“A boy alone defies a victorious army. I like you. I want you in our ranks--” He paused thoughtfully as Mrs. Holland and Marya crept close, clinging to each other in dumb misery. Zonia slipped close to Billy-- “My darling boy!” his mother moaned. “It’s all right, mother,” he called cheerfully--“What’s the odds? They shot John Vassar’s father and mine an hour ago--” A low moan came from Virginia’s lips. The mother was silent. Her eyes were fixed on the rigid figure of her boy with hungry, desperate yearning. The Colonel caught the look of anguish and felt for a moment the pull of its tragedy. He too had a mother. He turned to her and spoke in friendly tones: “Madam, your son is of the stuff that makes heroes. I’m going to spare his life--” “Thank God--“ she sobbed. “On one condition--I want him in the service of the Emperor. Frederick the Great called thousands of conquered foes to the colors--they made good. If he will take off his cap and give three cheers for the Emperor--I will place him on my staff and he shall live to find new paths of glory.” Billy smiled. His mother, Virginia, Marya and Zonia pressed close and pleaded that he yield. His mother held him in her arms in a long, desperate embrace. “O my baby, heart of my heart, you must--I command it. Your father is gone. You must live and care for your poor mother--” “Do it, boy,” Virginia whispered, “and give them the slip--fight the devil with fire--you must.” “Please, Billy!” Marya pleaded. Zonia slipped her arms around his neck. The boy looked into the wistful face of the girl--bent and kissed her. “All right, Zonia,” he cried steadily. “I’ll do it for your sake and mother’s--” “Sensible boy!” the Colonel cried. “Now attention!” He clicked his heels as the guard fell in line behind him. With quick wit John Vassar took his place with the others. “The ladies by my side, please, in honor of the ceremony,” the Colonel called. Virginia, Marya and the mother huddled in a group beside the commander. “Now, sir,” he cried, “we’ll have three cheers for his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor!” The boy’s face went white and his voice failed. “Billy--“ his mother pleaded. “Billy!” Virginia sternly commanded. “Billy!” Zonia pleaded. The youngster’s body suddenly stiffened and a smile overspread his face. The tense scene was unearthly in the pale moonlight. His voice was quick and rang in deep, manly tones. “Hurrah for the President of the United States!--to hell with all emperors!” The Colonel drew his pistol and shot him down before their agonized gaze. The mother swooned, Marya fled in terror to the woods. Zonia caught the crumpled figure in her arms. Vassar with a single leap was by Virginia’s side, seized her and rushed toward the shadows of the hedge. He shouted to the commander: “She’s mine, Colonel--by right of conquest!” To Virginia he whispered hoarsely: “Shout, fight, scratch, scream to him for help--”