"
"Well, we'll see about him, uncle, go ahead," said Dan, and as the old
negro went up the path among the trees, he followed closely on his
footsteps. When they had gone a little way the woods opened suddenly and
they came upon a small log cabin, with a yellow dog lying before the door.
The dog barked shrilly as they approached, and a voice from the dim room
beyond called out:--
"Hosea! Are you back so soon, Hosea?"
At the words Dan stopped as if struck by lightning, midway of the vegetable
garden; then breaking from Big Abel, he ran forward and into the little
cabin.
"Is the hurt bad, Governor?" he asked in a trembling voice.
The Governor smiled and held out a steady hand above the ragged patchwork
quilt. His neat gray coat lay over him and as Dan caught the glitter and
the collar he remembered the promotion after Seven Pines.
"Let me help you, General," he implored. "What is it that we can do?"
"I have come to the end, my boy," replied the Governor, his rich voice
unshaken. "I have seen men struck like this before and I have lived twelve
hours longer than the strongest of them. When I could go no farther I sent
Hosea ahead to make things ready--and now I am keeping alive to hear from
home. Give me water."
Dan held the glass to his lips, and looking up, the Governor thanked him
with his old warm glance that was so like Betty's. "There are some things
that are worth fighting for," said the older man as he fell back, "and the
sight of home is one of them.
Pages:
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389