"Bill, I believe you think I am cowardly. You'll change your mind soon, I know."
That individual grimly responded: "Picket duty is a very cheerful way of passing one's time, but I guess you'll do."
The picket line was twelve miles distant, and as the men got into line, the air and the excitement infused courage into Ralph's breast. They had been ordered out to relieve a regiment which had seen some hard work, and who were anxious to get into shelter.
The newcomers were told what spots needed the most watching, and as soon as they were stationed at their posts and received the necessary instructions, they settled down to the importance of the duty assigned them.
The woods lay behind them, and each picket sought their friendly shelter, well aware that any "change of base" on their part would be an invitation to the enemy to pick them off.
Memories of home filled Ralph's breast. The night was dark and starless. A strong wind blew at intervals, now howling dismally through the trees, and then shifting its course, rushing down the bank, as if it would rend the earth and the tall grass in its anger.
"I wonder if mother thinks of her soldier boy," he pondered.
When does a mother ever cease to think of and pray for her children?
The night wore on. Perfect quiet reigned, and Ralph began to consider picket duty not half so risky as Old Bill called it, after all. But as he kept his eyes on the opposite bank, where the "Johnnies" were, he fancied he saw a small dark object creeping through the grass down to the river, where it seemed to be looking up and down its shore. His heart beat fiercely. What was it? he asked himself. Was it a man or some animal hiding in the grass? If it were a reb, he would be shot dead, at the least move on his part—that he well knew.
I am afraid you will not think my boy was much of a hero, but the truth is, he was very much in love with life, as all young people should be, and, though willing to do his whole duty, he could not help feeling a trifle nervous about his surroundings, so he stooped quickly down behind a tall bush that appeared to be growing there just for his benefit.
The object on which his gaze was fixed seemed so small that he almost laughed aloud at his own fears.
"Why, it's only a dog that's strayed into camp," he said.
"Wonder if they fatten him on hard tack."
His gaze was riveted upon the dark mass, and his surprise nearly found vent in a low whistle, which he speedily checked, as he saw a man or a boy steal noiselessly along the bank, till he came to a place where the grass was tangled and thick, and stooping down he pulled a wide board from its hiding-place, and picking up a long piece of wood which lay there, he stepped on the plank and commenced to paddle across the stream.
Ralph lay in the grass behind the bush, breathlessly watching the approaching figure. Suddenly a dog began to bark on the opposite shore, and the man on the plank gave utterance to a low, angry exclamation. The dog stopped barking, and the stranger came slowly on, till his novel craft touched the shore within five feet of Ralph.
He saw to his amazement that it was a boy, even younger than himself, it seemed in the dim light, and he waited breathlessly till he came closer, and was halted by Ralph's gun, which he brought sharply against the other's breast, while his own was on fire with excitement, as he cried aloud—"Halt—you are my prisoner!"
For a moment these two boys faced each other; then the stranger threw his head proudly back, and, with a gesture of impatience, replied:
"I will not be made a prisoner—I am merely going about my own business."
"And that business is to spy upon our lines!" Ralph said hotly.
"Take me to your superior officer. I can soon convince him that I am doing no harm," answered the boy.
A stir ran through the picket lines, as the news was passed on that a rebel spy had been captured, and soon the lad, whose proud carriage and haughty face involuntarily commanded attention, was at headquarters, where to all questioning he remained dumb, after telling an apparently truthful story that he was crossing the river to visit an old uncle, and knew nothing of the movements of either army.
"This 'old uncle' is one I fancy we'd better try to unearth," said Colonel Tuttle. "His acquaintance would be worth cultivating."
The boy would give no further account of himself. His frank, boyish face and manly bearing impressed the officer of the day favorably, and he muttered to himself—"Wonder if he is a spy. If all the Johnnies are as brave and resolute as this youth we'll have to work hard to conquer them."
An opinion which he found cause to verify often.
CHAPTER V. RALPH AT HEADQUARTERS
"YOU'RE in luck, my boy," and Bill Elliott's face showed genuine pleasure as he shook hands with Ralph. "You are to show yourself at headquarters and receive your reward, as the good boys in story books always do."
An orderly came up to Ralph, and said:—"You are wanted at headquarters."
Ralph proceeded to the officers' tent. For the first time he stood in the presence of his commanding officers, and as he saluted respectfully, a tall, kindly-faced man looked at him with some surprise.
"How old are you?" was the abrupt query, as the officer looked in the beardless face of the boy.
"Nearly eighteen, sir."
"Have you seen any service yet?"
"I was at Bull Run."
The fine face clouded with sadness. "That was hard and tedious fighting. You brought in a prisoner last night, whom we have strong reasons to believe is a rebel spy. You have shown two qualities befitting a soldier—pluck and forgetfulness of self. Your captain commends you to me, and I have thought proper to make you a corporal."
Ralph's heart beat loud and fast. What had he done to deserve this honor?
"Your warrant will be handed to you, and you are expected to attend strictly to all its requirements."
To a general or a colonel the promotion would not seem very exalted; but to this boy, who could not realize why he had been selected, it was as if he had suddenly been lifted into the seventh heaven To be sure, it only meant two stripes on his jacket sleeve, and a trifle of authority, but it also meant encouragement and notice from his superiors, He could not answer, but, bowing low, he left the tent.
"A board of inquiry must be appointed at once, and we'll see what this lad whom Corporal Gregory brought in is doing within our lines."
The boy was marched before them, but he parried all their questions, and maintained a resolute and fearless mien.
"I have told you the truth," he said proudly.
"I was going to make a visit when I was seized. You see I have no weapons."
"Spies do not always carry arms. Papers are more to their taste. You say you came to see an uncle. Where does he live? Why did you visit him at night?"
"I knew that the enemy lay near us, and I didn't want to be taken prisoner."
"Where is this uncle?"
"He lives back of the bluff, on the right hand side of the road."
"We'll invite him into our camp, and see if he'll own the relationship."
The boy's face flushed with wounded pride, as he answered scornfully:
"We call our old servants uncle and aunt. He is an old colored man, and lives on this side of the river—one of our old slaves, whom my father freed."
"We'll send you to the guard-house until more is known about you," was the stern retort.
The boy was removed to the guard-house. To Ralph he was an object of much interest. His sympathies went out to him and he longed to say something comforting.
And so when his turn to act as corporal of the guard, with the abrupt frankness of youth, he blurted out:
"What were you doing over here the other night?"
"I