"
Even in the moonlight the Irishman saw the color fade from the young
officer's face. The hand that stayed him dropped nerveless. With utter
consternation in his big blue eyes, Field stood for a moment, stunned
and silent. Then the need of instant action spurred him. "I must go--at
once," he said. "You are all right now--You can get back? You've been
drinking, haven't you?"
"The major's health, sir--just a sup or two."
"I've no time now to listen to how you came to be out here. I'll see you
by and by." But still the young officer hesitated. One hand grasped the
rein of his horse. He half turned to mount, then turned again.
"Kennedy," he faltered, "you'd have been a dead man if we--if I--hadn't
reached you at that moment."
"I know it, sir," burst in Pat, impetuously. "I'll never forget it--"
"Hush, Kennedy, you _must_ forget--forget that you saw--spoke with
me--forget that you saw or heard--any other soul on earth out here
to-night. Can you promise?"
"I'll cut my tongue out before I ever spake the word that'll harm the
lieutenant, or the--the--or any one he says, sir. But never will I
forget! It ain't in me, sir."
"Let it go at that then. Here, shake hands, Kennedy.
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