Suddenly the instrument began to click, a fresh report from the general
staff of the Pacific Army appeared on the tape:

"Fort Bridger, Feb. 8, 6 p.m. Our captive balloon reports that the
enemy seems to be shifting his troops on the left flank. Two Japanese
battalions have abandoned their positions, which were at once
occupied by a line of skirmishers from the 86th Regiment supported by
two machine-guns. An assault of the second battalion of the 64th
Regiment on the Japanese infantry position was repulsed, as the enemy
quite unexpectedly brought several masked machine-guns into action.
The firing continues, and General Elliott reports that the battle
with the hostile forces advancing along the Bear River Valley began
at 3 p.m. south of Georgetown. As the enemy has appeared in
unexpectedly large numbers, two brigades of Wood's division have been
sent from Bell's Pass to the North.

MAJOR GENERAL ILLING."

The private secretary changed the position of several blocks on the map,
moving the flags at Bell's Pass and pushing two little blue flags in the
direction of Georgetown. Then he took the report to the President.

At midnight the report came that the stubborn resistance of the enemy at
Georgetown had made it advisable to send Wilson's last brigade from
Bell's Pass to the North.

"Our last reserves," said the President, looking at the map; "we're
playing a venturesome game." Then he glanced at his secretary and saw
that the latter was utterly exhausted. And no wonder, for he hadn't
slept a wink in three nights. "Go and take a nap, Johnson," said the
President; "I'll stay up, as I have some work to finish. Take a nap,
Johnson, I don't need you just now."

"What about the instrument, sir?" asked the secretary.

"I can hear everything in the next room. I'll have no peace anyhow till
it is all over. Besides, the Secretary of War is coming over, so I'll
get along all right."

The President sat down at his desk and affixed his signature to a number
of documents. Half an hour later the Secretary of War was announced.

"Sit down, Harry," said the President, pointing to a chair, "I'll be
ready in five minutes." And while the President was finishing his work,
the Secretary of War settled down in his chair and took up a book. But
the next moment he laid it down again and took up a paper instead; then
he took up another one and read a few lines mechanically, stopping every
now and the