His affection for the two colonels was genuine and deep. If the two lads
were like brothers to him, the colonels were like uncles.
"Is the Northern vanguard anywhere near?" asked Harry.
"Skirmishing is going on only four or five miles away," replied Colonel
Leonidas Talbot. "It is likely that the sharp shooters will be picking
off one another all through the night, but it will not disturb us.
That is a great curse of war. It hardens one so for the time being.
I'm a soldier, and I've been one all my life, and I suppose soldiers are
necessary, but I can't get over this feeling. Isn't it the same way with
you, Hector?"
"Exactly the same, Leonidas," replied Lieutenant-Colonel Hector
St. Hilaire. "You and I fought together in Mexico, Leonidas, then on the
plains, and now in this gigantic struggle, but under whatever guise and,
wherever it may be, I find its visage always hideous. I don't think we
soldiers are to blame. We don't make the wars although we have to fight
'em."
"Increasing years, Hector, have not dimmed those perceptive faculties of
yours, which I may justly call brilliant."
"Thanks, Leonidas, you and I have always had a proper conception of the
worth of each other."
"If you will pardon me for speaking, sir," said St.
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