Suiting the action to the word, Si crept up to a fence, thrust his gun between the rails, took good aim and fired. Si Takes a Crack at A Reb 147 A bullet from one of the other fellows made the splinters fly from a rail a foot or two from Si's head; but he was getting excited now, and he didn't mind it any more than if it had been a paper wad from a pea- shooter. It makes a great difference with a soldier under fire whether he can take a hand in the game himself, or whether he must lie idle and let the enemy "play it alone." "Did ye hear him squeal?" said Si, as he dropped upon the ground and began to reload with all his might. "I hit that son-of-a-gun, sure. Give 'em H—Hail Columbia, Shorty. We'll show 'em that the 200th Ind. is in front to-day!" "Forward, men!" shouted the officers. "Go right for 'em!" The skirmishers sprang over the fence and swept across the field at a "double-quick" in the face of a sputtering fire that did little damage. None of them reached the other side any sooner than Si did. The rebels seemed to have found out that the 200th boys were coming, for they were already on the run, and some of them had started early. Pell-mell through the brush they went, and the blue-blouses after them. "Halt, there, or I'll blow ye into the middle o' next week!" yelled Si, as he closed up on a ragged specimen of the Southern Confederacy whose wind had given out. Si thought it would be a tall feather in his hat if he could take a prisoner and march him back. Si Captures a Johnny 149 The "Johnny" gave one glance at his pursuer, hesitated, and was lost. He saw that Si meant business, and surrendered at discretion. "Come 'long with me!" said Si, his eyes glistening with pleasure and pride. Si marched him back and delivered him to the Colonel. "Well done, my brave fellow!" said the Colonel. "This is a glorious day for the 200th Ind., and you've taken its first prisoner. What's your name my boy?" "Josiah Klegg, sir!" said Si, blushing to the very roots of his hair. "What company do you belong to?" "Company Q, sir!" and Si saluted the officer as nicely as he knew how. "I'll see your Captain to-night, Mr. Klegg, and you shall be rewarded for your good conduct. You may now return to your company." It was the proudest moment of Si's life up to date. He stammered out his thanks to the Colonel, and then, throwing his gun up to a right shoulder-shift, he started off on a canter to rejoin the skirmishers. That night Si Klegg was the subject of a short conversation between his Captain and the Colonel. They agreed that Si had behaved very handsomely, and deserved to be promoted. "Are there any vacancies in your non-commissioned officers?" asked the Colonel. "No," was the reply, "but there ought to be. One of my Corporals skulked back to the rear this morning and crawled into a wagon. I think we had better reduce him to the ranks and appoint Mr. Klegg." "Do so at once," said the Colonel.