of the attack," "That was exactly the error in his strategy."

When he turned to enter his tent he shook my hand. "I do not know when
I have talked so much," he laughed, "nor," he added, with grave
courtesy, "when I have had so intelligent a listener. Good-night."

Throughout the evening he had been holding my sword, and as he entered
the tent he handed it to me.

"Oh, I forgot," he said. "Here is your sword, Captain."

The flaps of the tent fell behind him, and I was left outside of them,
incredulous and trembling.

I could not restrain myself, and I pushed the flaps aside.

"I beg your pardon, General," I stammered.

He had already thrown himself upon his cot, but he rose on his elbow
and stared at me.

"What is it?" he demanded.

"I beg your pardon, sir," I gasped, "but what did you call me then--
just now?"

"Call you," he said. "Oh, I called you 'captain.' You are a captain. I
will assign you your troop to-morrow."

He turned and buried his face in his arm, and unable to thank him I