th the leisurely precision of a peaceful field day; but here and
there from the trampled earth some fallen horse raised its head in
agony; here and there the plain was dotted with dark heaps that
never stirred.

The wailing flight of bullets streamed steadily overhead, but, as
they descended, the whistling, rushing sound grew higher and
fainter. They could see, on the plain where the cavalry was
manoeuvring, the shells bursting in fountains of dirt, the ominous
shrapnel cloud floating daintily above.

Far away through the grassy cleft, on wooded hillsides, delicately
blue, they could see the puff of white smoke shoot out from among
the trees where the Confederate batteries were planted, then hear
the noise of the coming shell rushing nearer, quavering, whistling
into a long-drawn howl as it raced through the gray clouds overhead.

While he guided her among the cedars at the base of the hill, one
arm around her body to sustain her, he quietly but seriously
berated her for her excursion to the firing line, telling her there
was no need of it, no occasion for anybody except the bearers
there; that Dr. Connor was furious at her and had said aloud that
she had little common-sense.

Ailsa coloured painfully, but there was little spirit left in her,
and she walked thankfully and humbly along beside him, resting her
cheek, against his shoulder.

"Don't scold me; I really feel half sick, Phil. . . . From where
did you come?" she added timidly.

"From the foot bridge. They wanted a guard set there. I found
half a dozen wounded men who could handle a musket. Lord, but the
rebels came close to us that time! When we heard those bullets
they were charging the entire line of our works. I understand that
we've driven them all along the line. It must be so, judging from
the sound of the firing."

"Did our hospital burn?"

"Only part of one wing. They're beginning to move back the wounded
already. . . . Now, dear, will you please remain with your
superiors and obey orders?" he added as they came out along the
banks of the little stream and saw the endless procession of
stretchers recrossing the foot bridge to the left.

"Yes. . . . I didn't know. I saw part of a battery blown up; and
a soldier stood on the hill and shouted for stretchers. There was
nobody else to start them off, so I did it."

He nodded. "Wait here, dear. I will run over and ask Dr. Connor
whether they have moved Colonel Arran----"

"Colone