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Alspaugh shuddered visibly. "Come, spunk up, Jake," continued the slender young man. "Think how proud all your relations will be of you, if you die for your country." "I'm mad at all of my relations, and I don't want to do nothing to please 'em," sighed Jake. "But I hope you're not so greedy as to want to live always?" said the slender young man, who answered roll-call to Kent Edwards.
Let's go over to the shade, where we were yesterday, and have Dick bring us a bucket of cold spring water and the bottles and things." "Abe!" said Jake Alspaugh to his file-leader a red-headed, pock-marked man, whose normal condition was that of outspoken disgust at every thing "this means a fight." "Your news would've been fresh and interesting last night," growled Abe Bolton.
At the first interval of silence Harry said: "No, comrades, I'll not accept a commission again until I'm sure I can do it credit. I'll enlist in the company on the same footing as the rest of the boys, and share everything with you. Give the lieutenancy to our gallant comrade Alspaugh, who has richly earned it."
"This would seem to be a pretty good time to drop the fellow," added the third girl, reflectively. Alspaugh turned and went in another direction. At the 9 o'clock roll-call he informed the company that the Inspector was well pleased with its appearance on parade.
"Of course, we might've knowed them muddle-headed officers 'd run us right slap into a hornets' nest of Rebels before they knowed a thing about it," grumbled Abe Bolton, hastily tearing a cartridge with his teeth, and forcing it into his gun. "Hold on, my weak-kneed patriot," said Kent Edwards, catching Jake Alspaugh by the collar, and turning him around so that he faced the enemy again.
Bolton and Kent Edwards were just ouside of the camp lines, in the shade of a grand old black walnut, and had re-seated themselves to finsih devouring a bucketful of lush persimmons, after having reluctantly risen from that delightful occupation to salute Lieutenant Alspaugh, as he passed outward in imposing blue and gold stalwarthood.
Alspaugh recognized Rachel at once, much to her embarrassment, for her pride winced at playing the role of nurse before an acquaintance, especially when that acquaintance was her father's hired-man, whom she knew too well to esteem highly.
The Hospital Steward approached, and said: "Captain, the Surgeon presents his compliments and requests that you send four men to convey your First Lieutenant Alspaugh to comfortable quarters which have been prepared for him in the hospital barracks. His rheumatic trouble has suddenly assumed an acute form brought on doubtless by the change in the weather and he is suffering greatly.
"Unless his hat has an Injy-rubber band, he'll have to git it cut offen his head, which ought to be hooped, for it can't swell no more without busting." It was Jacob Alspaugh crossing the parade ground in more than Solomonic splendor of uniform.
"I 'spose it's because grammar can't hit back. That's the kind he always picks on," answered Abe. "You'll pay for this," shouted Alspaugh, striding off after the Seargent of the Guard. At that moment a little drummer appeared by the flagstaff, and beat a lively rataplan. "That's for dress-parade," said Kent Edwards, rising. "We'd better skip right over to quarters and fall in."
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