ally by the women and girls. Rodney was the only
one in uniform, the Rangers not having decided how they would equip
themselves when the time came for them to go to the front. Rodney was
kept busy returning the salutes he received as he rode along, and now
and then some young fellow would rush into the street to shake his hand,
and inquire if he was going up to the camp to give in his name. The camp
was not such a one as the Barrington cadets used to make when they took
to the fields every summer to reduce to practice the military
instruction they had received during the year. There were tents in
abundance, but they were put up without any attempt at order, there were
no guards out, and the few recruits there were in camp seemed to have
nothing to do but lounge around under the trees, reading the papers and
talking over the situation. Rodney thought they might as well have been
at home for all the good they were doing there.

"This is a pretty way to learn soldiering," said he to Mr. Hubbard, who
promptly showed himself when he heard the sound of horses' hoofs in
front of his tent. "How many men have you? Will you take in my name?"

"You are just the fellow we want and I wish we could get fifty more like
you," replied Mr. Hubbard, returning the cordial grasp of Rodney's hand.
"The boys will certainly put you in for something or other. We haven't
got down to business yet, but will next week. I suppose that all the
military knowledge we get will be by hard knocks, because, being an
independent company, we cannot call upon any army officer to drill us.
We are studying the tactics all the time, but are in no hurry to get our
uniforms until we know whether or not our services are going to be
needed."

"Say," exclaimed Rodney, recalling to mind something that had been said
to him on the train a few hours before. "If I were in your place I'd
lose no time in getting ready to march. President Davis is going to
dictate terms of peace in Washington. Wouldn't you like to have your
company escort him there?"

"Now, that's an idea," exclaimed Hubbard, while the recruits who were
standing around listening to the conversation declared as one man that
they would do and dare anything if they could only have a chance to
present arms to the Confederate President when he walked into the White
House. "The boys will all be here at roll-call to-night and I will speak
to them about it. At the same time I will propose you for membership.
You