“Yes; and his son, lately your prisoner, was with them.”
“And they are prisoners now?”
“No, my boy; they cut their way out with about a hundred mere, and escaped. This war is one of constant change.”
“Then you are not angry with me, father?”
“On the contrary, Fred, I am proud. You acted better than many older officers would have done.”
“You say that to comfort me over my disgrace.”
“I say it because it is true, and because you are not in disgrace. A far more experienced man would easily have been led into such an ambush, betrayed as you were.”
“Betrayed?” said Fred.
“Yes; some one must have carried information to the enemy.”
“You think that?”