Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/379

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A Way of Escape
359

"Yet you regret?"

"Only because of the danger in which you have been plunged—here comes Harwood now."

There was no mistaking the slender erectness of the man's figure even in that dim light, nor the cheerful sound of his voice, as he paused, glancing out through the side windows, and giving laughing greeting to the soldiers.

"Ah! my bold gunner of Staunton," he exclaimed as he stepped onto the pulpit platform, "and is everything still quiet here? Now you know what it means when they sing if you want a good time jine the cavalry. Let me get a glimpse without."

He stood gazing forth into the moonlight, and our eyes took in the same scene. Except for the dead bodies lying in the open, there was little to see, although a few figures, apparently of men, moved back and forth at a distance well beyond range.

"As I thought, Wyatt," said the lieutenant, finally turning about. "They are massing their forces again at the front. My lady you will witness some real war presently."

"They may delay the next attack till daylight."

"No such luck; those fellows are soldiers, not Indians, and are anxious to get through with the job."

"I have been urging your cousin to let us send