“You shouldn’t talk that way, sir.  Every man in the Caribees, except old Oswald’s gang, is a Democrat, but they are for the country before party.”

“Yes, yes, it may be so—­but, the North don’t think that way.  Well, I’m going to Washington to see if I can’t get my boy out of this infernal place, where a man can’t even get shaved decently.”

“And Miss Kate, Mr. Boone, where is she?”

“She is nursing Wesley, poor girl.  She is having a harder trial than any of us; for these devilish women fairly push into the sick-room to abuse the North and berate the soldiers that fought at Manassas.”

“I should like to call on Wesley—­if you don’t mind,” Dick said, hesitatingly.

“I shall be only too glad; and I’ll tell you what it is, Richard, if you’ll make use of your friends here, to get Kate and Wesley some comforts, some consideration, I’ll make it worth your while.  I’ll see that you do not have to wait long for a commission, and I’ll pay you any reasonable sum so soon as you get back North.”

Dick restrained his anger under this insulting blow, perceiving, even in the hotness of his wrath, that the other was unconscious of the double ignominy implied in dealing with soldiers’ rewards as personal bribes, and proffering money for common brotherly offices.  It was only when Jack commended his astuteness, afterward, that Dick realized the adroitness of his own diplomacy.

“Thank you, Mr. Boone.  I shouldn’t care for promotion that I didn’t win in war; and, as for money, I shall have enough when I need it.  But any man in the Caribees shall have my help.  Under the flag every man is a friend.”

“True.  Yes; you are quite right.  Kate will be very glad to see you.”

They walked along, neither disposed to talk after this narrow shave from a quarrel.  Boone led the way to the northern outskirts of the city, until they reached a dull-brown frame building, back some distance from the street.  A colored woman, with a flaming turban on her head, opened the door as she saw them coming up the trim walk lined with shells and gay with poppies, bergamot, asters, and heliotrope.

“This woman is a slave.  She belongs to the proprietor of the hotel who refused to receive Wesley.  It was a great concession to let him come here, they told me.  But the poor boy might as well be in a Michigan logging camp, for all the care he can get.  But I’m mighty glad I met you.  I know you can help Kate while I am gone.  I hated to leave her, but I can do nothing here, and unless Wesley is removed he will never leave this cussed town alive.  I sha’n’t be gone more than ten days.”

Kate had been called by the turbaned mistress, and came into the room with a little shriek of pleasure.

“O, Richard, what a delightful surprise!  Have you seen your aunt?  Ah!  I am so glad; she must be so relieved!  And Mr. Sprague—­have they found him?”

Dick retailed as much of the story as he thought safe, but he had to say that the Spragues were all with the Atterburys in the country.