A tall man in civilian attire, holding himself very stiffly, despite the
swinging and swaying of the train, rose from his seat, and came forward
to greet Colonel Kenton.

"George," he said, his voice quivering slightly, "you and I have fought
together in many battles in Mexico and the West, but it is likely now
that we shall fight other battles on this own soil of ours against each
other. But, George, let us be friends always, and let us pledge it here
and now."

The words might have seemed a little dramatic elsewhere, but not so
under the circumstances of time and place. Colonel Kenton's quick
response came from the depths of a generous soul.

"John," he said as their two hands met in the grip of brothers of the
camp and field, "you and I may be on opposing sides, but we can never be
enemies. John, this is my son, Harry. Harry, this is Major John Warren
of Mason County and the regular army of the United States; he does not
think as we do, but even at West Point he was a stubborn idiot. He and
I were continually arguing, and he would never admit that he was always
wrong. I never knew him to be right in anything except mathematics,
and then he was never wrong."

Major Warren smiled and sat down by his old comrade.

"You've a fine boy there, George," he said, "and I suppose he probably
takes his opinions from his father, which is a great mistake. I think
if I were to talk to him I could show him his, or rather your, error."

"Not by your system of mathematical reasoning, John. Your method is
well enough for the building of a fortress or calculating the range of
a gun. But it won't do for the actions of men. You allow nothing for
feeling, sentiment, association, propinquity, heredity, climate and,
and--"

"Get a dictionary or a book of synonyms, George."

"Perhaps I should. I understand how we happen to differ. But I can't
explain it well. Well, maybe it will all blow over. The worries of
today are often the jokes of tomorrow."

Major Warren shook his head.

"It may blow over," he said, "but it will be a mighty wind; it will blow
a long time, and many things for which you and I care, George, will be
blown away by it. When that great and terrible wind stops blowing,
our country will be changed forever."

"Don't be so downcast, John, you are not dead yet," said Colonel Kenton,
clapping his friend on the shoulder. "You've often seen big clouds go
by without either wind or rain."

"How about tha