During all this time Ben had not heard a sound from the house, and he was anxious to know how Major Morris was faring, although feeling positive that the major was fully capable of taking care of himself. Now, as they came closer, he heard loud talking. "We ain't goin' to stay, major,--an' it ain't right fer you to ask us to," the older of the regulars was saying. "You will stay, and that's the end of it," came in the major's clean-cut tones. "If you attempt to pass through that doorway, I'll put a bullet through you." "But we are friends, major, and--" "I don't know that I am a friend to you. It depends upon what my companion the captain will have to report when he gets back." "He won't have nuthin' to report, so far as we are concerned," put in the younger regular. "We ain't done any wrong, 'ceptin' to quarrel a bit between us. Everybody has a set-to once in a while, you know." By this time Ben was tramping up the outside stairs, supporting the woman as before. Now he pushed his way into the outer room of the mill-house, the woman following with some hesitancy. At the appearance of their late victim the regulars fell back as though struck a blow. "Nice sort of chaps you are," exclaimed Ben, hotly. "You don't deserve to wear Uncle Sam's uniform. A set of prison stripes would suit both of you much better." "Hullo, you've found the lady," cried the major. "Sit down, madam, and tell us what this means." A bench was handy, and the sufferer dropped heavily upon it. The regulars looked as if they wished themselves anywhere but in their present situation, yet they did not dare to budge, for Major Morris still held "the drop" upon them, and the commander of the first battalion looked as if he would stand no nonsense. "These men came here to rob me," said the woman, slowly. "They are of your kind, but they are not honest." "Then they are not of our kind," answered Ben, promptly. "We do not allow our soldiers to rob anybody." "We didn't come to steal--" began the older regular, when Major Morris stopped him. "Silence! Not another word until the lady has finished her story."