drink the health of Senator Guilford and his fair daughter. Waiter,
one brandy smash and one Sicily Madeira."

"Really, Captain de Banyan, you must excuse me," stammered Somers,
completely bewildered by the eloquent and insinuating manners of his
brilliant companion, who had spoken loud enough to attract the attention
of a dozen idlers greedy for excitement of any kind, and to whom the
latter part of his remarks seemed to be addressed, rather than to the
timid young man in front of him.

Captain de Banyan appeared to have a point to carry; which was nothing
less than to overcome the conscientious scruples of the young officer. He
had spoken loud enough to attract the attention of these miserable
tipplers, that Somers might be over-awed by their presence, and
intimidated by their sneers, and thus compelled to taste the intoxicating
cup. The squad of fast men who had taken positions near the table were
interested in the scene, and impatient to see the pure soul tumbled from
its lofty eminence.

"Here's the nectar!" almost shouted the captain as the waiter placed the
drinks upon the table. "Wine for you; brandy for me. You will be promoted
to brandy one of these days, my boy, when your head is stronger and your
nerves stiffer. Lieutenant Somers, here's to the health of the patriot
statesman, Senator Guilford, and his lovely daughter;" and the captain
pushed aside the straw in the vile compound, and raised the glass to his
lips.

Somers was embarrassed at his position, and bewildered by the dashing
speeches of his companion. A dozen pair of leering eyes were fixed upon
him; a dozen mouths were wrinkled into sottish smiles, called up by his
sufferings at that critical moment. He reached forth his hand, and
grasped the slender stem of the wine-glass; but his arm trembled more
than that of the most hardened toper in the group before him. He had been
trembling in the presence of that squad of tyrants--those leer-eyed
grinning debauchees, who seemed to be opening the gate of hell, and
bidding him enter.

"Tom Somers," said the still small voice which had spoken to him a
thousand times before in the perils and temptations through which he had
passed, "you have behaved yourself very well thus far. You have been
promoted for bravery on the battlefield; and now will you cower in the
presence of this brilliant brawler, and these weak-minded, cowardly
tipplers? What would your mother say if she could see you now, with your
shaki