n seceding States, with two and a half millions of free persons,
could not whip the loyal states and territories with twenty-five
millions.

"It serves me just right," was Rodney's mental reflection. "I persecuted
Marcy on account of his opinions, and now I am going to have a little of
the same kind of treatment. No one but a red-hot secessionist has got
any business in this part of the country."

When Rodney reached home he found his father there and supper waiting
for him. He did not mention Tom Randolph's name, but he spent a good
deal of time in thinking about him, and wondered how he would fare if
Tom succeeded in winning the coveted commission. There were many ways in
which a lieutenant could torment his subordinates, and Tom would be just
mean enough to use all the power the law allowed him.

"I'll not take a thing to-morrow, even if it is offered to me," was the
resolution Rodney made before he went to sleep that night. "I'll go out
as a private and come back as a private, unless I can win promotion in
the face of the enemy. Time makes all things right, and we'll see who
will come out at the top of the heap--Tom Randolph or I."

The next morning about eight o'clock, Rodney seated himself in the
carriage with his father and mother and was driven to the camp of the
Rangers. It presented more of a holiday appearance now than it did the
first time he saw it, for it had been cleaned up and decorated in honor
of the occasion. The little grove in which the tents were pitched was
thronged with visitors, the Rangers were out in full force and there was
a good deal of "logrolling" going on. All the candidates had ballots
prepared, and Rodney had scarcely set his foot on the ground before he
was surrounded by a little group of recruits, all of whom were anxious
to serve the Confederacy in the capacity of officers.

"We've got you down for third sergeant," said one. "We've arranged to
push you for that position if you will vote for me for orderly and for
Randolph for second lieutenant."

"Find out who the other candidates are before you make any promises,"
exclaimed another; and then, when no one was observing his movements,
the speaker gave Rodney a wink and a nod which the latter could not fail
to understand. He drew off on one side and the recruit, whose hands were
full of ballots, went on to say:

"Randolph doesn't stand the ghost of a chance for the second
lieutenancy, and he has good cheek to ask the boys to gi