Shorty swore volubly, and for once the Deacon did not check him, but was sinfully conscious in his heart of approving the profanity. "Swearin's awful wicked and low," he said to himself. "A sensible man can get along without it ordinarily, by the grace o' God and hard tryin', though I've knowed a yoke o' dumbed steers in a stumpy field to purty nigh overcome me. But the army's no common experience, and I s'pose a man's justified in bustin' out in a time like this. Old Job was lucky that he didn't have to ride on an army railroad." [Illustration: IN DESPAIR, THE DEACON TURNED TO A MAJOR. 77] His railroad friend again came up with some hot coffee and broiled meat, and explained that after the train had reached a station some miles out it got orders to run back and clear the track for some trains of troops from the Army of the Potomac which were being rushed through. The Deacon's heart almost sank in despair, but he took the coffee and meat, and helped the boys to it. As they were all eating they heard a voice outside which struck on the chords of their memories: "Where is that Yard-Boss? Where is that Yard-Boss? Find him and send him to me, immediately." "That sounds like Levi Rosenbaum," said Shorty. Si nodded affirmatively. The Deacon looked out,' and recognized Levi dressed in the hight of fashion. On his jetty curls sat a glossy silk hat, his clothes looked as if just taken from the tailor's shop, and they fitted him to perfection. A large diamond flashed from his scarfpin, and another gleamed in a ring on his right hand as he waved it in giving orders to the men around. Every eye was fixed on him, and when he spoke there was hastening to obey. The Yard-Boss was coming at a run. "Why are those cotton-cars still standing there this morning, after the orders I gave you yesterday?" asked Levi, in tones of severest reprehension, as that official came up. "Why, Mr. Rosenbaum," said that official apologetically--he was the same man who had so severely snubbed the Deacon the day before--"you see I had the train made up and all ready to start, when there came orders--" "Whose orders?" demanded Levi. "Who dares give orders that over-ride mine? You go at once and have an engine--the best one you have--hitched on. Couple on my car, and be ready to start in 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes I give you," continued he, looking at his watch. "Tell the Train Dispatcher to clear everything into switches until we get to Murfreesboro, and have the operator at Murfreesboro lay by everything till we get to Nashville." The Yard-Boss rushed off to execute the order. "Great Jehosephat, what's come over Levi?" muttered Shorty. "Has he become the High-muk-a-muk of the whole army? Have they put him in Gen. Rosecrans's place?" "Will I dare to speak to such a high-flyer?" said the Deacon, doubtfully.