The whole brigade to which Lieutenant Somers belonged went on picket every third day. While the tremendous operations to which we have briefly alluded were taking place on the right, the soldiers on the left were leading their ordinary military life. But they were thinking men, and, while they were firm in their devotion to the good cause, they were disturbed by doubts and fears. They knew not, as they listened to the booming guns, whether they were in the midst of victory or defeat. Occasionally, they were shelled behind their breastworks; apparently for the purpose, on the part of the rebels, of keeping our forces from interfering with the work on the right. The brigade went on picket, and here the troops were face to face with the enemy. Lieutenant Somers, by the illness of the captain and the absence of the first lieutenant, was in command of his company. But there was no chance to do anything to distinguish himself, except that steady and patient attention to duty which is the constant opportunity of every good officer. "Well, captain, was there anything like this at Magenta?" asked Somers, as he met De Banyan. "This is tame, Somers. Magenta was a lively scene." "I fancy it will not remain tame much longer. We shall either be in Richmond as victors or prisoners within a few days." "Don't croak, Somers. It will all come out right in the end." "I have no doubt of that; but I feel just as though some big thing was going to happen." "So do I; and I felt so just before the battle of Solferino. By the way, on the night before that battle, I captured a whole brigade with my single company, while I was out on picket-duty." "Indeed!" laughed Somers. "I'll tell you how it was." "Don't take that trouble, captain; for I shall not believe you if you do." "Do you mean to doubt my word, even before I utter it?" demanded the captain, apparently much hurt by the insinuation. "Captain de Banyan, I wish I could persuade you to speak the truth at all times." "Come, Somers, that's rather a grave charge; and, if it came from any other man than yourself, I should challenge him on the spot," added the captain, throwing back his head, and looking dignified enough to be the commander-in-chief. "You may challenge me if you please; but let us be serious for a moment." "I am serious, and have been all the time." "You are a first-rate fellow, captain; I like you almost as well as I do my own brother." "You are a sensible young man, Somers," replied De Banyan, slightly relaxing the rigid muscles of his face. "You are a brave man, and as brilliant as you are brave. I have only one fault to find with you." "What's that?" "You will draw the long-bow." "In other words, I will lie. Somers, you hurt my feelings. I took a fancy to you the first time I ever saw you, and it pains me to hear you talk in that manner. Do you think that I, an officer and a gentleman, would stoop to the vice of lying?"