. I am hoping every day to obtain some news from your father--a
letter or a message, to tell me what to do. It is unfortunate that we
should be staying here among my people and war to begin."

"Then there is going to be fighting?" cried the boy.

"I fear so, my boy."

"Then I know."

"You know what, Phil?"

"My father will come and fetch me." The old man shook his head.

"He is with his regiment, my child, and could not come away."

The old man stopped short, for the door was suddenly thrown open, and a
big, heavy-looking boy of seventeen or eighteen came hurriedly in.

"Some one wants you, Uncle Martin," he cried.

"Yes, quite right," came in a sharp, short, military tone. "That will
do, my young friend. Thanks."

The speaker, a tall bronzed personage in plain clothes, strode into the
room, held the door open, and signed to the big lad to pass out, which
he did slowly and unwillingly, but not before he had heard Phil utter
the one word, "Father!" as he sprang forward to fling his arms round the
visitor's waist.

"My boy!" was the response. Then to the Doctor, "That's unlucky! But
that boy does not understand English?"

The Doctor shook his head.

"I am afraid he does, quite well enough to grasp who you are."

"Tut! tut! tut!" ejaculated the visitor. "But tell me; are there any
troops near here?"

"Many, a few miles away," said the Doctor.

"But he is not likely to go and tell them that there is an Englishman
here?"

"I hope not. Oh, no; I will see that he does not. Then there is risk
in your coming here, my friend?"

"I'm afraid so; but I was obliged to come, Martin."

"But, father, why have you not come in your uniform?"

"Quiet, boy," was the reply; "I have no time to explain. Look here,
Martin, old friend; when I agreed that Phil here should come on this
long visit with you I had no idea that matters would turn out like this.
But there is no time to waste. You must get out of the country as fast
as you can."

"With your son?"

"Of course. Get south, beyond the English lines. You understand?"

"Yes. Quite."

"Then now get me something; bread and meat or bread and water--I am
nearly starved."

"You'll have dinner with us, father?" cried Phil.

"No, my boy; I must be off at once."

"Oh, father, take me with you," cried Phil, piteously.

"I cannot, my boy. I must get back to my regiment, and at once."

"So soon?" said the old Doctor, sadly.

"Yes, so soon. If it g