Just beyond the squire’s house he met Captain Barney, who was riding up to the town hall.

“What’s this I hear of you, Tom?” demanded the captain, as he reined in his horse.  “They say you have joined the company.”

“Yes, sir.  I have.”

“Bravo! my boy.  Good on your head!  You ought to go out as a brigadier general.  What does your mother say?”

“I have her written consent in my pocket.”

“All right.  God bless you, my boy!” said the old salt, as he started his horse.

“Thank you, sir.  There’s only one thing that troubles me.”

“Eh?  What’s that, my boy?” demanded Captain Barney as he reined up the horse again.

“I suppose you have heard of my scrape at Squire Pemberton’s the other night.”

“Yes; and shiver my timbers if I didn’t want to keelhaul the old traitor when I heard of it.”

“I don’t care anything about the scrape, sir; only I’m afraid the squire will bother my mother when I’m gone,” said Thomas, with some diffidence.

“If he does, he’ll settle the matter with Jack Barney,” replied the captain, decidedly.

“My father may never come back, you know, and if he does he will be a beggar.  He owes the squire a note, which will be due in June.”

“I’ll pay it myself!” roared Captain Barney.  “Go and fight for your country, Tom, like a man.  I’ll call and see your mother once a week, or every day in the week, if you say so.  She shall not want for any thing as long as I have a shot in the locker.”

“Thank you, Captain Barney; thank you, sir.”

“I’ll take care of your mother, my lad, and I’ll take care of the squire.  He shall not foreclose that mortgage, Tom.  Don’t bother your head about any of those things.  You’re a good boy, Tom, and I’ll keep every thing all right at home.”

“Thank you, sir,” repeated the soldier boy, as Captain Barney started his horse again.

The captain was a retired shipmaster, of ample means, and Tom knew that he was not only able, but willing, to do all he had promised.  His heart was lighter; a load had been removed from his mind.

CHAPTER IX.

The departure.

At the time of which we write, recruiting officers were not very particular in regard to the age of those whom they received into the volunteer army.  If the young man seemed to have the requisite physical qualifications, it was of little consequence what his age was; and Tom Somers was tall enough and stout enough to make a very good soldier.

Captain Benson examined the certificate brought to him by the young recruit, not, however, because it was deemed a necessary legal form, but because he was acquainted with his father and mother, and would not willingly have done any thing to displease them.  The matter, therefore, was disposed of to the satisfaction of all the parties concerned, and Tom actually commenced his career as a soldier boy.  He immediately resigned his situation in the store, for the company now numbered forty men, not half a dozen of whom had any knowledge whatever of military drill.