The appearance of the two soldiers in the camp at once attracted the attention of their comrades. It had been long since any of them had tasted fresh meat and the sight of the pig which Dennis still was carrying upon his shoulders aroused the desire of every beholder to share in the repast which was to follow. There were many laughing calls to be invited to the feast, to all of which Dennis responded good-naturedly, but without in any way committing himself unduly to the increase of the numbers of those with whom he intended to share the change in the camp diet.
"Hello, Levi," called Dennis, as he and Noel passed the sutler's tent.
Levi Kadoff, one of the sutlers, who, by some strange methods, had obtained the privilege of selling the soldiers from his stock which was displayed in a tent not far from the center of the camp, looked hastily up as he was greeted. His love for pork was not strong, but apparently was the only limit to his desires. At exorbitant prices he had been selling his wares, and he had interfered in so many ways with the camp life and had been so disagreeable to most of the soldiers that at the time he was the most detested man in Harper's Ferry. He had used every artifice in inducing the boys in blue to buy from him, and many of the sales which he made were called robbery by those who had been persuaded to buy.
"Vere you haf been?" demanded the sutler, as Dennis and Noel halted in front of him.
"Been out foraging," answered Dennis loudly. "We have a pig here. If you will come up to my tent after dark, I'll give you a slice o' spare rib."
The expression of disgust which appeared instantly upon the face of Levi caused Noel to laugh heartily, but the countenance of Dennis was unchanged, as he stared at the angry sutler.
"What's the matter, Levi?" he said. "Don't you like pork?"
Again an expression of disgust appeared upon the face of the sutler, but he made no direct reply to the question.
"How much are you charging for milk this mornin'?" inquired Dennis.
"Twenty-five cents a glass."