on recover from
gloomy influences, and in a few moments they were all chattering merrily
again.

"What a pity we must go home Monday!" cried Louie; "I wish we could camp
out forever! Oh, Freddy, do write a letter to General McClellan, and ask
him to let us join the army right away! Tell him we'll buy some new
india-rubber back-bones and stretch ourselves out big directly, if he'll
only send right on for us!"

"Perhaps he would, if he knew how jolly we can drill already!" said
Peter, laughing. "I tell you what, boys, the very thing! let's have a
review before we go home. I'll ask all the boys and girls I know to come
and look on, and we might have quite a grand entertainment. Won't that
be splendid? We can march about all over, and fire off the cannons and
everything! I'm sure father will let us."

"Yes, but how's General McClellan to hear anything about it?" inquired
practical Louie.

"Why--I don't know," said Peter, rather taken aback by this view of the
subject. "Well, somehow--never mind, it will be grand fun, and I mean
to ask my father right away."

"Take me with you?" called a dozen fellows directly. Finally it was
concluded that it might make more impression on Mr. Schermerhorn's mind,
if the application came from the regiment in a body; so, running for
their swords and guns, officers and men found their places in the
battalion, and the grand procession started on its way--chattering all
the time, in utter defiance of that "article of war" which forbids
"talking in the ranks." Just as they were passing the lake, they heard
carriage wheels crunching on the gravel, and drew up in a long line on
the other side of the road to let the vehicle pass them; much to the
astonishment of two pretty young ladies and a sweet little girl, about
Freddy's age, who were leaning comfortably back in the handsome
barouche.

"Why, Peter!" exclaimed one of the ladies, "what in the world is all
this?"

"This!" cried Peter, running up to the carriage, "why, these are the
Dashahed Zouaves, Miss Carlton. We have been in camp ever since Monday.
Good morning, Miss Jessie," to the little girl on the front seat, who
was looking on with deep interest.

"Oh, to be sure, I remember," said Miss Carlton, laughing; "come,
introduce the Zouaves, Peter; we are wild to know them!"

The boys clustered eagerly about the carriage and a lively chat took
place. The Zouaves, some blushing and bashful, others frank and
confident, and all desperat