did. One of them war about nineteen and the other sixteen, I should say,

or tharabouts. Fact is, they told him so; but he could git nuthing out of ’em but that they war jest out fer a spree. The leetle one up and told him straight, says he: “Southern gentlemen don’t lie.” That’s what he said.’

The officers all smiled. ‘Well?’ said the general as Ephraim paused.

‘Waal, sir, he wouldn’t begin tew believe ’em, and because he couldn’t find out nuthing agin ’em, he says: “Cut a couple of ropes from that balloon and string these cubs up tew the nighest tree.” That’s what he said.’

‘What!’ vociferated the general. ‘Do you mean to tell me he gave orders for them to be hanged?’

‘Jest that,’ nodded Ephraim; ‘and they war nuthing but boys, I let yew know. Waal, the men didn’t like the job, and thar war some hanging back instead of hanging up; and the kernel he got madder than ever, and when the older boy up and arsked him ter let ’em orf, he up and kicked him.’

‘The brute!’ interjected the general, and Ephraim went on:

‘With that the leetler boy got mad, and he runs up tew the kernel and ketches him one, two, right in the face, and before he could turn, the other boy grabbed him round the legs and laid him on his back; and before yew could say “Abe Lincoln,” the two of ’em war off tew the woods.’

‘Bravo!’ exclaimed the brigadier. ‘I am glad of it. Were they followed?’

‘They war,’ replied Ephraim; ‘but I guess the men didn’t want tew ketch them, for they got clean off.’

‘That is a very different story,’ commented General Shields, when Ephraim had brought his narrative to a close. ‘Still, there are some things to be explained. The presence of the balloon is itself suspicious, and it is incredible that they should have made it themselves.’

‘That’s what they said, anyhow,’ remarked Ephraim.

‘Quite so; I understand that,’ said the general. ‘I suppose,’ he added after a pause, ‘you would have no objection to repeat your story if brought face to face with Colonel Spriggs?’

‘Nary a objection,’ replied Ephraim with alacrity; ‘if ye fetch him back, I’ll say it all over agen.’ For, seeing the general’s mood, and having heard his avowed detestation of Spriggs, he began to wish that he had thrown himself upon the former’s generosity to start with. However, he thought within himself that there would be no difficulty about that when the time came.

General Shields scribbled a few lines in his pocket-book and tore out the leaf: ‘Colonel Spriggs, if you come up with the two men who escaped from the balloon this morning,’ he read out to his officers, ‘you will detain them as prisoners and bring them before me, without taking further action.’

‘I’ll send that on to him in the first instance,’ he said, signing the paper.—‘Orderly!’ But there was no answer. Cox had, for the time being, disappeared.

‘Confound the fellow!’ said the general. ‘What does he mean by going out of call?—No matter,’ he continued to Ephraim, ‘you can take the note yourself. Your regiment—what is left of it—is a couple of miles in rear of Lewiston. It will not be in action to-day.—Well, why don’t you go?’ as Ephraim took the note, but made no effort to depart.

‘Ef ye please, ginrul,’ replied the Grizzly with his most sheepish air, ‘I’d be obleeged tew ye, if ye’d let me take the ham. I guess you won’t want it now, and I left it up thar.’ He pointed to the roof.

General Shields burst out laughing. ‘Well, you are a “Terror,” indeed,’ he said. ‘Take your ham, by all means. I don’t want it, as you say.’

Ephraim instantly swung himself up on the rafter, and while making a great clattering among the planks, as though looking for his ham, contrived to whisper: ‘Lie low, Luce. I’ll come back fer ye, wanst they go away. We’re close ter our own lines.’ Then he dropped down again, and with his precious burden hugged close to his breast, saluted awkwardly and turned to the door.

‘Stay!’ cried the general. ‘Before you go, perhaps you can give me your version of yesterday’s skirmish, in which the “Trailing Terrors” were so knocked about.’

‘Waal, I didn’t see much of it,’ drawled Ephraim with perfect truth. ‘Ye onderstand’——

What he would have said was interrupted by a loud clatter of hoofs outside. A horse was pulled up short, and a courier, hot and perspiring, rushed into the hut.

‘General!’ he panted. ‘The advance has begun. The cavalry are forward, as well as the two batteries. The cavalry have reached the fords without serious opposition.’

‘Orderly!’ shouted General Shields, scribbling again in his pocket-book.

‘Sir,’ answered Cox, stepping inside.

‘Send that note to General Tyler.—My horse outside?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Good! Come, gentlemen. If all goes well, we shall sup with Frémont to-night. If not, we have a strong position at Lewiston, and there we will await the attack which is sure to be made to-morrow, if we fail in our plans to-day. Come!’

Without another word to or thought of Ephraim, he dashed out of the hut.