Finding,
however, that the governor had no further remark to
address to him, he once more returned to his station in
the ranks.
"Mr. Lawson," resumed the commandant, turning to the
adjutant, "let this victim be carried to the spot on
which he fell, and there interred. I know no better grave
for a soldier than beneath the sod that has been moistened
with his blood. Recollect," he continued, as the adjutant
once more led the party out of the area,--"no firing,
Mr. Lawson. The duty must be silently performed, and
without the risk of provoking a forest of arrows, or a
shower of bullets from the savages. Major Blackwater,"
he pursued, as soon as the corpse had been removed, "let
the men pile their arms even as they now stand, and remain
ready to fall in at a minute's notice. Should any thing
extraordinary happen before the morning, you will, of
course, apprise me." He then strode out of the area with
the same haughty and measured step that had characterised
his entrance.
"Our colonel does not appear to be in one of his most
amiable moods to-night," observed Captain Blessington,
as the officers, after having disposed of their respective
companies, now proceeded along the ramparts to assist at
the last funeral offices of their unhappy associate.
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