That evening, after Vance had taken leave of Miss Virginia Bonifield, he experienced a strange unrest and dissatisfaction, and while he did not admit it to himself, the glamour of his day-dreams had been broken. 8139 Presently, as he walked along, the face of Louise came before him, and, in a moment, he forgot his unsatisfactory evening; forgot hope’s broken glamour, and basked again in the alluring belief that the future held no clouds for him. It was late when he reached the hotel. Looking through the window, he saw old Dick Ballard, who was alone in the barroom entertaining himself with an evening drill. He carried a long, iron poker at “carry arms,” and was marching back and forth with military tread. Arriving at the end of the room, he would call out “Halt! About face! March!” Vance was very much amused at old Dick Ballard’s pantomime drill, but finally opened the door and walked in. The transformation scene was wonderful. Old Dick [132] Ballard was vigorously poking in the stove, notwithstanding it was a July night. “Hello, Mr. Gilder,” said he, looking up, “I saw a mighty big rat run in this stove a minute ago, and I am after it.” “Better charge your entire militia company on the enemy,” said Vance, laughing. “Oh, you saw me, did you,” said Ballard. “I was jes’ drillin’ up a little for dress parade. Well, pardner, I’ll set ‘em up, and you say nothin’ about it.” Vance declined to be entertained, but Ballard drank copiously from his ever ready bottle. “I tell you, Waterville’s got it and no mistake,” said he, putting his bottle carefully away. “Got what,” asked Vance, as he turned to go to his room. “Got the crack military company of the state,” replied Ballard. “You ought to see ‘em drill once. There is nothin’ in New York city or anywhere else can tech one side of ‘em for big money.” CHAPTER XVI.—THE OLD COLONEL’. DISAPPOINTMENT. 9141 HE FOLLOWING [133] morning Vance took the stage for Gold Bluff. As he neared that little mining town, he found himself experiencing an impatience once more to see Louise Bonifield that was strangely at variance with any former sensation of his life. It seemed to him the stage coach was traveling at a snail’s pace, and even the good natured, “honest intentioned” Steve Gibbons, with all his droll talk of frontier adventure, failed to interest him. Arriving at the hotel, he found the old miner, Ben Bonifield, waiting for him. “Am delighted to see yo’, Mr. Gilder; I am indeed, suh. I presume yo’r almost famished; pow’ful tiresome ridin’ in a stage coach all day, suh. After yo’ have refreshed yo’self, I shall be pleased to join yo’ in yo’r room. I have a matteh of vehy great impo’tance to discuss with yo’, suh.” “All right,” said Vance, in his cheeriest tones. “I trust Miss Louise is well?” “Quite well, suh; quite well, thank yo’.”