The boy understood this. He had it delivered in just such a tone when he had been violating the domestic law. He advanced. "What d'ye want?" he asked again. "Where can we get our breakfast?" "Dunno," he replied, wonderingly. "Well, how fur is it to the next farm-house?" "Taint more'n a mile." "Who lives there?" "Old Ruben Smith; but he ain't there now." "Where is he?" "Dunno; says he's gone to the war, him and his two boys." "Which army?" "Dunno." "Are they Union or secesh?" "Lor bless ye, we're all secesh here." "You are? Well, we are Union. We'll take ye prisoner, then," said Corporal Grimm. "Oh, but I ain't secesh." "Well, then, you are a good boy," said the Sergeant. "Where are ye going?" "Gwine to Snagtown to git the mail and buy some sugar and coffee." "Well, you may go on," said the grim soldier, winking at the Corporal; the boy trotted on, looking curiously back at the men and their blue uniforms and big guns. The cavalcade now galloped on towards the house of Ruben Smith. The steep gable roof soon loomed up in the distance, and after dashing down the lane, around a pasture, through a small wood, they pulled up in front of the house. "Dismount!" commanded the Sergeant. The men were on the ground in an instant. "Now hitch where you can, and two of you stay on guard while the rest are eating." "Who are ye, and what do ye want," demanded a sharp-visaged, ill-natured looking woman, coming out on the porch as the soldiers entered the yard. "We are Union soldiers, and we want our breakfast," said Corporal Grimm, as the Sergeant was busy giving orders to the men. "You low, nigger-lovin', aberlition thieves, I wouldn't give ye a bite if ye were starvin'," said the woman. "Mother, don't talk that way to them," said a pretty, red cheeked girl of about fifteen, standing by her side. "We want breakfast for twelve," said Sergeant Swords, now coming forward. "Well, sir, ye won't git it here. Go to some nigger shanty and let them cook for ye." "Oh, no, my good woman, we want you to get our breakfast. You are a good lookin' woman, and I know you can get up a good meal." "If I was to cook for ye scamps, I'd pizen the last one o' ye," she fairly shrieked. "We shall have you eat with us, my good lady, and we can eat anything you do," said Sergeant Swords, good-humoredly. The young girl was all the while persuading her mother to be more calm. "Come now, I'll help you. I'll kindle the fire and carry the wood and draw the water," said the corporal. "Come in my house an' I'll pour bilin' hot water in yer face, and scald yer eyes out!" "Don't talk so, mother," urged the pretty daughter. At this moment the kitchen door opened, and a negro girl peeped out. "Say, kinky head, stir up the kitchen fire and get us some breakfast right soon," said Corporal Grimm. The black face withdrew, and the two non-commissioned officers entered the house to see that their bidding was performed.