e to a halt on rising ground at the
edge of a piece of woodland, and Colonel Burton, the adjutant-general,
rode up beside the general's carriage and dismounted, and the two began
to study the map again. After a long discussion the procession moved on
again and finally stopped at the crest of a ridge, where the general
alighted and soon selected a place for his tent. An hour had passed
before the tents and baggage arrived, but notwithstanding the delay the
tents were pitched and supper ready by sundown, and Sam found himself
actually in the field on the eve of a battle. The eve, however, was
somewhat prolonged. Several days passed, and Sam was kept pretty busy
in riding to the various brigade and regimental headquarters and
finding out how things were progressing: what was the state of the
trenches, and what news there was from the enemy. Scouting parties were
sent out, but their reports were kept secret, and Sam was left in the
dark. There was a native village about half a mile to the rear, and the
inhabitants were all friendly. Sam stopped there occasionally for a
drink of water, and became acquainted with the keeper of the cafe, who
was particularly amicable and fond of conversation. Cleary was on the
lookout for accommodations in the neighborhood, and Sam introduced him
to this native, Senor Garcia, who provided him with a room. One evening
Sam was sitting with Cleary in the cafe when Garcia, as was his custom,
joined them, and they began to talk in the Castalian language.

"We are glad you people are coming to rule our islands," said Garcia;
"that is, those of us who know your history, because we know that you
are a great people and love freedom."

"I am pleased to hear it," said Sam. "Cleary, I was sure that all the
sensible natives would feel that way."

"You believe in liberty, equality, fraternity?"

"Of course we do," said Cleary.

"Yes," said Sam, "if you understand those words properly. Now liberty
doesn't interfere with obedience. Our whole army here is built up on
the idea of obedience. We've all got liberty, of course, but----"

"Liberty to do what?" asked Garcia innocently.

"Why, liberty to--well, to--yes, liberty to do as we're ordered,"
said Sam.

"Ah! I see," said Garcia. "And then you have equality."

"Yes," said Sam, "in a general way we have. But that doesn't prevent
people from differing in rank. Now there's the general, he's my
superior, and I'm the