He looked at the angel and it was the face of his beloved. With a cry of joy he woke to find a courier by his side with a message from General Hood.
He rubbed his eyes and smiled for the joy of the dream that still lingered in his heart and quickly read the order.
To Colonel Vassar:
Please report immediately to the officer in command at Babylon and tell him to entrench his men at once. We shall make our third and last stand there.
(Signed) Hood.
Vassar scribbled a reply and turned his horse’s head to the staff headquarters.
Babylon was home! He would see his little girls on the eve of battle—but more than all he hoped to see Virginia.
He was still hoping and fearing as he delivered his horse to the hostler and ordered an automobile.
He was just leaping into the machine when Billy appeared on his motor-cycle and handed him a crumpled sealed note.
The boy saluted, smiled and turned back.