points, and declaring he could
outrun any horse in the brigade. A match was soon arranged, but Prince so
easily outstripped every competitor that soon no officer was found who had
the hardihood to enter his horse in the lists against him.

Blenheim was awarded to Conway, much to his satisfaction. He could not
forego the opportunity of crowing over Calhoun, thinking he would be vexed
over the capture of his cousin's horse.

"Why do you come blowing around me?" asked Calhoun, nettled by his manner,
"I am neither the keeper of my cousin nor the keeper of his horse."

"Oh, you were so careful of his precious person when I took him prisoner,
I did not know but your carefulness might extend to his horse," replied
Conway, with a sneer.

Calhoun felt his blood boil, but controlling himself, he replied: "You did
not take Captain Shackelford, and I am surprised that you should make such
a statement. You forget that I was there before you."

"You would have let the fellow go," snapped Conway.

"Just as Colonel Morgan did, on his parole," answered Calhoun.

"It was your fault that he slipped through my fingers," exclaimed Conway,
angrily, "but my time will come. I have swore to see him hanged before
this war is over, and I shall."

"Catch your rabbit before you skin him, Captain," replied Calhoun, with
provoking coolness; and the laugh was on Conway, who turned away with a
muttered oath.

Conway had entertained a secret dislike to Calhoun ever since their first
meeting, partly because he had been chosen by Morgan, instead of Conway
himself, to go back to Kentucky, and partly on account of his being Fred's
cousin. But after the affair at Colonel Shackelford's house, he took
little pains to conceal his dislike. Many of the officers of the brigade
noticed this, and predicted that sooner or later there would be trouble
between the two.

But Calhoun was not through with being bantered over the capture of
Prince. Captain Mathews came riding up and with a flourish said: "Ah!
Lieutenant, I reckon you have seen this hoss before; what do you think of
him?" Now, Mathews was a rough, rollicking fellow, and quite a favorite in
the command. He and Calhoun were good friends, and so Calhoun answered
pleasantly: "He is the best horse in Kentucky. I know it, for I was once
beaten by him in a race. But," continued Calhoun, with a laugh, "my advice
is to guard him very carefully, or Captain Shackelford will get him back,
sure. That horse ha