replied his father, seriously, "I am very sorry."

"Sorry, father? Why, we may have a chance to see them all again."

"Yes--perhaps; but we are taking the horrors of war to the abode of
peace, my boy."

"Yes," said Fred, thoughtfully. "I did not think of that."

"It was our duty and hope that we might keep the ruin and misery brought
by war from our pleasant moors and lanes. Better not see those we love
at such a cost."

"Then, don't let's go, father."

Colonel Forrester shook his head.

"A soldier's duty is to obey, Fred. Our general has had his orders, and
feels that for military reasons our district will be the most suitable
place for intercepting a force which is threatening the west; and our
duty is to go."

"Yes, father. But shall we see my mother?"

"I hope not, Fred."

"Oh, father!"