The Federal army, broken and defeated, straggled back to Washington, footsore, dirty and hungry. No battle during the war was fought with more desperation, and bravery was shown by both sides--the Union and the Confederate. And though the defeat of General McDowell's forces was a blow to the pride of the North, it carried a valuable lesson; that the South would not be persuaded back to its old allegiance. To the boys of this generation slavery is almost a myth. But when the Civil War broke out the blacks were held in bondage to masters who had acquired them by purchase or inheritance, and thus they represented property or wealth. The South bitterly resented any interference with an institution which many of them honestly regarded as divine. In the North opinion was divided, some believing slavery to be wrong, but that it would gradually die out. All classes were unwilling that it should be extended into new territory. This difference of opinion led to the conflict which caused brave men to take up arms and arrayed brother against brother, in defense of what each believed to be just and fair. {057} [Illustration: 0065] CHAPTER IV. RALPH DOES PICKET DUTY. [Illustration: 9066] LD Bill was a little fearful, spite of Ralph's protestations, {058}lest his boy, as he dubbed him, was going to show the white feather, after all, and so he kept him well under his eye. “I don't want the tarnal little rascal skipping, for it 'ud go hard with him to be caught. They'd shoot him sure.” But he didn't know the true mettle of the boy. He was no coward, if he did turn sick at the scenes of his first battle, and he was a lad of honor, and would have died before he would leave his post. So he felt a little down-hearted when orders came for a detail from Company K to turn out for picket duty. The men themselves felt rather blue at this news, for they were worn out and disheartened by their late tussle, but they didn't expect their wishes would be considered in the matter. Ralph's eyes gleamed with joy, for he longed for adventure. “Bill, I believe you think I am cowardly. You'll change your mind soon, I know.” That individual grimly responded: “Picket duty is a very cheerful way of passing one's time, but I guess you'll do.” The picket line was twelve miles distant, and as the men got into line, the air and the excitement infused courage into Ralph's breast. They had been ordered out to relieve a regiment which had seen some hard work, and who were anxious to get into shelter. {059} [Illustration: 0067] The newcomers were told what spots needed the most watching, and as soon as they were stationed at their posts and received {060}the necessary instructions, they settled down to the importance of the duty assigned them. The woods lay behind them, and each picket sought their friendly shelter, well aware that any “change of base” on their part would be an invitation to the enemy to pick them off.