he was
_not_ prepared for the sight that presently rose before him.

A bit beyond, leaning against a tree, bloodstained, dirt-begrimed, and
faint, sat his Colonel.

At the first glimpse of him something like the ice of winter gave way in
G. W.'s breast. The blood began to flow through his veins; the past was
but a bad dream--he was once more a glad and loving little fellow.

"Colonel!" he whispered, like one coming out of sleep. "Colonel, I'se
here!"

But Colonel Austin took no heed of the tender voice.

IX.

"I'SE GOT DE COLONEL!"

G. W. stumbled onward and reached the tree, put his arm about the
officer, and carefully held the canteen to his lips. A gurgle, the water
was drained to the last drop; and then, oh, joy! the heavy eyes opened.

It did not seem strange to Colonel Austin to see G. W.'s dusky face. It
was but part of the troubled dream that held his heated brain.

"Hello, comrade!" he said. "Just tell them I couldn't see the little
Corporal die. There was only room for one. He was crying for his
mother, and he had been brave all day. The Boy and his Mother
will--understand--by and by."

"Now you see heah, Colonel," said poor little G. W. "You jes' stop dat
kind ob talk. Your laigs ain't hurt--it's your chist, an' you'se got ter
git up an' come along!"

G. W.'s voice was full of fright and determination combined.

"No use, G. W.," groaned the Colonel. "I tried it, and fell. Help will
be sent back, but it will be too late, my boy."

"You get up, sah!" persisted G. W. "You'se got ter make a move fur de
Boy an' his Mother! I'se goin' ter sabe yo' fur dem, sah, like I swar
to. Now stan' up, sah!"

Colonel Austin staggered to his feet, leaning upon the little shoulder.

The water had revived him, and G. W.'s words had recalled him to a
sacred duty.

The wound in his breast began to bleed again, and the crimson drops fell
upon G. W. The man's weight, too, almost bowed the little boy down. But
he set his teeth and smiled grimly. The undertaking seemed nearly big
enough for a hero to tackle--and here he was just a disobedient,
dishonored little black boy!

"You'se doin' fine!" G. W. said, whenever Colonel Austin's steps
flagged; "you'se done a mile _mos'_, Colonel; dere ain't but a step or
two furder. Lean heavy, Colonel,--yo' jes' ain't no heft at all!" And
all the while the keen eyes were searching the underbrush for another
leaf-clothed foe.

Once they stopped so that G. W. might tear