He had a sense of rest and realization as he leaned back against the
tree. But it was mental tension, not physical, for which relief came,
and Shepard, much more than the battle at the creek, was in his thoughts.
The strong personality of the spy and his seeming omniscience oppressed
him again. Apparently he was able to go anywhere, and nothing could be
hidden from him. He might be somewhere in the circling shadows at that
very moment, watching Lee and his lieutenants. His pulses leaped.
Shepard had achieved an extraordinary influence over him, and he was
prepared to believe the impossible.
He stood up and stared into the bushes, but sentinels stood there,
and no human being could pass their ring unseen. Presently Dalton came,
made a brief report to General Lee and joined his comrade. Harry was
glad of his arrival. The presence of a comrade brought him back to earth
and earth's realities. The sinister shadows that oppressed him melted
away and he saw only the ordinary darkness of a summer night.
The two sat side by side. Dalton perhaps drew as much strength as Harry
from the comradeship, and they watched other messengers arrive with
dispatches, some of whom rolled themselves in their blankets at once,
and went to sleep, although three, who had evidently slept in the day,
joined Harry and Dalton in their vigil.
Pages:
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58