“You may trust me,” said Haynes, quietly; and it was the soldier speaking now to his superior. The friendly, easy-going ways of brother-officers were gone, and we stood together watching him till he disappeared among the trees.
For a few moments Brace made no movement, but stood as if plunged in thought. Then, turning suddenly, he moved to the very edge of the forest, and leaning forward gazed intently at the town, whose houses looked bright in the morning sun, and among which were throngs of white-clothed people emerging here and there. We could see the guns too glistening in the sun, but no sign of armed men excepting the sentries, whose swords glittered as they walked to and fro.
“Why, Gil,” said Brace, drawing a long breath, “how satisfied they seem of their safety; a squadron of lancers would capture those guns with ease.”
“And we are going to capture them without,” I said.
“Hist! what was that?”
“Haynes giving an order to march,” I said.
“No; some one coming this way! Well, what is it?” he cried to a man who came on at the double, and saluted.
“The lieutenant, sir,” replied the man. “Will you come at once?”
“Something wrong,” I heard Brace mutter, as he strode back through the trees to where the men were drawn up with Haynes in front.
“Now, what is it?” said Brace, sharply. “Why are you not gone, sir?”