92 WITH THE U. S. NATURALISTS 



*'Yo' said yo'self," he retorted, 'Hhat if a man 

 wants to be let alone, it's his own affair." 



"So it is. But if his country needs him, what 

 then?" 



''What do yo' mean?" 



"If you were called as a soldier, Bull Adam, 

 would you dodge ? ' ' 



"Me? I'd jump at the chance. My dad fought 

 under Johnston at Shiloh." 



"So did my grand-dad. I'm looking for re- 

 cruits. As the grandson of one Confederate 

 soldier to the son of another, I ask you, will you 

 join?" 



The old man drew himself up proudly. 



"I don't know yo' name, stranger," he said, 

 "nor yo' business, but if yo' grand-dad was my 

 Dad's comrade at Shiloh, yo' don't need to stay 

 outside. There ain't much to my cabin, but yo're 

 welcome. Come in an' tell yo' story, sir. Come 

 in!" 



The stranger hesitated. 



"I'm a Federal game official!" he said, with a 

 curious intonation. 



The impassive woodsman started at the words 

 as though he had seen a snake, but the invitation 

 had been given. 



