[Illustration: "COLONEL TAKE YOUR COLORS!"]

THE SOCK STORIES, BY "AUNT FANNY'S" DAUGHTER. 

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE

SOCKS. 

Part First. 

BEING

THE FIRST BOOK OF THE SERIES. 

BY

"AUNT FANNY'S" DAUGHTER, THE AUTHOR OF "THE LITTLE WHITE ANGEL. "

WITH AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER, BY "AUNT FANNY" HERSELF. 

 NEW YORK: LEAVITT & ALLEN, 21 & 23 MERCER ST. 1863. 

 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by

 S. L. BARROW, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. 

 JOHN F. TROW, Printer, Stereotyper, and Electrotyper, 60 Greene Street, New York. 

CONTENTS OF VOL. I. 

 PAGE

 INTRODUCTION--THE STORY OF THE SOCKS, 7

 COLONEL FREDDY; OR, THE MARCH AND ENCAMPMENT OF THE DASHAHED ZOUAVES, CHAP. I. --RAISING A REGIMENT, 35 II. --"MARCHING ALONG, " 55 III. --CAMP LIFE, 76

DEDICATION. 

MY DEAR LITTLE COOLEY AND GEORGIE:

WHEN you see that this book is dedicated to you, I hope your bright eyeswill sparkle with pleasure; but I am afraid your pretty curly heads willhardly retain a recollection of a little personage who once lived closeto your beautiful home on Staten Island. She remembers _you_, however, and sends you this soldier story with her very best love--the love shebears in her inmost heart for God and little children. And now she asksyou to hunt in every corner of those same precious little heads for akindly remembrance of your affectionate friend, "AUNT FANNY'S" DAUGHTER. 

THE STORY OF THE SOCKS. 

BY AUNT FANNY. 

"OH dear! what _shall_ I do?" cried George, fretfully, one rainyafternoon. "Mamma, do tell me what to do. "

"And I'm _so_ tired!" echoed Helen, who was lazily playing with a kittenin her lap. "I don't see why it should rain on a Friday afternoon, whenwe have no lessons to learn. We can't go out, and no one can come to seeus. It's too bad, there!"

"Helen, do _you_ know better than _God_?" asked her mother, speakingvery gravely. "You forget that He sends the rain. "

"I suppose I was thoughtless, mamma, " answered the child; "I did notmean to be wicked, but, dear me, the time passes _so_ slowly, withnothing to do. "

"Have you and George read all your books?"

"Oh yes! two or three times over, " they both answered; "and oh, mamma, "continued Helen, "if the one who wrote 'Two Little Heaps, ' or the'Rollo' book writer, or the author of 'The Little White Angel, ' wouldonly write some more books, I, for one, would not care how hard itrained. If I was grown up and rich, I wouldn't mind giving a dollar aletter for those stories. "

"Nor I, " shouted George in an animated tone, quite different from thediscontented whine he had favored his mother with a few moments before;"the best thing is to have them read aloud to you; that makes youunderstand all about it so much better. I say, mamma, couldn't you writea letter to one of those delightful people and beg them to hurry up withmore stories, especially some about bad children;--not exactly wicked, you know, but full of mischief. _Then I am sure that they are all true. _Only wait till I'm a man! I'll just write the history of some jollyfellows I know who are always getting into scrapes, but haven't a scrapof meanness about them. That's the kind of book I like! I'll writedozens of them, and give them to all the Sunday school libraries. "

His mother smiled at this speech, and then said quietly, "I know agentleman who likes the story of 'The Little White Angel, ' as much asyou do, and he has written a letter to request the author to write sixbooks for him. "

"Six! hurrah!" shouted George, "how glad I am!" and he skipped up toHelen, caught her by the hands, and the two danced round the room, upsetting a chair, till Helen, catching her foot in the skirt of hermother's dress, they both tumbled down on the carpet together. 

"If you cut up such violent capers, " said the kind mother, laughing, "at the first part of my information, it may be dangerous to tell youwhat the author replied. "

"Oh no, do tell us!" cried the children. "We'll be as still as ourshadows;" and while they made violent efforts to look grave and standquiet, their mother told them that the author had consented, the sixbooks were to be written, and she would buy them the very first day theywere published. "Perhaps, " she continued, "mind, only perhaps, I may getthem for you _before_ they are ever printed. "

"Why, how, mamma?" they both asked. 

"Well, suppose you make some very good resolutions--let me see, " andshe took a pencil out of her pocket, and drawing a sheet of paper towardher, began to write:

"1st. To endeavor to say your prayers morning and evening without a_wandering thought_. 

"2d. To try to keep faithfully 'the Golden Rule. '

"3d. To obey your parents immediately, without asking 'why?'

"4th. (A little rule, but very important. ) To keep your teeth, nails, and hair scrupulously clean and neat. 

"5th. To bear disappointments cheerfully. 

"There, I think that will do. They are all hard rules except the fourth. I do not keep them well myself, my dear children. No one can, withoutconstant watchfulness and prayer for help from above; but you can try, will you?"

"I will, mamma, " said Helen, in a low, earnest tone, her blue eyesfilling with tears. 

"And you, George, will you?"

"Yes, mamma, I will try. I can't be a very good boy, as you know. I getso tired of being good sometimes, that I feel like jumping over thehouse to get the badness out of me, instead of sitting down quietly andthinking about my duty, as papa says I must. When papa locked me up inhis dressing room last summer, and I kicked the door as hard as ever Icould, which made him call out that I should stay there two hourslonger, I was mad enough, I tell you! but I did not cut my name with aknife on his rosewood bureau _because_ I was angry. It was because I wasalmost crazy with doing nothing but think what a bad boy I was. Thatmade me worse, you see. The best way to punish me is to see you cryingabout my conduct. I can't stand that, " and the boy put his arms roundhis mother's neck, and kissed her fondly. 

"My dear boy, " said his mother, returning the caress, "there is One whomyou grieve more than me. I wish you would think oftener of that. I knowthat different children require different sorts of punishment, and asneither your father nor I approve of beating you like a dog, and yousay that shutting you up with nothing to do only makes you worse, Ishall advise him the next time you are naughty, to send immediately fora load of wood, and make you saw it all up into small pieces, or takeyou where some house is building and order you to run up and down a longladder all day with a hod of bricks on your shoulder, or hire you out toblow the big bellows for a blacksmith. How do you think you would likethat?"

"I had a great deal rather run after the fire engines, to put the fireout. That's the kind of work I would like. Every body screaming, andpumping, and playing streams of water--twenty firemen rushing upladders, pulling old women and cats out of the windows, and somebodyinside pitching out the looking glasses and crockery to save them! Iwish our house was on fire this very minute, so I could pull you andHelen out, and save all the furniture. That would be the greatest fun inthe world!"

"Please don't set fire to the house, " cried his mother, laughing, "forthe fun of saving our lives. I prefer to keep it just as it is, andwalking quietly out at the door. " As she spoke, the sun suddenly burstforth from the clouds, and his bright rays darting into the room, thechildren sprang joyfully up, and, with their mother's consent, were soonout of the house with jumping-rope and hoop, to join their littlecompanions in a neighboring park. 

George and Helen were two charming, ingenuous children. George was fullof frolic, mischief, and fun, with generous impulses and excellentintentions, which only required peculiar and careful training andencouragement to develop him into a steady, high-principled man. Lockinghim up with nothing to do, as he truly said, did him more harm thangood; he required active punishment, and his mother wisely intended totake the hint for his future benefit. Her little Helen, though just asfull of play and fun, was more easily managed. A present of a book sowon upon her love and gratitude, that her mother had only to hold outthe prospect of a new one, and a loving kiss (Helen prized the kiss evenmore than the book) as a reward for good behavior, to make her quite apattern of a dear, amiable little girl. 

The next morning the kind mother called upon her friend Aunt Fanny, bringing George and Helen with her, as it was Saturday. First she toldall the conversation of the afternoon before, which amused Aunt Fannyvery much, and then she continued, "You told me the other day that yourdaughter was very busy writing six books for Mr. Leavitt the publisher. I know you love my children. "

"Yes, indeed!" cried Aunt Fanny. "I love children from my heart, straight out to the ends of my fingers; and when a pen is in my hands, the love runs into it, and then out again, as fast as it can scratch allover ever so many sheets of paper. My thumb aches so sometimes withwriting, that I often wish I had half a dozen extra ones, so I couldtake the tired one off and screw another on, and even then I am afraid Icould never exhaust my love for my darlings;" and she looked at thechildren and held out her hand with such an affectionate smile, thatHelen came timidly up and gave her a little winning kiss immediately, while George, blushing all over his face, showed two great dimples inhis cheeks, but had not the courage to leave his chair. 

You may be sure that Aunt Fanny, after Helen's kiss, was quite ready togrant any favor the mother might ask for her children. She was perfectlywilling to catch a comet for them to play with, or jump down a volcanoto find out who lived in the bottom of it, if anybody would only showher how. Helen's mother knew this, but she hesitated a little before shemade this strange request:

"My dear friend, my two children have made me the promises I have toldyou of, in regard to keeping my little rules and resolutions, and now Ithink it will be the most wonderful and delightful reward possible, ifthey were to be permitted to see and read your daughter's stories inmanuscript. "

"Manuscript! what does that mean, mamma?"

"In her own handwriting, dear. "

"Oh yes! yes! how very strange and delightful! And then to see the verysame stories printed! that would be so astonishing! We should like thatbetter than anything, Aunt Fanny!"

"Very well, " continued their mamma; "now I have come to beg you to lendme the stories as fast as they are written. I will take the greatestcare of them, and return them to your daughter quickly and punctually. Ihave a plan in my head which will make my children very happy, if youconsent. "

"To be sure I will, " said Aunt Fanny, "but what is your plan?"

Thereupon commenced a great whispering between the two ladies, while thechildren looked pleased, puzzled, and eagerly curious all at once; butthey were not to know. Aunt Fanny and their mother, after a great dealof nodding of heads together, and laughing and whispering, got thismysterious affair settled to their satisfaction, and then took leave ofeach other. Aunt Fanny kissed Helen, and George, too, in spite of hisblushes, and told them to bottle up their patience so that it would lastfor one whole week, observing that she was thankful that curiosity wasnot made of gunpowder, and there was no danger of their blowing upbefore the great secret came out. 

It is very seldom that you hear of such remarkably good children asGeorge and Helen were for the next few days. They were really somethingastonishing! George did not slam the door more than once or twice in awhole day; and one morning when he was going to ride on the bannistersas usual, he said "Oh, I forgot!" and immediately walked down stairs asslowly and gravely as a grandfather. 

As for Helen, she was, if possible, still more wonderful, for shelearned "six times" in the multiplication table, and said it straighton, and skipping, and even backward, in a way that surprised herteacher. Helen could say "twice one" up to "five times twelve, " veryglibly, but "six times" never would stay in her head, she said;especially "six times nine. " She always said it was "seventy-two, " or"sixty-three, " or "eighty-one, " at a desperate venture, and was alwayswrong. Now she knew, and meant to remember; and would pack away the factthat "six times nine are fifty-four, " in a comfortable place in the verymiddle of her head, to be ready for any one that wanted to know it. 

At last the next Friday came, and just before the children retired forthe night, their mother said:

"Something came for you to-day. Guess what it is?"

Up they both sprang, exclaiming, "Something for us? Oh, that is so verydelightful! What can it be?"

"My instructions are, to put it either in George's sock or in Helen'sstocking, after you are fast asleep. It is for both of you, and I leaveyou to decide where it shall be put. "

"In my sock!" shouted George. 

"In my stocking!" cried Helen. 

"Oh certainly, I forgot!" exclaimed George, generously; "in Helen'sstocking. "

"No, mamma, " said Helen, "in George's sock. "

"Stocking!" cried George. 

"Sock!" cried Helen. 

They kept this up about a dozen times, laughing and jumping about theroom like two crazy monkeys, their mamma and papa laughing too, tillall their faces were in a perfect glow, which made them look like a veryhandsome family--for, let me tell you, that good humor and innocentmerriment are very becoming to everybody, while ill-temper makes onelook like a fright. 

But how was this difficult matter of sock and stocking to be settled?Why, by the children's papa, to be sure! for he was a lawyer, and didnothing all day long but settle difficulties, or make them worse, Idon't know which. 

He took two long slips of paper, and wrote "Socks" on one and"Stockings" on the other. These he put in his hat, which George broughtout of the hall. Then he rang the bell, and told the waiter who answeredit to request Mrs. Custard, the cook, to come up to the parlor for amoment. 

Mrs. Custard, who was very fat, and, besides, had the rheumatism, cameinto the room quite breathless, looking very much surprised and a littlefrightened. She had dropped her thimble that day, when she was sewing upthe stuffing in the turkey, and had not had time to look for it; and shewas panic struck lest her master had found it roasted in the very middleof the turkey, and was going to ask her if she thought she was cookingfor an ostrich, which, as everybody knows, prefers a dinner of ironspikes, pebble stones, and oyster shells to roast beef. 

But nothing of the kind happened. The children's papa only said, "Goodevening, Mrs. Custard, you gave us a very nice dinner to-day. I want youto put your hand in this hat and draw out one piece of paper. "

"Laws me, sir!" exclaimed the cook, "I hopes you don't mean to play notrick on me; will it bite?"

The children fairly screamed with laughter at the idea of a piece ofpaper biting; and the cook made them laugh still harder, when she puther hand in very cautiously, and twitched it out three times, before sheventured to feel for the paper. 

At last one piece was caught, and on it was written "SOCKS, " which madeGeorge first jump up and down in an ecstacy of delight, and then run toHelen and tell her he was really sorry that it had not been the other. 

This decided the momentous question, and Mrs. Custard hobbled downstairs, and the children hopped, skipped, and jumped up stairs, bothwondering what would come of this magical word "socks. "

Helen had a pretty little room opening out of her mother's, but George'swas in an upper story. When they were both asleep, the mother took outof her son's bureau a clean white sock, sewed a tape loop on the edge, put a small parcel inside, and hung it on a neat brass nail, which wasdriven in a door directly opposite his bed, where it would catch his eyeas soon as he awoke. 

You may be sure both the children were up bright and early the nextmorning. Helen dressed herself quickly and ran down stairs into thedining-room to wait for her brother. 

George opened his eyes upon the sock the very first thing. He sprang outof bed and made but two steps to the door, raised his hand eagerly, andthen the generous little fellow stopped. 

"No!" he cried aloud, "I will not even squeeze the outside to guess whatit is, till I am with Helen. "

[Illustration: GEORGE AND HELEN READING "SOCKS"]

He did not stop to count his toes or fingers, though he did manage toclean his teeth, wash his face, neck, and hands, and brush his hairin about five minutes, then taking hold of the precious sock by the loopat the top, he carried it down stairs very much as if he had hold of amouse by the tail. He was met by Helen at the door with an "Oh, George, what is it?"

They both stared with all their eyes, while George told Helen she mighttake the wonderful thing out. She gladly obeyed, and drew out a compactroll of letter paper neatly tied with sky-blue ribbon. Helen untied thelittle bow, her fingers trembling with eagerness, and unrolled thepaper. It seemed to be a great many pages covered with writing, and theywere all fastened together at the top with another bit of blue ribbon. The fair and clear handwriting was delightful to look at. 

"Oh, mamma! Oh papa! do come and look!" cried George. "I do believe thisis a story before it is printed. See! on the top of the page is written'Colonel Freddy; or, the March and Encampment of the Dashahed Zouaves. '"

"Yes; Aunt Fanny sent it to me yesterday; and her daughter hopes herlittle story about soldiers will please you. "

"Please us! I guess it will! I'd rather hear about soldiers than anybodyelse in the world, even giants! because, you know, mamma, Uncle Charleyhas gone to fight, and if the Southerners had only put off the war a fewyears longer, I would have gone to fight them too; so Hurrah for theDashahed Zouaves!"

"Three cheers for the Dashahed Zouaves!" cried Helen, and they weregiven with a will. 

The children could hardly eat their breakfast in their eagerness to hearthe story which was sent to them before it was printed. This latter factgave it an extraordinary interest which they could not explain. Itseemed to be such a remarkable honor to be singled out in this way;particularly as their mother told them, before she began to read, thatAunt Fanny had requested them to be sure to let her know if they thoughtany part stupid or too long, and her daughter would improve and shortenit immediately. 

How extremely complimentary! to be asked to sit and listen as criticsand judges, and they only children! Really, it was almost too much tobelieve!

But it added tremendously to the charm, and George and Helen took theirseats after breakfast, invested with this new and important dignity, with such an expression of solemn delight on their faces, that theirmother had to run out of the room and have a good laugh by herself inthe hall, after which she returned, and, with as serious a face as shecould call up with those two little figures so stiff and stark beforeher, smoothed out the manuscript, and began as follows:

COLONEL FREDDY;

OR, THE MARCH AND ENCAMPMENT OF THE DASHAHED ZOUAVES. 

CHAPTER I. 

RAISING A REGIMENT. 

ONE bright afternoon last summer, about two weeks after the dreadfulbattle of Bull Run, Freddy Jourdain burst open the door of his mother'sroom and rushed in, exclaiming: "Jolly, mother! such fun! What _do_ youthink the boys in our school are going to do?"

"Why what?" asked his mother. 

"Yes, I should really like to know why you come tearing up stairsyelling like forty steam engines!" added his sister Bella, who wasrather a particular young lady. 

"Well, " began Freddy, looking very important, "I'll _try_ to explain, but I don't believe _you women_ can understand about _us boys_!"

"After that speech I think you had better explain, " said Bella, "ifyou're not in want of a thimble pie on your knuckles. "

"Well, then, " cried Freddy, with sparkling eyes, "the boys at our schoolare all _square_ against that old Jeff. Davis, and in recess yesterday, we concluded that we ought to go and help shoot the Southerners. Sowe've organized a regiment, and I'm chosen Colonel; and I'm going totake my regiment to camp on Monday, that is, if you'll let me. Mayn't I, mother? It's such fun, and Tom Pringle's given me such a jolly popgun!Hurrah for Jackson and the Stars and Stripes!" So saying, Freddy cut acaper in the air, that made about forty "chaney alleys, " "stony alleys, ""glass agates, " and "middles, " pop out of his satchel, which was slungover one shoulder, and roll into all the corners of the room. 

"Where is your encampment to be?" said his mother, as gravely as shecould. 

"Oh, down on Mr. Schermerhorn's place at Astoria. Peter Schermerhorntold us to-day that his father was willing we should have it there, andhas invited us all to come and stay a whole week. We're to live in _realtents_!" (here Freddy couldn't help cutting another caper, ) "and cookour own dinners, and--oh, mother, mayn't I go? say!"

"I do not think of any objection at present, " replied Mrs. Jourdain, "but you must wait until your father comes home, and hear what he has tosay. It was very kind of Mr. Schermerhorn to invite you all, but I amafraid he will be driven distracted with such a number of harem-scaremboys running about his place. "

At this moment Joseph, the black waiter, knocked at the door, andannounced, with an air of high-flown elegance, that "Major Schermerhornwas in the _drawing salon_ (which he considered the purest ParisianFrench for front parlor), and desired to see Col. Jourdain;" and ouryoung friend was off like a shot, Joseph following at a dignified pace. 

Joseph, like most other colored servants in New York, was a person ofthe highest fashion, according to his own notions. No short words for_him_, I can tell you. I remember well the first time I called upon hismistress, I inquired, "Does Mrs. Jourdain live here?" and Joseph, drawing himself up with an air of superior refinement, replied, "Mrs. Jourdain _resides_ here, madam. " At dinner parties, when he waited upontable, he was the most dignified person present, and held his head up sohigh that he looked as if it would shortly go through the chandelier. Hewas always dressed in the finest broadcloth and patent leather, hisblack face and white necktie presenting an admirable contrast, while heused all the five cornered words in the dictionary in replying to anyquestion, and always handed the dishes to the ladies with a flourish ofthe most astonishing character. 

Now, if I tell you a secret, you must promise not to let any one knowit. Freddy's parents live in the Fifth avenue above Madison Square, inthe city of New York. His father is a rich man, and Freddy, a bright, manly lad, between thirteen and fourteen at the time I am writingabout, and the only son, is a good deal indulged. But don't think heever abuses the kindness of his loving papa and mamma; no--although heis full of noise, fun, and innocent mischief, he is a good, obedientlittle fellow--and that is why they love to do all they can to make himhappy. But you must not tell that I said where he lives. 

When Mr. Jourdain came home that evening, Freddy, of course, began totell him the first thing, about the regiment and Mr. Schermerhorn'sdelightful invitation. You may be sure he gave a full-length descriptionof the pleasures of camp life, as retailed by Peter to an enthusiasticaudience at recess; and backed up his request to go by such powerfulpleas of sparkling, eager eyes, flushed, happy face, and irresistible, dimpling smile, that the hardest-hearted papa in existence would havesaid "yes. " Mr. Jourdain, being anything but hard-hearted, readilyconsented, as he was intimately acquainted with Mr. Schermerhorn andfamily, and knew there was no fear on a private place of their meetingwith danger, or getting into trouble. 

Then his father went on to ask a great many questions about theregiment, how many boys belonged to it, what their sizes were, and wherethey lived; all of which Freddy delightedly answered, and kept up acontinuous chattering until a quarter past nine, which, being his bedtime, he was reluctantly obliged to trot up stairs. 

After he was fairly out of the room, his father and mother had a longconsultation, which resulted next day in Mr. Jourdain's paying a visitto "Brooks Brothers, " the tailors in Broadway, and afterward going to acertain store in Maiden Lane, which had all manner of toy knapsacks andguns in the window. What could he have gone there for, I wonder? andthen betaken himself to the police station in B---- street? Really, itseems very mysterious, but wait a little, and you'll see. 

Meanwhile Freddy, with his satchel hanging down his back to look asmuch like a knapsack as possible, marched off to school bright andearly; whistling the "Star-spangled Banner" as he went along, andlooking with the utmost pity upon strange boys, who hadn't the honor ofbelonging to his glorious regiment, the "Dashahed Zouaves, " as hisfather had advised him to name it. 

He reached Dr. Larned's academy just as Peter, Harry, and half a dozenothers were going in. They greeted him directly with a shout of "Well, Fred, what does your father say?"

"Oh, I'm to go!" cried Freddy, "I say, fellows, what do you think of theDashahed Zouaves for a name?"

"That's splendid! capital!" was the cry of the party. I am afraid Imust add that Peter said "that's _gay_!"

There was no time to talk now, however, for it was full nine o'clock; sothe boys, hanging up their hats in the hall, entered the school room, and prayers over, the lessons began. 

But who could be very attentive to his _ante_-cedents, or_uncle_-cedents either, when, in three days, the _se_-cedents were to beutterly routed by the Dashahed Zouaves? The boys were so full of chuckleand bounce, that, I'm afraid, poor Dr. Larned would have become crackedand crazy, if he hadn't reflected that the holidays and Fourth of July, or, as Peter called it, "the Fourth of Ju-New Year's" were coming, andthat probably the state of things was owing to those important facts. 

The recitations on that memorable Friday, however, were somethingwonderful, sure enough. For instance, the lesson in geography was aboutChina. The doctor asked a boy, "Where is Shanghai situated?" and hereplied, "On Long Island, about two miles from Astoria landing!--thatis, " and there he stopped, looking as awkward and silly as a Shanghaichicken. 

"Won't do, sir, " said the doctor, in a grave tone, "you must study thelesson over again, and go down one;" and down he had to go, feelingrather flat. 

Then the doctor asked Freddy what the principal manufactures were, andhe answered, "Tea, porcelain, silk, and Zouave drill--no, no, the otherkind of drill! dear me, what do I mean?"

"I cannot imagine, " returned Doctor Larned, in a severe tone, but with alittle bit of a smile hiding in the corner of his mouth. "You appear tobe thinking of anything but your lessons, young gentlemen--but as it isthe last day of school, I excuse you. We will have recess earlier thanusual, and see if we cannot do better afterward. "

So saying, he opened the door leading from the school room to hisprivate study, and went in; while the boys, luncheon in hand, ran to theplayground. 

"The playground, " as it was called, was the large yard attached to thehouse, which had been fitted up with a few simple gymnasticcontrivances, and formed a capital place where the boys might amusethemselves in fine weather. Down they sat, and for a few moments were sobusy trying who could take the biggest semicircular bite out of a sliceof bread and butter that nobody spoke a word. At last Freddy commenced, by calling out, "I say, fellows!"

"Silence in the guard tent! the Colonel's going to speak!" cried Peter, making a new version of the old school saying. 

"Don't you know all the real Zouaves have their hair cut as short asanything? and just look at mine!" and Freddy tossed back his silky, golden curls in high disgust. 

"Fellows, _it must be done_! We must have that hair off, short order!"continued the Colonel, solemnly. 

"Well, " exclaimed George Chadwick, who was the oldest of the party, andwould certainly have been Colonel if Freddy had not been prime favoritewith everybody, "Don't you see how we can manage that?"

"Why, how?" was the general question. 

"Just you wait a moment, " replied the inventor, and he put for the housein double quick time, whence he presently returned with an immense pairof scissors, which he had borrowed of the cook. 

"Now, then, who'll be scissorized first?"

"I! I! I!" cried a chorus of voices. 

"Can't do every one at once; come, Freddy, you're thecommander-in-chief, suppose you set the example. "

"Here goes, then!" exclaimed Freddy; and down he sat on the springboard. 

Snip! went the long scissors, and off came a beautiful curl. Snap! moredemolition on the other side, and in five minutes such a worn-out oldscrubbing brush as his head looked like, never was seen anywhere, evenon a Zouave; George, of course, running out his tongue so far atevery snip of the scissors, that it was a mercy it didn't get cut off, too. 

[Illustration: "FIRE AWAY OLD CHAP!"]

"Jolly! what a fright you look!" shouted Peter. "I say Freddy, I expectyou'll scare General Beauregard into the cholera the first time he seesyou. Now, then, it's my turn; fire away old chap!"

My conscience! what hair cutting that was! Some parts were scratchednearly bald, while in others, little bunches of hair were left standingup like stubble in an autumn cornfield. Their heads looked as if theyhad been gnawed by the mice or dug up in spots by the roots; and I amsure their own mammas would scarcely have known them again. 

"Come, number three's turn now!" exclaimed George, flourishing hisscissors. 

"No, I don't know about that, " put in Tom Pringle, who was the mostthoughtful of the party, "I guess I'd rather see what my mother thinksbefore I have _my_ hair cut off. "

This speech caused the rest of the regiment to think of something whichhadn't struck them before, namely what _their_ mothers would say on thesubject of Zouave hair dressing, and as George began to be a littlefrightened by this time, at the fearful and astonishing results of hispatent plan, it was decided to defer the rest of the operation untilanother time. 

But the amazement of Dr. Larned, when he beheld his pupils in such acondition, was beyond everything. 

"Why, Peter! Freddy! what have you been doing?" he exclaimed, raisinghis hands, and pushing his spectacles to the top of his forehead, tolook at them better. 

"Oh, only getting our hair cut in the Zouave pattern, " said Peter, ascool as a cucumber. "Don't you know, Doctor, that we've organized aregiment?"

"Organized a regiment!" repeated the doctor, his spectacles almostfalling off with astonishment. 

"Yes, sir, the Dashahed Zouaves; haven't you heard of them?"

"Is there any end to the mischief of boys?" exclaimed the doctor; "Ifsuch things had happened in my young days, our old master, Dr. Birchemwell, would have verified his name even oftener than he did. I donot know what your mothers will say when they see such a couple ofscarecrows; but come, we have wasted quite time enough; lessons!lessons!"

And to the credit of the boys, be it said, they really did set to worklike good fellows, recited the unlucky geography lesson without a singlemistake, ciphered like perfect calculating machines, and had thepleasure of hearing Dr. Larned say, as they shook hands for good-bye, "Really, young gentlemen, you have done very well--very well, indeed; sonow good-bye, and pleasant holidays!"

CHAPTER II. 

"MARCHING ALONG. "

MONDAY morning at last! and a bright, beautiful day. The sky was as blueas possible; the sun shone so brightly that it seemed as though it musthave been polished up for the occasion, and Colonel Freddy, as soon ashe awoke, could not help giving a little shout of joy. 

But what was that right opposite his bed? A large wooden box, with"Colonel Jourdain, Dashahed Zouaves, First Regiment L. I. Volunteers, "painted on the lid in great black letters. 

Up jumped the new Colonel quicker than any grasshopper, rushed to themysterious box, and raised the lid. Lying on top was a letter at leastsix inches square, directed like the box, and closed with a great redseal. Underneath _that_ was--what do you think? A splendid uniform for aColonel of Zouaves! sword, cap, and epaulettes, complete!

Freddy's eyes and mouth opened to their widest compass, as he stared atthe box, too much surprised to move. Presently his father came in, looking highly amused. 

"Good morning, Colonel, " he began. 

"Oh, father!" interrupted Freddy, finding his tongue at last, "do lookhere! Did you ever see anything so splendid in your life? Where _did_they come from?"

"Perhaps the letter will tell you, " was all his father would say. 

Freddy snatched up the big letter, broke the seal, and with sparklingeyes read the following. 

 NEW YORK, _July --th, 1861_. MY DEAR SON:

 In consideration of your heroic determination to enter the army in the service of your country, and seeing how nobly you have prepared to engage in the contest by making your hair look as if it had been driven in or pulled out, I have thought best to present you with this uniform to whip the Southerners in; a suit of which I have also sent to every _man_ in your regiment. As I entertain scarcely a doubt that Old Abe will shortly summon you to start down South to Dixie, I hope that you will have a brave regiment, a pleasant encampment, and a first-rate time. And that, in later years, should it be necessary, you will _truly_ distinguish yourself, through God's assistance, under the banner of our country, and stand up in the field in the cause of Truth and Justice, is the sincere wish of

 Your affectionate Father, L. JOURDAIN. 

Freddy was delighted at this letter, with its mingled playfulness andsincere patriotism. With all his fun, he was uncommonly intelligent, andunderstood and appreciated many things which far older boys might havefailed to comprehend; and now his splendid blue eyes were raised to hisfather's face, flashing with real enthusiasm; he felt and looked at thatmoment, like his noble French ancestors, a born soldier. 

But the serious mood was soon displaced by a fresh access of glee. 

"Oh, thank you, papa!" he cried, "how very kind of you! How surprisedthe boys will be! Hurrah! what a jolly time we shall have! and do youthink the President will really send for us? He will be a perfectjay-bird of a President if he does!"

"No doubt he will be highly desirous to secure the services of thegallant Dashahed Zouaves, " replied his father, laughing; "but make hastenow, Fred, it's nearly breakfast time. " So saying, he left the room. 

Of course, the new clothes had to go on directly; and first my youngsoldier donned a pair of remarkably baggy red trowsers, which looked asif they had a connection with the Manhattan Gas Company like a new sortof balloon, they were so puffy; and a pair of leather gaiters reachingfrom the calf of the leg to the ancle. Then came a most splendidbluejacket, covered in every direction with gold lace, a killing littleruffled shirt, and a flourishing blue sash. Perched on top of his head, where his hair had been the day before, was a red fez with a long bluetassel, and, to crown all, or, I might say, _cutting-out_ everythingelse, was a splendid sword, as bright as silver, with a terriblysharp-looking edge, and an elegant gold handle. 

When he was all dressed, he ran down stairs and found, on entering thedining room, that he was the only one there. A large mirror was over themantel, which reflected the handsome room, with its deep bay window, filled with flowers, its sideboard, loaded with massive plate, and thebreakfast table, covered with its snowy cloth, and nice beefsteak, muffins, and coffee, looking so tempting to hungry folks. 

Freddy's eye fell on the mirror, and a new idea came into his head. "Hurrah! here's a capital chance to see how I look from head to foot, "he thought; so, without remembering the long pier glasses in the parlor, he dragged his father's arm chair in front of the fireplace, and, jumping on the seat, stood turning and twisting about, staring athimself all the time, and quite put out at not being able to see thewhole of his back at once. Finally he concluded his performance bystriking a tremendous attitude, with his legs as far apart as the chairwould permit, his sword in the air, and such a ferocious scowl on hisface, that it was a mercy his brows didn't get tied up in a double bowknot then and there. 

All at once there was a little laugh in the direction of the door. Freddy wheeled round, and there were papa, mamma, and Bella looking on, and trying hard to keep in the laughter!

Down scrambled Colonel Freddy from his perch, blushing up to the veryroots of his hair. There wasn't much more than the roots left, to besure; but his father laid his hand on the epauletted shoulder with agood-natured, "Never mind, old fellow, you look fine enough to justify alittle personal reflection. "

Hardly had Freddy taken his place at the table, and his father asked ablessing, than there came such a tremendous ring at the bell, that theythought the President must have come to town to see the regiment off onits travels; but, instead of Old Abe, Major Peter Schermerhorn (whopassed the week with an aunt in town, and only went down to Astoria onSaturdays) popped into the room. He was dressed, like Freddy, in a brannew Zouave suit, and the very first thing he said was, "Oh, Fred! onlysee what I found in my room this morning;" and Peter stood on one leg, and twirled round to show off his new clothes. 

"So did I in mine!" said Freddy. 

"Where could they have come from?" continued Peter. "I asked AuntEdith, and all she would tell me was that the box was sent last night, from a friend. Have you any idea, Fred?"

Freddy burst out laughing. "They came from a good fairy, " he said, "andthere he is!" and he pointed to his father, who pretended not to hear. 

"Hurrah for Mr. Jourdain!" shouted Peter, tossing his cap in the air. 

"Will you have some breakfast, Peter?" asked Mrs. Jourdain. 

"Thank you, ma'am, I had my breakfast before I started, all alone bymyself--but, " looking at the nice beefsteak, "I think I _could_ eat alittle more. "

"How many apples, by the way Peter?" asked Bella, mischievously. 

"Only two, " he answered, quite seriously, "and a piece of taffy, andtwo cents' worth of peanuts! that's all, I think; no, a cent's worth ofice cream!"

"Of ice cream!" exclaimed Bella, "where can you get ice cream for acent?"

"Why, on the street corners--real good ice cream, too--don't you knowthat?" and Peter put on an air of superior wisdom, as though he was aknowing young gentleman, who understood better than anybody where nicethings were to be had. 

"But come, Peter, " said Mr. Jourdain, "I should like to hear somethingmore about your encampment. How long is your father willing you shouldhave it?"

"Father says, sir, " replied Peter, "that we can stay until he leaves forNiagara, which will be next week, I guess. We're to have our camp on thelawn, most a quarter of a mile from the house, and some of our men arefixing the tents this morning. There are to be eight of 'em--isn't thatgay, Fred? and we've got the smoke house by way of a guard tent beside;but there--I forgot all this time that I have a letter from papa foryou, sir--here it is. "

Mr. Jourdain opened the letter, and read as follows:

 MY DEAR JOURDAIN:

 I send you three words, through my harum-scarum Peter, merely to beg that Mrs. Jourdain and yourself will feel no uneasiness concerning the military expedition which has been the principal subject of discussion in my household, and I presume in yours also, since Thursday last. The invincible Zouaves will be stationed too near the house to make any danger possible, and as my family are going to Niagara on Tuesday, and I shall be left a "lone lorn creetur, " it will be as much an amusement as anything to make their safety and happiness my special care. 

 Hoping that you will permit Fred to remain in my charge a few days, I am, with regards to Mrs. Jourdain, Very sincerely yours, H. SCHERMERHORN. "

Ting-a-ling-ling went the front door bell, as if the bull in Cock Robinhad hold of the handle. Tramp, tramp, shuffle, shuffle, in the hall, andthen Joseph tapped at the door, and showed in a whole troop of merry, noisy boys, all costumed à la Zouave, and with their hair shaved soclose that they had to frown very hard to keep their caps on. 

The famous Dashahed Zouaves were all mustered, sure enough; and turnedout to consist of sixteen high privates, four captains, and astandard-bearer, master Tom Pringle, with a perfectly magnificentStar-spangled Banner in his hand, surmounted by an astonishing spreadeagle. Then came Major Peter Schermerhorn, who was the prime spirit ofmischief of the party, and last, though not least, the great ColonelFreddy; who was dancing about in a high state of glee; while the rest ofthe _men_, seeing that the _Colonel_ didn't regard dignity in the least, had an impromptu Zouave drill (which consists principally in turningsomersaults) all round the dining room, the grown people looking on, inagonies of suppressed laughter. 

While this novel entertainment was in full swing, the bell tingledagain, and Joseph entered once more, to announce, "Master Frederic, theescort and the band have _arriven_, and desire me to say that they areawaiting your pleasure. "

The escort and the band! Was there any end to wonders this morning? Atthose magical words, the regiment couldn't resist giving three cheersthat nearly took the top of the house off; followed by three for Mr. Jourdain, when Peter made a mock-heroic speech about the uniforms; andfinished off with a dozen more for anybody and everybody. At last Mr. Jourdain glanced at his watch and said, "Come, Colonel, I'm afraidyou'll miss the boat if you don't make haste. Remember, you have a longmarch before you, and it is almost ten o'clock now. "

"Ah, that's a fact!" exclaimed the commander. "Ahem! fall in, old chaps, that is, squad--battalion--what's his name; pshaw! and let's be off. "

This mandate to "fall in" certainly appeared to be translated "poke in"by the greater part of the corps, for it was directly followed by such atreading upon everybody's toes, and a ramming of elbows into otherpeople's stomachs and chests, and such imminent danger incurred of everyeye in the company being put out with bayonets held upside down, straight out, wiggle-waggle, and "various, " as rendered it highly likelythat matters would be terminated by a fall _out_; but at last they werefairly in line, and marched down the steps into the street; feeling alittle shame-faced, but excessively proud of their new and conspicuousposition. 

All the neighbors were leaning out of windows, nearly petrified withastonishment at what was going on; while at least fifty little raggedboys stood staring at the door, their eyes almost popping out of theirheads, as the glorious Dashahed Zouaves made their appearance; tryingdesperately to tuck in the broad grins that _would_ show at the cornersof their mouths, and disturb the proper gravity of a soldier. 

But their good behavior was nearly put to flight altogether when theybeheld, waiting to escort them, three of the tallest policemen in thecity (to engage whom Mr. Jourdain had made that third call, youremember, in B---- street), and Dodworth's splendid brass band, marshalled in full force. 

Oh! how their eyes did sparkle! They could hardly get into marchingorder, or wait until Freddy, who had lingered behind to say good-by, came out and took his place at the head of the regiment. Then, with onemore tremendous cheer, rang out the command, MARCH!

Out burst the band with the glorious "Star-spangled Banner;" brightlystreamed the folds of the flag itself in the wind; proudly ColonelFreddy waved his sword in the air; and so, with steps that kept time tothe music, and hearts that thrilled with a mixture of fun andpatriotism, the gallant Dashahed Zouaves marched off for CampMcClellan. 

CHAPTER III. 

CAMP LIFE. 

TOOT-TOOO! went the whistle of the steamboat "Mattano. " "All aboard!"yelled the captain, and all aboard it was for the Dashahed Zouaves, andever so many people beside, who, you may be sure, were all eyes whenthey found out that such a _killing_ regiment was going down with them. 

"Good-by, my boy, " called Mr. Jourdain (who had followed the march in astage) from the wharf. 

"Good-by, father; I say, old Beauregard will have to keep his eyes opennow the Dashahed Zouaves are in the field!" and Freddy waved his cap inone hand and his sword in the other to his father, as long as he couldsee him. 

In a few moments the boat was fairly out from the wharf, and the wholeregiment comfortably seated on the promenade deck; very proud of theirnew responsibilities as members of the army and society generally, andsurrounded by a crowd of admirers. 

"Jolly, ain't I hungry!" exclaimed Freddy, as he joined them; "I wentoff with hardly any breakfast, I declare! wasn't that noble?"

"Noble? I don't see it!" said Charley Spicer. "Nobody asked you to gowithout your breakfast!"

"Why, wasn't I in a hurry to serve my country? When I was so full ofglory, I couldn't stop to get full of beefsteak and coffee beside!"

"Never mind!" cried Harry Livingston, "I have some sandwiches in myknapsack, and you shall have some, Fred. "

"Have you? there's six big apples in mine, " said Charley. 

"Here's a quart of peanuts and half a pound of taffy for my share, "added Jimmy Boorman. 

"And I've a pair of broiled spring chickens! high diddle-diddle!"shouted George. 

"Good boy!" exclaimed Tom Pringle; "here, take my molasses and waterbottle--canteen, I mean, and pass round the tin plate for the Colonel!"

Amid high glee, every one bestowed a part of his provisions on Freddyuntil a sufficiently motley meal was collected; half of which heimmediately offered again to his companions, who, of course, were quiteready to feel hungry too, and they all munched together, like a companyof gypsies. 

"I say, Capting, " said a tall Yankee in a fur hat, to Peter, "what mayyew calculate dewing on Long Island?"

"Why, we're going into camp, to be sure. "

"Lors-a-massy! them air boys all alone by theirselves!" exclaimed anold countrywoman, carrying a large market basket, and wearing a greatpair of brass-rimmed spectacles. "It beats all natur!"

"Yew ha'n't got no one to look arter you?" continued the tall Yankee. 

"Certainly; here's our commanding officer, Col. Jourdain. "

"Let me present Mr. ----, " added Freddy, full of laugh, and highlyenjoying the fun. 

"Captin George Washington Kosciusko Peter Bonaparte Solomon Hopkins!"said the countryman, with an awkward bow; while the boys hardly dared tolook at each other, they were so afraid of bursting out laughing at hisridiculous name. Its fortunate possessor, nothing abashed, went on, "But dew tell, wha--at on airth _dew_ you call yourselves?"

"These, sir, " replied Freddy, as grave as a judge, though his eyessparkled with fun, "are the famous Dashahed Zouaves, First Regiment LongIsland Volunteers; I am the Colonel, this is Major Schermerhorn, Captains Spicer, Chadwick, Livingston, and Boorman, Sergeant Pringle, and Adjutant Costar. "

"Oh, _light infantry_ regiment, I calculate. "

"No, sir, _heavy veterans_!" put in Will Costar. 

"Wal I never!" exclaimed Captin George Washington Kosciusko PeterBonaparte Solomon Hopkins (here the boat touched the pier of theFlushing Railroad); "Naow mind, Kurnel Jordan, if ever your regimentcomes to Hempstead, yeou put for Captin Hopkins' farm, and if yeou don'tget the biggest lot of red apples yeou ever _did_ see, I'll be made intoapple pie myself!" and off marched the Yankee, while the boys, as soonas he was fairly out of sight, indulged rather ungratefully in anexplosion of laughter. 

Presently the boat stopped at Ravenswood, and here the old woman gotoff; but before she went, she took an immense shiny hunk of gingerbreadout of the great market basket, and bestowed it on Freddy, saying, "Here, take this, sonny; you air a dear little fellow, so like mySammy, too"--and the poor old woman's voice broke, and tears began togather under the brass-bound spectacles, as she turned to leave theboat. 

Freddy put down his cake, and ran after her, saying, "Thank you, ma'am, thank you very much; I am sorry you are distressed. "

The old woman stopped, and saying softly, "Bless you, my son!" shekissed the bright, rosy cheek, and went away quite comforted. 

Freddy wasn't ashamed either, not a bit, when they teased him afterward, but said, "I don't care, she's a real nice old thing; now, there!"

Soon the boat ran up to the wharf at Astoria. Delighted to arrive attheir journey's end, the boys scampered off as soon as the plank touchedthe shore, and "formed" on the road in fine style. 

"Goodness, Peter!" exclaimed Freddy, "I hope it's not very far to yourfather's place; I'm afraid I shall be melted altogether if it is. "

"Well, it _is_ a good way, " began Peter, with rather a rueful face. 

"So far that I intend to take you there in comfort, " said a pleasantvoice close behind them. 

"Oh, father, " cried Peter (for it was Mr. Schermerhorn), "how kind ofyou! Only look, boys!" and he pointed to two double rockaways which werewaiting on the pier. 

In they all swarmed, managing to find places for everybody (and really, it is surprising how a rockaway can _stretch_ on occasion), and after arapid drive along a level sandy road, the ha-ha fences of Mr. Schermerhorn's splendid country seat, "Locust Grove, " came in view. Soonthe carriages entered the beautiful rustic gate, its pillars surmountedby vases, filled with trailing plants; and in a moment more were dashingover the gravelled drive toward the western side of the place. 

At one point, the road led directly over a deep ravine, spanned by abridge of rough logs. Then they whirled past a tranquil lake, dottedwith pond lilies, and shaded by drooping willows, through which might becaught a glimpse of the tall white chimneys of the house. At last, witha sudden bend, the drive came out on a wide velvet lawn, relieved by afringe of the beautiful locusts, covered, at this season of the year, with the fragrant pinkish flowers. At some distance a quaint Chinesesummer house served as an observatory; beds of brilliant scarlet verbenaand many-colored petunias dotted the grass here and there, and rightbefore them, most beautiful of all in their eyes, was the encampmentitself, eight snowy white tents, four in a row, while in the midst rosea tall flagstaff, with the dear old Red, White, and Blue floating fromthe summit. 

"Hurrah, boys, there's the tents!" shouted Peter, at the top of hisvoice "Come, let's see who'll get there first;" and, before thecarriage could stop, Peter had hopped out, tumbled head over heels onthe soft grass, jumped up, and scampered on in advance, followed amoment after by the rest. 

These wonderful tents were furnished just like real soldiers' dwellings;with a good warm blanket for each of the three occupants, a bright tinbasin and tooth mug, a cedar bucket to draw water, a square lookingglass, like a sticking plaster, and a couple of wooden lockers (which, between ourselves, were made of claret boxes) in each one; beside campstools in abundance for everybody. 

"Here's the officers' quarters!" cried George, as he flung open thedoor of the smoke house. 

"No, that's the guard house, Chadwick, " said Harry, "where we put therefracti-rac-tic-tactories. "

"Oh, is it? I go in for that!" shouted Will Costar, "whateverreractitactories may be. "

"You're on the wrong tack now, old chap, " added Tom Pringle. "But onlysee what I've discovered! such a high old battery, boys! six brasscannon nearly as big as boot-jacks. Hurrah for the Dashahed Zouaves!"and away scampered the boys to look at the guns, while Colonel Freddy, quite forgetting his dignity, fell to and executed a volunteer Jim Crowpolka, and Peter sang the following ridiculous song, making up words ashe went along:

 "Ain't I glad I'm out in the wilderness, Out in the wilderness, Out in the wilderness, Ain't I glad I'm out in the wilderness, Down in Astori-_or_?

 "Good-by, boys, I'm off for Dixie, Off for Dixie, Off for Dixie, Good-by, boys, I'm off for Dixie, And sha'n't come back no more!"

Meanwhile, Mr. Schermerhorn had been superintending certain arrangementsfor the provisioning of the camp, and presently a bugle call, sounded byone of the stable men, summoned the regiment to prepare for dinner. 

Peter took a bucket and went to draw some water; George and Harry made afire in the smoke house, which, after all the guesses, turned out to beintended for the regimental kitchen; Jimmy and Tom were initiated intothe mysteries of frying ham and potatoes by the cook, and the rest setthe table (for the soldiers considered it a point of honor that theyshould wait on themselves). 

Amid high glee the table, consisting of a broad smooth plank placed uponhorses, was laid with the tin cup and plates, the pewter forks andspoons, and horn-handled knives, which the boys carried in theirknapsacks just like real soldiers, after which the table was furtherembellished by the remains of the rations they had brought with them, disposed around wherever they thought the dishes would have the besteffect. 

The grand feast of fried ham was ready at last, and the new cookspresented themselves and it at table, very hungry and happy. Mrs. Mincemeat, the fat cook, had made the boys each put on one of her bluecheck aprons, tied under their chins, to save their uniforms; and whenthey appeared in this new array, their faces as red and shining as astick of sealing wax, there was a general shout of laughter. 

"Well, my precious babies, " cried one. 

"Don't soil your new bibs, my tiddy-ikle duckies!" called another. 

"There, don't tease them, " said Freddy, the general peacemaker; "Come, fellows, let's have dinner; ham's good, I tell you!" and down they satat table, in high, good humor. 

Of course the cooking business was rather to amuse the boys than inearnest, for the fried ham formed only a small part of the abundantdinner set before the gallant Zouaves. There was lamb, and green peas, new potatoes, fresh tomatoes, custard pudding, and raspberries, all ofwhich was pronounced "fine, " although Jimmy declared there never was anydish at Delmonico's to equal or surpass his fried ham, and the othersfully concurred in this opinion. 

As soon as the dinner was fairly under way, Mr. Schermerhorn rose fromhis place at the table, where he had been carving, and said, with apleased smile on his face, "Now, my brave soldiers, I must take myleave. Have the goodness not to do double-quick over the flower beds, leave a dish or so of cherries in the orchard, and, whatever you do, don't tumble into the lake, and I shall be satisfied. "

"Three cheers for Mr. Schermerhorn!" shouted Colonel Freddy. In aninstant every fellow was on his feet, every cap was in the air, and atremendous "Hurrah! hurrah! ti-ga-a-ah!" made the echoes around CampMcClellan wake up in a hurry, and poke their heads out of the hills tosee where the cannonading was. 

Of course, being boys, the regiment cleared the dishes in astonishingstyle, and polished their plates so thoroughly that you would hardlyhave thought they wanted the grand washing they had when dinner wasover. 

After stowing all the things away neatly in the smokehouse, andarranging their surplus luggage (which had been sent down the previousSaturday), in the lockers, they all had a grand game at fox and geese, which lasted until Freddy, perfectly worn out with laughing andscampering about, exclaimed, "Come, fellows, do let's sit down and bequiet; I'm as tired as if I had walked from here to China. "

"Yes, let's be _solemn_ a little while, " said Peter. "In these_momentous_ times, we _army men_ ought to be thinking how to fix off theold secessionists and that sort of thing. I move we all sit down in acircle, and the first who laughs shall tell a story. "

The boys thought this was a grand idea. So they found a nice place, justbeneath the sheltering boughs of the locusts, and, putting the campstools in a ring, they sat down, to see how solemn they could be. But itwas no use; though they pinched up their mouths, and frowned, and didtheir best to look like a company of highly respectable owls, in twominutes they all burst out laughing, so nearly together that nobodycould tell who had begun. 

As soon as the broad faces had come back to their proper length, therewas a general cry for a story; and as Peter had instituted the newregulation, he undertook to carry it out; so, drawing a long breath tostart with, he commenced:

"Once upon a time, there lived a family of bears in a thick wood. Grumpy-growly, the father, was a jolly, cross old fellow--oh! I guess hewas! and the little ones didn't dare so much as to snap at a fly withoutpermission, when he was around. 

"One day Grumpy-growly went out to take a walk, bidding the young onesto be very good while he was away; for he was a widower, poor fellow!and had to see after his family himself. 

"As soon as he was fairly gone, Longclawse, the eldest, said, 'Seems tome, brothers, we have stood this long enough. All the other cubs in thewood can run about as they please, and why should we be kept in thispoky old cave? Suppose we try to get away the big log before the door?'for this was what Grumpy-growly put up to keep them at home. 

"'Good! I go in for that!' cried Bushyball, Titehugge, and Stubtail, theother cubs. 

"So first they tried to poke their noses under the log, but the plaguyold thing wouldn't stir. Then they turned their backs against it, andall kicked together with their hind legs, and presently away it went, tothe great delight of the four bears, who didn't trouble themselves toput it back again, but just packed up their carpet bags, and cut stick, I tell you. "

Here Peter opened his eyes and mouth very wide, and ran out his tonguefor a moment to get an airing, a proceeding which he frequently repeatedduring the story. Then he went on:

"They had a jolly time climbing trees, rolling on the soft grass, andplaying with the other bears they met; but at last Titehugge andStubtail, the youngest, declared they were too tired to go another step, and must take a little nap. Longclawse and Bushyball thought they wouldgo off to see the election, which they had been told was to take placethat very day, and the others, promising not to stir from the spotwithout them, curled themselves up into tight round balls, and went tosleep. 

"While they were dreaming away, a fox came along. He was a cunning oldcodger, and hated Grumpy-growly like mustard, because the old fellow hadonce treated him, in a fit of rage, to a hug that nearly put an end tohim. When he saw the sons of his enemy asleep, he made up his mind tofool them in revenge; and after he had rummaged both their carpet bags, to see if there was anything worth taking, he went up to Titehugge andpulled his ear a little to waken him. Titehugge, who was as cross astwo sticks, and always fighting his brothers, opened his eyes, and fora moment looked so very like giving the fox a gentle squeeze, that foxywas rather startled. However, he took courage, and laying his paw on hisheart, he made the bear such an elegant bow that he nearly cracked hisspine. 'Ah, my d-e-a-r Titehugge! so glad to see you. You know I havealways been a great friend of your dear papa's, and now, I should beoverjoyed to do you a little favor. Do you happen to know that there isa tree near here, which is hollow from root to branches, and filled withwild bees' combs and honey?'

"'No! cried Titehugge, 'is there? Show it to me directly, master fox, and don't stand there gaping at me!' You see, bears were nevercelebrated for being polite, and Titehugge had no more manners than anyof 'em. 

"'Come along, then, ' said the fox, 'but take care to make no noise, oryou will waken your brother, and then he'll be wanting to have half thehoney. '

"Titehugge was a selfish little pig--bear, I mean--and though he feltrather shy of going off alone for the first time in his life, he was toogreedy after the honey to let that trouble him much. However, he said, 'You had better be careful not to play any tricks, master fox, for ifyou do, I'll give you a hug that will settle _you_--if you are such adear friend of mine. '

"'My d-e-a-r friend!' exclaimed the fox, 'd-o-n't say so! How can yousuppose I would do such a shabby thing? Come, we shall soon be at thetree. '

"Titehugge waited for nothing more, but started off with master fox, whokept on flattering him all the way until Titehugge thought him thefirst-_ratest_ fellow in the whole world. Presently they came to thehollow tree, and Titehugge, without waiting to ask any questions, shinned up like a streak of lightning, and began smelling down the hole. 'But, it looks very dark down here, ' cried he at last 'and I don't seeany honey'. 

"'Oh, you must poke your nose further in, ' said the fox, 'and you'llsoon come to it. '

"Titehugge accordingly rammed and jammed his head with great difficultyinto the hole, which proved such an uncommonly tight fit, that, notfinding any honey, he began trying to pull it back double quick; but loand behold! pull and tug, scratch and swear as he might, he was caughtin a mouse trap not intended for bears, while the fox stood belowgiggling. After he had amused himself enough with Titehugge's struggles, he scampered off to find Stubtail; bawling out, 'Good-by, my d-e-a-rfriend, I hope you'll find the honey answer your expectations. '

"Meanwhile, master Stubtail was snoring away like a catamount, when thefox trotted up, and seating himself beside him, began to sing a popularfox ballad, beginning, 'Oh? don't I love to cheat 'em!'

"This soon awoke Stubtail, and opening his eyes, he saw the fox sitting, singing away, as if he never dreamed of such a person as Stubtail beingnear. 

"'Well, master fox!' he said, in a dandified way, 'whawt business haveyou, I should like to know, in the--aw company of a bearah of fashion?Make your mannahs, sir, and don't sit down before your bettahs! Howhorrid vulgah you are--aw!'

"Up jumped the fox, and made such a beautiful bow this time, that hefell over on his nose, and nearly stuck his tail in the bear's face, ashe exclaimed, 'Oh, my d-e-a-r friend! d-o-n'-t say that! I didn't meanto be uncivil. I only came to ask you to a little fox party that iscoming off this afternoon, if your highness will favor us with yourhonorable company. Only ten of my cousins and seven of my brothers andsisters are coming--just a nice little family party; but then they areall such beauties! particularly my cousin, Miss Slygo Brighteyes! She isperfectly lovely; as slender as a bean pole, and smooth as a youngrabbit; and then such sharp teeth, such a fine bushy tail! oh my! and_such_ a dancer, too, as she is!'

"Now, Stubtail was as fond of dancing and flirting as his brother ofeating, and tried to be a great dandy and beau; so when master fox gavesuch a glowing description of Miss Slygo Brighteyes, his charmingcousin, Stubtail's whiskers curled up tighter than ever; and he couldhardly manage to _drawl_ out, 'Aw--yaas, I think I _will_ dwop in forharf an 'ouah!'

"When the fox heard that, he was ready to stand on his head for joy; andcould scarcely wait while Stubtail opened his carpet bag, and took outhis all-rounder collar, his lemon-colored kid gloves, and his pork piehat, to wear at the fox's party. 

"But what has become of Titehugge?' he asked, suddenly noticing that hisbrother was not there. 

"'Oh, never mind _him_, ' said the fox, 'I saw the selfish little wretchgobbling away at some honey as I came along, and you see he was toogreedy to ask you to share it. '

"This was enough for Stubtail, who was too hard at work drawing on histight gloves to think of anything else, and away he trotted with thefox; who took him to a lonely hollow in the wood, where, sure enough, there were about fifty other foxes clustered together, but who looked atStubtail as he came among them, in anything but a pleasant manner. 

"'Now, my friends!' exclaimed master fox himself, in a furious tone, 'you see before you the son of that old scoundrel Grumpy-growly, whonearly killed me last year. At him, my dear cousins! scratch his eyesout! ahaaa!' and with a long growl of rage the fox made a sudden jump atpoor Stubtail before he had time to run away, followed by all theothers. 

"Stubtail fought like a perfect Zouave, hugging, scratching, and bitinghis enemies with might and main; but after all, one poor little cubcould not do very much against a whole army of foxes, and Stubtail wouldhave been killed outright before long, when suddenly a tremendousgrowling was heard! and up dashed Grumpy-growly himself, who mostfortunately happened to be passing, and came to see what the row was, followed by Longclawse and Bushyball, full tilt! They didn't stop toinquire whether this was a free fight or not, but pitched in like athousand of bricks, and demolished the foxes in a way which astonishedthem considerable. 

"As to master fox, he was making off first of anybody, leaving hisfriends in the lurch; but Grumpy-growly saw him, and catching him by theear, made him confess all the mischief he had been about that morning;and as soon as he had finished, Grumpy-growly gave him one good hug, which killed him as dead as a coffin nail. 

"After the grand battle was over, Grumpy-growly marshalled the threecubs before him, hanging their heads, and looking perfectly miserablewith shame and fatigue, and started off to find Titehugge; scolding andbeating them all the way for their naughty conduct, though they werepunished enough already; for Longclawse and Bushyball had gone to theelection, where they had been well pummelled by a shoulder-hittingbaboon, because they insisted on voting for Douglas as the beariestfellow on the ticket, and afterward met by their father, who gave themanother thrashing for daring to come out without leave, and dragged themhowling away. Stubtails ears were torn into ribbons, his head bleedingin twenty places, and unfortunately no 'Balm of the Blooming Blossoms ofGilead' to put on it, and, in short, the whole party looked as if theyhad been at an Irish funeral and nearly been made 'cold corpuses'themselves. After a long hunt, they at last found Titehugge stuck fastwhere the fox had left him, and now the puzzle was to get him out. Thethree brothers all tried in vain, and at last Grumpy-growly caught holdof Titehugge's tail, Longclawse of Grumpy-growly's, Stubtail ofLongclawse's, and Bushyball of Stubtail's, and they all pulled andtugged together; ouf! ouf! altogether now! one, two, three, Pop! outcame Titehugge, and out came his tail, too! and the five bears rolledhead over heels together in such a hurley-burley, that it was a longtime before they could get straight enough to start for home; and whenthey _did_ get there, Grumpy-growly put up the big log again, and put abig stone on top of that, and a hundred pound weight on top of that, and_one_ of those home-made pies we used to have at boarding school on topof _that_, which proved the heaviest of the lot, and if they everhappened to get out of prison again, it is more than I know. "

Thus ended the wonderful story of the five bears, which gave greatamusement to the hearers, and was pronounced "first rate. " Pretty soonafter, they had a scrambling sort of tea, not quite as orderly asdinner, for they were all tired out with the day's adventures; and aboutseven o'clock, George, who, as I told you, was the oldest of the party, sensibly proposed that the regiment should go "early to bed, " on theprinciple of the old maxim, and in order to be "early to rise, " afterthe example of real soldiers. 

As they were not quite certain what were the usual ceremonies attendantupon soldiers' retiring, Freddy undertook to "do the thing up brown, " ashe said, in a novel and delightfully military manner. So, taking hisplace about a dozen yards in advance of the camp, and standing as stiffas a ramrod, just as he had seen the officers do at West Point, hecalled out "Battalion, attention!"

At these words, the regiment strung themselves in a long line, like somany kibobs on a straw, with their captains standing in front. "Now, Captain Livingston, dismiss your company to quarters, " and off marchedthe first company, four "men" strong, toward the tents; then the nextfour, and so on, until all had gone, and then came posting back againwithout the smallest delay. 

Colonel Freddy was obediently following his own orders by dismissinghimself, with a sublime disregard of rank, when Peter suddenly calledout, "I say, Fred, there's one thing you've forgotten!"

"What is that?" asked Freddy, stopping short. 

"Why, we ought to have a guard. You know they always do in camps. "

"To be sure! I never thought of that. Come, fellows, the safety of CampMcClellan must be looked out for. "

"Very well, suppose you begin!" laughed Jimmy. 

"Hum, I'm the Colonel; Colonels can't be sentinels. "

"But I want to go to bed!" objected Will Costar. 

"Well, I love my country, but I think the country had better turn intoo!" said Harry. "What business has the country to be awake and gettinginto mischief in the middle of the night?"

"Voted, " cried Peter, "that the guard be mounted, but that it shall goto bed as soon as it gets sleepy!"

"Good for you! that's the way to fix it!" said Colonel Freddy. "Nowthen, boys, who'll turn out?" and two of the gallant Zouaves beingposted, one on each side of the camp, the others produced theirnightgowns (which, by their special entreaty, had been crammed into thelittle knapsacks), and with several hair breadth escapes from having oneor two of the tents pitched over, as the occupants incautiously ranagainst the poles, the regiment after, I am glad to say, a most sincereand earnest repetition of their prayers, fell into the sweet sound sleepof happy childhood; while the guard, after prancing up and down aboutten minutes, concluded to follow their example, as there was nothingparticular in the way of an enemy to look out for. 

Ah! how charming looked now the little encampment, with the fullradiance of the harvest moon streaming over the white tents, standinggleamingly out from the dark background of trees. No sound but thechirpings of insects could be heard; nothing moved about the spot butthe flag, stirring dreamily in the summer breeze. And now the windsprings fresher up; it catches the bright folds, and they flash out infull view. God bless you, glorious old banner! floating there over asloyal, though boyish hearts, as ever beat in the midnight camp of theArmy of Freedom. 

 END OF VOL. I. 

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Transcriber's Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired. 

Page 18, "contined" changed to "continued" (then she continued)