Well，Smileykep'thebeastinalittlelatticebox，andheusedtofetchhimdown-townsometimesandlayforabet。Onedayafeller——astrangerinthecamp，hewas——comeacrosthimwithhisbox，andsays：
　　'Whatmightitbethatyou'vegotinthebox？'
　　AndSmileysays，sorterindifferent-like，'Itmightbeaparrot，oritmightbeacanary，maybe，butit'sain't——it'sonlyjustafrog。'
　　Andthefellertookit，andlookedatitcareful，andturneditroundthiswayandthat，andsays，'H'm——so'tis。Well，what'shegoodfor？'
　　'Well，'Smileysays，easyandcareless，'he'sgoodenoughforonething，Ishouldjudge——hecanoutjumpanyfroginCalaverasCounty。'
　　Thefellertooktheboxagainandtookanotherlong，particularlook，andgiveitbacktoSmiley，andsays，verydeliberate，'Well，'hesays，'I
　　don'tseenop'intsaboutthatfrogthat'sanybetter'nanyotherfrog。'
　　'Maybeyoudon't，'Smileysays。'Maybeyouunderstandfrogsandmaybeyoudon'tunderstand'em；maybeyou'vehadexperience，andmaybeyouain'tonlyaamature，asitwere。Anyways，I'vegotmyopinion，andI'llreskfortydollarsthathecanoutjumpanyfroginCalaverasCounty。'
　　Andthefellerstudiesaminute，andthensays，kindersadlike，'Well，I'monlyastrangerhere，andIain'tgotnofrog，butifIhadafrogI'dbetyou。'
　　AndthenSmileysays：'That'sallright——that'sallright；ifyou'llholdmyboxaminute，I'llgoandgetyouafrog。'AndsothefellertooktheboxandputuphisfortydollarsalongwithSmiley'sandsetdowntowait。
　　Sohesetthereagoodwhilethinkingandthinkingtohisself，andthenhegotthefrogoutandprizedhismouthopenandtookateaspoonandfilledhimfullofquailshot——filledhimprettynearuptohischin——andsethimonthefloor。Smileyhewenttotheswampandsloppedaroundinthemudforalongtime，andfinallyheketchedafrogandfetchedhiminandgivehimtothisfeller，andsays：
　　'Now，ifyou'reready，sethimalongsideofDan'l，withhisfore-pawsjustevenwithDan'l's，andI'llgivetheword。'Thenhesays，'One——
　　two——three——git！'andhimandthefellertouchedupthefrogsfrombehind，andthenewfroghoppedofflively；butDan'lgiveaheave，andhysteduphisshoulders——so——likeaFrenchman，butitwarn'tnouse——hecouldn'tbudge；hewasplantedassolidasachurch，andhecouldn'tnomorestirthanifhewasanchoredout。Smileywasagooddealsurprised，andhewasdisgusted，too，buthedidn'thavenoideawhatthematterwas，ofcourse。
　　Thefellertookthemoneyandstartedaway；andwhenhewasgoingoutatthedoorhesorterjerkedhisthumboverhisshoulder——so——atDan'l，andsaysagain，verydeliberate：'Well，'hesays，'Idon'tseenop'intsaboutthatfrogthat'sanybetter'nanyotherfrog。'
　　SmileyhestoodscratchinghisheadandlookingdownatDan'lalongtime，andatlasthesays，'Idowonderwhatinthenationthatfrogthrow'dofffor——Iwonderifthereain'tsomethingthematterwithhim——
　　he'pearstolookmightybaggy，somehow。'AndheketchedDan'lbythenapeoftheneck，andheftedhim，andsays，'Why，blamemycatsifhedon'tweighfivepound！'andturnedhimupsidedown，andhebelchedoutadoublehandfulofshot。Andthenheseehowitwas，andhewasthemaddestman——hesetthefrogdownandtookoutafterthatfeeler，butheneverketchedhim。
　　Theresemblancesaredeliciouslyexact。ThereyouhavethewilyBoeotainandthewilyJimSmileywaiting——twothousandyearsapart——andwaiting，eachequippedwithhisfrogand'laying'forthestranger。Acontestisproposed——formoney。TheAthenianwouldtakeachance'iftheotherwouldfetchhimafrog'；theYankeesays：'I'monlyastrangerhere，andIain'tgotafrog；butifIhadafrogI'dbetyou。'ThewilyBoeotianandthewilyCalifornian，withthatvastgulfoftwothousandyearsbetween，retireeagerlyandgofrogginginthemarsh；theAthenianandtheYankeeremainbehindandworkabestadvantage，theonewithpebbles，theotherwithshot。Presentlythecontestbegan。Intheonecase'theypinchedtheBoeotianfrog'；intheother，'himandthefellertouchedupthefrogsfrombehind。'TheBoeotianfrog'gatheredhimselfforaleap'
　　youcanjustseehim！，but'couldnotmovehisbodyintheleast'；theCalifornianfrog'giveaheave，butitwarn'tnouse——hecouldn'tbudge。'
　　Inboththeancientandthemoderncasesthestrangersdepartedwiththemoney。TheBoeotianandtheCalifornianwonderwhatisthematterwiththeirfrogs；theyliftthemandexamine；theyturnthemupsidedownandoutspillstheinformingballast。
　　Yes，theresemblancesarecuriouslyexact。Iusedtotellthestoryofthe'JumpingFrog'inSanFrancisco，andpresentlyArtemusWardcamealongandwantedittohelpfilloutalittlebookwhichhewasabouttopublish；soIwroteitoutandsentittohispublisher，Carleton；butCarletonthoughtthebookhadenoughmatterinit，sohegavethestorytoHenryClappasapresent，andClappputitinhis'SaturdayPress，'
　　anditkilledthatpaperwithasuddennessthatwasbeyondpraise。Atleastthepaperdiedwiththatissue，andnonebutenviouspeoplehaveevertriedtorobmeofthehonourandcreditofkillingit。The'JumpingFrog'wasthefirstpieceofwritingofminethatspreaditselfthroughthenewspapersandbroughtmeintopublicnotice。Consequently，the'SaturdayPress'wasacocoonandItheworminit；also，Iwasthegay-colouredliterarymothwhichitsdeathsetfree。Thissimilehasbeenusedbefore。
　　Earlyin'66the'JumpingFrog'wasissuedinbookform，withothersketchesofmine。AyearortwolaterMadameBlanctranslateditintoFrenchandpublisheditinthe'RevuedesDeuxMondes，'buttheresultwasnotwhatshouldhavebeenexpected，forthe'Revue'struggledalongandpulledthrough，andisaliveyet。Ithinkthefaultmusthavebeeninthetranslation。Ioughttohavetranslateditmyself。IthinksobecauseIexaminedintothematterandfinallyretranslatedthesketchfromtheFrenchbackintoEnglish，toseewhatthetroublewas；thatis，toseejustwhatsortofafocustheFrenchpeoplegotuponit。Thenthemysterywasexplained。InFrenchthestoryistooconfusedandchaoticandunreposefulandungrammaticalandinsane；consequentlyitcouldonlycausegriefandsickness——itcouldnotkill。Aglanceatmyretranslationwillshowthereaderthatthismustbetrue。
　　[MyRetranslation。]
　　THEFROGJUMPINGOFTHECOUNTYOFCALAVERAS
　　Ehbien！thisSmileynourishedsometerriersarats，andsomecocksofcombat，andsomecats，andallsortsofthings：andwithhisrageofbettingonenohadmoreofrepose。Hetrappedonedayafrogandhimimportedwithhimetl'emportachezluisayingthathepretendedtomakehiseducation。Youmebelieveifyouwill，butduringthreemonthshenothasnothingdonebuttohimapprehendtojumpapprendreasauter
　　inacourtretiredofhermansiondesamaison。AndIyourespondthathehavesucceeded。Hehimgivesasmallblowbybehind，andtheinstantafteryoushallseethefrogturnintheairlikeagrease-biscuit，makeonesummersault，sometimestwo，whenshewaswellstarted，andrefalluponhisfeetlikeacat。Hehimhadaccomplishedintheartoftogobblethefliesgoberdesmouches，andhimthereexercisedcontinually——sowellthataflyatthemostfarthatsheappearedwasaflylost。Smileyhadcustomtosaythatallwhichlackedtoafrogitwastheeducation，butwiththeeducationshecoulddonearlyall——andI
　　himbelieve。Tenez，IhimhaveseenposeDanielWebsterthereuponthisplank——DanielWebsterwasthenameofthefrog——andtohimsing，'Someflies，Daniel，someflies！'——inafashoftheeyeDanielhadboundedandseizedaflyhereuponthecounter，thenjumpedanewattheearth，whereherestedtrulytohimselfscratchtheheadwithhisbehind-foot，asifhenohadnottheleastideaofhissuperiority。Neveryounothaveseenfrogasmodest，asnatural，sweetasshewas。Andwhenhehimselfagitatedtojumppurelyandsimplyuponplainearth，shedoesmoregroundinonejumpthananybeastofhisspeciesthanyoucanknow。
　　Tojumpplain——thiswashisstrong。WhenhehimselfagitatedforthatSmileymultipliedthebestsuponheraslongastheretohimremainedared。Itmusttoknow，Smileywasmonstrouslyproudofhisfrog，andheofitwasright，forsomemenwhoweretravelled，whohadallseen，saidthattheytohimwouldbeinjurioustohimcomparetoanotherfrog。
　　SmileyguardedDanielinalittleboxlatticedwhichhecarriedbytimestothevillageforsomebet。
　　Onedayanindividualstrangeratthecamphimarrestedwithhisboxandhimsaid：
　　'Whatisthisthatyouhavethenshutuptherewithin？'
　　Smileysaid，withanairindifferent：
　　'Thatcouldbeaparoquet，orasyringeouunserin，butthisnoisnothingofsuch，itnotisbutafrog。'
　　Theindividualittook，itregardedwithcare，itturnedfromonesideandfromtheother，thenhesaid：
　　'Tiens！ineffect！——Atwhatisshegood？'
　　'MyGod！'respondedSmiley，alwayswithanairdisengaged，'sheisgoodforonething，tomynoticeamonavis，shecanbetterinjumpingellepeutbatterensautantallfrogsofthecountyofCalaveras。'
　　Theindividualretookthebox，itexaminedofnewlongly，anditrenderedtoSmileyinsayingwithanairdeliberate：
　　'Ehbien！Inosawnotthatthatfroghadnothingofbetterthaneachfrog。'Jenevoispasquecettegrenouilleaitriendemieuxqu'aucunegrenouille。[Ifthatisn'tgrammargonetoseed，thenIcountmyselfnojudge——M。T。]
　　'Possiblethatyounotitsawnot，'saidSmiley；'possiblethatyou——youcomprehendfrogs；possiblethatyounotyoutherecomprehendnothing；
　　possiblethatyouhadoftheexperience，andpossiblethatyounotbebutanamateur。OfallmannerdetoutemaniereIbetfortydollarsthatshebatterinjumpingnomatterwhichfrogofthecountryofCalaveras。'
　　Theindividualreflectedasecond，andsaidlikesad：
　　'Inotambutastrangerhere，Inohavenotafrog；butifIofithadone，Iwouldembracethebet。'
　　'Strong，well！'respondSmiley；'nothingofmorefacility。Ifyouwillholdmyboxaminute，Igoyoutosearchafrogj'iraivouschercher。'
　　Behold，then，theindividualwhoguardsthebox，whoputshisfortydollarsuponthoseofSmiley，andwhoattendsetquiattendre。Heattendedenoughlongtimes，reflectingallsolely。AndfigureyouthathetakesDaniel，himopensthemouthbyforceandwithateaspoonhimfillswithshotofthehunt，evenhimfillsjusttothechin，thenhehimputsbytheearth。Smileyduringthesetimeswasatsloppinginaswamp。
　　Finallyhetrappedattrapeafrog，himcarriedtothatindividual，andsaid：
　　'Nowifyoubeready，puthimallagainstDaniel，withtheirbefore-feetuponthesameline，andIgivethesignal'——thenheadded：'One，twothree——advance！'
　　Himandtheindividualtouchedtheirfrogsbybehind，andthefrognewputtojumpsmartly，butDanielhimselfliftedponderously，exhaltedtheshouldersthus，likeaFrenchman——towhatgood？Hecouldnotbudge，heisplantedsolidlikeachurch，henotadvancenomorethanifonehimhadputattheanchor。
　　Smileywassurprisedanddisgusted，buthenothimselfdoubtednotoftheturnbeingintendedmaisilnesedoutaitpasdutourbienentendre。
　　Theindidivualempocketedthesilver，himselfwithitwent，andofithimselfingoingisthathenogivesnotajerkofthumbovertheshoulder——likethat——atthepoorDaniel，insayingwithhisairdeliberate——L'individuempochel'argent，s'envaetens'enallantest-
　　cequ'ilnedonnepasuncoupdepoucepas-dessusl'epaule，commeca，aupauvreDaniel，endisantdesonairdelibere。
　　'Ehbien！Inoseenotthatthatfroghasnothingofbetterthananother。'
　　Smileyhimselfscratchedlongtimesthehead，theeyesfixeduponDaniel，untilthatwhichatlasthesaid：
　　'Imedemandhowthedevilitmakesitselfthatthisbeasthasrefused。
　　Isitthatshehadsomething？Onewouldbelievethatsheisstuffed。'
　　HegraspedDanielbytheskinoftheneck，himliftedandsaid：
　　'Thewolfmebiteifhenoweighnotfivepounds。'
　　Hehimreversedandtheunhappybelchedtwohandfulsofshotetlemalheureux，etc。。WhenSmileyrecognisedhowitwas，hewaslikemad。
　　Hedepositedhisfrogbytheearthandranafterthatindividual，buthenothimcaughtnever。
　　ItmaybethattherearepeoplewhocantranslatebetterthanIcan，butIamnotacquaintedwiththem。
　　SoendstheprivateandpublichistoryoftheJumpingFrogofCalaverasCounty，anincidentwhichhasthisuniquefeatureaboutit——thatitisbotholdandnew，a'chestnut'andnota'chestnut；'foritwasoriginalwhenithappenedtwothousandyearsago，andwasagainoriginalwhenithappenedinCaliforniainourowntime。
　　P。S。
　　London，July，1900——Twice，recently，Ihavebeenaskedthisquestion：
　　'HaveyouseentheGreekversionofthe"JumpingFrog"？'
　　AndtwiceIhaveanswered-'No。'
　　'HasProfessorVanDykeseenit？'
　　'Isupposeso。'
　　'Thenyousuppositionisatfault。'
　　'Why？'
　　'Becausethereisn'tanysuchversion。'
　　'Doyoumeantointimatethatthetaleismodern，andnotborrowedfromsomeancientGreekbook。'
　　'Yes。ItisnotpermissibleforanybuttheveryyoungandinnocenttobesoeasilybeguiledasyouandVanDykehavebeen。'
　　'Doyoumeanthatwehavefallenapreytoourignoranceandsimplicity？'
　　'Yes。IsVanDykeaGreekscholar？'
　　'Ibelieveso。'
　　'ThenheknewwheretofindtheancientGreekversionifoneexisted。
　　Whydidn'thelook？Whydidhejumptoconclusions？'
　　'Idon'tknow。Andwasitworththetrouble，anyway？'
　　Asitturnsout，now，itwasnotclaimedthatthestoryhadbeentranslatedfromtheGreek。Ithaditsplaceamongotheruncreditedstories，andwastheretobeturnedintoGreekbystudentsofthatlanguage。'GreekProseComposition'——thattitleiswhatmadetheconfusion。ItseemedtomeanthattheoriginalswereGreek。Itwasnotwellchosen，foritwasprettysuretomislead。
　　ThusvanishestheGreekFrog，andIamsorry：forheloomedfineandgrandacrossthesweepoftheages，andItookagreatprideinhim。
　　M。T。
　　[1]Sidgwick，GreekProseComposition，page116
　　MYMILITARYCAMPAIGN
　　Youhaveheardfromagreatmanypeoplewhodidsomethinginthewar；isitnotfairandrightthatyoulistenalittlemomenttoonewhostartedouttodosomethinginit，butdidn't？Thousandsenteredthewar，gotjustatasteofit，andthensteppedoutagain，permanently。These，bytheirverynumbers，arerespectable，andarethereforeentitledtoasortofvoice——notaloudone，butamodestone；notaboastfulone，butanapologeticone。Theyoughtnottobeallowedmuchspaceamongbetterpeople——peoplewhodidsomething——Igrantthat；buttheyoughtatleasttobeallowedtostatewhytheydidn'tdoanything，andalsotoexplaintheprocessbywhichtheydidn'tdoanything。Surelythiskindoflightmusthaveasortofvalue。
　　OutWesttherewasagooddealofconfusioninmen'smindsduringthefirstmonthsofthegreattrouble——agooddealofunsettledness，ofleaningfirstthisway，thenthat，thentheotherway。Itwashardforustogetourbearings。Icalltomindaninstanceofthis。IwaspilotingontheMississippiwhenthenewscamethatSouthCarolinahadgoneoutoftheUniononDecember20，1860。Mypilot-matewasaNewYorker。HewasstrongfortheUnion；sowasI。Buthewouldnotlistentomewithanypatience；myloyaltywassmirched，tohiseye，becausemyfatherhadownedslaves。Isaid，inpalliationofthisdarkfact，thatI
　　hadheardmyfathersay，someyearsbeforehedied，thatslaverywasagreatwrong，andthathewouldfreethesolitaryNegrohethenownedifhecouldthinkitrighttogiveawaythepropertyofthefamilywhenhewassostraitenedinmeans。Mymateretortedthatamereimpulsewasnothing——anybodycouldpretendtoagoodimpulse；andwentondecryingmyUnionismandlibellingmyancestry。AmonthlaterthesecessionatmospherehadconsiderablythickenedontheLowerMississippi，andI
　　becamearebel；sodidhe。WeweretogetherinNewOrleans，January26，whenLouisianawentoutoftheUnion。Hedidhisfullshareoftherebelshouting，butwasbitterlyopposedtolettingmedomine。HesaidthatI
　　cameofbadstock——ofafatherwhohadbeenwillingtosetslavesfree。
　　InthefollowingsummerhewaspilotingaFederalgun-boatandshoutingfortheUnionagain，andIwasintheConfederatearmy。Iheldhisnoteforsomeborrowedmoney。HewasoneofthemostuprightmenIeverknew；
　　butherepudiatedthatnotewithouthesitation，becauseIwasarebel，andthesonofamanwhohadownedslaves。
　　Inthatsummer——of1861——thefirstwashofthewaveofwarbrokeupontheshoresofMissouri。OurStatewasinvadedbytheUnionforces。TheytookpossessionofSt。Louis，JeffersonBarracks，andsomeotherpoints。
　　TheGovernor，ClaibJackson，issuedhisproclamationcallingoutfiftythousandmilitiatorepeltheinvader。
　　Iwasvisitinginthesmalltownwheremyboyhoodhadbeenspent——
　　Hannibal，MarionCounty。Severalofusgottogetherinasecretplacebynightandformedourselvesintoamilitarycompany。OneTomLyman，ayoungfellowofagooddealofspiritbutofnomilitaryexperience，wasmadecaptain；Iwasmadesecondlieutenant。Wehadnofirstlieutenant；
　　Idonotknowwhy；itwaslongago。Therewerefifteenofus。Bytheadviceofaninnocentconnectedwiththeorganisation，wecalledourselvestheMarionRangers。Idonotrememberthatanyonefoundfaultwiththename。Ididnot；Ithoughtitsoundedquitewell。Theyoungfellowwhoproposedthistitlewasperhapsafairsampleofthekindofstuffweweremadeof。Hewasyoung，ignorant，good-natured，well-
　　meaning，trivial，fullofromance，andgiventoreadingchivalricnovelsandsingingforlornlove-ditties。Hehadsomepatheticlittlenickel-
　　platedaristocraticinstincts，anddetestedhisname，whichwasDunlap；
　　detestedit，partlybecauseitwasnearlyascommoninthatregionasSmith，butmainlybecauseithadaplebeiansoundtohisear。Sohetriedtoennobleitbywritingitinthisway：d'Unlap。Thatcontentedhiseye，butlefthisearunsatisfied，forpeoplegavethenewnamethesameoldpronunciation——emphasisonthefrontendofit。Hethendidthebravestthingthatcanbeimagined——athingtomakeoneshiverwhenoneremembershowtheworldisgiventoresentingshamsandaffectations；hebegantowritehisnameso：d'UnLap。Andhewaitedpatientlythroughthelongstormofmudthatwasflungatthisworkofart，andhehadhisrewardatlast；forhelivedtoseethatnameaccepted，andtheemphasisputwherehewantedit，bypeoplewhohadknownhimallhislife，andtowhomthetribeofDunlapshadbeenasfamiliarastherainandthesunshineforfortyyears。Sosureofvictoryatlastisthecouragethatcanwait。Hesaidhehadfound，byconsultingsomeancientFrenchchronicles，thatthenamewasrightlyandoriginallywrittend'UnLap；
　　andsaidthatifitweretranslatedintoEnglishitwouldmeanPeterson：
　　Lap，LatinorGreek，hesaid，forstoneorrock，sameastheFrenchPierre，thatistosay，Peter；d'，oforfrom；un，aorone；henced'UnLap，oforfromastoneoraPeter；thatistosay，onewhoisthesonofastone，thesonofaPeter——Peterson。Ourmilitiacompanywerenotlearned，andtheexplanationconfusedthem；sotheycalledhimPetersonDunlap。Heprovedusefultousinhisway；henamedourcampsforus，andhegenerallystruckanamethatwas'noslouch，'astheboyssaid。
　　Thatisonesampleofus。AnotherwasEdStevens，sonofthetownjeweller，——trim-built，handsome，graceful，neatasacat；bright，educated，butgivenoverentirelytofun。Therewasnothingseriousinlifetohim。Asfarashewasconcerned，thismilitaryexpeditionofourswassimplyaholiday。Ishouldsaythatabouthalfofuslookeduponitinthesameway；notconsciously，perhaps，butunconsciously。
　　Wedidnotthink；wewerenotcapableofit。Asformyself，Iwasfullofunreasoningjoytobedonewithturningoutofbedatmidnightandfourinthemorning，forawhile；gratefultohaveachange，newscenes，newoccupations，anewinterest。InmythoughtsthatwasasfarasI
　　went；Ididnotgointothedetails；asaruleonedoesn'tattwenty-
　　five。
　　AnothersamplewasSmith，theblacksmith'sapprentice。Thisvastdonkeyhadsomepluck，ofaslowandsluggishnature，butasoftheart；atonetimehewouldknockahorsedownforsomeimpropriety，andatanotherhewouldgethomesickandcry。However，hehadoneultimatecredittohisaccountwhichsomeofushadn't：hestucktothewar，andwaskilledinbattleatlast。
　　JoBowers，anothersample，wasahuge，good-natured，flax-headedlubber；
　　lazy，sentimental，fullofharmlessbrag，agrumblerbynature；anexperienced，industrious，ambitious，andoftenquitepicturesqueliar，andyetnotasuccessfulone，forhehadhadnointelligenttraining，butwasallowedtocomeupjustanyway。Thislifewasseriousenoughtohim，andseldomsatisfactory。Buthewasagoodfellow，anyway，andtheboysalllikedhim。Hewasmadeorderlysergeant；Stevenswasmadecorporal。
　　Thesesampleswillanswer——andtheyarequitefairones。Well，thisherdofcattlestartedforthewar。Whatcouldyouexpectofthem？Theydidaswellastheyknewhow，butreallywhatwasjustlytobeexpectedofthem？Nothing，Ishouldsay。Thatiswhattheydid。
　　Wewaitedforadarknight，forcautionandsecrecywerenecessary；then，towardmidnight，westoleincouplesandfromvariousdirectionstotheGriffithplace，beyondthetown；fromthatpointwesetouttogetheronfoot。Hanniballiesattheextremesouth-easterncornerofMarionCounty，ontheMississippiRiver；ourobjectivepointwasthehamletofNewLondon，tenmilesaway，inRallsCounty。
　　Thefirsthourwasallfun，allidlenonsenseandlaughter。Butthatcouldnotbekeptup。Thesteadytrudgingcametobelikework；theplayhadsomehowoozedoutofit；thestillnessofthewoodsandthesombrenessofthenightbegantothrowadepressinginfluenceoverthespiritsoftheboys，andpresentlythetalkingdiedoutandeachpersonshuthimselfupinhisownthoughts。Duringthelasthalfofthesecondhournobodysaidaword。
　　Nowweapproachedalogfarm-housewhere，accordingtoreport，therewasaguardoffiveUnionsoldiers。Lymancalledahalt；andthere，inthedeepgloomoftheoverhangingbranches，hebegantowhisperaplanofassaultuponthathouse，whichmadethegloommoredepressingthanitwasbefore。Itwasacrucialmoment；werealised，withacoldsuddenness，thatherewasnojest——wewerestandingfacetofacewithactualwar。Wewereequaltotheoccasion。Inourresponsetherewasnohesitation，noindecision：wesaidthatifLymanwantedtomeddlewiththosesoldiers，hecouldgoaheadanddoit；butifhewaitedforustofollowhim，hewouldwaitalongtime。
　　Lymanurged，pleaded，triedtoshameus，butithadnoeffect。Ourcoursewasplain，ourmindsweremadeup：wewouldflankthefarmhouse——
　　gooutaround。Andthatiswhatwedid。Weturnedtheposition。
　　Westruckintothewoodsandentereduponaroughtime，stumblingoverroots，gettingtangledinvines，andtornbybriers。Atlastwereachedanopenplaceinasaferegion，andsatdown，blownandhot，tocooloffandnurseourscratchesandbruises。Lymanwasannoyed，buttherestofuswerecheerful；wehadflankedthefarm-house，wehadmadeourfirstmilitarymovement，anditwasasuccess；wehadnothingtofretabout，wewerefeelingjusttheotherway。Horse-playandlaughingbeganagain；
　　theexpeditionwasbecomeaholidayfroliconcemore。
　　Thenwehadtwomorehoursofdulltrudgingandultimatesilenceanddepression；then，aboutdawn，westraggledintoNewLondon，soiled，heel-
　　blistered，faggedwithourlittlemarch，andallofusexceptStevensinasourandraspyhumourandprivatelydownonthewar。Westackedourshabbyoldshot-gunsinColonelRalls'sbarn，andthenwentinabodyandbreakfastedwiththatveteranoftheMexicanWar。Afterwardshetookustoadistantmeadow，andthereintheshadeofatreewelistenedtoanold-fashionedspeechfromhim，fullofgunpowderandglory，fullofthatadjective-piling，mixedmetaphor，andwindydeclamationwhichwasregardedaseloquenceinthatancienttimeandthatremoteregion；andthenhesworeusontheBibletobefaithfultotheStateofMissourianddriveallinvadersfromhersoil，nomatterwhencetheymightcomeorunderwhatflagtheymightmarch。Thismixedusconsiderably，andwecouldnotmakeoutjustwhatservicewewereembarkedin；butColonelRalls，thepractisedpoliticianandphrase-juggler，wasnotsimilarlyindoubt；heknewquiteclearlythathehadinvestedusinthecauseoftheSouthernConfederacy。Heclosedthesolemnitiesbybeltingaroundmetheswordwhichhisneighbour，colonelBrown，hadwornatBuenaVistaandMolinodelRey；andheaccompaniedthisactwithanotherimpressiveblast。
　　Thenweformedinlineofbattleandmarchedfourmilestoashadyandpleasantpieceofwoodsontheborderofthefar-reachedexpansesofafloweryprairie。Itwasanenchantingregionforwar——ourkindofwar。
　　Wepiercedtheforestabouthalfamile，andtookupastrongposition，withsomelow，rocky，andwoodedhillsbehindus，andapurling，limpidcreekinfront。Straightwayhalfthecommandwereinswimming，andtheotherhalffishing。TheasswiththeFrenchnamegavethispositionaromantictitle，butitwastoolong，sotheboysshortenedandsimplifiedittoCampRalls。
　　Weoccupiedanoldmaple-sugarcamp，whosehalf-rottedtroughswerestillproppedagainstthetrees。Alongcorn-cribservedforsleepingquartersforthebattalion。Onourleft，halfamileaway，wasMason'sfarmandhouse；andhewasafriendtothecause。Shortlyafternoonthefarmersbegantoarrivefromseveraldirections，withmulesandhorsesforouruse，andthesetheylentusforaslongasthewarmightlast，whichtheyjudgedwouldbeaboutthreemonths。Theanimalswereofallsizes，allcolours，andallbreeds。Theyweremainlyyoungandfrisky，andnobodyinthecommandcouldstayonthemlongatatime；forweweretownboys，andignorantofhorsemanship。Thecreaturethatfelltomysharewasaverysmallmule，andyetsoquickandactivethatitcouldthrowmewithoutdifficulty；anditdidthiswheneverIgotonit。Thenitwouldbray——stretchingitsneckout，layingitsearsback，andspreadingitsjawstillyoucouldseedowntoitsworks。Itwasadisagreeableanimal，ineveryway。IfItookitbythebridleandtriedtoleaditoffthegrounds，itwouldsitdownandbraceback，andnoonecouldbudgeit。
　　However，Iwasnotentirelydestituteofmilitaryresources，andIdidpresentlymanagetospoilthisgame；forIhadseenmanyasteam-boatagroundinmytime，andknewatrickortwowhichevenagroundedmulewouldbeobligedtorespect。Therewasawellbythecorn-crib；soI
　　substitutedthirtyfathomofropeforthebridle，andfetchedhimhomewiththewindlass。
　　Iwillanticipateheresufficientlytosaythatwedidlearntoride，aftersomedays'practice，butneverwell。Wecouldnotlearntolikeouranimals；theywerenotchoiceones，andmostofthemhadannoyingpeculiaritiesofonekindoranother。Stevens'shorsewouldcarryhim，whenhewasnotnoticing，underthehugeexcrescenceswhichformonthetrunksofoak-trees，andwipehimoutofthesaddle；inthiswayStevensgotseveralbadhurts。SergeantBowers'shorsewasverylargeandtall，withslim，longlegs，andlookedlikearailroadbridge。Hissizeenabledhimtoreachallabout，andasfarashewantedto，withhishead；sohewasalwaysbitingBowers'slegs。Onthemarch，inthesun，Bowerssleptagooddeal；andassoonasthehorserecognisedthathewasasleephewouldreacharoundandbitehimontheleg。Hislegswereblackandbluewithbites。Thiswastheonlythingthatcouldevermakehimswear，butthisalwaysdid；wheneverthehorsebithimhealwaysswore，andofcourseStevens，wholaughedateverything，laughedatthis，andwouldevengetintosuchconvulsionsoveritastolosehisbalanceandfalloffhishorse；andthenBowers，alreadyirritatedbythepainofthehorse-bite，wouldresentthelaughterwithhardlanguage，andtherewouldbeaquarrel；sothathorsemadenoendoftroubleandbadbloodinthecommand。
　　However，IwillgetbacktowhereIwas——ourfirstafternooninthesugar-camp。Thesugar-troughscameveryhandyashorse-troughs，andwehadplentyofcorntofillthemwith。IorderedSergeantBowerstofeedmymule；buthesaidthatifIreckonedhewenttowartobedry-nursetoamule，itwouldn'ttakemeverylongtofindoutmymistake。Ibelievedthatthiswasinsubordination，butIwasfullofuncertaintiesabouteverythingmilitary，andsoIletthethingpass，andwentandorderedSmith，theblacksmith'sapprentice，tofeedthemule；buthemerelygavemealarge，cold，sarcasticgrin，suchasanostensiblyseven-year-oldhorsegivesyouwhenyoulifthislipandfindheisfourteen，andturnedhisbackonme。Ithenwenttothecaptain，andaskedifitwasnotrightandproperandmilitaryformetohaveanorderly。Hesaiditwas，butastherewasonlyoneorderlyinthecorps，itwasbutrightthathehimselfshouldhaveBowersonhisstaff。Bowerssaidhewouldn'tserveonanybody'sstaff；andifanybodythoughthecouldmakehim，lethimtryit。So，ofcourse，thethinghadtobedropped；therewasnootherway。
　　Next，nobodywouldcook；itwasconsideredadegradation；sowehadnodinner。Welaziedtherestofthepleasantafternoonaway，somedozingunderthetrees，somesmokingcob-pipesandtalkingsweetheartsandwar，someplayinggames。Bylatesupper-timeallhandswerefamished；andtomeetthedifficultyallhandsturnedto，onanequalfooting，andgatheredwood，builtfires，andcookedthemeal。Afterwardeverythingwassmoothforawhile；thentroublebrokeoutbetweenthecorporalandthesergeant，eachclaimingtoranktheother。Nobodyknewwhichwasthehigheroffice；soLymanhadtosettlethematterbymakingtherankofbothofficersequal。Thecommanderofanignorantcrewlikethathasmanytroublesandvexationswhichprobablydonotoccurintheregulararmyatall。However，withthesong-singingandyarn-spinningaroundthecamp-fire，everythingpresentlybecamesereneagain；andby-and-bywerakedthecorndownlevelinoneendofthecrib，andallwenttobedonit，tyingahorsetothedoor，sothathewouldneighifanyonetriedtogetin。[1]
　　Wehadsomehorsemanshipdrilleveryforenoon；then，afternoons，werodeoffhereandthereinsquadsafewmiles，andvisitedthefarmers'girls，andhadayouthfulgoodtime，andgotanhonestgooddinnerorsupper，andthenhomeagaintocamp，happyandcontent。
　　Foratime，lifewasidlydelicious，itwasperfect；therewasnothingtomarit。Thencamesomefarmerswithanalarmoneday。Theysaiditwasrumouredthattheenemywereadvancinginourdirection，fromoverHyde'sprairie。Theresultwasasharpstiramongus，andgeneralconsternation。Itwasarudeawakeningfromourpleasanttrance。Therumourwasbutarumour——nothingdefiniteaboutit；so，intheconfusion，wedidnotknowwhichwaytoretreat。Lymanwasfornotretreatingatall，intheseuncertaincircumstances；buthefoundthatifhetriedtomaintainthatattitudehewouldfarebadly，forthecommandwereinnohumourtoputupwithinsubordination。Soheyieldedthepointandcalledacouncilofwar——toconsistofhimselfandthethreeotherofficers；buttheprivatesmadesuchafussaboutbeingleftout，thatwehadtoallowthemtoremain，fortheywerealreadypresent，anddoingthemostofthetalkingtoo。Thequestionwas，whichwaytoretreat；butallweresoflurriedthatnobodyseemedtohaveevenaguesstooffer。
　　ExceptLyman。Heexplainedinafewcalmwords，thatinasmuchastheenemywereapproachingfromoverHyde'sprairie，ourcoursewassimple：
　　allwehadtodowasnottoretreattowardhim；anyotherdirectionwouldanswerourneedsperfectly。Everybodysawinamomenthowtruethiswas，andhowwise；soLymangotagreatmanycompliments。ItwasnowdecidedthatweshouldfallbackuponMason'sfarm。
　　Itwasafterdarkbythistime，andaswecouldnotknowhowsoontheenemymightarrive，itdidnotseembesttotrytotakethehorsesandthingswithus；soweonlytookthegunsandammunition，andstartedatonce。Theroutewasveryroughandhillyandrocky，andpresentlythenightgrewveryblackandrainbegantofall；sowehadatroublesometimeofit，strugglingandstumblingalonginthedark；andsoonsomepersonslippedandfell，andthenthenextpersonbehindstumbledoverhimandfell，andsodidtherest，oneaftertheother；andthenBowerscamewiththekegofpowderinhisarms，whilstthecommandwereallmixedtogether，armsandlegs，onthemuddyslope；andsohefell，ofcourse，withthekeg，andthisstartedthewholedetachmentdownthehillinabody，andtheylandedinthebrookatthebottominapile，andeachthatwasundermostpullingthehairandscratchingandbitingthosethatwereontopofhim；andthosethatwerebeingscratchedandbitten，scratchingandbitingtherestintheirturn，andallsayingtheywoulddiebeforetheywouldevergotowaragainiftheyevergotoutofthisbrookthistime，andtheinvadermightrotforalltheycared，andthecountryalongwiththem——andallsuchtalkasthat，whichwasdismaltohearandtakepartin，insuchsmothered，lowvoices，andsuchagrislydarkplaceandsowet，andtheenemymaybecominganymoment。
　　Thekegofpowderwaslost，andthegunstoo；sothegrowlingandcomplainingcontinuedstraightalongwhilstthebrigadepawedaroundthepastyhillsideandsloppedaroundinthebrookhuntingforthesethings；
　　consequentlywelostconsiderabletimeatthis；andthenweheardasound，andheldourbreathandlistened，anditseemedtobetheenemycoming，thoughitcouldhavebeenacow，forithadacoughlikeacow；
　　butwedidnotwait，butleftacoupleofgunsbehindandstruckoutforMason'sagainasbrisklyaswecouldscramblealonginthedark。Butwegotlostpresentlyamongtheruggedlittleravines，andwastedadealoftimefindingthewayagain，soitwasafterninewhenwereachedMason'sstileatlast；andthenbeforewecouldopenourmouthstogivethecountersign，severaldogscameboundingoverthefence，withgreatriotandnoise，andeachofthemtookasoldierbytheslackofhistrousersandbegantobackawaywithhim。Wecouldnotshootthedogswithoutendangeringthepersonstheywereattachedto；sowehadtolookon，helpless，atwhatwasperhapsthemostmortifyingspectacleofthecivilwar。Therewaslightenough，andtospare，fortheMasonshadnowrunoutontheporchwithcandlesintheirhands。Theoldmanandhissoncameandundidthedogswithoutdifficulty，allbutBowers's；buttheycouldn'tundohisdog，theydidn'tknowhiscombination；hewasofthebullkind，andseemedtobesetwithaYaletime-lock；buttheygothimlooseatlastwithsomescaldingwater，ofwhichBowersgothisshareandreturnedthanks。PetersonDunlapafterwardsmadeupafinenameforthisengagement，andalsoforthenightmarchwhichprecededit，butbothhavelongagofadedoutofmymemory。
　　Wenowwentintothehouse，andtheybegantoaskusaworldofquestions，wherebyitpresentlycameoutthatwedidnotknowanythingconcerningwhoorwhatwewererunningfrom；sotheoldgentlemanmadehimselfveryfrank，andsaidwewereacuriousbreedofsoldiers，andguessedwecouldbedependedontoendupthewarintime，becausenoGovernmentcouldstandtheexpenseoftheshoe-leatherweshouldcostittryingtofollowusaround。'MarionRangers！goodname，b'gosh！'saidhe。Andwantedtoknowwhywehadn'thadapicket-guardattheplacewheretheroadenteredtheprairie，andwhywehadn'tsentoutascoutingpartytospyouttheenemyandbringusanaccountofhisstrength，andsoon，beforejumpingupandstampedingoutofastrongpositionuponamerevaguerumour——andsoon，andsoforth，tillhemadeusallfellshabbierthanthedogshaddone，andnothalfsoenthusiasticallywelcome。Sowewenttobedshamedandlow-spirited；exceptStevens。
　　SoonStevensbegantodeviseagarmentforBowerswhichcouldbemadetoautomaticallydisplayhisbattle-scarstothegrateful，orconcealthemfromtheenvious，accordingtohisoccasions；butBowerswasinnohumourforthis，sotherewasafight，andwhenitwasoverStevenshadsomebattle-scarsofhisowntothinkabout。
　　Thenwegotalittlesleep。Butafterallwehadgonethrough，ouractivitieswerenotoverforthenight；forabouttwoo'clockinthemorningweheardashoutofwarningfromdownthelane，accompaniedbyachorusfromallthedogs，andinamomenteverybodywasupandflyingaroundtofindoutwhatthealarmwasabout。ThealarmistwasahorsemanwhogavenoticethatadetachmentofUnionsoldierswasonitswayfromHannibalwithorderstocaptureandhanganybandslikeourswhichitcouldfind，andsaidwehadnotimetolose。FarmerMasonwasinaflurrythistime，himself。Hehurriedusoutofthehousewithallhaste，andsentoneofhisnegroeswithustoshowuswheretohideourselvesandourtell-talegunsamongtheravineshalfamileaway。Itwasrainingheavily。
　　Westruckdownthelane，thenacrosssomerockypasture-landwhichofferedgoodadvantagesforstumbling；consequentlyweweredowninthemudmostofthetime，andeverytimeamanwentdownheblackguardedthewar，andthepeoplewhostartedit，andeverybodyconnectedwithit，andgavehimselfthemasterdoseofallforbeingsofoolishastogointoit。Atlastwereachedthewoodedmouthofaravine，andtherewehuddledourselvesunderthestreamingtrees，andsentthenegrobackhome。Itwasadismalandheart-breakingtime。Wewereliketobedrownedwiththerain，deafenedwiththehowlingwindandtheboomingthunder，andblindedbythelightning。Itwasindeedawildnight。Thedrenchingweweregettingwasmiseryenough，butadeepermiserystillwasthereflectionthatthehaltermightendusbeforewewereadayolder。Adeathofthisshamefulsorthadnotoccurredtousasbeingamongthepossibilitiesofwar。Ittooktheromancealloutofthecampaign，andturnedourdreamsofgloryintoarepulsivenightmare。Asfordoubtingthatsobarbarousanorderhadbeengiven，notoneofusdidthat。
　　Thelongnightworeitselfoutatlast，andthenthenegrocametouswiththenewsthatthealarmhadmanifestlybeenafalseone，andthatbreakfastwouldsoonbeready。Straightwaywewerelight-heartedagain，andtheworldwasbright，andlifeasfullofhopeandpromiseasever——
　　forwewereyoungthen。Howlongagothatwas！Twenty-fouryears。
　　Themongrelchildofphilologynamedthenight'srefuseCampDevastation，andnosoulobjected。TheMasonsgaveusaMissouricountrybreakfast，inMissourianabundance，andweneededit：hotbiscuits；hot'wheatbread'prettilycriss-crossedinalatticepatternontop；hotcornpone；
　　friedchicken；bacon，coffee，eggs，milk，buttermilk，etc。；——andtheworldmaybeconfidentlychallengedtofurnishtheequaltosuchabreakfast，asitiscookedintheSouth。
　　WestayedseveraldaysatMason's；andafteralltheseyearsthememoryofthedullness，thestillnessandlifelessnessofthatslumberousfarm-
　　housestilloppressesmyspiritaswithasenseofthepresenceofdeathandmourning。Therewasnothingtodo，nothingtothinkabout；therewasnointerestinlife。Themalepartofthehouseholdwereawayinthefieldsallday，thewomenwerebusyandoutofoursight；therewasnosoundbuttheplaintivewailingofaspinning-wheel，forevermoaningoutfromsomedistantroom——themostlonesomesoundinnature，asoundsteepedandsoddenwithhomesicknessandtheemptinessoflife。Thefamilywenttobedaboutdarkeverynight，andaswewerenotinvitedtointrudeanynewcustoms，wenaturallyfollowedtheirs。Thosenightswereahundredyearslongtoyouthsaccustomedtobeinguptilltwelve。Welayawakeandmiserabletillthathoureverytime，andgrewoldanddecrepitwaitingthroughthestilleternitiesfortheclock-strikes。
　　Thiswasnoplacefortownboys。Soatlastitwaswithsomethingverylikejoythatwereceivednewsthattheenemywereonourtrackagain。
　　Withanewbirthoftheoldwarriorspirit，wesprangtoourplacesinlineofbattleandfellbackonCampRalls。
　　CaptainLymanhadtakenahintfromMason'stalk，andhenowgaveorderedthatourcampshouldbeguardedagainstsurprisebythepostingofpickets。IwasorderedtoplaceapicketattheforksoftheroadinHyde'sprairie。Nightshutdownblackandthreatening。ItoldSergeantBowerstogoouttothatplaceandstaytillmidnight；and，justasIwasexpecting，hesaidhewouldn'tdoit。Itriedtogetotherstogo，butallrefused。Someexcusedthemselvesonaccountoftheweather；buttherestwerefrankenoughtosaytheywouldn'tgoinanykindofweather。
　　Thiskindofthingsoundsoddnow，andimpossible，butitseemedaperfectlynaturalthingtodo。TherewerescoresoflittlecampsscatteredoverMissouriwherethesamethingwashappening。Thesecampswerecomposedofyoungmenwhohadbeenbornandrearedtoasturdyindependence，andwhodidnotknowwhatitmeanttobeorderedaroundbyTom，Dick，andHarry，whomtheyhadknownfamiliarlyalltheirlives，inthevillageoronthefarm。ItisquitewithintheprobabilitiesthatthissamethingwashappeningallovertheSouth。JamesRedpathrecognisedthejusticeofthisassumption，andfurnishedthefollowinginstanceinsupportofit。DuringashortstayinEastTennesseehewasinacitizencolonel'stentoneday，talking，whenabigprivateappearedatthedoor，andwithoutsaluteorothercircumlocutionsaidtothecolonel：
　　'Say，Jim，I'ma-goin'homeforafewdays。'
　　'Whatfor？'
　　'Well，Ihain'tb'enthereforarightsmartwhile，andI'dliketoseehowthingsiscomin'on。'
　　'Howlongareyougoingtobegone？'
　　''Bouttwoweeks。'
　　'Welldon'tbegonelongerthanthat；andgetbacksoonerifyoucan。'
　　Thatwasall，andthecitizenofficerresumedhisconversationwheretheprivatehadbrokenitoff。Thiswasinthefirstmonthsofthewar，ofcourse。ThecampsinourpartofMissouriwereunderBrigadier-GeneralThomasH。Harris。Hewasatownsmanofours，afirst-ratefellow，andwellliked；butwehadallfamiliarlyknownhimasthesoleandmodest-
　　salariedoperatorinourtelegraphoffice，wherehehadtosendaboutonedispatchaweekinordinarytimes，andtwowhentherewasarushofbusiness；consequently，whenheappearedinourmidstoneday，onthewing，anddeliveredamilitarycommandofsomesort，inalargemilitaryfashion，nobodywassurprisedattheresponsewhichhegotfromtheassembledsoldiery：
　　'Oh，now，what'llyoutaketodon't，TomHarris！'
　　Itwasquitethenaturalthing。Onemightjustlyimaginethatwewerehopelessmaterialforwar。Andsoweseemed，inourignorantstate；buttherewerethoseamonguswhoafterwardlearnedthegrimtrade；learnedtoobeylikemachines；becamevaluablesoldiers；foughtallthroughthewar，andcameoutattheendwithexcellentrecords。Oneoftheveryboyswhorefusedtogooutonpicketdutythatnight，andcalledmeanassforthinkinghewouldexposehimselftodangerinsuchafoolhardyway，hadbecomedistinguishedforintrepiditybeforehewasayearolder。
　　Ididsecuremypicketthatnight——notbyauthority，butbydiplomacy。I
　　gotBowerstogo，byagreeingtoexchangerankswithhimforthetimebeing，andgoalongandstandthewatchwithhimashissubordinate。Westayedoutthereacoupleofdrearyhoursinthepitchydarknessandtherain，withnothingtomodifythedrearinessbutBowers'smonotonousgrowlingsatthewarandtheweather；thenwebegantonod，andpresentlyfounditnexttoimpossibletostayinthesaddle；sowegaveupthetediousjob，andwentbacktothecampwithoutwaitingforthereliefguard。Werodeintocampwithoutinterruptionorobjectionfromanybody，andtheenemycouldhavedonethesame，fortherewerenosentries。
　　Everybodywasasleep；atmidnighttherewasnobodytosendoutanotherpicket，sononewassent。Wenevertriedtoestablishawatchatnightagain，asfarasIremember，butwegenerallykeptapicketoutinthedaytime。
　　Inthatcampthewholecommandsleptonthecorninthebigcorn-crib；
　　andtherewasusuallyageneralrowbeforemorning，fortheplacewasfullofrats，andtheywouldscrambleovertheboys'bodiesandfaces，annoyingandirritatingeverybody；andnowandthentheywouldbitesomeone'stoe，andthepersonwhoownedthetoewouldstartupandmagnifyhisEnglishandbegintothrowcorninthedark。Theearswerehalfasheavyasbricks，andwhentheystrucktheyhurt。Thepersonsstruckwouldrespond，andinsideoffiveminuteseverymanwouldbelockedinadeath-gripwithhisneighbour。Therewasagrievousdealofbloodshedinthecorn-crib，butthiswasallthatwasspiltwhileIwasinthewar。
　　No，thatisnotquitetrue。Butforonecircumstanceitwouldhavebeenall。Iwillcometothatnow。
　　Ourscareswerefrequent。Everyfewdaysrumourswouldcomethattheenemywereapproaching。Inthesecaseswealwaysfellbackonsomeothercampofours；weneverstayedwherewewere。Buttherumoursalwaysturnedouttobefalse；soatlastevenwebegantogrowindifferenttothem。Onenightanegrowassenttoourcorn-cribwiththesameoldwarning：theenemywashoveringinourneighbourhood。Weallsaidlethimhover。Weresolvedtostaystillandbecomfortable。Itwasafinewarlikeresolution，andnodoubtweallfeltthestirofitinourveins——foramoment。Wehadbeenhavingaveryjollytime，thatwasfullofhorse-playandschool-boyhilarity；butthatcooleddownnow，andpresentlythefast-waningfireofforcedjokesandforcedlaughsdiedoutaltogether，andthecompanybecamesilent。Silentandnervous。Andsoonuneasy——worried——apprehensive。Wehadsaidwewouldstay，andwewerecommitted。Wecouldhavebeenpersuadedtogo，buttherewasnobodybraveenoughtosuggestit。Analmostnoiselessmovementpresentlybeganinthedark，byageneralandunvoicedimpulse。Whenthemovementwascompleted，eachmanknewthathewasnottheonlypersonwhohadcrepttothefrontwallandhadhiseyeatacrackbetweenthelogs。No，wewereallthere；alltherewithourheartsinourthroats，andstaringouttowardthesugar-troughswheretheforestfoot-pathcamethrough。Itwaslate，andtherewasadeepwoodsystillnesseverywhere。Therewasaveiledmoonlight，whichwasonlyjuststrongenoughtoenableustomarkthegeneralshapeofobjects。Presentlyamuffledsoundcaughtourears，andwerecogniseditasthehoof-beatsofahorseorhorses。Andrightawayafigureappearedintheforestpath；itcouldhavebeenmadeofsmoke，itsmasshadsolittlesharpnessofoutline。Itwasamanonhorseback；anditseemedtomethattherewereothersbehindhim。Igotholdofaguninthedark，andpusheditthroughacrackbetweenthelogs，hardlyknowingwhatIwasdoing，Iwassodazedwithfright。
　　Somebodysaid'Fire！'Ipulledthetrigger。Iseemedtoseeahundredflashesandhearahundredreports，thenIsawthemanfalldownoutofthesaddle。Myfirstfeelingwasofsurprisedgratification；myfirstimpulsewasanapprentice-sportsman'simpulsetorunandpickuphisgame。Somebodysaid，hardlyaudibly，'Good——we'vegothim！——waitfortherest。'Buttherestdidnotcome。Therewasnotasound，notthewhisperofaleaf；justperfectstillness；anuncannykindofstillness，whichwasallthemoreuncannyonaccountofthedamp，earthy，late-nightsmellsnowrisingandpervadingit。Then，wondering，wecreptstealthilyout，andapproachedtheman。Whenwegottohimthemoonrevealedhimdistinctly。Hewaslyingonhisback，withhisarmsabroad；hismouthwasopenandhischestheavingwithlonggasps，andhiswhiteshirt-frontwasallsplashedwithblood。ThethoughtshotthroughmethatIwasamurderer；thatIhadkilledaman——amanwhohadneverdonemeanyharm。
　　Thatwasthecoldestsensationthateverwentthroughmymarrow。Iwasdownbyhiminamoment，helplesslystrokinghisforehead；andIwouldhavegivenanythingthen——myownlifefreely——tomakehimagainwhathehadbeenfiveminutesbefore。Andalltheboysseemedtobefeelinginthesameway；theyhungoverhim，fullofpityinginterest，andtriedalltheycouldtohelphim，andsaidallsortsofregretfulthings。Theyhadforgottenallabouttheenemy；theythoughtonlyofthisoneforlornunitofthefoe。Oncemyimaginationpersuadedmethatthedyingmangavemeareproachfullookoutofhisshadowyeyes，anditseemedtomethatI
　　wouldratherhehadstabbedmethandonethat。Hemutteredandmumbledlikeadreamerinhissleep，abouthiswifeandchild；andIthoughtwithanewdespair，'ThisthingthatIhavedonedoesnotendwithhim；itfallsuponthemtoo，andtheyneverdidmeanyharm，anymorethanhe。'
　　Inalittlewhilethemanwasdead。Hewaskilledinwar；killedinfairandlegitimatewar；killedinbattle，asyoumightsay；andyethewasassincerelymournedbytheopposingforceasifhehadbeentheirbrother。
　　Theboysstoodthereahalfhoursorrowingoverhim，andrecallingthedetailsofthetragedy，andwonderingwhohemightbe，andifhewereaspy，andsayingthatifitweretodooveragaintheywouldnothurthimunlessheattackedthemfirst。Itsooncameoutthatminewasnottheonlyshotfired；therewerefiveothers——adivisionoftheguiltwhichwasagratefulrelieftome，sinceitinsomedegreelightenedanddiminishedtheburdenIwascarrying。Thereweresixshotsfiredatonce；butIwasnotinmyrightmindatthetime，andmyheatedimaginationhadmagnifiedmyoneshotintoavolley。
　　Themanwasnotinuniform，andwasnotarmed。Hewasastrangerinthecountry；thatwasallweeverfoundoutabouthim。Thethoughtofhimgottopreyinguponmeeverynight；Icouldnotgetridofit。Icouldnotdriveitaway，thetakingofthatunoffendinglifeseemedsuchawantonthing。Anditseemedanepitomeofwar；thatallwarmustbejustthat——thekillingofstrangersagainstwhomyoufeelnopersonalanimosity；strangerswhom，inothercircumstances，youwouldhelpifyoufoundthemintrouble，andwhowouldhelpyouifyouneededit。Mycampaignwasspoiled。ItseemedtomethatIwasnotrightlyequippedforthisawfulbusiness；thatwarwasintendedformen，andIforachild'snurse。IresolvedtoretirefromthisavocationofshamsoldiershipwhileIcouldsavesomeremnantofmyself-respect。Thesemorbidthoughtsclungtomeagainstreason；foratbottomIdidnotbelieveIhadtouchedthatman。Thelawofprobabilitiesdecreedmeguiltlessofhisblood；forinallmysmallexperiencewithgunsIhadneverhitanythingIhadtriedtohit，andIknewIhaddonemybesttohithim。Yettherewasnosolaceinthethought。Againstadiseasedimagination，demonstrationgoesfornothing。
　　TherestofmywarexperiencewasofapiecewithwhatIhavealreadytoldofit。Wekeptmonotonouslyfallingbackupononecamporanother，andeatingupthecountry——Imarvelnowatthepatienceofthefarmersandtheirfamilies。Theyoughttohaveshotus；onthecontrary，theywereashospitablykindandcourteoustousasifwehaddeservedit。
　　InoneofthesecampswefoundAbGrimes，anUpperMississippipilot，whoafterwardsbecamefamousasadare-devilrebelspy，whosecareerbristledwithdesperateadventures。Thelookandstyleofhiscomradessuggestedthattheyhadnotcomeintothewartoplay，andtheirdeedsmadegoodtheconjecturelater。Theywerefinehorsemenandgoodrevolver-shots；
　　buttheirfavouritearmwasthelasso。Eachhadoneathispommel，andcouldsnatchamanoutofthesaddlewithiteverytime，onafullgallop，atanyreasonabledistance。
　　Inanothercampthechiefwasafierceandprofaneoldblacksmithofsixty，andhehadfurnishedhistwentyrecruitswithgigantichome-madebowie-knives，tobeswungwiththetwohands，likethemachetesoftheIsthmus。Itwasagrislyspectacletoseethatearnestbandpractisingtheirmurderouscutsandslashesundertheeyeofthatremorselessoldfanatic。
　　ThelastcampwhichwefellbackuponwasinahollownearthevillageofFlorida，whereIwasborn——inMonroeCounty。Herewewerewarned，oneday，thataUnioncolonelwassweepingdownonuswithawholeregimentathisheels。Thislookeddecidedlyserious。Ourboyswentapartandconsulted；thenwewentbackandtoldtheothercompaniespresentthatthewarwasadisappointmenttousandweweregoingtodisband。Theyweregettingready，themselves，tofallbackonsomeplaceorother，andwereonlywaitingforGeneralTomHarris，whowasexpectedtoarriveatanymoment；sotheytriedtopersuadeustowaitalittlewhile，butthemajorityofussaidno，wewereaccustomedtofallingback，anddidn'tneedanyofTomHarris'shelp；wecouldgetalongperfectlywellwithouthimandsavetimetoo。Soabouthalfofourfifteen，includingmyself，mountedandleftontheinstant；theothersyieldedtopersuasionandstayed——stayedthroughthewar。
　　AnhourlaterwemetGeneralHarrisontheroad，withtwoorthreepeopleinhiscompany——hisstaff，probably，butwecouldnottell；noneofthemwasinuniform；uniformshadnotcomeintovogueamongusyet。Harrisorderedusback；butwetoldhimtherewasaUnioncolonelcomingwithawholeregimentinhiswake，anditlookedasiftherewasgoingtobeadisturbance；sowehadconcludedtogohome。Heragedalittle，butitwasofnouse；ourmindsweremadeup。Wehaddoneourshare；hadkilledoneman，exterminatedonearmy，suchasitwas；lethimgoandkilltherest，andthatwouldendthewar。Ididnotseethatbriskyounggeneralagainuntillastyear；thenhewaswearingwhitehairandwhiskers。
　　IntimeIcametoknowthatUnioncolonelwhosecomingfrightenedmeoutofthewarandcrippledtheSoutherncausetothatextent——GeneralGrant。
　　IcamewithinafewhoursofseeinghimwhenhewasasunknownasIwasmyself；atatimewhenanybodycouldhavesaid，'Grant？——UlyssesS。
　　Grant？Idonotrememberhearingthenamebefore。'Itseemsdifficulttorealisethattherewasonceatimewhensucharemarkcouldberationallymade；buttherewas，andIwaswithinafewmilesoftheplaceandtheoccasiontoo，thoughproceedingintheotherdirection。
　　Thethoughtfulwillnotthrowthiswar-paperofminelightlyasideasbeingvalueless。Ithasthisvalue：itisanotunfairpictureofwhatwentoninmanyandmanyamilitiacampinthefirstmonthsoftherebellion，whenthegreenrecruitswerewithoutdiscipline，withoutthesteadyingandhearteninginfluenceortrainedleaders；whenalltheircircumstanceswerenewandstrange，andchargedwithexaggeratedterrors，andbeforetheinvaluableexperienceofactualcollisioninthefieldhadturnedthemfromrabbitsintosoldiers。Ifthissideofthepictureofthatearlydayhasnotbeforebeenputintohistory，thenhistoryhasbeentothatdegreeincomplete，forithadandhasitsrightfulplacethere。TherewasmoreBullRunmaterialscatteredthroughtheearlycampsofthiscountrythanexhibiteditselfatBullRun。Andyetitlearneditstradepresently，andhelpedtofightthegreatbattleslater。
　　Icouldhavebecomeasoldiermyself，ifIhadwaited。Ihadgotpartofitlearned；Iknewmoreaboutretreatingthanthemanthatinventedretreating。
　　[1]Itwasalwaysmyimpressionthatthatwaswhatthehorsewastherefor，andIknowthatitwasalsotheimpressionofatleastoneotherofthecommand，forwetalkedaboutitatthetime，andadmiredthemilitaryingenuityofthedevice；butwhenIwasoutWestthreeyearsagoIwastoldbyMr。A。G。Fuqua，amemberofourcompany，thatthehorsewashis，thattheleavinghimtiedatthedoorwasamatterofmereforgetfulness，andthattoattributeittointelligentinventionwastogivehimquitetoomuchcredit。Insupportofhisposition，hecalledmyattentiontothesuggestivefactthattheartificewasnotemployedagain。Ihadnotthoughtofthatbefore。
　　MEISTERSCHAFT
　　INTHREEACTS[1]
　　DRAMATISPERSONAE：
　　MR。STEPHENSON。MARGARETSTEPHENSON。
　　GEORGEFRANKLIN。ANNIESTEPHENSON。
　　WILLIAMJACKSON。MRS。BLUMENTHAL，theWirthin。
　　GRETCHEN，KellnerinACTI。SCENEI。
　　Sceneoftheplay，theparlourofasmallprivatedwellinginavillage。
　　MARGARETdiscoveredcrocheting——hasapamphlet。
　　MARGARET。Solus。Dear，dear！it'sdrearyenough，tohavetostudythisimpossibleGermantongue：tobeexiledfromhomeandallhumansocietyexceptabody'ssisterinordertodoit，isjustsimplyabscheulich。Here'sonlythreeweeksofthethreemonthsgone，anditseemslikethreeyears。Idon'tbelieveIcanlivethroughit，andI'msureAnniecan't。Referstoherbook，andrattlesthrough，severaltimes，likeonememorising：EntschuldigenSie，meinHerr，konnenSiemirvielleichtsagen，umwievielUhrderersteZugnachDresdenabgeht？
　　Makesmistakesandcorrectsthem。IjusthateMeisterschaft！Wemayseepeople；wecanhavesociety；yes，onconditionthattheconversationshallbeinGerman，andinGermanonly——everysinglewordofit！Verykind——oh，very！whenneitherAnnienorIcanputtwowordstogether，exceptastheyareputtogetherforusinMeisterschaftorthatidioticOllendorff！Referstobook，andmemorises：MeinBruderhatIhrenHerrnVaternichtgesehen，alsergesternindemLadendesdeutschenKaufmanneswar。Yes，wecanhavesociety，providedwetalkGerman。Whatwouldconversationbelike！IfyoushouldsticktoMeisterschaft，itwouldchangethesubjecteverytwominutes；andifyoustucktoOllendorff，itwouldbeallaboutyoursister'smother'sgoodstockingofthread，oryourgrandfather'saunt'sgoodhammerofthecarpenter，andwho'sgotit，andthereanend。Youcouldn'tkeepupyourinterestinsuchtopics。
　　Memorising：Wennirgendmoglich——mochteichnochheuteVormittagGeschaftsfreundezutreffen。Mymindismadeuptoonething：Iwillbeanexile，inspiritandintruth：Iwillseenooneduringthesethreemonths。Fatherisveryingenious——oh，very！thinksheis，anyway。
　　ThinkshehasinventedawaytoforceustolearntospeakGerman。Heisadeargoodsoul，andallthat；butinventionisn'thisfach'。Hewillsee。Witheloquentenergy。Why，nothingintheworldshall——Bitte，konnenSiemirvielleichtsagen，obHerrSchmidtmitdiesemZugeangekommenist？Oh，dear，dearGeorge——threeweeks！ItseemsawholecenturysinceIsawhim。IwonderifhesuspectsthatI——thatI——careforhim——j-justawee，weebit？Ibelievehedoes。AndIbelieveWillsuspectsthatAnniecaresforhimalittle，thatIdo。AndIknowperfectlywellthattheycareforus。Theyagreewithallouropinions，nomatterwhattheyare；andiftheyhaveaprejudice，theychangeit，assoonastheyseehowfoolishitis。DearGeorge！atfirsthejustcouldn'tabidecats；butnow，whynowhe'sjustallforcats；hefairlyweltersincats。Ineversawsuchareform。Andit'sjustsowithallhisprinciples：hehasn'tgotonethathehadbefore。Ah，ifallmenwerelikehim，thisworldwould——Memorising：ImGegentheil，meinHerr，dieserStoffistsehrbillig。Bitte，sehenSiesichnurdieQualitatan。Yes，andwhatdidtheygotostudyingGermanfor，ifitwasn'taninspirationofthehighestandpurestsympathy？Anyotherexplanationisnonsense——why，they'dassoonhavethoughtofstudyingAmericanhistory。
　　[Turnsherback，buriesherselfinherpamphlet，firstmemorisingaloud，untilAnnieenters，thentoherself，rockingtoandfro，andrapidlymovingherlips，withoututteringasound。]
　　EnterANNIE，absorbedinherpamphlet——doesnotatfirstseeMARGARET。
　　ANNIE。Memorising：Erliessmichgesternfruhrufen，undsagtemirdassereinensehrunangenehmenBriefvonIhremLehrererhaltenhatte。
　　Repeatstwicealoud，thentoherself，brisklymovingherlips。
　　M。Stillnotseeinghersister。WiegehtesIhremHerrnSchwiegervater？
　　EsfreutmichsehrdassIhreFrauMutterwiederwohlist。Repeats。
　　Thenmouthsinsilence。
　　A。Repeatshersentenceacoupleoftimesaloud；thenlooksup，workingherlips，anddiscoversMargaret。Oh，youhere？Runningtoher。O
　　lovey-dovey，dovey-lovey，I'vegotthegr-reatestnews！Guess，guess，guess！You'llneverguessinahundredthousandmillionyears——andmore！
　　M。Oh，tellme，tellme，dearie；don'tkeepmeinagony。
　　A。WellIwill。What——do——you——think？They'rehere！
　　M。Wh-a-t！Who？When？Which？Speak！
　　A。WillandGeorge！
　　M。AnnieAlexandraVictoriaStephenson，whatdoyoumean？
　　A。Assureasguns！
　　M。Spasmodicallyembracingandkissingher。'Sh！don'tusesuchlanguage。Odarling，sayitagain！
　　A。Assureasguns！
　　M。Idon'tmeanthat！Tellmeagain，that——
　　A。Springingupandwaltzingabouttheroom。They'rehere——inthisveryvillage——tolearnGerman——forthreemonths！EssolltemichsehrfreuenwennSie——
　　M。Joininginthedance。Oh，it'sjusttoolovelyforanything！
　　Unconsciouslymemorising：EswaremirliebwennSiemorgenmitmirindieKirchegehenkonnten，aberichkannselbstnichtgehen，weilichSonntagsgewohnlichkrankbin。Juckhe！
　　A。Finishingsomeunconsciousmemorising。——morgenMittagbeimirspeisenkonnten。Juckhe！SitdownandI'lltellyouallI'veheard。
　　Theysit。They'rehere，andunderthatsameodiouslawthatfettersus——ourtongues，Imean；themetaphor'sfaulty，butnomatter。Theycangoout，andseepeople，onlyonconditionthattheyhearandspeakGerman，andGermanonly。
　　M。Isn't——that——toolovely！
　　A。Andthey'recomingtoseeus！
　　M。Darling！Kissingher。Butareyousure？
　　A。Sureasguns——Gatlingguns！
　　M。'Sh！don't，child，it'sschrecklich！Darling——youaren'tmistaken？
　　A。Assureasg——batteries！[Theyjumpupanddanceamoment——then——]
　　M。Withdistress。But，Anniedear！——wecan'ttalkGerman——andneithercanthey！
　　A。Sorrowfully。Ididn'tthinkofthat。
　　M。Howcruelitis！Whatcanwedo？
　　A。Afterareflectivepause，resolutely。Margaret——we'vegotto。
　　M。Gottowhat？
　　A。SpeakGerman。
　　M。Why，how，child？
　　A。Contemplatingherpamphletwithearnestness。Icantellyouonething。Justgivemetheblessedprivilege：justhinsetzenWillJacksonhereinfrontofme，andI'lltalkGermantohimaslongasthisMeisterschaftholdsouttoburn。
　　M。Joyously。Oh，whatanelegantidea！Youcertainlyhavegotamindthat'samineofresources，ifeveranybodyhadone。
　　A。I'llskinthisMeisterschafttothelastsentenceinit！
　　M。Withahappyidea。WhyAnnie，it'sthegreatestthingintheworld。
　　I'vebeenallthistimestrugglinganddespairingoverthesefewlittleMeisterschaftprimers：butassureasyoulive，I'llhavethewholefifteenbyheartbeforethistimedayafterto-morrow。SeeifIdon't。
　　A。AndsowillI；andI'lltrowelinalayerofOllendorffmushbetweeneverycoupleofcoursesofMeisterschaftbricks。Juckhe！
　　M。Hoch！hoch！hoch！
　　A。Stossan！
　　M。Juckhe！WirwerdengleichgutedeutscheSchulerinnenwerden！Juck——
　　A——he！
　　M。Annie，whenaretheycomingtoseeus？To-night？
　　A。No。
　　M。No？Whynot？Whenaretheycoming？Whataretheywaitingfor？Theidea！Ineverheardofsuchathing！Whatdoyou——
　　A。Breakingin。Wait，wait，wait！giveabodyachance。Theyhavetheirreasons。
　　M。Reasons？——whatreasons？
　　A。Well，now，whenyoustopandthink，they'reroyalgoodones。They'vegottotalkGermanwhentheycome，haven'tthey？Ofcourse。Well，theydon'tknowanyGermanbutWiebefindenSiesich，andHabenSiegutgeschlafen，andVaterunser，andIchtrinkelieberBieralsWasser，andafewlittleparlourthingslikethat；butwhenitcomestotalking，why，theydon'tknowahundredandfifteenGermanwords，putthemalltogether。
　　M。Oh，Isee。
　　A。Sothey'regoingtoneithereat，sleep，smoke，norspeakthetruthtillthey'vecrammedhomethewholefifteenMeisterschaftsauswendig！
　　M。Noblehearts！
　　A。They'vegiventhemselvestilldayafterto-morrow，half-past7P。M。，andthenthey'llarrivehereloaded。
　　M。Oh，howlovely，howgorgeous，howbeautiful！Somethinkthisworldismadeofmud；Ithinkit'smadeofrainbows。Memorising。Wennirgendmoglich，somochteichnochheuteVormittagdortankommen，daesmirsehrdarangelegenist——Annie，Icanlearnitjustlikenothing！