e, when the thought
occurred to him that he might at least gratify his friend Captain de
Banyan, and perhaps bring him favorably to the general's notice.

"May I be allowed to select an officer to go with me?" he asked.

"Certainly, if you desire; but you will remember that you are a young
officer, going out on difficult and dangerous service, and that officers
will not be so obedient as privates," suggested the general. "Whom do you
desire to go with you?"

"Captain de Banyan, of our regiment."

"Captain! Why, then he will be your equal in rank, and by priority of
commission, your superior."

"We shall agree remarkably well, general, though he is my superior in
rank, without regard to dates," replied Somers, who by this time had come
to the conclusion that the general meant something by calling him
captain.

"No; you are both captains," added the general with apparent
indifference.

"I beg your pardon, general; you have probably forgotten that the
commission which was forwarded to me only about two weeks ago was that of
first lieutenant."

"I remember all about it, Captain Somers; but, by the time you reach your
quarters, there will be another commission there for you. By the way,
captain, do you remember Senator Guilford?"

"I do, general; I have good reason to remember him; for he takes a deep
interest in my affairs," replied Somers, whose brown face was red with
blushes.

"Has a pretty daughter, hasn't he? Fell out of a railroad car and broke
her arm, didn't she?"

"That was the only time I ever saw her, general," stammered Somers; "and
probably I shall never see her again."

"Why, you are as cold-blooded as a frog! Why don't you write to the
damsel, and tell her you are still alive, if you can't think of anything
else to say?"

"I don't like to curry favor with great folks."

"I like that, captain. But you must attend to your duty now. You may have
Captain de--what's-his-name--if you like."

"Captain de Banyan, sir. He is a brave and noble fellow."

"Your friend, eh?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I remember him. He is certainly a brave fellow; for I noticed him
at Glendale."

"At Oak Grove he captured the enemy's sharpshooters, who were lodged in
the old house."

"I thought you did that."

"No, sir; I was under Captain de Banyan's orders at the time."

"I see; and I will remember that, Captain Somers. By the way, it would be
well for you to write to Senator Guilford, just to inform him of you