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Rh, especially during the night; and, after going the rounds himself, Captain Banner, on turning in, requested Gilbert to keep his eye on the corporal of the guard and the pickets.

"There is a rumor out that several Chinese spies are around," said the commander of Company A. "If it is true, we don't want any of them slipping through our lines."

"I'll caution the boys myself," said Gilbert. It must be confessed that, though tired, the young lieutenant did not feel in the humor for sleeping. His mind was filled with what Amos Bartlett had told him, and he could not help but wonder if the tea-merchant would recover.

"If he doesn't recover, his evidence against Ramsey Polk will be lost," thought Gilbert, dismally. "I believe I ought to take what he has to say down in writing, get him to sign it, and then have it witnessed." The more he thought of this, the more necessary did it seem to become; and, at last, he resolved to have the evidence put on paper at the first opportunity.

The night was dark, and it looked as if it might rain at any moment. A hot air was blowing from up