“What do you mean?” cried the man, sharply.

“What I told you. I’m coming too.”

“Nay, boy, you’re not; your father would stop that, and you must obey him,” cried Serge, angrily.

“No, I mustn’t,” said Marcus.

“What! Sons must obey their fathers.”

“And soldiers must obey their officers.”

“But he’s not my officer now.”

“Yes, he is,” cried Marcus, angrily; “your officer as well as my father. If you go, Serge, I shall go, and I don’t care where it is.”

“He’d never forgive you,” cried the old soldier, angrily.

“Well, I should take my chance of that. You know me, Serge. When I say I’ll do a thing I do it; and I shall do this, for I don’t mean to let you go away from here alone. Now what have you got to say?”