" said Colonel
Talbot.
"But it has occurred, Leonidas, and that's the main thing. A general in
battle does not always know how he is whipped, but the whipping hurts
just as much."
"You should not show too much elation over your triumph, Hector.
Remember that he laughs best who laughs last."
"I take my laugh whenever I can, Leonidas, because no one knows who is
going to laugh last. It may be that he who laughs in the present will
also laugh at the end. What do you mean by that move, Leonidas?"
"That to you is a mystery, Hector. It's like one of Stonewall Jackson's
flanking marches, and in due time the secret will be revealed with
terrible results."
"Pshaw, Leonidas, you can't frighten a veteran like me. That for your
move, and here's mine in reply."
The two gray heads bent lower over the board as the colonels made move
after move. The youths standing in the shadow of the trees watched until
the second time that night the two uttered a simultaneous cry. But they
were very different in quality. Now Colonel Talbot's expressed victory
and Lieutenant-Colonel St. Hilaire's consternation.
"Your bishop, Hector!" exclaimed Colonel Talbot. "Pious and able
gentleman as he is, an honor to his cloth, he is nevertheless my captive.
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