surprised,
whereat Master Peter was rather disappointed.

To go back to the Zouaves, however. When the stages turned into Fifth
avenue, they decided to get out; and after forming their ranks in fine
style, they marched up the avenue, on the sidewalk this time, stopping
at the various houses or street corners where they must bid adieu to one
and another of their number, promising to see each other again as soon
as possible.

At last only Tom and Freddy were left to go home by themselves. As they
marched along, keeping faultless step, Freddy exclaimed, "I tell you
what, Tom! I mean to ask my father, the minute he comes home, to let me
go to West Point as soon as I leave school! I must be a soldier--I
can't think of anything else!"

"That's just what I mean to do!" cried Tom, with sparkling eyes; "and,
Fred, if you get promoted before me, promise you will have me in your
regiment, won't you?"

"Yes I will, certainly!" answered Freddy; "but you're the oldest, Tom,
and, you know, the oldest gets promoted first; so mind you don't forget
me when you come to your command!"

As he spoke, they reached his own home; and our hero, glad after all to
come back to father, mother, and sister, bounded up the steps, and rang
the bell good and _hard_, just to let Joseph know that a personage of
eminence had arrived. As the door opened, he turned gayly round, cap in
hand, saying, "Good-by, Maryland; you've left the regiment, but you'll
never leave the Union!" and the last words he heard Tom say were, "No,
by George, _never_!"

* * * * *

And now, dear little readers, my boy friends in particular, the history
of Freddy Jourdain must close. He still lives in New York, and attends
Dr. Larned's school, where he is at the head of all his classes.

The Dashahed Zouaves have met very often since the encampment, and had
many a good drill in their room--the large attic floor which Mr.
Jourdain allowed them for their special accommodation, and where the
beautiful regimental colors are carefully kept, to be proudly displayed
in every parade of the Zouaves.

When he is sixteen, the boy Colonel is to enter West Point Academy, and
learn to be a real soldier; while Tom--poor Tom, who went down to
Baltimore that pleasant July month, promising so faithfully to join
Freddy in the cadet corps, may never see the North again.

And in conclusion let me say, that should our country again be in danger
in after years, wh