He uttered a groan, shivered, and became insensible. A moment
or two later a band in gray galloped by wholly intent upon the
Federals, who had disappeared spurring for the woods, and she
recognized her cousin, Madison Whately, leading the pursuit. Neither
he nor any of his party looked her way, and it was evident that the
Union soldier who had so abruptly diverged from the road behind the
screening copse had not been discovered. The sounds died away as
speedily as they had approached, and all became still again. The
startled birds resumed their songs; the injured horse moved feebly,
and the girl saw that it was bleeding from a wound, but the man at
her feet did not stir. Truly something had happened. What should she
do? Breaking the paralysis of her fear and astonishment, she stepped
to the brook, gathered up water in her hands, and dashed it into the
face of the unconscious man. It had no effect. "Can he be dead?" she
asked herself in horror. He was as pale as his bronzed features
could become, and her woman's soul was touched that one who looked
so strong, who had been so vital a moment before, should now lie
there in pathetic and appealing helplessness.
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