d obtain a fair view of its calibre, and
in the hope that the fellow would be willing to adopt a politician's
expedient, and compromise the matter by retiring out of range.

"Tew kin play at that game. This yere tooth-pick will wipe you out,"
coolly replied the fellow, as he made a spring at the boat.

"Stand off!" screamed Tom, as he raised the pistol, and fired.

It was a short range, and Tom would have been inexcusable if he had missed
his aim. The rebel struck his chest with his right hand, and the bowie
knife dropped from his teeth; but with his left hand he had grasped the
gunwale of the boat, and as he sunk down in the shallow water, he pulled
the bateau over on one side till the water poured in, and threatened to
swamp her. Fortunately the wounded man relaxed his hold, the boat righted,
and Tom commenced paddling again with all his strength and skill.

The other soldier in the water, as soon as he discovered where Tom
intended to pass, hastened over to assist his associate. The shouts of
their companion on shore had fully fired their southern hearts, and both
of them were ten times as zealous to kill or capture a Yankee, as they had
been to save a Virginian. When the wounded man clutched the boat, the
other was not more than ten feet from him, but farther down the stream.
His associate fell, and he sprang forward to engage in the affray.

"Stand off, or you are a dead man!" yelled Tom, with emphasis, as he plied
his paddle with renewed energy, for he saw that the man could not reach
him.

The bateau passed them both, and Tom began to breathe easier. The second
rebel, finding he could not capture or kill the detested Yankee, went to
the assistance of his companion. The soldier boy suspended his exertions,
for the danger seemed to be over, and gazed with interest upon the scene
which was transpiring in the water just above him. He was anxious to know
whether he had killed the rebel or not. There was something awful in the
circumstances, for the soldier boy's sensibilities were too acute to
permit him to take a human life, though it was that of an enemy, without
producing a deep impression upon his mind. Perhaps, in the great battle in
which he had been a participant, he had killed several rebels; if he had
done so, he had not seen them fall. This was the first man he had
consciously killed or wounded, and the fact was solemn, if not appalling,
to the young soldier.

As the rebel raised his companion from the