aid Kent, laying down his musket reluctantly. His
example was followed by Abe, who, however, did not place his gun so
far that he could not readily pick it up again, if Fortner gave him
an instant's opportunity. Fortner noticed this, and pushed the musket
farther away with his foot, still covering the two with his rifle.

"Ye see now," he said "thet I hev ye at my marcy, ef I wanted ter kill
or capture ye. Efi I gin ye back yer guns, ye'll admit thet I'm yer
friend, and not yer inimy, won't ye?"

"It'll certainly look like an overture to a permanent and disinterested
friendship," said Kent, brightening up; and Abe, who was gathering
himself up for a spring to catch Fortner's rifle, let his muscles relax
again.

"Well, ye kin take up yer guns agin and load 'em," said Fortner, letting
down the hammer of his rifle. "I'm Jim Fortner, supposed ter be the
pizenest Union man on the Rockassel! Come along ter my house, an I'll
gin ye a good meal o' vittels. Hit's on'y a little piece off, an' I've
got thar one of yer fellers. His name's Harry Glen."

Chapter XIV. In the Hospital.

As the tall ship whose lofty prow
Shall never stem the billows more
Deserted by her gallant band,
Amid the breakers lies astrand--
Soon his couch lay Rhoderick Dhu,
And oft his fevered limbs he threw
In toss abrupt, as when her sides
Lie rocking in the advancing tides,
That shake her frame with ceaseless beat,
Yet can not heave her from her seat;--
O, how unlike her course on sea!
Or his free step on hill and lea!
--Lady of the Lake.

An Army Hospital is the vestibule of the Cemetery--the ante-room where
the recruiting-agents of Death--Wounds and Disease--assemble their
conscripts to prepare them for the ranks from which there is neither
desertion nor discharge. Therein enter those who are to lay aside "this
muddy vesture of decay," for the changeless garb of the Beyond. Thither
troop the Wasted and Stricken to rest a little, and prepare for the last
great journey, the first milestone of which is placed over their heads.

Humanity and Science have done much for the Army Hospital, but still its
swinging doors wave two to the tomb where they return one to health and
activity.

It was a broiling hot day when Rachel Bond descended from the ambulance
which had brought her from the station to camp.

She shielded her eyes with a palm-leaf fan, and surveyed the
surround