n men along the South Branch." He stroked his horse's neck. "So,
Dandy! Aren't there exceptions to all rules?"

"He's a plumb beauty, that horse," remarked the sergeant-major. "I don't
ride much myself, but if I had a horse like that, and a straight road,
and weather like this, I wouldn't ask any odds between here and
Milikenville, Illinois! I guess he's a jim dandy to travel,
Lieutenant--"

"McNeill," said the Virginian. "It is lovely weather. You don't often
have a December like this in your part of the world."

"No, we don't. And I only hope 't will last."

"I hope it will," assented McNeill. "It's bad marching in bad weather."

"I don't guess," said the sergeant-major, "that we'll do much marching
before springtime."

"No, I reckon not," answered the man from the South Branch. "I came from
Romney yesterday. General Kelly is letting the men build cabins there.
That doesn't look like moving."

"We're doing the same here," said the sergeant-major, "and they say that
the army's just as cosy at Frederick as a bug in a rug. Yes, sir; it's
in the air that we'll give the rebels rope till springtime."

The ferry-boat touched the northern bank. Here were a little, rocky
shore, an expanse of swampy ground, a towpath, a canal, a road cut
between two hills, and in the background a village with one or two
church spires. The two hills were white with tents, and upon the brow
cannon were planted to rake the river. Here and there, between the river
and the hills, were knots of blue soldiers. A freight boat loaded with
hay passed snail-like down the canal. It was a splendid early afternoon,
cool, still, and bright. The tall Marylander and the three blue soldiers
left the boat, the man from Romney leading his horse. "Where's
headquarters?" he demanded. "I'll go report, and then get something to
eat for both Dandy and myself. We've got to make Frederick City
to-night."

"The large wall tents over there on the hill," directed the
sergeant-major. "It's a long way to Frederick, but Lord! with that
horse--" He hesitated for a moment, then spoke up in a courageous,
middle-aged, weather-beaten fashion, "I hope you'll have a pleasant
ride, lieutenant! I guess I was a little stiffer'n good manners calls
for, just at first. You see there's been so much talk of--of--of
_masquerading_--and your voice is Southern, if your politics ain't! 'T
isn't my usual way."

Lieutenant McNeill smiled. "I am sure of that, sergeant! As you say,
ther