Wondering who it was who was calling him so familiarly, Jack came forward. He started back upon seeing Harry Powell, and in a Federal uniform. "You!" he cried. "Yes, Jack. Come, won't you shake hands with me?" and the young surgeon smiled good-naturedly. "Well--that is--I don't like to shake hands with a--a Yankee," stammered Jack. "Oh, so you object to my uniform?" "I do, Harry. Why did you join the Yankees?" "Because I thought it best. If you won't shake hands with me as a Yankee, won't you shake hands as a cousin?" At this our hero's face relaxed, for he had always liked Harry Powell immensely. "Yes, I'll do that," he said, and they shook hands warmly. "And how is your mother these days, Jack?" "Quite well, but a good deal alarmed." "She need not be alarmed because of us, Jack. Is that not so, Colonel Stanton?" The colonel bowed. His manner was so pleasant that Jack felt more drawn to him than ever. "You are kind," he said. "I thought all Yankees were brutes." "They are far from that, Jack. But I was going to ask, can I see my aunt?" "I suppose so. But she'll be hurt to see you in that uniform." "Never mind, I'll risk that," rejoined Harry Powell. Old Ben continued on his way, and Jack and the others walked toward the Ruthven plantation. Then our hero ran ahead, to tell Mrs. Ruthven of the visitors. "A fine, manly young fellow, Powell," remarked Colonel Stanton, when he and the young surgeon were left alone. "Yes, he has turned out a first-rate lad, colonel." "I presume, were he older, he would be at the head of a regular Confederate command, instead of being at the head of this boyish Home Guard." "Undoubtedly, sir. But I am glad he is not in the regular ranks." "Why?" "I should hate to fight against him, sir." "I see. Well, this war has brought brother against brother, and worse. To tell the truth, I heartily wish it was over, myself." In a few minutes more Mrs. Ruthven appeared, her face full of sorrow. As she approached Harry Powell, the tears stood in her eyes. "My dear aunt, how glad I am to see you, after this long separation!" cried the young man impulsively. "Oh, Harry! Harry! How can you come here in that uniform?" she returned. "Let us speak of that later, Aunt Alice. Allow me to introduce you to my superior, Colonel Stanton." Mrs. Ruthven looked at the colonel steadily, and he bowed gravely. Each saw that the other was of good blood and breeding. The lady of the plantation dropped her eyes. "Colonel Stanton, courtesy bids me say you are welcome, but--I beg you to consider that I am a Southern woman," she faltered. "I hope, Mrs. Ruthven, you will not look upon me as an enemy." "Are you not in arms against my country?" "Against your section, yes, but not against your country, madam. I fight under the flag which belongs alike to the South and the North." At this Mrs. Ruthven shook her head sadly.