He had instinctively shrank from visiting George Martin, although that young man had been to his home three or four times during his illness. It was a fine afternoon, and he knew he was able to ride over to George's father's farm, over three miles distant. He longed to talk over the war with him, and yet he had a feeling of delicacy lest George might be sensitive about any reference to his own misfortune. But he could not help going, and he found George sitting on a bench in the orchard, where the green buds were just beginning to shoot forth their promise for future abundance. “I'm {172}glad indeed to see you able to come down here, Ralph,” was George's cordial greeting. “I've been wishing all day for some one to talk over old times with.” “Old times! Yes, we were happy, good-for-nothing lads in those days, I know, and gave our teachers lots of uneasiness.” “So we did, but I don't refer to those days; I mean the days in the army.” Ralph was all attention at once. “How did you like the service?” he ventured. [Illustration: 9181] “Liked it clear through--way down to the bottom. You know how I lost my arm?” he said, pointing to the empty sleeve. Ralph nodded. He longed to know more of the particulars, but would not ask. “That was a great day. You should have been there, and seen a real fight. Not that a fight on land ain't all right, but there's a dash and inspiration about a battle on board ship that I enjoy! You feel as if the boat were your castle--you can't get away from it, and you're bound no one else shall get into it. Then the waves rocking beneath your feet, the shells screaming and dancing over the water, and the thought that your boat is almost a living thing, lends you a desperation nothing else can equal.” Ralph smiled faintly. To his way of thinking those sensations were common to all who went into battle, whether on land or water. “You know when I went into the service I made my way to {173}Washington at once. I didn't wait to be enlisted here, but I knew Uncle Dick, who lived there, could get me onto a war-ship, and he did. [Illustration: 0182]