But Dick knew
the voice in an instant. Once more were the two cousins to meet in peace
on an unfinished battlefield.
Each driven by the same impulse stepped forward, and their hands met in
the strong grasp of blood kindred and friendship, which war itself could
not sever.
"You're alive, Harry!" said Dick. "It seems almost impossible after what
has happened to-day."
"And you too are all right. Not harmed, I see, though your face is an
African black."
"I should call your own color dark and smoky."
"I wasn't sure that you were in the East. When did you come?"
"With General Grant, and I knew that you were on General Lee's staff.
I've a message to give him by you. Oh! you needn't laugh. It's a good
straight talk."
"Go ahead then and say it to me."
"You say to General Lee that it's all over. Tell him to quit and send
his soldiers home. If he doesn't he'll be crushed."
Harry laughed again and waved his finger at the somber battlefield,
upon which he stood.
"Does this look like it?" he asked. "We're farther forward to-night than
we were this morning. Wouldn't General Grant be glad if he could say as
much?"
"It makes no difference. I know you don't believe me, but it's so.
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