"Our losses in the two days?"
"More than ten thousand."
"Merciful God—"
"Grant's losses were far greater," Taylor added briskly.
"No matter, Taylor, no matter!" he cried in anguish, springing to his feet. He fought for control of his emotions and hurried on.
"The maws of those cannon now are insatiate! We can't afford to lose ten thousand men from our thin ranks in two days. If your army suspected for one moment the real situation in Richmond, they'd quit and we'd be lost."
"They only ask for General Lee's orders, Senator. Their faith in our leader is sublime."
"And that's our only hope," Rives hastened to add. "General Lee may save us. And he is the only man who can do it."
He stopped and studied Taylor closely. He spoke with some diffidence.
"The faith of his officers in him remains absolutely unshaken?"