The general looked up sharply from his writing--he had a piercing gray-blue eye--and said:
"My lad, you have been much commended for your conduct. You are an American?"
"Yes, sir. I did not go to Lafitte's place of my own accord; but when I saw that I could do some good for my country, I worked as hard as I could."
The general waved his hand and nodded approvingly.
"Yes," he continued; "I have heard how you acted from Governor Claiborne and Judge Livingston and General Villere. You are a sailor, I believe?"
"Yes, sir. I have been a sailor for four years."
"I have not had such success that I should like it. I think I would rather be a soldier."
"Well said, lad," and the grim general chuckled. "You _shall_ be a soldier. They will listen to me after this work, and I promise you a lieutenantcy in one of the regular regiments. In the meantime I take you on my staff as a volunteer, and you may go to any tailor in New Orleans and be fitted out."
"There is one thing I would like to say, general."
"What is it? Speak quickly, for I have much to do."
"There is a Danish youth, older than I am, who served in the battery, and was taken out of the brig with me. I should like to see what becomes of him."
"Very good! I will give an order for his enlistment, and meantime he can remain with you."
Two months after this Ephraim Clark received his commission as second lieutenant in the Second Regiment of United States Infantry, and Eric Ericcsson was transferred as a private to the same regiment, the headquarters of which were at the frontier town of St. Louis, in the Territory of Missouri.
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