Virginia, Marya and the mother huddled in a group beside the commander.
“Now, sir,” he cried, “we’ll have three cheers for his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor!”
The boy’s face went white and his voice failed.
“Billy—“ his mother pleaded.
“Billy!” Virginia sternly commanded.
“Billy!” Zonia pleaded.
The youngster’s body suddenly stiffened and a smile overspread his face. The tense scene was unearthly in the pale moonlight. His voice was quick and rang in deep, manly tones.
“Hurrah for the President of the United States!—to hell with all emperors!”
The Colonel drew his pistol and shot him down before their agonized gaze.
The mother swooned, Marya fled in terror to the woods.