“What has happened, my dear Duncan?” he exclaimed as he saw me. “You look as pale as death. Why, you must be wounded; no doubt about it.”
I gave him a brief account of what had happened; with which he was, of course, horrified.
“We must get the doctor to you, in the first place; then you can make your report to the general.”
But just then we saw the general approaching, so we rode forward to meet him. He would at first scarcely credit the fearful account I had to give; but it was confirmed by Antonio, who described how he had seen me leap from the window, and how the Pastucians had fired at us.
“Have any of the officers escaped?” he asked.
I told him I was afraid every one had been killed.
“We must avenge them,” he said; “such treachery deserves the most complete punishment. Now go, young señor, and get your wound looked to,” he added.
As I rode off, he summoned several of his staff, and issued orders to prepare for an attack.
I was carried to Captain Brown’s tent.
“I must look after you,” said Captain Brown; “for had you not gone, I should most certainly have been murdered with the rest of the poor fellows.”