Merwyn greeted him with mingled wonder and gladness, yet even at that moment the thought occurred to him: "Thwarted on every side! I can do absolutely nothing."
After Strahan was seated Merwyn said: "Half an hour later I should have been off to Gettysburg in search of you. Blauvelt is here, and says he saw you fall, and since a blank, so far as you are concerned."
"Thank God! He escaped then?"
"Yes; but is wounded slightly. What is the matter with your arm?"
"Only a bullet-hole through it. That's nothing for Gettysburg.
I was captured, and escaped on the first night's march. Dark and
stormy, you know. But it's a long story, and I'm hungry as a wolf.
Where's Blauvelt?"
"He's a guest at Mr. Vosburgh's."
"Lucky fellow!" exclaimed Strahan; and for some reason the edge of his appetite was gone.
"Yes, he IS a lucky fellow, indeed; and so are you," said Merwyn, bitterly. "I was there last evening till after midnight;" and he explained what had occurred, adding, "Blauvelt trumpeted your praise, and on the night of the 3d he went inside the enemy's picket line in search of you, at the risk of his life.'
"Heaven bless the fellow! Wait till I spin my yarn. I shall give him credit for the whole victory."
"Write a note to Miss Vosburgh, and I'll send it right down."