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When
off duty, there still existed much of the old familiarity and
friendly converse, but when Captain Nichol gave an order, his
townsmen immediately became conscious that they were separated
from him by the iron wall of military discipline. This
characteristic did not alienate his old associates. One of the men
hit the truth fairly in saying: "When Cap speaks as Cap, he's as
hard and sharp as a bayonet-point; but when a feller is sick and
worn out 'tween times you'd think your granny was coddlin' yer."
It was as friend and old neighbor that Nichol approached Sam and
Jim Wetherby, two stalwart brothers who had enlisted in his
company. "Boys," he said, "I have a favor to ask of you. The Lord
only knows how the day will end for any of us. We will take our
chances and do our duty, as usual. I hope we may all boil coffee
again to-night; but who knows? Here are two letters. If I should
fall, and either or both of you come out all right, as I trust you
will, please forward them. If I am with you again to-night, return
them to me.


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