"What's the matter, old man?" he said. "Did they get you?"
"They got me," replied Colonel Edwards. "You fellows go on. You can do nothing for me. It's too late."
A sudden shudder shook him and he burst into a fit of coughing. His eyes closed, but he reached forth a hand and his fingers clasped Colonel Anderson's hand.
"Tell the folks at home—" he said feebly, then became still.
Quickly Colonel Anderson placed a hand over the other's heart. Then he looked at Hal.
"Dead!" he said simply.
For long minutes all stood there silently, their hats off. How long they would have remained, it is hard to tell, but the sound of a shot close at hand awakened them to their own danger.
"We can do no good here," said Colonel Anderson quietly. "We may as well go."
"First," said Hal, "we shall move his body to a little hole in the ground
I saw back here. We'll cover him up and then we'll go."
Under the very revolvers of the enemy this was done; and the four returned to their horses.