“Witness the dragging out of the swivel,” continued Lord Fairfax; “and let me tell you this—the difference between an ordinary general and a great general is that the ordinary man cannot think in a hurry and in the midst of terrible emergencies, but the great man thinks the better for the very things that shake and disconcert an every-day man. You may some day prove a great general, George.”
The boy blushed, but said nothing. Lance had then come up. “Shall I have the carpenters go to work directly, sir, replacing that door? By night we can have as strong a one made and hung as the one they burst in,” he said.
“Certainly,” replied Lord Fairfax. “Have them go all over the house and repair the damages. But first let them have breakfast, for fighting always makes men hungry. And look after that wounded man over yonder.”
Lance, who had some experience in gunshot wounds, went over and examined Black Bear’s injured leg carefully. He then ordered water brought, with some simple dressing, and washed and dressed the wound. Black Bear, through it all, maintained his stolid silence. When, however, Lance had him picked up by two stalwart negroes and carried into their quarters, where a fire was burning, the Indian could not banish a faint expression of surprise from his countenance. He had heard that the white men treated prisoners well, but he had no correct idea of what good treatment to prisoners meant. He was given a good breakfast, at which he was utterly astounded, but which he ate with a true Indian appetite. He gave no sign of feeling, however, except a grunt of approval.
When George was relieved from his post he went to his room. As soon as he entered he saw Billy’s ashy face, with his eyes nearly popping out of his head, emerging from under the bed, while Rattler gave a yelp of delight.
“Lord a’mighty, Marse George, I never tho’t ter see you ag’in!” exclaimed Billy, fervently. “All de time dem balls was poppin’ me an’ Rattler was thinkin’ ’bout you, an’ when I hear one big gun a-gwine off I jest holler out loud, ‘Marse George done daid—I know he done daid!’”
“I might have been dead a good many times for any help I had from you, you lazy scamp,” responded George, severely, at which Billy burst into tears, and wailed until “Marse George” condescended to be mollified.
CHAPTER IX
The remaining time of George’s stay at Greenway Court sped on rapidly—too fast for Lord Fairfax, who realized every day how close the boy had got to his heart.
As for Lance, a real friendship had grown up between him and George, and the old soldier thought with keen regret of the impending departure.