the West Point martinet about him. He was a democratic commander, mingled with the common soldiers, laughed, joked, and sympathized with them in their trouble. He performed such little acts of kindness as we have given in the case of Nathan Baker. He never lost his dignity, nor ability to command the men; on the contrary, he gained their respect, admiration, and love, and they were ready to march into the jaws of death at his command.

While other colonels were holding aloof from the private soldiers under their command, treating them as menials, Roosevelt associated with them, and was the life of the camp. When on duty he was another man, and the strictest disciplinarian could not have complained of the inefficiency of his troops. He studied all the details of the army, as he had of the navy, and there was nothing in connection with the management of his own regiment that his great mind did not grasp.

Fernando Stevens was made first lieutenant, and Nathan was placed in his company. The regiment was hurriedly organized, and went to Tampa, Fla., to await the onset against the hosts of Spain. Lieutenant Stevens awaited the hour to sail, and his prayer to Heaven was that the first great blow might be dealt at Santiago.

CHAPTER XIV.

GEORGE STEVENS AT MANILA.

THE various changes in the wheel of fortune of the American navy placed George Stevens aboard the Olympia, the flagship of Commodore Dewey, at the time war was declared between the United States and Spain. George Stevens was now an ensign and a promising young officer, who had grown to be a favorite with his superiors, and was loved and respected by his equals and inferiors in rank. In all his career he was known to be honest, truthful, and brave, never boasting of himself, nor failing to observe the merits of others.

George had not seen Hallie Norton, the daughter of Bumboat Kate, since the old woman had been expelled from the cruiser, nor had he ever learned what her fate was. Once, while his ship was lying in Valparaiso, he obtained shore leave, and was strolling about the market-place, when loud, angry shouts and oaths in Spanish and English at one end of the market attracted his attention. He saw some sailors from a merchant vessel, who had evi

dently been drinking, engaged in a quarrel with some wandering Gauchos, who had strolled into the city. There was an instant gleam of a knife, and one of the sailors fell before the serenos (police) could prevent the stroke. The Gauchos fled, mounted their swift horses, sped to the mountains, and escaped.

Drawn by curiosity, and the rumor that an American had been stabbed, he went forward and caught a glimpse of the wounded man's face. He instantly recognized him as the man whom he had struck in the alley that night-Hallie Norton's father.

The sailor was taken to the hospital and died before morning. Subsequent investigation confirmed George's belief. He went to see the dead man, and as he gazed on the features of the bloated old sailor, he would have given much to know the dark secrets that breast contained. Where was the angelic child, with her tender notions of missionary work? Where was the gruff, shrewd, but unscrupulous mother? Could it be that from such parentage such an angel as Hallie seemed to be, could spring? Society is full of inconsistencies; and while the offspring of the worst people on earth often make the noblest and best, the children of our earthly saints are frequently black sheep.

Tho years had rolled by since he had seen Hal