Swamp Fox like General Marion will
come to the front before this thing is over, and Bob's company will not
be left out in the cold. I haven't said much to your mother about your
going into the service," Mr. Gray went on, throwing open the door of a
box stall and holding out an ear of corn to a glossy, well-conditioned
steed which came up to take a bite at it. "While she is strong for
secession and very patriotic where other folks are concerned, she don't
want any of the members of her own family to go to war. She thinks they
are sure to be killed."

"That isn't at all like the women and girls around Barrington," replied
Rodney, stepping into the stall and beginning a critical inspection of
his new horse. "They'll not have any thing to do with a fellow who isn't
willing to prove his devotion to the Confederacy. Where would we get the
men to fight our battles if everybody thought as mother does?"

"Of course she hasn't said so," Mr. Gray hastened to explain. "She is
too good a Southerner for that, but I know it is the way she feels. What
do you think of your horse? He is part Denmark, and that is what makes
him so gentle; and his Copper-bottom blood shows in his color. Almost
all Copper-bottom colts are roans."

"He's a beauty," Rodney declared, with enthusiasm. "And as long as I
keep him I'll never fall into the clutches of the Yankees. He ought to
have speed."

(And the new horse did have speed, too, as Rodney discovered when he
rode him over to the camp of the Rangers that afternoon in company with
his father. He moved as if he were set on springs and showed himself
impatient of restraint; but his motions were so easy that his rider was
scarcely stirred in his seat.)

"Good-by, my son," said Mrs. Gray, when Rodney's horse and his father's
were brought to the door after dinner, and the two stood on the gallery
drawing on their gloves. "You belong to me now, but I suppose that when
you come back you will belong to your country."

"Oh no: I can't rush things through in that style." answered the boy.
"I've got to be voted for, you know. But I shall certainly tell Mr.
Hubbard that I am ready to go if he will take me."

During the ride through the village of Mooreville to the camp beyond,
the only indications Rodney saw of the martial spirit that everywhere
animated the people were the Confederate and State flags that floated
over all the business houses, and the red, white and blue rosettes,
which were worn princip