"It's--well, he seems to have
something on his mind." And more than this the doctor would not say. It
was not for him to tell the chief what Webb had confided ere he left the
post--that most of the currency for which Field was accountable was so
much waste paper. Field lay muttering and tossing in restless misery,
unconscious most of the time, and sleeping only when under the influence
of a strong narcotic. Dade, with sadness and constraint apparent in his
manner, hung back and did not enter the bare hospital room where, with
only a steward in attendance, the young soldier lay. The doctor had gone
with the general to the bedside, but the captain remained out of earshot
at the door.
First call for reveille was just sounding on the infantry bugles as the
trio came forth. "I have sent for Hay already, general," Dade was
saying, as they stood on the wooden veranda overlooking the valley of
the murmuring river; "but will you not come now and have coffee? He can
join us over at my quarters."
Already, however, the orderly was hurrying back. They met him when not
half way over to the line of officers' quarters. The few men for duty in
the two companies of infantry, left to guard the post, were gathering in
little groups in front of their barracks, awaiting the sounding of the
assembly.
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