“Elise has an old red apron in the clothes-hamper that we can cut up for crosses,” said Mrs. Walton, always ready for emergencies.  “But now to your tents, every man of you, or you’ll never be ready to get up in the morning.”

It was hard to go to sleep in the midst of such strange surroundings, and more than once Lloyd started up, aroused by the hoot of an owl, or the thud of a bat against the side of the tent.  Not until she reached out and laid her hand on the great St. Bernard stretched out beside her cot, did she settle herself comfortably to sleep.  With the touch of his soft curls against her fingers, she was no longer afraid.

When the officers came into the camp next day, they found the children in the midst of their new game.  It was some time before their attention was attracted to it, for the Colonel was one of the men who had followed General Walton on his long, hard Indian campaign, and there were many questions to be asked and answered, about mutual friends in the army.

Hero was not making a serious business of the game, but was entering into it as if it were a big frolic.  He could not make believe as the boys could, who played at soldiering.  But the old words of command, uttered, in the Little Colonel’s high, excited voice, sent him bounding in the direction she pointed, and the prostrate forms he found scattered about the sham battle field, seemed to quicken his memory.  Mrs. Walton presently called the officer’s attention to the efforts Hero was making to recall his old lessons, and briefly outlined his history.

“I believe he would remember perfectly,” said the Colonel, watching him with deep interest, “if we were to take him over to our camp, and try him among the regular uniformed soldiers.  Of course our accoutrements are not the kind he has been accustomed to, but I think they would suggest them.  At least the smell of powder would be familiar, and the guns and canteens and knapsacks might awaken something in his memory that would revive his entire training.  I should like very much to make the experiment.”

After some further conversation, Lloyd was called up to meet the officers, and it was agreed that Hero should be taken over to the camp for a trial on the day the sham battle was to take place.

“The day has not yet been definitely determined,” said the Colonel, “but I’ll send you word as soon as it is.  By the way, my orderly was once a young French officer, and often talks of the French army.  He’ll welcome Hero like a long-lost brother, for he has a soft spot in his heart for anything connected with his motherland.  Ill send him over either this evening or to-morrow.”

That evening the orderly rode over to bring word that the sham battle would take place the following Thursday, and they were all invited to witness it.  Hero’s trial would take place immediately after the battle.  While he stood talking to Mrs. Walton and Miss Allison, Lloyd and Kitty came running down the hill with Hero close behind them.