I had promised his
father to reveal nothing of the events which I had so strangely
discovered--and was then only able to give the young man vague
assurances of a coming change for the better in his affair with Miss
Conway. He thanked me, blushing, and trying to smile--and then we fell
asleep beside each other.
Just at daylight I was suddenly aroused. The jarring notes of a bugle
were ringing through the woods. I extended my arm in the darkness, and
found that Will Davenant was not beside me.
What had happened? I rose quickly, and throwing my cape over my
shoulders, went out of the tent.
The horse artillery was already hitched up, and in motion. The setting
moon illumined the grim gun-barrels, caissons, and heavy horses, moving
with rattling chains. Behind came the men on horseback, laughing and
ready for combat.
As I was gazing at this warlike scene so suddenly evoked, Will Davenant
rode up and pointed to my horse, which was ready saddled, and attached
to a bough of the great tree.
"I thought I wouldn't wake you, colonel," he said, with a smile, "but
let you sleep to the last moment. The enemy are advancing, and we are
going to meet them."
He had scarcely spoken, when a rapid firing was heard two or three
miles in front, and a loud cheer rose from the artillerymen.
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