hen we are busy. When I was in the Crimea----"

"Never mind the Crimea now," protested Somers, who was in no mood for his
companion's fibs.

"Don't be crusty, Somers."

"I did not mean to be crusty; but you know my opinion about those stories
of the Crimea and the Italian war, and I don't think it is a good plan to
talk so much over here."

"As you please; it is your turn to speak next."

"I meant no offense."

"I know you didn't, Somers; but you reproved me, and I can only hold my
peace; for you are the commander of this expedition."

"You know I like you as a brother; but I don't like those silly yarns
about your impossible achievements. Hark! What's that?"

This last remark was caused by the sound of horses' feet behind them; and
our travelers looked back with eager interest to ascertain what was
approaching. It was a body of cavalry, which had just swept round a bend
of the road, and was now in plain sight of them.

"That won't do," said De Banyan with energy. "We must conceal ourselves."

"I think they have seen us, and we may as well make the best of it. If we
hide, they will certainly suspect us."

"They have not seen us yet. They are half a mile off," replied the
captain, as he retired to the field by the side of the road.

Somers followed him, though he did not fully approve the policy of his
friend. They walked a short distance till they came to a covert of
bushes, in which they concealed themselves.

"I think we have made a mistake. The dog always bites when you attempt to
run away from him," said Somers.

"I don't think they saw us," persisted De Banyan. "If they did, we can
tell as good a story here as we could in the road."

"I always believe in facing the music. I have found that impudence will
carry a man a great deal farther and a great deal faster than his legs
can."

"Perhaps you are right, Somers. When I was in Italy----"

"Bah! Don't say Italy or Crimea again till we reach the other side of the
river," interposed Somers, who was too seriously affected by the perils
of their situation to be willing to listen to any of his companion's
hallucinations.

"Just as you please, Somers," answered the captain, unmoved by the
rebuff; "but, when I was doing scout duty before the battle of Magenta, I
saw the advance of the Austrians coming up behind me. I crawled into a
haystack, and remained there while the whole army of the Austrians, about
four hundred thousand men, passed by me."

Som