“And what did you come for, if not to be shot at?” went on Benny, witheringly, only Jerry did not wither. “Of all the cowards I ever saw, I think you’re the worst.” “Hi! don’t you call me no coward!” snorted Jerry, and leaping from the nail keg he made after Benny. Catching the drummer by the collar, he was on the point of bumping Benny’s head against the warehouse wall, when Louis sprang up from his corner and interfered. “Let Benny alone, Jerry,” cried the young soldier. “Let him alone, I say, or you’ll have me to deal with,” and he advanced with clenched fists and flashing eyes. “He called me a coward,” muttered Jerry, but the look in Louis’s eyes caused him to drop his hold and Benny retreated. “I heard what you said about being done for, and only a coward would talk in that fashion. We are not done for, and I’ll wager that the next time we meet the Confederates we’ll not show ’em our heels in such a lively fashion.” “Right you are, Louis,” came from Moses Blackwell, who had just arisen and was stretching himself. “We went in without knowing what war was, that’s all. We’ll know better next time.” “It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the captain to send Jerry home,” added another of the company. “He’s of no earthly use to anybody.” At this Jerry grew very red. He wanted to “talk back,” but feeling himself too well known, muttered something under his breath, and a moment later strode out of hearing. The immediate days which followed the return to Washington were gloomy enough, in spite of all that was done to put a bright face on the matter. A good many felt as Jerry did, that they were “done for” and might as well go home, and they walked dismally around in the rain, trying to communicate this feeling to others. Some thought Washington might be captured by the enemy before the week was out. But those in authority did not remain idle long. As soon as possible after the disaster at Bull Run, Congress met and passed resolutions authorizing the President to call upon volunteers to enlist to the number of five hundred thousand, if so many were necessary. The call for additional troops was telegraphed to all of the Northern States. Four days after Bull Run, ten full regiments of infantry from Pennsylvania arrived at Washington to guard the capital from possible invasion. As at the time of the attack upon Fort Sumter, volunteer companies sprang up everywhere, faster than ever before, while many of the old commands were greatly reinforced. Nor was this all. General George B. McClellan, who had been highly successful in putting down the spirit of rebellion in West Virginia, was sent for to take command of the army in and about Washington, and he came on immediately and settled down to restore order and bring up the command to the high order of military excellence for which he was famous.