From boy to man.--The Lyceum debate.--Willard speaks for the slave.--Entrance to the State Normal School.--Reverses.--Fighting the world again.--Assistance from fair hands.--Willard meets Allen Barringer.--John Brown, and what Willard thought of him.--Principles above bribe.--Examination.--A sleepless night.--Haunted by the "ghost of possible defeat."--"Here is your certificate."--The school at Schodack Centre.--At the "Normal" again.--The Edwards School.--Thirty pupils at two dollars each.--The "soldier school-master."--Teachers at East Schodack.--The runaway ride.--Good-by mittens, robes and whip!--Close of school at East Schodack 102 CHAPTER XI. INTRODUCTION TO MILITARY LIFE. The mutterings of war.--Enlistment.--At Camp Howe.--First experience as a soldier.--"One step to the front!"--Beyond Washington.--On guard.--Promotion.--Recruiting service.--The deserted home on Arlington Heights.--"How shall I behave in the coming battle?"--The brave Bayard.--On the march.--The stratagem at Falmouth Heights.--A brilliant charge.--After the battle 118 CHAPTER XII. FIRST BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION. The sentinel's lonely round.--General Pope in command of the army.--Is gunboat service effective?--First cavalry battle of Brandy Station.--Under a rain of bullets.--Flipper's orchard.--"Bring on the brigade, boys!"--Capture of Confederate prisoners.--Story of a revolver.--Cedar Mountain.--Burial of the dead rebel.--Retreat from the Rapidan.--The riderless horse.--Death of Captain Walters 128 CHAPTER XIII. MANASSAS AND FREDERICKSBURG. Manassas.--The flying troops.--The unknown hero.--Desperate attempt to stop the retreat.--Recruiting the decimated ranks.--Fredericksburg.--Bravery of Meagher's brigade.--The impregnable heights.--The cost of battles.--Death of Bayard.--Outline of his life 135 CHAPTER XIV. UNWRITTEN HISTORY. "What boots a weapon in a withered hand?"--A thunderbolt wasted.--War upon hen-roosts.--A bit of unpublished history.--A fierce fight with Hampton's cavalry.--In one red burial blent.--From camp to home.--Troubles never come singly.--The combat.--The capture.--A superfluity of Confederate politeness.--Lights and shadows 144 CHAPTER XV. THE CAPTURE.