The Past.
THE Commander who had fought so bravely was tired out. He could go no farther. He had beaten back the stubborn foe, and there was nothing more for him to do. He waited with as much patience as he could muster the return of his messengers. In a short time he would learn whether the honour of his country had been preserved; whether his battle was a defeat or a victory.
"Will they never come?" he murmured. "Surely by this time they should have learned the truth?"
He had scarcely uttered these words when the scouts returned.
"General," cried the leader, "your campaign has been crowned with success! England is herself again! Your reward is assured!"
And it was. A week later he was made a K.C.B.!
The Future.
The Commander who had contended with the stubborn foe with a spirit of stern determination was at length exhausted. He had put to flight the enemies who at every step had attempted to bar his progress. But now the affair was over, and there was little for him to do; so he was waiting as patiently as he could the return of those he had sent forward to represent him in the proper quarter. Before long he would receive the intelligence for which he hungered. He would be told whether all was right or all was wrong; whether his battle was a defeat or a victory.
"Will they never come?" he murmured. "Surely by this time they should have revealed the truth, and made the most of the opportunity."
He had scarcely uttered these words when the scouts came back.