CAPTAIN IN THE RANKS
by GEORGE CARY EGGLESTON




A CAPTAIN IN THE RANKS

A Romance of Affairs

by

GEORGE CARY EGGLESTON

Author of "DOROTHY SOUTH," "RUNNING THE RIVER," "THE MASTER OF
WARLOCK," Etc.







[Illustration: "You have saved the Railroad." Page 336.]



A. L. Burt Company,
Publishers, New York

Copyright, 1904,
by
A. S. Barnes & Co.




TO

Mable

_On her wedding day, I dedicate this story with affection_

September 8, 1904




PREFACE


This story is intended to supplement the trilogy of romances in which I
have endeavored to show forth the Virginian character under varying
conditions.

"Dorothy South" dealt with Virginia life and character before the
Confederate war.

"The Master of Warlock" had to do with the Virginians during the early
years of the war, when their struggle seemed hopeful of success.

"Evelyn Byrd" was a study of the same people as they confronted certain
disaster and defeat.

The present story is meant to complete the picture. It deals with that
wonderful upbuilding of the great West which immediately followed the
war, and in which the best of the young Virginians played an important
part.

The personages of the story are real, and its events are mainly facts,
thinly veiled.




CONTENTS


CHAPTER PAGE

I THE FINAL FIGHT 1

II ALONE IN THE HIGH MOUNTAIN 18

III THE NEW BIRTH OF MANHOOD 29

IV A PRIVATE IN THE ARMY OF WORK 38

V THE BEGINNING OF A CAREER 42

VI A CAPTAIN IN THE ARMY OF WORK 48

VII THE "SIZING UP" OF GUILFORD DUNCAN 59

VIII ON DUTY 64

IX ONE NIGHT'S WORK 70

X ALLIANCE, OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE 87

XI THE WAYS OF GUILFORD DUNCAN 100

XII BARBARA VERNE