ead-quarters, where he had long been employed
as an attendant. When the sickness of the Lieutenant-Colonel grew
serious in the Sibley, Bill took his post by the side of his blankets,
and in well-meaning attention made up what he lacked in tenderness as a
nurse.

"Nothing new since the trial," drawled out Bill, seating himself
meanwhile, and mopping with his coat sleeve the perspiration that stood
in beads upon his forehead.

"Since the trial!" echoed the officer. "Why, they have not had notice
yet, and the General said he would give them ample opportunity for
preparation for trial."

"So he did," continued Bill. "They were put into the Sibley on Monday
night, and on Thursday night following, about half-past ten, when it was
raining in torrents, and storming so that the guards and myself could
scarcely keep the old tent up, that sucker-mouthed Aid of old Pigey's
popped his head inside the flaps and handed the Colonel and
Lieut.-Colonel each a letter. Both letters went on to say, that their
trial would take place the next day, at ten o'clock, at Pigey's
Head-quarters, and that each letter contained a copy of the charges and
specifications, and that, in the meanwhile, they could prepare for
trial, provide counsel, and so forth. The best part of two sheets of
large-sized letter paper was filled with the charges against each, all
in Pigey's hand-writing.

"'Disrespectful language towards the General Commanding Division;'
'Conduct tending to Mutiny;' 'Disobedience of Orders;' and
'Violation of at least half a dozen different articles of war.'

"The ink was green yet, as if it had all been done after three o'clock.
The Lieutenant-Colonel, you know, told that wharf rat of an Adjutant
before the General, that he would not dare to make such mis-statements
away from Division Head-quarters. Well, on the strength of that, he had
him charged with sending a challenge to fight a duel, and telling his
superior officer that he lied. Lord! when I heard them read, I thought
they ought to be thankful that one of the darkies about Division
Head-quarters hadn't died in the meanwhile, or there would have been a
charge of murder. It might just as well, at any rate, have been murder
as mutiny, that we all know. Time for trial!--lots of time! Just the
time to hunt a lawyer, consult law books, and drum up testimony."

"Timed purposely, of course," broke in the officer, indignantly, "and
the Court, no doubt, packed to suit. Bu