we've got a civil war now in our middust. Don't ask me how I
know. The feller that clanes the horses around the tavern stables, trust
him fur findin' which way the Neosho runs, aven if he is small an'
insignificant av statoor. I've seen an' heard too much in these two
dirty wet days."

He paused, and there came into his eyes a pathetic pleading look as of
one who sought protection. It gave place instantly to a fearless, heroic
expression that has been my inspiration in many a struggle. I know now
how he longed to tell us all he knew, but his word to Le Claire held him
back.

"I can't tell you exactly phwat's in the air, fur I don't know it all
yit. But there's trouble brewin' here, an' we must be ready, as we
promised we would be when our own wint to the front."

O'mie had hit home. Had we not sworn our fealty to the flag, and
protection to our town in our boyish patriotism the Summer before?

"Boys," O'mie went on, "if the storm breaks here in Springvale we've got
to forgit ourselves an' ivery son av us be a hero for the work that's
laid before him. Safe or dangerous, it's duty we must be doin', like the
true sons av a glorious commonwealth, an' we may need to be lightnin'
swift about it, too."

Tell Mapleson and Jim Conlow had come in as O'mie was speaking. We knew
their fathers were bitter Rebels, although the men made a pretence to
loyalty, which kept them in good company. But somehow the boys had not
broken away from young Tell and Jim. From childhood we had been
playmates, and boyish ties are strong. This evening the two seemed to be
burdened with something of which they dared not or would not speak.
There was a sort of defiance about them, such as an enemy may assume
toward one who has been his friend, but whom he means to harm. Was it
the will of Providence made O'mie appeal to them at the right moment?

"Say, boys," he had a certain Celtic geniality, and a frank winning
smile that was irresistible. "Say, boys, all av the crowd's goin' to
stand together no matter what comes, just as we've done since we learned
how to swim in the shallows down by the Deep Hole. We're goin' to stand
shoulder to shoulder, an' we'll save this town from harm, whativer may
come in betwane, an' whoiver av us it's laid on to suffer, in the ind
we'll win. For why? We are on the right side, an' can count on the same
Power that's carried men aven to the inds av the earth to fight an' die
fur what's right. Will ye be av us, boys? We'v