"I have my plans laid. Mrs. Myrason, the wife of one of Johnston's generals, is going to the front next week. I shall insist to-night on accompanying her, as some of our physicians are going to be sent through the lines at the same time. There is really no reason for my remaining here, now that you are well. I have already broached the subject to Mrs. Atterbury, and I shall inform her at once that I am decided. She will not suspect anything, as she knew I was half-tempted to go North when mamma went. The important thing for you, now, is to give your whole mind to the rescue, and have no fears for me. If you can convince Dick to go with you, all will be well. If he proves obstinate, hand him over to me." Jack laughed. "Polly, you should have been the first-born of the house of Sprague; you have twice the sense that I have." "It isn't sense that wins in war; it is daring and resolution, and you have all that." When Jack had cautiously laid the situation before his young Patroclus, that precocious warrior at once justified the confidence reposed in him. "Rosa has promised to marry me as soon as the war is over. She can't expect me to hang around here like a peg-top on a string. Besides, I wouldn't stay where you are not, Jacko, even if I lost my sweetheart for good and all." There was a piteous quaver in the treble voice, and, forgetting that he was no longer a school-boy, he brushed his eyes furtively with his coat-sleeve, as Jack pretended preoccupation with his shoe-string. "You're a brick, Dick. I think I have confided that to you before--but you are a brick, made of the best straw in the field of life, and you shall be a general one of these days--your shrill voice shall let slip the dogs of war and cry havoc to the enemy. You shall return to Acredale--proud Acredale--your brows bound with victorious wreaths, and all the small boys perched on the spreading oaks to salute you." "I think I have heard something like that before, my blarneying Plantagenet. You shall be the Percy of the North, and command the great battle. You shall meet and vanquish fifty Harrys, and cry, 'God for Union, liberty, and the laws.'"