"Come hither, Siward, my grandchild, and lend me thine eyes and ears, for mine are now dulled by age. Dost thou hear aught?"
"I hear the bittern boom, and the woodpecker tap, but that is all."
"Sit down by my side, and watch with me; the time is at hand."
"Will my father be with them?"
"He will, my child."
"And he will come home safely to us, when all is over?"
"That is as God wills, dear child; his life belongs to his country. Thou mayst pray for him," he added, as he saw tears rise to the eyes of the boy.
"I do," said the child.
They sat awhile in perfect silence, when at last the boy appeared to listen intently.
"Grandfather," he said, "I hear the sound of many feet."