relatives. Nearly everybody
else has gone, too. That's why the town is so silent. There were not
many left anyway, except old people and children. But, Dick, I have
ridden as far as you have to-night, and I came to ask a question which
I thought Judge Kendrick or Dr. Russell might answer--news of those who
leave a town often comes back to it--but neither of them could tell
me what I wanted to hear. Dick, I have not heard a word of Harry since
spring. His army has fought since then two great battles and many
smaller ones! It was for this, to get some word of him, that I risked
everything in leaving our army to come to Pendleton!"

He turned upon Dick a face distorted with pain and anxiety, and the boy
quickly said:

"Uncle George, I have every reason to believe that Harry is alive and
well."

"What do you know? What have you heard about him?"

"I have not merely heard. I have seen him and talked with him. It was
after the Second Manassas, when we were both with burial parties, and
met on the field. I was at Antietam, and he, of course, was there, too,
as he is with Stonewall Jackson. I did not see him in that battle, but I
learned from a prisoner who knew him that he had escaped unwounded, and
had gone with Lee's army into Virginia."

"I thank God once more, Dick, that you were moved to come by my house.
To know that both Harry and you are alive and well is joy enough for one
man."

"But it is likely, sir, that we'll soon meet in battle," said Dick.

"So it would seem."

And that was all that either said about his army. There was no attempt
to obtain information by direct or indirect methods. This was a family
meeting.

"You have a horse, of course," said Colonel Kenton.

"Yes, sir. He is on the lawn, tied to your fence. His hoofs may now be
in a flower bed."

"It doesn't matter, Dick. People are not thinking much of flower beds
nowadays. My own horse is further down the lawn between the pines, and
as he is an impatient beast it is probable that he has already dug up a
square yard or two of turf with his hoofs. How did you get in, Dick?"

"You forgot about the front door, sir, and left it open six or seven
inches. I thought some plunderer was within and entered, to find you."

"I must have been watched over to-night when forgetfulness was rewarded
so well. Dick, we've found out what we came for and neither should
linger here. Do you need anything?"

"Nothing at all, sir."

"Then we'll go."

Colonel