"I knew you were free with drink, McGilveray," he said, "but I did not think you were a traitor to your country too."
McGilveray saluted, and did not answer.
"You might have waited till after to-morrow, man," said the General, his eyes flashing. "My soldiers should have good music to-morrow."
McGilveray saluted again, but made no answer.
As if with a sudden thought the General waved off the officers and men near him, and betkcned McGilveray to him.
"I can understand the drink in a bad soldier," he said, "but you helped a prisoner to escape. Come, man, we may both be dead to-morrow, and I'd like to feel that no soldier in my army is wilfully a foe of his country."
"He did the same for me, whin I was taken prisoner, yer Excillincy, an' —an', yer Excillincy, 'twas a matter of a woman, too."
The General's face relaxed a little. "Tell me the whole truth," said he; and McGilveray told him all. "Ah, yer Excillincy," he burst out, at last, "I was no traitor at heart, but a fool I always was! Yer Excillincy, court-martial and death's no matter to me; but I'd like to play wan toon agin, to lead the byes tomorrow. Wan toon, Gineral, an' I'll be dacintly shot before the day's over-ah, yer Excillincy, wan toon more, and to be wid the byes followin' the Gineral!"
The General's face relaxed still more.
"I take you at your word," said he. He gave orders that McGilveray should proceed at once aboard the flag-ship, from whence he should join Anstruther's regiment at Cap Rouge.