everything about him appeared out of gear. His old grey
slouch hat had only half a rim, and that hung over his eyes--hair
uncombed, face unwashed, hands looking as if he had been scratching
gravel with them, his blouse dirty and stuffed out above the belt,
making him as full-breasted as a Hottentot woman, pantaloons greasy,
torn, and unevenly suspended; and to foot up his appearance shoes
innocent of blacking, and out at the toes. When I saw him, I laughed
outright. He winked, and asked in an undertone if the General was in,
stating at the same time that he was there in obedience to an order
detailing one man for special duty at the General's Head Quarters, 'and
you know,' said he, 'that the order always is for intelligent
soldierly-looking men. Well, all our men that have been sent up of that
stripe have been detained as orderlies, to keep his darkies in wood and
water, and hold his horses, and we are getting tired of it. _I_ don't
intend running any risk.'

"'Don't think you will,' said I, laughing at his make-up.

"Just then I noticed a movement of the General's head, and resumed the
step. A moment after, the General's eye caught sight of the Detail. He
eyed him a moment in a doubtful way, and then rubbing his eyes, as if to
confirm the sight, and straightening up, shouted--

"'Sergeant of the guard! Sergeant of the guard!'

"The sergeant was forthcoming at something more than a double-quick; and
with a salute, and 'Here, sir,' stood before the General.

"Old Pigey's right hand extended slowly, pointing towards the Detail,
who stood with his piece at a rest, wondering what was to come next.

"'Take away that musket, sergeant! and that G--d d--n looking thing
alongside of it. What is it, anyhow?' said the General, with a
significant emphasis on the word 'thing.'

"And off the sergeant went, followed by the man, who gave a sly look as
he left."

"Pretty well played," said one of the crowd; "but what has that to do
with a whisky barrel?"

"Hold on, and you will see; I am not through yet.

"About half an hour afterward another man from the same regiment
presented himself, and asked permission to cross my beat, saying that he
had been detailed on special duty, and was to report to the General in
person. This one looked trim enough to pass muster. He presented himself
at the door of the tent and saluted; but the General had taken two or
three plugs in the interim, and was slightly oblivious. Anxious to see
some