The spring evening deepened from twilight into dusk, the moon rose
and shone with mild radiance over the scene that had abounded in
gloom, tragedy and adventure the night before. The conflict which
then had taken place now caused the pathetic life-and-death
struggles occurring in and about the old mansion. In the onset of
battle muscle and the impulse to destroy dominated; now the heart,
with its deep longings, its memories of home and kindred, the soul
with its solemn thoughts of an unknown phase of life which might be
near, came to the fore, rendering the long, doubtful straggle
complex indeed.
The stillness was broken only by the steps and voices of attendants
and the irrepressible groans of those who watched for the day with
hope that waxed and waned as the case might be. Uncle Lusthah
yearned over the Federal wounded with a great pity, the impression
that they were suffering for him and his people banishing sleep. He
hovered among them all night long, bringing water to fevered lips
and saying a word of Christian cheer to any who would listen.
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