r.

"Ah, George! If you had loved him you would have found him dead or
alive," Harry cried out. Nothing would satisfy him but that he, too,
should go to the ground and examine it. With money he procured a guide
or two. He forded the river at the place where the army had passed
over: he went from one end to the other of the dreadful field. It was
no longer haunted by Indians now. The birds of prey were feeding on
the mangled festering carcases. Save in his own grandfather, lying very
calm, with a sweet smile on his lip, Harry had never yet seen the face
of Death. The horrible spectacle of mutilation caused him to turn away
with shudder and loathing. What news could the vacant woods, or those
festering corpses lying under the trees, give the lad of his lost
brother? He was for going, unarmed and with a white flag, to the French
fort, whither, after their victory, the enemy had returned; but his
guides refused to advance with him. The French might possibly respect
them, but the Indians would not. "Keep your hair for your lady mother,
my young gentleman," said the guide. "'Tis enough that she loses one son
in this campaign."

When Harry returned to the English encampment at Dunbar's, it was his
turn to be down with the fever. Delirium set in upon him, and he lay
some time in the tent and on the bed from which his friend had just
risen convalescent. For some days he did not know who watched him; and
poor Dempster, who had tended him in more than one of these maladies,
thought the widow must lose both her children; but the fever was so
far subdued that the boy was enabled to rally somewhat, and get to
horseback. Mr. Washington and Dempster both escorted him home. It was
with a heavy heart, no doubt, that all three beheld once more the gates
of Castlewood.

A servant in advance had been sent to announce their coming. First came
Mrs. Mountain and her little daughter, welcoming Harry with many
tears and embraces, but she scarce gave a nod of recognition to Mr.
Washington; and the little girl caused the young officer to start, and
turn deadly pale, by coming up to him with her hands behind her, and
asking, "Why have you not brought George back too?" Harry did not hear.
The sobs and caresses of his good friend and nurse luckily kept him from
listening to little Fanny.

Dempster was graciously received by the two ladies. "Whatever could be
done, we know you would do, Mr. Dempster," says Mrs. Mountain, giving
him her hand. "Mak