It was a horrible scene, and in spite of the splendid knowledge that an undisputed victory was theirs, Lucia turned away and closed the door behind her. She ran up to the big door and out on the road.
There were signs of the battle all about her in the big shell holes in the road, and in the ruins still smoking inside the walls, but there was no such sight as she had just witnessed, and she took a deep breath of the warm fresh air.
CHAPTER XII
A REUNION
She shaded her eyes and looked down the road.
Garibaldi, freed from her harness, was lying down in the sunshine, and as Lucia watched her she saw a familiar figure running towards her. She saw it stop and pat the goat. With a cry of joy she recognized Maria, bedraggled and muddy, but without doubt Maria. She ran forward to meet her.
"Maria, where have you come from?" she called as the older girl threw herself into her out-stretched arms and began to cry.
"Oh, from miles and miles away! I have been running since late last night," she sobbed.
"But what has happened? Beppi, Nana, are they safe?" Lucia demanded.