We kept it in a whiskey-bottle; and as whiskey itself was absolutely prohibited among us, it was amusing to see the surprise of our military visitors when this innocent substitute was brought in.

They usually liked it in the end, but, like the old Frenchwoman over her glass of water, wished that it were a sin to give it a relish.

As the foaming beakers of molasses and water were handed round, the guests would make with them the courteous little gestures of polite imbiding, and would then quaff the beverage, some with gusto, others with a slight afterlook of dismay.

But it was a delicious and cooling drink while it lasted; and at all events was the best and the worst we had.
We used to have reveille at six, and breakfast about seven; then the mounted couriers began to arrive from half a dozen different directions, with written reports of what had happened during the night,--a boat seen, a picket fired upon, a battery erecting.

These must be consolidated and forwarded to head-quarters, with the daily report of the command,--so many sick, so many on detached service, and all the rest.