‘Advance, friend, and give the countersign,’ ordered Ephraim, to the huge delight of Lucius, with whom he had many a time and oft rehearsed just such a scene in the workshop, little imagining it would ever be carried out in actual practice. The stranger advanced till the point of Ephraim’s bayonet was within six inches of his chest. ‘Halt!’ cried Ephraim once more. ‘That’s close enough. Now stand and give the countersign.’ The civilian hesitated an instant. He could not tell where the suggestion came from, but somehow the thought flashed into his brain that all was not as it should be. ‘Potomac,’ he answered steadily. Ephraim saw the momentary hesitation, and read it aright. His own danger made him alert. ‘Go back the way you came,’ he said, keeping his rifle at the charge.’ That ain’t the word.’ It was a bold move, but it told; and the Grizzly, to his own relief, noticed the expression of mingled surprise and satisfaction on the stranger’s face. ‘Shenandoah,’ said the civilian. ‘Will that suit you?’ ‘That’s better,’ answered Ephraim, but without shouldering arms. ‘Why did you give me the wrong one fust?’ ‘I—I was thinking of yesterday,’ replied the stranger rather confusedly. ‘Ah!’ retorted Ephraim drily. ‘Waal, I’m put hyar tew think on to-day. What d’ye want?’ ‘What do I want, you fool?’ replied the man angrily. ‘Why, I want to pass, of course. Shoulder arms.’ ‘Who air yew orderin’ about?’ snapped Ephraim. ‘And yew keep a civil tongue in yewr head, mister. Don’t yew be so ready tew call names.’ ‘Well, I didn’t mean that,’ said the stranger, wishful to conciliate him. ‘I was anxious to pass, that is all. I am sorry. Let me pass, please, for I am in a hurry.’ ‘Hurry or no hurry,’ returned Ephraim stolidly, ‘ye don’t pass hyar. Go back, or I’ll run ye through.’ He looked so fierce as he said it, that the stranger actually did recoil a pace or two. But he recovered himself instantly, and said smoothly: ‘Look here, my good friend, what is your objection to letting me pass? I gave you the word.’ ‘But yew gave me the wrong one to start with,’ answered Ephraim, glowering at him. The stranger bit his lip. He saw he had made a mistake, and, in endeavouring to explain it, he appeared to offend the sentry still further. ‘I said it in jest—to try you—to see if you were a smart fellow,’ he said, with a little laugh. ‘Oh, did yew?’ Ephraim frowned upon him. ‘Waal, yew’ll find I’m smart enuff fer the like of yew, I guess. Quit now. I ain’t got no time or inclernashun fer more fooling.’ ‘Nor I, either,’ answered the civilian haughtily. ‘So let me pass at once—or’—— ‘Or what?’ ‘Or I’ll report you.’ ‘Yew’ll report me!’ sneered Ephraim, advancing upon the man until the ugly-looking bayonet just touched his coat. ‘I tell yew, ef yew ain’t out of that afore I count ten, thar won’t be much left of yew to report. Quit, I say.’