in command of his company. But there
was no chance to do anything to distinguish himself, except that steady
and patient attention to duty which is the constant opportunity of every
good officer.

"Well, captain, was there anything like this at Magenta?" asked Somers,
as he met De Banyan.

"This is tame, Somers. Magenta was a lively scene."

"I fancy it will not remain tame much longer. We shall either be in
Richmond as victors or prisoners within a few days."

"Don't croak, Somers. It will all come out right in the end."

"I have no doubt of that; but I feel just as though some big thing was
going to happen."

"So do I; and I felt so just before the battle of Solferino. By the way,
on the night before that battle, I captured a whole brigade with my
single company, while I was out on picket-duty."

"Indeed!" laughed Somers.

"I'll tell you how it was."

"Don't take that trouble, captain; for I shall not believe you if you
do."

"Do you mean to doubt my word, even before I utter it?" demanded the
captain, apparently much hurt by the insinuation.

"Captain de Banyan, I wish I could persuade you to speak the truth at all
times."

"Come, Somers, that's rather a grave charge; and, if it came from any
other man than yourself, I should challenge him on the spot," added the
captain, throwing back his head, and looking dignified enough to be the
commander-in-chief.

"You may challenge me if you please; but let us be serious for a moment."

"I am serious, and have been all the time."

"You are a first-rate fellow, captain; I like you almost as well as I do
my own brother."

"You are a sensible young man, Somers," replied De Banyan, slightly
relaxing the rigid muscles of his face.

"You are a brave man, and as brilliant as you are brave. I have only one
fault to find with you."

"What's that?"

"You will draw the long-bow."

"In other words, I will lie. Somers, you hurt my feelings. I took a fancy
to you the first time I ever saw you, and it pains me to hear you talk in
that manner. Do you think that I, an officer and a gentleman, would stoop
to the vice of lying?"

"You certainly do not expect any one to believe those wretched big
stories you tell?"

"Certainly I do," replied the captain with dignity.

"But they contradict themselves."

"Perhaps you don't believe there ever was such an event as the battle of
Magenta."

"Come, come, my friend; just slide off that high horse."

"Lieutenant Some