"
"What did it contain?--I beg you to tell me!"
"The confession of the murderer of George Conway!"
XXIV.
"BLOOD."
General Davenant had scarcely uttered the words which I have just
recorded, when rapid firing was heard in the woods, a quarter of a mile
from his head-quarters; and a moment afterward a courier came at a
gallop, bearing a dispatch.
"My horse!" came in the brief tone of command.
And General Davenant tore open the dispatch, which he read attentively.
"The enemy are advancing to attack me," he said; "this note was written
ten minutes since. The attack has commenced. Will you go and see it,
colonel?"
"Willingly."
General Davenant ordered another horse, as my own was useless; we
mounted and rode at full speed through the woods; in five minutes we
were at the scene of action.
A heavy assault was in progress. The enemy had massed a large force in
front of the hastily erected earth-works, and were endeavoring, by a
determined charge, to carry them.
General Davenant was everywhere amid the fight, the guiding and
directing head, and beside him I saw distinctly in the starlight, the
brave figure of little Charley, who had started from his couch, buckled
on a huge sword, and was now galloping to and fro, cheering on the men
as gallantly as his father.
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