t," his face brightening, "there
is an appeal to Father Abraham."

"It is all very well to talk about Father Abraham," continued Bill, in
the same drawling tone; "but if you have to hunt up Honest Old Abe
through the regular military channels, as they say you have to, he'll
seem about as far off as the first old Father Abraham did to that rich
old Cockey that had a big dry on in a hot place."

"Bill," said the officer, as he saw the crowd inclined to laugh at the
remark, "this is by far too serious a matter to jest about. Here are two
men of character and position, devoted to the cause body and soul,
completely at the mercy of an officer whose conduct is a reproach to his
command, and who is malicious alike in deeds and words."

"Especially the latter," interrupted Bill, more hurriedly than before.
"The Colonel says he was chief witness, and swore the charges right
straight through, without wincing. The Judge Advocate, they said, was a
right clever gentlemanly fellow, but ignorant of law, and completely at
the disposal of the General. I saw him several times when I was passing
backwards and forwards, and he looked to me as if the beef was a little
too thick on the outside of his forehead, for the brains to be active
inside. Still, the Colonels have no fault to find with him, except that
between times he would talk about drinking to Little Mac, and brag about
the prospect, as the papers seem to say, of Fitz John Porter's being
cleared. But then most of the Court did as much at that as he did. He
did his duty in the trial, I guess, as well as his knowledge and old
Pigey's will would allow."

"Well, Bill, give us some particulars of the trials, if you know them,"
suggested an officer of a neighboring regiment--the party during the
conversation being increased by additions of officers and privates.

"I only know what I saw passing back and forth, and what I heard from
the Colonels themselves. They wouldn't allow any one to go within three
yards of the tent in which they held Court; but I'll give you what I
have, although to do it I must go back a little:--Before it was light on
the day of trial the Major posted off to our Corps Commander with an
application for a continuance, on the ground of want of time for
preparation. About daylight the General came out, rubbing his eyes,
wanting to know who that early bird was?

"'Playing Orderly, sir,' said he, as his eye lit upon the letter in the
Major's hand. 'Fine occupation