Presently the Adjutant approached with a salute, and reported that the transport would not accommodate the whole regiment.
"It must," said the Colonel. "The men are not properly stowed. I suppose they won't stow. They hav'n't learned yet that they can't have a state-room apiece. I will attend to it, Adjutant."
Turning to the Ravenels, he added, "I suppose I must bid you good-bye. I shall have little more time to myself. I am so much obliged to you for coming to see us off. God bless you! God bless you!"
When a man of the Colonel's nature utters this benediction seriously he is unquestionably much more moved than ordinarily. Lillie felt this: not that she considered Carter wicked, but simply more masculine than most men: and she was so much shaken by his unusual emotion that she could hardly forbear bursting into tears in public. When he was gone she would have been glad to fly immediately, if only she could have found a place where she might be alone. Then she had to compose herself to meet Colburne.
"The Colonel sent me to take care of you," he said, as he joined them.
"How good of him!" thought Lillie, meaning thereby Carter, and not the Captain.
"Will they all get on board this boat?" she inquired.
"Yes. They are moving on now. The men of course hate to stow close, and it needed the Colonel to make them do it."
"It looks awfully crowded," she answered, searching the whole craft over for a glimpse of Carter.