.

The three Union colonels were in a little group not far from Dick,
and they also were talking with one another. Dick wondered what they
would do, but he was saved from long wonderment by the call of a trumpet
from the Southern force, and the appearance of a horseman not older than
himself riding forward and bearing a white flag.

"They want a truce," said Colonel Hertford. "Go and meet them, Mason."

Dick, willing enough, turned his horse toward the young man who, heavily
tanned, was handsome, well-built and dressed with scrupulous care in a
fine gray uniform.

"My name is St. Clair," he said, "and I'm an officer on the staff of
Colonel Leonidas Talbot, who commands the force behind me."

"I think we've met once before," said Dick. "My name is Mason, Richard
Mason, and I am with Colonel Arthur Winchester, who commands one of the
regiments that has just been fighting you."

"It's so! Upon my life it's so, and you're the same Dick Mason that's
the cousin of our Harry Kenton, the fellow he's always talking about!
He's on General Lee's staff, but he's been detached for temporary duty
with us. He's over there all right. But I've come to tell you that
Colonel Talbot, who commands us, offers a flag of truce to bury the dead.
He sees that neither side can win, that to continue the battle would only
involve us in mutual destruction. He wishes, too, that I convey to your
commander his congratulations upon his great skill and courage. I may
add, myself, Mr. Mason, that Colonel Talbot knows a brave man when he
sees him."

"I've no doubt the offer will be accepted. Will you wait a moment?"

"Certainly," replied St. Clair, giving his most elegant salute with his
small sword.

Dick went back to the Union colonels, and they accepted at once. That
long line of dead and wounded, and the mournful song of the wind through
the trees, affected the colonels on both sides. More flags of truce
were hoisted, and the officers in blue or gray rode forward to meet one
another, and to talk together as men who bore no hate in their hearts for
gallant enemies.

The troopers rapidly dug shallow graves with their bayonets in the soft
soil, and the dead were laid away. The feeling of friendship and also of
curiosity among these stern fighters grew. They were anxious to see and
talk a little with men who had fought one another so hard more than three
years. Nearly all of them had lost blood at one time or another, and the
veno