l out."

So saying Rodney wheeled his horse and returned to his company, which he
found in a state of great excitement. The ranks were kept pretty well
aligned (the horses knew enough to look out for that now), but the men
were twisting about in their saddles, each one comparing notes with
every one else whose ears he could reach. When Rodney rode up they all
turned to look at him and listen to his report, regardless of the fact
that the little man in the brown ulster was standing up in the
Governor's carriage shouting "Attention!" at the top of his wheezy
little voice.

"Mind what you are doing, boys," said Rodney, as he rode slowly along
the line behind the rear rank. "That's General Lacey. Don't answer to
your names unless you want to be sworn into the Confederate service."

"But what shall we do?" inquired one or two of the timid members, who
thought they might be obliged to answer whether they wanted to or not.

"Keep mum and say nothing," replied Rodney. "Watch me and do as I do. My
name is second on the roll."

"Are you ever going to come to attention so that I can get through with
my business and go back where I belong?" yelled the general, as soon as
he could make himself heard. "A pretty lot of soldiers you are; but I
warn you that you will have to mind better than this when you reach the
camp of instruction, to which I shall immediately order you. Attention
to roll-call! George Warren!"

"He--er--here!" replied the orderly, hesitatingly.

The Rangers were amazed, and Captain Hubbard glared at the frightened
sergeant as though he had half a mind to knock him out of his saddle.
The captain had told the man in the most emphatic language not to answer
to his name, and yet he had gone and given away his liberty for the next
twelve months. It served him right for being so stupid.

"You blockheads don't seem to understand what I want and what I am
trying to do," shouted the general, wrathfully. "All you who volunteer
for the Confederate service answer to your names, and speak up so that I
can hear you. I hope that is sufficiently plain. _George Warren!_"

The Rangers, one and all, drew a long breath of relief and felt like
giving a hearty cheer. Their comrade had most unexpectedly been allowed
a chance for escape, and he was sharp enough to take advantage of it. He
kept his eyes straight to the front and said nothing. The general looked
surprised, but as he was in a great hurry he passed on to the next.