“It is hard to realize that this scene means war,” remarked Miss Lou, after they had gazed and listened a few moments in silence.

“Yet it does,” said Scoville quietly.  “Look down the avenue.  Do you not see the glint of the moonbeams on a carbine?  All around us are men, mounted and armed.  If a shot were fired, we should all be ready for battle in three minutes.  Those prisoners will be guarded with sleepless vigilance till I deliver them up.  There is a sentinel at the back of the house, three guarding the out-buildings, and so it will be till I am relieved and another takes command.”

“Who will he be?” she asked apprehensively.

“I do not know.”

“Oh, I wish you could guard us till these troubles are over.”

“I can honestly echo that wish,” added Mrs. Whately.

“Thank you.  It would be pleasanter duty than usually falls to the lot of a soldier.  Yet in these times I scarcely know what my duty may be from hour to hour.”

“You told us that we need not fear anything to-night,” began Mrs. Whately.

“Not unless I am attacked, I said.  I am aware that at this moment your son is seeking a force to do this.  I do not think that he will be able to find any, however, before morning.  In any event you could have nothing to fear from us, except as your dreams were disturbed by a battle.”

“Oh, I wish I were a soldier!” exclaimed the girl.  “This whole scene seems as if taken right out of a story.”

“You are looking at this moment on the bright side of our life.  At any rate, I’m glad you’re not a soldier.  If you were, my duty might be made more difficult.  It has other and very different sides.  By the way, I would like to watch those negroes a little while, and listen to them.  Their performances always interest me deeply.  Will not you ladies go with me?  Soon I must get some rest while I can.”

Miss Lou looked at her aunt, who hesitated a moment, then said, “I am very tired, Lieutenant.  I will trust you as a chivalrous enemy to take my niece, and I will sit here until you return.”

“I deeply appreciate your kindness, madam.”

Miss Lou went with him gladly and found herself at the close of the long, miserable day becoming positively happy.  When out of hearing she said, “Aunt’s permission almost took away my breath.  Yet it seems to me just the way a girl ought to be treated.  Oh, how perfectly delicious is a little bit of freedom!  How perfectly grand to have something going on that does not mean no end of trouble to one’s self!”

Scoville laughed lightly as he replied, “I now wish you were a soldier and an officer in my regiment.  You and I would make good comrades.”

“You forget, sir,” she answered in like vein, “that I am a bloodthirsty little rebel.”

“On the contrary, I remember that yours was the kind, pitying face which made me half fancy I was in heaven when recovering from my swoon.”