"Which way now, Billings?" called one of the cavalry officers in the group.
"Over to Mr. Hayne's quarters," he shouted back, never stopping at all.
A silence fell upon the group at mention of the name. They were the ladies from Captain Rayner's and a few of their immediate friends. All eyes followed the twinkling light as it danced away eastward towards the gloomy coal-sheds. Then there was sudden and intense interest. The lamp had come to a stand-still, was deposited on the ground, and by its dim ray the adjutant could be seen bending over a dark object that was half sitting, half reclining at the platform of the shed. Then came a shout, "Come here, some of you." And most of the men ran to the spot.
For a moment not one word was spoken in the watching group: then Miss Travers's voice was heard:
"What can it be? Why do they stop there?"
She felt a sudden hand upon her wrist, and her sister's lips at her ear:
"Come away, Nellie. I want to go home. Come!"
"But, Kate, I must see what it means."
"No: come! It's—it's only some other drunken man, probably. Come!" And she strove to lead her.
But the other ladies were curious too, and all, insensibly, were edging over to the east as though eager to get in sight of the group. The recumbent object had been raised, and was seen to be the dark figure of a man whom the others began slowly to lead away. One of the group came running back to them: it was Mr. Foster.