“You remind me of horses I have seen fall between the shafts; they lie there and seem to fancy that they have no strength at all.  I suppose they think that they are dreaming.”

At this speech.  I laughed aloud—­why, I hardly know, unless it was that my own mind recalled one such ludicrous incident; then, too, it was pleasant to hear the doctor say that I was strong.

“Yes, Jones; all you need is a little more time.  Two or three days will set you up.”

“Doctor, I cannot understand it at all; this talk about armies, and war, and wounds, and adjutants—­what does it all mean?”

“You must not try to know everything at once.  I think you are now convinced that there is a war?”

“Yes.”

“You will learn all about it very soon, perhaps to-morrow; it ought to be enough for you to know that your country is in danger.  Are you a patriot?”

“I trust so.”

“Well, of course you are.  Now you must go to sleep.  You have talked long enough.  Good night.  I will send William to give you a night-cap.”

* * * * *

The next morning Dr. Frost expressed great satisfaction with my progress, and began, almost as soon as I had eaten, to gratify my curiosity.

“I believe that you confess to the charge of being a patriot,” said he.

“I trust I am,” said I.

“We are invaded.  Our homes are destroyed.  Our women are insulted.  Our men are slain.  The enemy is before our capital and hopes to conquer.  Can you hesitate?”

“I should not hesitate if I understood as you understand.  But how can you expect me to kill men when I know nothing of the merits of the cause for which I am told to fight?”

“Jones, so far as I am concerned, and so far as the government is concerned, your question is hardly pertinent.  You are already a Confederate soldier by your own free act.  Your only chance to keep from serving is to get yourself killed, or at least disabled; I will not suggest desertion.  For your sake, however, I am ready to answer any question you may ask about the causes of the war.  You ought to have your mind satisfied, if it be possible.”

“What are they fighting about?”

“Do you recall the manner in which the United States came into existence?”

“Yes, I think so,” said I.

“Tell me.”

“The colonies rebelled against Great Britain and won their independence in war,” said I.

“Well; what then?”

“The colonies sent delegates to a convention, and the delegates framed a constitution.”

“Well; what then?”

“The colonies agreed to abide by the constitution.”

“That is to say, the Colonies, or States, ratified the action of the constitutional convention?” he asked.

“Yes; that is what I mean,” said I.

“Then do you think the States created the general government?  Think a little before you answer.”