was a small log house, obviously that of the owner
of the orchard, and also obviously deserted. No smoke rose from the
chimneys, and windows and doors were nailed up. The proprietor no doubt
had gone with his family to some town and the apples would have rotted on
the ground had the young officers not found them.

"There must be bushels and bushels here," said St. Clair. "We'll fill up
our sacks first and then call the other men."

They had brought sacks with them for the corn, but the few ears they had
found took up but little space.

"I'll climb the trees, and shake 'em down," said Harry. He was up a
tree in an instant, all his boyhood coming back to him, and, as he shook
with his whole strength, the red apples, held now by twigs nearly dead,
rained down. They passed from tree to tree and soon their sacks were
filled.

"Now for the colonels," said St. Clair, "and on our way we'll tell the
others."

Bending under the weight of the sacks, they took their course toward a
snug cove in the first slope of the Massanuttons, hailing friends on
the way and sending them with swift steps toward the welcome orchard.
They passed within the shadow of a grove, and then entered a small open
space, where two men sat on neighboring stumps, with an empty box between
them. Upon the box reposed a board of chessmen and at intervals the two
intent players spoke.

"If you expect to capture my remaining knight, Hector, you'll have to
hurry. We march tomorrow."

"I can't be hurried, Leonidas. This is an intellectual game, and if it's
played properly it demands time. If I don't take your remaining knight
before tomorrow I'll take him a month from now, after this campaign is
over."

"I have my doubts, Hector; I've heard you boast before."

"I never boast, Leonidas. At times I make statements and prophecies,
but I trust that I'm too modest a man ever to boast."

"Then advance your battle line, Hector, and see what you can do. It's
your move."

The two gray heads bent so low over the narrow board that they almost
touched. For a little space the campaign, the war, and all their
hardships floated away from them, their minds absorbed thoroughly in the
difficult game which had come in the dim past out of the East. They did
not see anything around them nor did they hear Harry as he approached
them with the heavy sack of apples upon his back.

Harry's affection for both of the colonels was strong and as he looked at
them he