alted, and challenged hoarsely, flinging
forward his gun. There was an indistinguishable answer, and, as I
straightened up, the figure of a man blotted out the doorway.

"Major Lawrence?"

"Yes. What is it?" I swung to the floor, unable to recognize the voice.
The man's hand rose to salute.

"I am Colonel Gibbs' orderly. General Hamilton wishes you to report at
once at headquarters."

"The Potts house?"

"Yes, sir."

I dressed hastily, my pulses throbbing with eagerness. Whatever the
message meant, there was certainly some purpose of vital importance in
sending for me at this unusual hour, and I was boy enough still to
welcome any form of active service. No duty of the war had so tried me as
the long winter of waiting. Yet, rapidly as I moved, the orderly had
disappeared before I got outside, and I picked my way as best I could
alone through the darkness, along the rear of McIntosh's huts, until I
reached the low fence surrounding the Potts house. Here a sentinel
challenged, calling the corporal of the guard, and in his company I
trudged up the path to the front door. There was a light showing through
a window to the left, although the shade was closely drawn, and a guard
stood within the hall. At the first sound of our approach, however, a
side door was flung open, letting forth a gleam of illumination, and I
perceived the short, slight figure of Hamilton, as he peered forward to
get a better glimpse of my face.

"All right, Corporal," he said tersely, gripping my hand. "Come in,
Major; your promptness would seem to indicate a readiness to get into
service once more."

"I had not yet fallen asleep," I explained, "but we are all eager enough
for action of any description."

He smiled cheerily.

"You will soon be busy, never fear." He closed the door behind us, and,
with a glance, I viewed the room and its occupants. It was a small, low
ceilinged apartment, containing a table, a dozen chairs, and a high
commode. A few coals glowed in the wide fireplace, and the walls were
dingy with smoke. Three candles, already burning low, gave fitful
illumination, revealing four occupants, all known to me. At an open door
to the right stood a sweet-faced woman, glancing back curiously at my
entrance, and I whipped off my hat bowing low. Once before I had seen
her, Mistress Washington, and welcomed the gracious recognition in her
eyes. Colonel Gibbs stood before the fireplace motionless, but my glance
swept past him to th