THE COLLECTED WORKS OF AMBROSE BIERCE VOLUME II IN THE MIDST OF LIFE TALES OF SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS Originally Published 1909 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION Denied existence by the chief publishing houses of the country, this book owes itself to Mr. E.L.G. Steele, merchant, of this city. In attesting Mr. Steele's faith in his judgment and his friend, it will serve its author's main and best ambition. A.B. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 4, 1891. CONTENTS A HORSEMAN IN THE SKY 15 AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE 27 CHICKAMAUGA 46 A SON OF THE GODS 58 ONE OF THE MISSING 71 KILLED AT RESACA 93 THE AFFAIR AT COULTER'S NOTCH 105 THE COUP DE GRÂCE 122 PARKER ADDERSON, PHILOSOPHER 133 AN AFFAIR OF OUTPOSTS 146 THE STORY OF A CONSCIENCE 165 ONE KIND OF OFFICER 178 ONE OFFICER, ONE MAN 197 GEORGE THURSTON 209 THE MOCKING-BIRD 218 CIVILIANS THE MAN OUT OF THE NOSE 233 AN ADVENTURE AT BROWNVILLE 247 THE FAMOUS GILSON BEQUEST 266 THE APPLICANT 281 A WATCHER BY THE DEAD 290 THE MAN AND THE SNAKE 311 A HOLY TERROR 324 THE SUITABLE SURROUNDINGS 350 THE BOARDED WINDOW 364 A LADY FROM RED HORSE 373 THE EYES OF THE PANTHER 385 SOLDIERS A HORSEMAN IN THE SKY I