Then he recalled a long list of injuries he had received from Scarlett, things which had made his blood boil, and he felt tempted again.
But his better self prevailed the next minute, and, shaking his head, he returned to his tent, to find that after all Scarlett had partaken of the food, and had now thrown himself down on Fred’s cloak and gone to sleep.
As he lay there in the dim light, Fred gazed at his old companion’s handsome young face, flowing curls, and soiled but still handsome uniform, with something like envy. But this passed away; and soon after he lay down outside the tent, to fall into a fit of musing, which was mingled with the pace of sentries, hoarse orders, and the blare of trumpets. Then all was silent, and he fell fast asleep, out there on the bare ground, only to awaken at the morning calls.
Chapter Seventeen.
A Lesson in Self-Control.
“You will take twelve men as escort, and guard those prisoners to Newton Abbott; there you will give them up, and return as quickly as you can to me.”
“Yes, sir. The men need not be bound?”
“Yes; every one.”