[Illustration: THE GUNBOAT'S REPLY TO THE HOME GUARDS.] _CASTLEMON'S WAR SERIES._ RODNEY, THE OVERSEER BY HARRY CASTLEMON, AUTHOR OF "GUNBOAT SERIES," "ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," "FOREST AND STREAM SERIES," ETC., ETC. _Four Illustrations by Geo. G. White._ PHILADELPHIA: PORTER & COATES. COPYRIGHT, 1892, BY PORTER & COATES. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. A DISGUSTED HOME GUARD, 1 II. CAPTAIN TOM SMELLS POWDER, 28 III. THE CONSCRIPT'S FRIEND, 54 IV. LIEUTENANT LAMBERT'S CAMPAIGN, 82 V. HOW IT RESULTED, 109 VI. CAPTAIN ROACH LAYS DOWN THE LAW, 136 VII. A PERPLEXING SITUATION, 164 VIII. HOUNDS ON THE TRAIL, 189 IX. UNCLE SAM'S LOST BOYS, 216 X. NED GRIFFIN BRINGS NEWS, 242 XI. THE ESCAPED PRISONERS' STORY, 270 XII. A HAIL AT THE BARS, 297 XIII. CAPTAIN TOM SHOWS HIS GRATITUDE, 328 XIV. RODNEY KEEPS HIS PROMISE, 353 XV. RODNEY PASSES INSPECTION, 380 XVI. CAPTAIN RANDOLPH RECEIVES ORDERS, 406 XVII. CONCLUSION, 431 RODNEY, THE OVERSEER. CHAPTER I. A DISGUSTED HOME GUARD. "I don't say that you fellows played the part of cowards by firing into that unarmed boat, but you acted like born idiots, and it would serve you just right if the citizens of Baton Rouge should come out here in a body and lynch the last one of you. Why do you not wait for orders from me instead of roaming about the country acting on your own responsibility? I know what the Confederacy expects this company to do and you don't." "Now jest listen at you, Tom Randolph." "Yes, listen when your commanding officer speaks, and remember that there is a handle to my name and that I expect you to use it as often as you address me." "Well, _Cap'n_ Randolph, if that suits you any better; though it's mighty little you ever done to deserve the title. When this company of ourn was first got up didn't you say that we was going to make all the Union men about here hunt their holes?"