“What is it for?” Arrests by the Provost were not uncommon. “To take the oath.” There was a laugh at Steve’s expense; for it was known by his friends that he prided himself on not having yet sworn allegiance to the Government. “Go and take your medicine, and pay me that little fiver you bet you would not take it this month,” said McRaffle, with a half sneer. “I’ll credit it on one of your I O U’s,” said Steve, dryly. He was marched across to the Provost’s office, his friends following to see the issue. Just as they arrived, Middleton and Thurston came in, looking a little sheepish when they found, as the result of their conspiracy, Steve guarded by a file of men. Leech took out a box of good cigars and offered them to the officers. He did not offer them to anyone else, but laid them on the table, and with a rap for silence, began his homily. He made it strong and long. He dwelt with particular emphasis on the beneficence of a Government that, after a wicked rebellion, permitted rebels to return to their allegiance and receive again all the benefits of the Union—becoming, indeed, one with her other citizens. This concluded, he tendered Steve the oath. Everyone present, perhaps, expected Steve to refuse to take it. Instead of which, he took it without a word. There was a moment of breathless silence. “I understand then that we are, so to speak, now one?” said Steve, drawlingly. “Ah! yes,” said Leech, turning away to try to hide his surprise from Thurston. “Then, gentlemen, have some of _our_ cigars?” Steve took up the box, lit a cigar himself and coolly handed them around. As he offered them to Thurston the little Lieutenant said: “Captain, the honors are yours.” The next moment Steve tossed his cigar contemptuously out of the door. “Come over to my office, gentlemen; I have a box that a _gentleman_ has sent me. I think they will have a better flavor than these. Good-evening, Lieutenant Leech. Will you join us, gentlemen?” This was to Middleton and Thurston, and the invitation was accepted. They adjourned to Steve’s “law-office,” where they proceeded to while away the hours in a manner which has sweetened, if not made, many an armistice. Fortune from the start perched herself on Steve’s side as if to try and compensate him for other and greater reverses; and at last little Thurston, having lost the best part of a month’s pay, said that if Leech’s cigars were not as good as Steve’s, they were, at least, less expensive. “You fellows don’t know any more about poker than you do about joking,” said Steve, imperturbably, as he raked in a pot. “If I’d known about this before, I wouldn’t have taken that oath. I’d have done like McRaffle there. This is too easy.” “You play just as much as I do,” said McRaffle, quickly. “Yes; but in more select company.” Steve said quietly. “Not with boys.”