What had happened since last he had seen the spot? Was he dreaming, or
actually looking down upon something that was really taking place? G. W.
stood up and steadying himself against a tree continued to gaze and gaze
below.

There was a big rude tent, with all sides open. Within was a long table
around which figures moved restlessly or stood strangely still. Wagons
were rolling up to this tent bringing burdens which turned poor little
G. W. ill as he realized what they were. They were men! Sick or wounded
men! Ready hands lifted the limp forms from the carts and laid them in
long rows upon the ground; then, over and over again, as the fear-filled
little watcher on the hill strained his eyes, he saw a man singled out
from the lines and borne to the table. G. W. grew chill under the
blazing sun as he looked, not comprehending what it meant.

"I can't--think--what--dat--means!" he said aloud; "'pears like I am
habin' a dream standin' up out-doors wid my clo'es on. Lawd!
how--I--does--wish--I--knew--what--dat--dar--means!"

The poor little fellow rubbed his head in a hopeless, forlorn way, while
his heart beat fast and chokingly. Suddenly it came to him; like a flash
the meaning became clear.

There had been a battle! They were bringing in the dead and wounded from
the front to that fearsome spot below. Then G. W. shuddered as a new
thought broke upon his brain. Perhaps his Colonel was there! The sudden
idea took the form of a frenzy. He flung his arms up with a wild
gesture, and then, alone on the hill-top, there was a battle on for G.
W.--an exceedingly hard battle.

"Obey!" cried Honor; "'tis the thing you are called to do! 'Tis the
thing you have promised!"

"But the Colonel may lie in the long row," pleaded Love; "no one near
him to tend just him; no one to give him a drink or hold his head or his
hand; to follow him and stay by him. He is just one of a row!"

G. W.'s sad little face turned gray.

"You promised!" Honor admonished. "He trusted you, with no doubt of your
obedience!"

"But they may have forgotten him. He may be lying out on the
battle-field--and no one could find him as surely as you!" Love sobbed
in his ears.

With a pitiful moan, the little body-guard gave up his promise! A
disobedient, loving little black boy sped down from the hill-top, on the
forbidden side, sobbing and crying. He flung all but his love for the
Colonel to the hot winds. He might be shot, he might lose his way
endlessl