“You need have no fear, sir.  The Yankees have never yet favored us with a visit.”

“I know it, ma’am,” replied the major, accepting a chair that one of the sisters offered him, “but I have been a soldier so long, that I never omit to make preparations for a fight.”

As soon as they were fairly seated, Frank turned to look at George.  “That boy must be made of iron,” said he to himself, “or else he is among his friends, and we are betrayed;” for, instead of being embarrassed, or wearing his habitual sorrowful look, he sat easily in his chair, and gazed carelessly about the room, as though he were a perfect stranger there, and not a muscle quivered, to show the emotion he really felt, as his eye rested on the familiar faces of his relatives.  He calmly met their glances, which Frank thought were directed toward him rather suspiciously, but all attempts to draw him into the conversation that followed, about the war, and the certainty of speedily overpowering the Yankees, and driving them from the land, were unavailing.  Once Frank thought he heard one of his sisters whisper, “How much he looks like George!” but he was not recognized, and the supper, which was enlivened by conversation on indifferent subjects, passed off pleasantly.

When the meal was finished, a large bag was filled with provisions, sufficient to last them nearly a week, and given in charge of one of the soldiers; and the major, after thanking the ladies for their kindness, was about to bid them good evening, when there was a clatter of horses’ hoofs on the walk, then heavy steps sounded in the hall, and the next moment, to the utter astonishment and horror of the fugitives, three rebel officers entered the room.

They were General Le Dell and his two sons.

Frank’s heart fairly came up into his mouth at this unwelcome intrusion, and his first impulse was to draw his revolver and shoot the rebels where they stood; but, on glancing at the major who always seemed to have his wits about him, he abandoned the idea.  The major, with the rest, had seized his musket, but, as the rebels entered, he returned it to its place in the corner, (motioning to the others to do the same,) and, saluting the general, said, with a smile: 

“I beg your pardon, sir.  I did not know but that the Yankees were upon us.”

“No danger of that,” said the general, with a laugh; “you’ll never see them as far up in the country as this.  Pray be seated, sir.”

After greeting his wife and daughters, the general again turned to the major, whom, by his soldierly bearing, he at once picked out as the leader of the band, and inquired: 

“May I ask what you are doing up here?  Has not your command been ordered to Fort De Russy?”

“Yes, sir.  But I am out on a scout, by order of General Taylor.”

“You can have no objection to produce those orders?”

“O no, sir! certainly not.  Here they are,” answered the major, drawing from his pocket the papers which Frank had captured.  The general, after hastily running his eye over them, suddenly exclaimed: