od with the infantry. David I
have not asked yet; but Corder will come back in spite of his years. "But
I must go with the quartermaster's department," he said; and when I asked
why: "It's plain enough that if I can't keep up in a charge I ought to go
where I can be of real use. Now nothing is more important than the Q. M.
department, and trained men are needed there as well as anywhere else. So
that's my job in the next camp." It's plain he'd rather march in the
ranks, but he will change rather than leave the preparedness movement to
get along without him.

During the afternoon there had been piled truckload after truckload of
cordwood at the end of the company streets. As the conference broke up
someone lighted the heap, and soon the flames, before the wind, were
leaping forty feet in the air. I took your latest letter from my pocket
and could clearly read it, though at a hundred and fifty yards' distance.
With shouts the crowd hastened to the fire, and company after company,
each in a long line of men cheering for their officers, took its turn in
a snake-dance around the blaze. As the bonfire dwindled to an immense
heap of glowing coals, a deep semi-circle gathered, sitting above it on
the hill, sang the songs of the hike, and called for solos from favorite
singers. Chums walked up and down near the fire, or in the further
darkness lay in front of tents and talked plans. Little groups gathered
here or there, then restlessly broke up and shifted as men sought
acquaintances for a last word that might be impossible tomorrow. In this
shifting kaleidoscope of men I was glad to find Hale, cured of his
bronchitis, and with a tale of how at the hospital they locked up the
men's clothes, as the only way of preventing them from escaping too soon
and rejoining the hike. The camp has been one last buzz of personal
talks, excited, pensive, or regretful.

But all is quieting now, and I am sleepy. Love, much love, from

DICK.

FROM PRIVATE SAMUEL PICKLE TO HIS BROTHER

[Without date, but evidently of the same evening.]

DEAR OLD MAN:--

You'll see me soon, perhaps sooner than you want. But there's no help for
it; I shall be turned out of here. Otherwise I should stay a month
longer. Never had such a good time in my life. Oh, yes, I remember I've
grumbled some; and I've lost six pounds and worn out two pairs of shoes.
Never put yo