At his summons, and the blows of his sabre, the men halted, and again
fell into column. Under the shadowy boughs of the woods, and in the
gathering darkness, the long line of horsemen resembled phantoms rather
than men. Near them glimmered some bivouac fires; and the flickering
light illumined their persons, gleamed on their scabbards, and lit up
the rough bearded faces.
"Cowardly scoundrels!" exclaimed their leader, in fierce accents,
"where are the prisoners that ran into us?"
"Here, colonel. One is a general!" said a man.
"Let me see them!"
General Davenant struck the spur violently into his horse, and rode
close to the Federal officer, in whom I had recognized Colonel Darke.
"Here I am, wretch!--look at me!" exclaimed General Davenant, foaming
with rage. "Accursed be the day when I begat a murderer and a
renegade!"
XXXVI.
THE CURSE.
Darke's hand unconsciously drew the rein, and man and horse both seemed
to stagger back before the furious old soldier.
"General--Davenant!" muttered Darke, turning pale.
"Yes, General Davenant!--a gentleman, an honest man; not a traitor and
a murderer!"
"Good God!" muttered Darke, "it is my father, truly--and my little
brother! The proud face, the eyes, the mouth--and yet they told me you
were killed.
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