very far, she walked down and looked at it, and met every one
of the squad, yes, and knew all about every one in advance, by which I
see that you have read her all my letters. The boys were greatly struck
with her; when our visitors had gone and I came back to our fire, Clay in
his Southern way paid me the nicest compliments for her, and Pickle swore
that she was a peach. Then when I thought the subject was exhausted
Knudsen came out of a brown study with the remark, "She's almost as
handsome as her sister, and besides she's the real thing."

And truly, mother, stunning as Vera is, there's something about Frances's
eyes and mouth that is particularly pleasing, don't you think?

There next taking place an Episcopal service in the open air, I went to
it. It was under the trees near the farmhouse. A rustic cross was made
and set up, there were a few flowers at a simple altar, and the rail was
just a piece of white birch nailed up between two trees; nothing could be
more appropriate. At least a hundred and fifty men attended; I couldn't
ask to hear a better sermon; and finally, the minister giving such an
invitation to communion as a man of my free beliefs could accept, I
stayed to it. Dusk was falling as we came away, and we were called
together for Retreat.

Troops of the townspeople have visited the town all day, some looking as
if they had come from a distance. They have gawked all about, have
listened to the band concert, and stood about and watched our religious
service as if it had been a show. But the best was at Retreat. The band
had finished the Star Spangled Banner, the captain turned and brought us
to attention, then pivoted about and stood at attention, looking straight
in front of him. A little group of country folk had pressed up very
close, and seeing him look so fixedly at something, they all swung about
and stared too. Failing to find any unusual object nailed to the barn
which was immediately in front, they turned back presently, puzzled or
reproachful. When at the end of the bugle call he turned to dismiss us,
the captain could scarcely maintain his military gravity.

I finish this at the squad fire, with the fellows discussing the revival
of the rumor concerning the ball cartridges. They have not been found;
some fool is still toting them about; they are in A company, B company,
and so on down the list.

Tomorrow we move on again, my cartridge-belt is full, and I have got
everything ready for our e