w camp in one decisive and immortal victory. At
first they were disposed to poke fun at him.

"Looks a little tired," said the sergeant of the guard.

"Needs rest--that's what's matter o' him," said the captain.

"Orter be turned out t' grass a leetle while," the adjutant
suggested.

The compliments he failed to hear soon came to him indirectly, and
he had much to put up with. He kept his temper and smoked
thoughtfully, and took it ail in good part. The night after he
came they put him on guard duty--a greenhorn, with no knowledge of
any orders but gee and haw. They told him he should allow nobody
to pass him while on duty, but omitted to mention the countersign.
They instructed him in the serious nature of his task, adding that
his failure to comply with orders would incur the penalty of death.
D'ri looked very sober as he listened. No man ever felt a keener
sense of responsibility. They intended, I think, to cross the
lines and take his gun away and have fun with him, but the
countersign would have interfered with their plans.

D'ri went to his post a little after sundown. The guard was
posted. The sergeant, with his party of six, started back to the
guard-house, but they never got there. They went as far as D'ri.
He stood with his gun raised.

"Come another step," said he, "an' I'll let the moonlight through
ye."

They knew he meant it, and they stood still.

"Come for'ard--one et a time," said D'ri, "Drop yer guns 'n' set
down. Ye look tired."

They did as he commanded, for they could see he meant business, and
they knew he had the right to kill.

Another man came along shortly.

"Halt! Who comes there?" D'ri demanded,

"Friend with the countersign," he replied.

"Can't fool me," said D'ri. "Come up here 'n' set down 'n' mek
yerself t' hum. Drop yer gun fust. Drop it, er I 'll drop you."

He dropped his gun promptly and accepted the invitation to sit
down. This last man had some arguments to offer, but D'ri stood
sternly and made no reply.

At eleven o'clock Captain Hawkins sent out inquiries for the
sergeant of the guard and his relief. He could find nobody who had
seen them since dark. A corporal was also missing. The captain
sent a man to look for them. He got as far as D'ri and sat down.
They waited for him in vain. The captain stood looking into the
darkness and wondering about his men. He conferred with Adjutant
Church. Then he set out with two men to go the rounds.