Ordinarily such an accident would have brought in many neighbors to sympathize and offer aid, but now the war was the one subject on everybody’s mind, and the family was passed by, excepting by a few of the most intimate friends. It was two days later, when Louis was down in the village at the general store, that he was addressed about going to Washington with Captain Paulding’s company. Robert Paulding had been nothing but a plain lawyer a few days previous, yet now everybody called him captain, and many of the men touched their hats unconsciously whenever he passed. It was Harry Bingham, the grocer’s clerk, who addressed Louis, as he measured out some cotton goods Mrs. Rockford needed for bandages. “Now your father can’t go, Louis, you ought to take his place,” he said. “Your family ought to be represented, you know; and there are lots of young fellows going besides me--Dick Coombs, Jerry Rowe, Mart Wilkins, and a lot more.” “I’ve been thinking of it, Harry,” answered Louis. “I’ll go if mother can spare me.” “Well, you want to make up your mind pretty soon. Captain Paulding is going to start us off for Washington by the middle of next week if he can.” Just then another young fellow came into the grocery. It was Jerry Rowe, the son of a local horse doctor. He was an overbearing fellow, and Louis did not like him. “Hello, Rockford!” he cried. “They tell me you haven’t joined the company yet. What’s the matter, are you afraid?” “No, I am not afraid,” replied Louis, his face flushing. “I--” “It looks as if you were afraid; doesn’t it, Harry? All the fellows who are not afraid are going,” went on Jerry Rowe, and then he moved on to another part of the store, before Louis could say another word. But those cruel, thoughtless words of Rowe decided Louis. Come what might, he must obtain permission to enlist inside of the next twenty-four hours. CHAPTER V OFF FOR WASHINGTON “Now, then, who is the next volunteer? Come, gentlemen and fellow citizens, you have read our worthy President’s proclamation; you know how urgent is the call; you know that the rebels are collecting a great force to capture our noble Capitol at Washington; you know how those same rebels have taunted us, saying the North could not be kicked into a war; and you know also what the cities and towns and villages around us are doing--enrolling their patriots as fast as the names can be put down. Shall it be said that Goreville stood back when called upon to do her duty? Never! Come, who is the next volunteer?”