my horse?"

The wounded man scowled as he recognized the voice and face, and turned his
head partially away, muttering--

"What brought you here?"

"There has never been any love between us, Major Huntingdon; but we are
fighting in the same cause for the first time in our lives. You are badly
wounded, and, as a fellow-soldier, I should be glad to relieve your
sufferings, if possible. Once more, for humanity's sake, I ask, can you
ride my horse to the rear, if I assist you to mount?"

"No. But, for God's sake, give me some water!"

Russell knelt, raised the head, and unbuckling his canteen, put it to his
lips, using his own wounded arm with some difficulty. Half of the contents
was eagerly swallowed, and the remainder Russell poured slowly on the
gaping, ghastly wound in his side. The proud man eyed him, steadily till
the last cool drop was exhausted, and said sullenly--

"You owe me no kindness, Aubrey. I hate you, and you know it. But you have
heaped coals of fire on my head. You are more generous than I thought you.
Thank you, Aubrey; lay me under that tree yonder, and let me die."

"I will try to find a surgeon. Who belongs to your regiment?"

"Somebody whom I never saw till last week. I won't have him hacking about
me. Leave me in peace."

"Do you know anything of your servant? I saw him as I came on the field."

"Poor William! he followed me so closely that he was shot through the head.
He is lying three hundred yards to the left, yonder. Poor fellow! he was
faithful to the last."

A tear dimmed the master's eagle eye as he muttered, rather than spoke,
these words.

"Then I will find Dr. Arnold at once, and send him to you."

It was no easy matter, on that crowded, confused Aceldama, and the
afternoon was well-nigh spent before Russell, faint and weary, descried Dr.
Arnold busily using his instruments in a group of wounded. He rode up, and,
having procured a drink of water and refilled his canteen, approached the
surgeon.

"Doctor, where is your horse? I want you."

"Ho, Cyrus! bring him up. What is the matter, Aubrey? You are hurt."

"Nothing serious, I think. But Major Huntingdon is desperately
wounded--mortally, I am afraid. See what you can do for him."

"You must be mistaken! I have asked repeatedly for Leonard, and they told
me he was in hot pursuit, and unhurt. I hope to Heaven you are mistaken."

"Impossible; I tell you I lifted him out of a pool of his own blood. Come;
I will show you