He
had meant three hours agone that when next he encountered his post
commander his manner should plainly show that senior that even a second
lieutenant had rights a major was bound to respect. But, only mistily
now, he saw bending over him the keen, soldierly features,--the kind,
winsome gray eyes, filled with such a world of concern and
sympathy,--and heard the deep, earnest tones of the voice he knew so
well, calling again his name and mingling cordial praise and anxious
inquiry, and all the rancor seemed to float away with the smoke of the
last carbine shots. He could only faintly return the pressure of that
firm, muscular hand, only feebly smile his thanks and reassurance, and
then he, too, seemed floating away somewhere into space, and he could
not manage to connect what Webb had been saying with the next words that
fastened on his truant senses. It must have been hours later, too, for
darkness had settled on the valley. A little fire was burning under the
shelter of the bank. A little group of soldiers were chatting in low
tone, close at hand. Among them, his arm in a sling, stood a stocky
little chap whose face, seen in the flickering light, was familiar to
him. So was the eager brogue in which that little chap was speaking.
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