cers' cottages on either side, and
the glitter of a sentry's bayonet, were for a moment intolerable to
him. Yet, by a kind of subtle irony, never before had the genius and
spirit of the vocation he had chosen seemed to be as incarnate as in
the scene before him. Seclusion, self-restraint, cleanliness,
regularity, sobriety, the atmosphere of a wholesome life, the austere
reserve of a monastery without its mysterious or pensive meditation,
were all there. To escape which, he had of his own free will
successively accepted a fool's distraction, the inevitable result of
which was, the viewing of them the next morning with tremulous nerves
and aching eyeballs.

An hour later, Lieutenant George Calvert had received his final
instructions from Colonel Preston to take charge of a small detachment
to recover and bring back certain deserters, but notably one, Dennis
M'Caffrey of Company H, charged additionally with mutinous solicitation
and example. As Calvert stood before his superior, that distinguished
officer, whose oratorical powers had been considerably stimulated
through a long course of "returning thanks for the Army," slightly
expanded his chest and said paternally:

"I am aware, Mr. Calvert, that duties of this kind are somewhat
distasteful to young officers, and are apt to be considered in the
light of police detail; but I must remind you that no one part of a
soldier's duty can be held more important or honorable than another,
and that the fulfilment of any one, however trifling, must, with honor
to himself and security to his comrades, receive his fullest devotion.
A sergeant and a file of men might perform your duty, but I require, in
addition, the discretion, courtesy, and consideration of a gentleman
who will command an equal respect from those with whom his duty brings
him in contact. The unhappy prejudices which the settlers show to the
military authority here render this, as you are aware, a difficult
service, but I believe that you will, without forgetting the respect
due to yourself and the Government you represent, avoid arousing these
prejudices by any harshness, or inviting any conflict with the civil
authority. The limits of their authority you will find in your written
instructions; but you might gain their confidence, and impress them,
Mr. Calvert, with the idea of your being their AUXILIARY in the
interests of justice--you understand. Even if you are unsuccessful in
bringing back the men, you wi