"Could _he_ have gone into the charge?"
"I could not prevent him!" came, in a groan, almost from the old
cavalier. "I forbade him, but he got a musket somewhere, and went over
the breastworks with the rest. I saw him then for the first time, and
heard him laugh and cheer. A moment afterward he was shot--I caught and
raised him up, and I have ridden back through the fire, trying to
shield him--but he is dying! Look! his wound is mortal, I think--and so
young--a mere child--never was any one braver than my poor child--!"
A groan followed the words: and bending down the old cavalier kissed
the pale cheek of the boy.
I made no reply; something seemed to choke me.
Suddenly a grave voice uttered some words within a few paces of us, and
I turned quickly. It was General Lee--riding calmly amid the smoke, and
re-forming the stragglers. Never have I seen a human being more
composed.
General Davenant wheeled and saluted.
"We are cut to pieces, general!" he said, with something like a fiery
tear in his eye. "We did our best, and we drove them!--but were not
supported. My brigade--my brave old brigade is gone! This is my boy--I
brought him out--but he is dying too!"
The hoarse tones and fiery tears of the old cavalier made my heart
beat. I could see a quick flush rise to the face of General Lee.
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