“You must not, you shall not,” cried Fred, excitedly. “Yes; I see you are angry with me; but—”
“No, my boy, not angry,” said the colonel, gravely; “but very, very proud of you. No, my boy, I am not going to head the fight.”
“Father!” cried Fred, joyously.
“And I have done more than beg General Hedley to excuse me from all participation in to-day’s work.”
“Then it really will be to-day?”
“Yes, my boy, it really will be to-day, and I’d give anything for this day to be past, and the worst known.”
“But they will give them quarter, father?”
“Yes, my boy, of course, but who can say what may happen in dealing with fierce, reckless men, fighting as they believe for their lives. Those with whom they are engaged may be willing to take them prisoners, but they will fight with terrible desperation, incited by Sir Godfrey’s example, and no one can say how the attack will end.”
“Yes, father, I see,” said Fred, sadly, “but could you not persuade General Hedley to give up the attack?”
Colonel Forrester was silent for a few moments, and then said sadly—