matters. Would you answer them?"

I did not want them to see how eager I was to be put to such a test,
so I tried to look as though I were frightened, and said, cautiously,
"I will try, sir." I saw that the proposition to put me through an
examination had filled Aiken with the greatest concern. To reassure
him, I winked covertly.

Captain Heinze glanced about him as though looking for a text.

"Let us suppose," he said, importantly, "that you are an inspector-
general come to inspect this camp. It is one that I myself selected;
as adjutant it is under my direction. What would you report as to its
position, its advantages and disadvantages?"

I did not have to look about me. Without moving from where I stood, I
could see all that was necessary of that camp. But I first asked,
timidly: "Is this camp a temporary one, made during a halt on the
march, or has it been occupied for some days?"

"We have been here for two weeks," said Heinze.

"Is it supposed that a war is going on?" I asked, politely; "I mean,
are we in the presence of an enemy?"

"Of course," answered Heinze. "Certainly we are at war."

"Then," I said, triumphantly, "in my report I should recommend that
the officer who selected this camp should be court-martialled."