would not prevent him from attending to the light duties of the
position, the surgeon being practically the superior officer. Order
was quickly restored, guards set at important points, and the
strangely assorted little community passed speedily under a simple
yet rigorous military government. Curiosity, desire of gain, as well
as sympathy, led people to flock to the plantation from far and
near. One of Surgeon Ackley's first steps was to impress upon all
the need of provisions, for Mr. Baron's larder, ample as it had
been, was speedily exhausted. During the day began the transfer of
the slightly wounded to the nearest railroad town, where supplies
could be obtained with more certainty, and it was evident that the
policy of abandoning the remote plantation as soon as possible had
been adopted.

Miss Lou knew nothing of this, and simply became absorbed in
successive tasks for the time being.

"Miss Baron," said Surgeon Ackley, "a number of the men are so
disabled that they cannot feed themselves. Proper food at the right
time usually means life."

These words suggested what became one of her principal duties. At
first, rough men were surprised and grateful indeed to find fair
young girl kneeling beside them with a bowl of hot soup; then they
began to look for her and welcome her as one who evoked their best
and most chivalrous feelings. It had soon been evident to her that
the wounded officers in the house would receive the most careful
attention from the regularly appointed attendants and also from Mrs.
Whately. With the exception of the old colonel, she gradually began
to devote the most of her time to the enlisted men, finding among