"Hm-m-m! Perhaps you were right, Brown," said Andrews.

Thunder sounded again, this time nearer.

"Let's count heads," said Andrews. "Get in a semi-circle, just as close
together as possible."

The men groped about, arranging themselves. Tom found himself shoulder to
shoulder between two of them. Presently they were quiet. Andrews' calm,
authoritative voice came again: "Starting at this end, give your names and
your organizations."

Then: "Bensinger, Company G, Twenty-first Ohio"--"Dorsey, Company H,
Thirty-third"--"Brown, Company G, Twenty-first"--"Pittenger, Company G,
Second".... There were twenty of them, not including Andrews. Tom found
himself between Wilson, Company C, of the Twenty-first Ohio, and Shadrack,
Company K, of the Second Ohio.

The thunder sounded again and a few drops of rain pattered down. A murmer
arose from the men. More thunder, and a flash of lightning. Another crash,
and more rain splashed about them.

"It looks as though we're in for bad weather, men," said Andrews. "Gather
about me so that you can all hear what I'm going to tell you." A streak of
lightning illuminated the scene as they moved forward. Tom caught a glimpse
of Andrews: a tall man, heavily built, with a long black beard. The rain
was falling steadily. Tom unslung the cape which Bert had given him and put
it on. There was a general rustle of capes and coats: then silence. Andrews
continued: "I want all of you to understand that any man who wishes to