Although a little over forty, his figure was still slender, and he had an abundant head of thick, vital hair.

His whole effect was that of youth.

His glance met Dick's and he smiled.
"A letter from home ?" he said.
"Yes, sir, from mother.

She writes to me that she is glad I am in your command.

She speaks very highly of you, sir, and my mother is a woman of uncommon penetration." A faint red tinted the tanned cheeks of the colonel.