"No; but I kin shoot a rifle nigh on to as good as old Ripley over to Millersville, and he can beat any other man at it in Kaintuck." "Ripley is here with a party of his riflemen, and I cal'late he'll take you into his company if you want to go." "Where is he now? I'd like to see him, for I've often been over to his place to shoot with him," said Butters. "He bunks in the jail with some of his company." "I know a dozen others here who are in the same boat with me; and two more on us were hanged a month ago for shooting a Cornfed sergeant for killing two good Union men." "I'll find Ripley for you," said Life, as he left the room, intent upon adding more men to the loyal army. He went through the jail, calling the name of the lieutenant till he found him, and then conducted him to the room of the keeper. Ripley gave his hand to Butters, and was very glad to see him. The bed was wide enough for two, and Life invited the lieutenant to sleep with him. "No; I reckon I'll take Lieutenant Ripley up to my house, for he's an old friend of mine," interposed Butters; "and he's the only man that can ever beat me shootin' with a rifle. I'm ready to jine for this campaign under him." "I have thirty-six men now, serving for a short time till we get things settled, and I should like enough to make up a hundred," replied Ripley, as he left the prison with Butters. He had not been gone ten minutes before Lieutenant Lyon came in. The sentinel on duty showed him Life's room. The visitor was wet to his bones, as the French say; for he had been looking up some Union men his father wished to see, and he had brought them to the hotel where the officers were quartered. One of them was a captain, and another was his host in the town; and the major had been directed to report to the former. Deck had been sent out to find him; for it was reported that he was in Jamestown, and not in Harrison, where he had expected to find him, but had not. His room had been taken from him for this officer, as he was the lowest in rank of any commissioned officer. His father had sent him out with directions to take a couple of men from the quarters of Lieutenant Belthorpe, who was the officer of the day, and find a room where he could in the town. But he knew that Life Knox was in command at the jail, and he preferred to go there. "You are wet to the skin, Leftenant!" exclaimed the sergeant, as he admitted him to the room. "Not the first time I have been so since we left Riverlawn," replied Deck. "You have got a good room here, Life." "Good enough; but I cal'late to camp on the floor, and give this bed to you, Leftenant." "Not at all, Life; the bed is big enough for both of us. I am not afraid to sleep with you, if you are not with me." "'Tain't quite reg'lar; but it's just as you say, Leftenant."