"You've got good blood in your veins, my boy: don't disgrace it. I don't know as you'll ever see me again, but God bless you, Thomas;" and the old man turned away to hide the tears which began to course down his wrinkled cheek. "Be a good boy, Thomas," added his mother. "I will, mother." "And remember what I've been telling you. I'm not half so much afraid of your being killed by a bullet, as I am of your being ruined by bad men." "You needn't fear any thing of that kind, mother." "I shall pray that you may be saved from your friends as well as from your enemies. We shall see you again before you go off, I hope." "Yes, mother; we shall not be sent south yet." "Don't forget to read your Testament, Thomas," said Mrs. Somers. "I won't, mother," replied the soldier boy, as he again shook hands with all the members of the family, kissed his mother and his sisters, and hitching up his knapsack, took his place in the ranks. His heart seemed to be clear up in his throat. During the tender scene he had just passed through, he had manfully resisted his inclination to weep, but he could no longer restrain the tears. Suddenly they came like a flood bursting the gates that confined it, and he choked and sobbed like a little girl. He leaned upon his musket, covering his face with his arm. "It's a hard case," said private Hapgood, who stood next to him in the ranks. "I didn't think it would take me down like this," sobbed Tom. "Don't blubber, Tom. Let's go off game," added Ben Lethbridge, who stood on the other side of him. "I can't help it, Ben." "Yes, you can--dry up! Soldiers don't cry, Tom." "Yes, they do, my boy," said Hapgood, who was a little old man, nearly ten years beyond the period of exemption from military duty. "I don't blame Tom for crying, and, in my opinion, he'll fight all the better for it." "Perhaps he will, old un; but I don't think much of a soldier that blubbers like a baby. I hope he won't run away when he sees the rebels coming," sneered Ben. "If he does, he'll have a chance to see how thick the heels of your boots are," answered the old man. "What do you mean by that, old un?" demanded Ben. "Attention--company! Shoulder--arms! Forward--march!" said the captain; and the discussion was prevented from proceeding any further. The band, which was at the head of the citizens' column, struck up an inspiring march, and Tom dried his tears. The escort moved off, followed by the company. They passed the little cottage of Captain Somers, and Tom saw the whole family except John, who was in the escort, standing at the front gate. The old soldier swung his hat, Tom's sisters and his mother waved their handkerchiefs; but when they saw the soldier boy, they had to use them for another purpose. Tom felt another upward pressure in the region of the throat; but this time he choked down his rising emotions, and saved himself from the ridicule of his more callous companion on the left.