The latter turned, as the familiar voice reached his ear, and held out his hands to his brother, who sprang toward him, threw his arms around his neck, and burst into tears. There was one among George's relatives who still remembered and loved him.
"George," sobbed the little fellow, "are you a Yankee 'bolitionist?"
Tears choked George's utterance, and the boy, suddenly breaking from his arms, ran toward the house, and scrambling up the steps, burst into the room where the captain and ladies were seated, and astonished them all with:
"Mother, mother! George is here! He's come back!"
Both mother and daughter appeared to be considerably agitated upon receiving this news, and the captain noticing it, the suspicion flashed across his mind that it was one of their rebel friends. He glanced out at the door, and saw his two officers standing quietly together, the sentinels walking their beats, and felt satisfied that the rebel, whoever he was, might consider himself a prisoner.
"Who do you mean, my little man?" he asked, putting his hand on the boy's head. "What is his other name?"
"George Le Dell," replied the boy, promptly. "He's my brother. He's out there," and he pointed toward the place where George and Frank were standing.
"Is that your brother?" asked the captain in surprise, as he turned toward Mrs. Le Dell for an explanation.
"I have a son in the Federal navy," replied the lady.
"Then, madam," said the captain, "if that young man out there is your son, allow me to say that you have every reason to be proud of him."