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！