his State moved, and
Barton here was an ardent Secessionist from the start. That's just the
way my captain and I stand now. I began shouting for Southern rights as
soon as Carolina went out, and he didn't."

"No, Dick held back," said Tom, "but Rodney did not. He was the first
academy boy to hoist the Stars and Bars. But now, captain, say that you
will not harm these folks. They haven't done anything, and as for the
strong language they used toward us a while ago--we don't mind that."

"Who's your authority for saying that they haven't done anything?"
demanded the captain. "You seem to think that they are the most
innocent, inoffensive people in the world; but I know that is not
characteristic of Unionists in this part of the country. How do you know
but that they have ambushed scores of Confederates?"

"We don't know it; and seeing that you don't know it either, why not
give them the benefit of the doubt and let their neighbors see that they
get their deserts? Why not be satisfied with what you have already done?
You burned two houses last night."

"I am aware of it. The men to whom they belonged are noted bushwhackers,
and I went miles out of my way to teach them that they had better let
our people alone--that burning and shooting are games that two can play
at. But I have no heart for more work of that sort, and so I'll not
trouble these men since you seem to be so tender-hearted toward them."

"Thank you, sir; thank you," replied Rodney, heartily. "Now will you
pass us out, and send some men to the stable with us to get our
horses?"

"I'll go with you myself," said the lieutenant; but as he was about to
lead the way out of the house he stopped to hear what his captain had to
say to Mr. and Mrs. Truman.

"We shall not touch your property, and you may thank these two
'traitors' for it," said the officer; and when he said "traitor," he
waved his hand toward Rodney and Tom and paused to note the effect of
his words.

The men, after the first shock of surprise had passed, seemed ready to
drop, Mr. Truman leaned heavily against the nearest wall, and his wife,
who had borne up as bravely as the best of them, behaved as women
usually do under such circumstances. She buried her face in her
handkerchief and sobbed violently.

"I hope you gentlemen will remember my forbearance and be equally
lenient toward any Confederate who may chance to fall into your power,"
continued the captain, whose calm, steady voice had g