rrey laughed, and stopped at the call of one of his men, who hailed
him as he went by. Evidently a favorite here as in New York, in camp as
at home; for in a moment he was surrounded by the men, who crowded about
him, each with a question, or remark, to draw special attention to
himself, and a word or smile from his commander. Whatever complaint they
had to enter, or petition to make, or favor to beg, or wish to urge,
whatever help they wanted or information they desired, was brought to
him to solve or to grant, and--never being repulsed by their
officer--they speedily knew and loved their friend. Thus it was that the
two men standing at a little distance, watching the proceeding, were
greatly amused at the motley drafts made upon his attention in the shape
of tents, shoes, coats, letters to be sent or received, books borrowed
and lent, a man sick, or a chicken captured. They brought their
interests and cares to him,--these big, brown fellows,--as though they
were children, and he a parent well beloved.

"One might think him the father of the regiment," said Brooks, with a
smile.

"The mother, more like: it must be the woman element in him these
fellows feel and love so."

"Perhaps; but it would have another effect on them, if, for instance, he
didn't carry that sabre-slash on his hand. They've seen him under steel
and fire, and know where he's led them."

"What is this you were joking about with him, a while ago?"

"What! about turning abolitionist?"

"Precisely."

"O, you know he's rampant on the slavery question. I believe it's the
only thing he ever loses his temper over, and he has lost it with me
more than once. I've always been a rank heretic with regard to Cuffee,
and the result was, we disagreed."

"Yes, I know. But what connection has that with your expedition?"

"Just what I want to know," added Surrey, coming up at the moment.

"Ah! you're in time to hear the confession, are you?"

"'An honest confession--'You know what the wise man says."

"Come, don't flatter yourself we will think you so because you quote
him. Be quiet, both of you, and let me go on to tell my tale."

"Attention!"

"Proceed!"

"Thus, then. You understand what my errand was?"

"Not exactly; Lieutenant Hunt was drowned somewhere, wasn't he?"

"Yes: fell overboard from a tug; the men on board tried to save him, and
then to recover his body, and couldn't do either. Some of his people
came down here in pursuit of it, and I