And yet this plaintive note of
the homes they had left behind, while it brought a tear to many an eye,
made no decrease in martial determination. It merely hardened their
resolution to win the victory all the sooner, and bring the homecoming
march nearer.
De Langeais ended on a wailing note that died like a faint sigh in the
pine forest. Then he came back to earth, sprang up, and put his violin
in its case. Applause spread out and swelled in a low, thunderous note,
but de Langeais, who was as modest as he was talented, quickly hid
himself among his friends.
The sun sank behind the blue mountains, and twilight came readily over
the pine and cedar forests. Colonel Talbot and Lieutenant-Colonel
St. Hilaire, who had a large tent together, invited the youths to stay
awhile with them as their guests and talk. All the soldiers dispersed to
their own portions of the great camp, and there would be an hour of quiet
and rest, until the camp cooks served supper.
It had been a lively day for Harry, his emotions had been much stirred,
and now he was glad to sit in the peace of the evening on a stone near
the entrance of the tent, and listen to his friends. War drew comrades
together in closer bonds than those of peace.
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