. As it was, he did not dare to belie his principles.

"Not any, sir! I never drink whiskey," he replied, with the utmost
deference in his tones.

"Hey?" gasped General M----, darting a sudden glance at the young man.

"I never drank a glass of whiskey in my life, sir," added Somers.

The general jumped off his camp-stool with a sudden jerk, and stared at
our lieutenant in silence for an instant.

"Give me your hand," said he.

Somers extended his hand.

"Yes! you are flesh and blood. You are the first man I ever saw that
never drank a glass of whiskey. You drink brandy, don't you?"

"No, sir! I never drank a glass of liquor or wine of any kind in my
life."

"Give me your hand," said the general again.

"Flesh and blood! You are the first man I ever saw that never drank a
glass of liquor or wine of any kind. 'Tis a bad practice," he added with
an oath.

"I think so, sir," replied Somers with due deference.

"Young man!"

"Sir."

"The greatest enemy--hic--that the Confederate army has to contend
against is whiskey. Yes, sir! whiskey. If the Confederate States
of--hic--of America ever win their independence, it will be when the
whiskey's all gone."

"I am very glad to hear officers of your high rank condemning the
practice," said Somers, alive to the joke of the general's proceedings,
but prudently looking as serious as though it had been a solemn tragedy
instead of an awful farce.

"Yes, sir! I'm opposed with all my might to the practice. Yes, sir!
Whiskey is the greatest enemy I have on the face of the footstool, young
man."

Somers believed him.

"Always be temperate, young man. You are in the sunshine of--hic--of
life. Never drink whiskey. It will ruin your body and soul. Don't touch
it, young man," added he, as he sank back on the camp-stool, whose center
of gravity was nearly destroyed by the shock, and closed his eyes, as if
overcome by the potency of his great enemy, which was just then beginning
to have its full effect, and which produced a tendency to sleep.

"I will endeavor to profit by your good advice, sir," said Somers.

"That's right; do so," added the general, as he jerked up his head to
banish the drowsy god, who was struggling for the possession of his
senses. "That will do, young man. You may go now."

The general, in his drunken stupor, had certainly forgotten the business
for which Major Platner had brought him to the division headquarters; and
Somers began to fear that he