on, where hardly a ray
of light penetrated. A guard was stationed before the door with orders
to allow no one to converse with those inside, and then, for the first
time for many days, I and my friend found ourselves at liberty.

"Come," whispered Smith, "place your arms in the cart and we will go
home. There is nothing further for us to do."

"Hullo," we heard Murden shout, "where are you going to?"

We waited for a moment, until he, in company with the captain, came
within speaking distance, and then we replied,--

"We are going where we can get shelter and something to eat."

"Take them to the station, Murden, and let them stop there for the
night, and see that they have something to eat. To-morrow we will see
what we can do for them."

"We are able to take care of ourselves, sir," replied Fred, haughtily,
"and do not need the charities of a station house. When we do we will
let you know."

I saw the face of the captain turn a deep purple, as we continued our
walk, and I was not surprised to hear him thunder out,--

"Stop, sir; I wish to speak further with you."

"Any communication that you may have to make, we shall be pleased to
listen to, sir," I answered.

For the space of a minute the captain surveyed us from head to foot, as
though hardly knowing whether to be pleased or offended at our dignity;
but at length he exclaimed,--

"Who, in the devil's name, are you?"

"We are happy to say that we are Americans," rejoined Fred,
straightening his muscular form, and looking as proud of the title as a
senator just elected to congress.

"Blast it, that is not what I mean. Are you born gentlemen?" pettishly
exclaimed the captain.

"No one can be born gentle, but every man an be a gentleman if he but
studies the courtesies of life," remarked Fred.

"And have you so studied?" asked the captain, with a smile.

"All Americans study," replied Fred, "though perhaps no two are alike.
We try to be civil and attentive to all, and those qualities will pass
for good breeding all the world over."

"By heavens, you are right," cried the captain, with genuine English
bluffness, "and I should have known better than to have thought you
would have accepted of a bed at the station house. Come with me, and
make my house your home. I assure you both a welcome."

"You will excuse us, but we made an engagement before we entered the
city to stop at Smith's house, and we told him to rely upon our word."

"And do you prefe