The words were hardly spoken, when a tremendous cheer burst from the whole line at once.
“Steady, Fourteenth! steady, lads!” said the gallant old colonel, as he raised his hand gently; “the staff is approaching.”
At the same moment, the white plumes appeared, rising above the brow of the hill. On they came, glittering in all the splendor of aignillettes and orders; all save one. He rode foremost, upon a small, compact, black horse; his dress, a plain gray frock fastened at the waist by a red sash; his cocked hat alone bespoke, in its plume, the general officer. He galloped rapidly on till he came to the centre of the line; then turning short round, he scanned the ranks from end to end with an eagle glance.
“Colonel Merivale, you have made known to your regiment my opinion of them, as expressed in general orders?”
The colonel bowed low in acquiescence.
“Fitzroy, you have got the memorandum, I hope?”
The aide-de-camp here presented to Sir Arthur a slip of paper, which he continued to regard attentively for some minutes.
“Captain Powel,—Power, I mean. Captain Power!”
Power rode out from the line.
“Your very distinguished conduct yesterday has been reported to me. I shall have sincere pleasure in forwarding your name for the vacant majority.