A cold, sickening shudder came over me; I durst not ask farther, but pressed on with anxious steps towards the chapel.
“There, sir, yonder, where you see the light. That’s the door.”
So saying, the sergeant stopped suddenly, and placed his hand to his cap. I saw at once that he was sufficiently aware of his condition not to desire to appear before his officers; so, hurriedly thanking him, I walked forward.
“Halt, there! and give the countersign,” cried a sentinel, who with fixed bayonet stood before the door.
“I am an officer,” said I, endeavoring to pass in.
“Stand bock, stand bock!” said the harsh voice of the Highlander, for such he was.
“Is Major O’Shaughnessy in the church?”
“I dinna ken,” was the short, rough answer.
“Who is the officer so badly wounded?”
“I dinna ken,” repeated he, as gruffly as before; while he added, in a louder key, “Stand bock, I tell ye, man! Dinna ye see the staff coming?”