Having spoken thus, Captain Paulding paused for a moment and then commanded Privates Rockford and Bingham to step forward. Wondering what was up, Louis did as ordered, and Harry Bingham followed. “You will go on ahead,” said the captain. “Take the road to Frederick and keep on until about four o’clock this afternoon, when you can look around for a good halting-place. If you see anything alarming report to me as quickly as you can.” Louis and Bingham replied that they would. Then they saluted the captain in true military style and hurried off side by side. “I’m glad he detailed us for this work,” said Louis, a few minutes later. “It’s much pleasanter to have a friend along.” “Rather have me than Jerry Rowe, eh?” replied Harry Bingham. “Well, I don’t blame you. Rowe is very overbearing. But I reckon he’ll have the starch taken out of him before the war is over.” Knowing what was expected of them, they hurried off at a rapid pace, and soon the company was lost to sight behind a turn in the road. It was a clear and by no means cold day and both felt in capital spirits, and Louis would have started to whistle, but suddenly thought better of it. Their course lay along a low hill, and this passed, they came within sight of several farmhouses. As they passed the first of these, two farmers came out to meet them. “Hullo, sodgers; whar ye goin’?” questioned one. “Down the road,” answered Louis, pleasantly. “Goin’ to Washington, I allow,” put in the second farmer. “Perhaps we are,” said Harry, with spirit. “Any objections?” “Objections? Not at all, young man. Only--” “Only what?” “Reckon ye’ll wish ye hadn’t gone afore long--when Jeff Davis takes hold o’ things at the Capitol.” Both farmers laughed meaningly; in the midst of which Louis and his friend proceeded on their way. “Captain Paulding was right; Maryland is full of rebels,” said Louis, when they were out of hearing. “We must be on our guard and not let the company run into trouble.” On and on they went, over one hill after another; past open fields and through heavy woods. At the noon hour they halted beside a brook and partook of a portion of the rations contained in their haversacks. “I’ll tell you one thing,” remarked Harry, as he munched a sandwich. “We are not going to live as well as we did at home--not by a good deal.” “Fortunes of war,” laughed Louis. “Think of what the old Revolutionary heroes had to put up with.” “Yes, and the heroes of the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. Do you know what made me enlist? It was old Bruce’s stories of how General Scott took Mexico.” “I am glad President Lincoln has called General Scott to take charge in Washington. I want to see the old fellow. Who knows but that--Hist! Who is that coming?”