readiness for orders." The Captain had become the quiet, stern military man
again. "You will let it be known that you are here to visit your cousin,
and when you leave camp you will say that you are returning home."

"Yes, sir."

"In the meantime, provide yourself with some rough clothes at Shelbyville,
and some heavy shoes. I will provide you with a revolver. That will be all
now."

"Yes, sir."

Tom hurried back to his cousin's tent in a daze.

The next afternoon at the general store in Shelbyville he bought a rough
suit, and a heavy pair of shoes. "Just wrap the suit up," he told the
clerk, "I'll be in for it tomorrow, or the next day. I'll wear the shoes."
He tramped back to Murfreesboro, displayed his pass to the Sentry, and went
to Bert's tent.

"The doctor has been in again," Bert told him. "He says that my ankle will
be well in a week or so."

"Good!" exclaimed Tom. "Look at my pretty little shoes." He displayed the
heavy, rough boots he had bought at Shelbyville.

"You ought not to start in those things," advised Bert. "New shoes will
cripple you. Here, we'll trade." He produced a pair which had been worn
soft in miles of marching. "And here's a waterproof cape for you."