es in a long line, like so
many kibobs on a straw, with their captains standing in front. "Now,
Captain Livingston, dismiss your company to quarters," and off marched
the first company, four "men" strong, toward the tents; then the next
four, and so on, until all had gone, and then came posting back again
without the smallest delay.

Colonel Freddy was obediently following his own orders by dismissing
himself, with a sublime disregard of rank, when Peter suddenly called
out, "I say, Fred, there's one thing you've forgotten!"

"What is that?" asked Freddy, stopping short.

"Why, we ought to have a guard. You know they always do in camps."

"To be sure! I never thought of that. Come, fellows, the safety of Camp
McClellan must be looked out for."

"Very well, suppose you begin!" laughed Jimmy.

"Hum, I'm the Colonel; Colonels can't be sentinels."

"But I want to go to bed!" objected Will Costar.

"Well, I love my country, but I think the country had better turn in
too!" said Harry. "What business has the country to be awake and getting
into mischief in the middle of the night?"

"Voted," cried Peter, "that the guard be mounted, but that it shall go
to bed as soon as it gets sleepy!"

"Good for you! that's the way to fix it!" said Colonel Freddy. "Now
then, boys, who'll turn out?" and two of the gallant Zouaves being
posted, one on each side of the camp, the others produced their
nightgowns (which, by their special entreaty, had been crammed into the
little knapsacks), and with several hair breadth escapes from having one
or two of the tents pitched over, as the occupants incautiously ran
against the poles, the regiment after, I am glad to say, a most sincere
and earnest repetition of their prayers, fell into the sweet sound sleep
of happy childhood; while the guard, after prancing up and down about
ten minutes, concluded to follow their example, as there was nothing
particular in the way of an enemy to look out for.

Ah! how charming looked now the little encampment, with the full
radiance of the harvest moon streaming over the white tents, standing
gleamingly out from the dark background of trees. No sound but the
chirpings of insects could be heard; nothing moved about the spot but
the flag, stirring dreamily in the summer breeze. And now the wind
springs fresher up; it catches the bright folds, and they flash out in
full view. God bless you, glorious old banner! floating there over as
loyal, though boyish h