a startling sensation to thrill him with
satisfaction and delight. An orderly from the division headquarters
summoned him to attend upon the general. The message startled him; for it
indicated some momentous event to him, and he hastily prepared to obey
the order.

"You are in luck again," said De Banyan, grasping his hand.

"Perhaps not," replied Somers, bewildered at the suggestion.

"I know you are, my dear boy. I was sent for just four weeks after the
battle of Solferino, and made a brigadier-general," persisted the
captain.

"Ah! then you are General de Banyan?"

"No, no; I dropped the title when I ceased to hold the office."

"That was modest, general."

"Captain, if you please."

"You are entitled by courtesy to the use of the title, and you shall not
be robbed of any of your honors."

"As a particular favor, Somers, never call me general. I do not wish to
rise above my actual rank. I have never mentioned the little circumstance
of my promotion before. Your good fortune was so similar to my own, that
I was surprised into doing so."

"What do you mean by my good fortune, captain?"

"Why, you are promoted again. I will bet my year's pay you have had
another lift."

"Nonsense! I have just been promoted."

"Bah! what was that to a man of your merit, with a Senator to speak at
court for you? A petty first lieutenancy is nothing for a brilliant
fellow like you."

"I am not half so brilliant a fellow as you declare, and I think that a
commission as first lieutenant is a big thing for a young man like me.
I'm sure I never had an idea of being an officer at all; and, when I was
made a sergeant, I didn't think I deserved it."

"What do you suppose a major-general can want with you? You have heard
from Senator Guilford once before, and I am satisfied you will hear from
him again. Now, Somers, what do you suppose the general wants of you?"

"I don't know; I think it very likely he wants a man of my size to go up
the river, or on the other side, scouting; nothing more than that, I am
satisfied. But I must obey the order," added Somers, who had been making
his preparations during the conversation.

"Well, good-by, my boy; and I shall have to stand one side for you after
this, and salute you as major."

"As what?"

"Major."

"How absurd you are, captain! You always talk like a sensible fellow;
that is, when you mean what you say."

"A hard hit; and very likely the first thing you do, when you get to