I cared little as to the fate of the others, they had taken the chances of war, but these two must be liberated before our troops came up.

I could not catch the girl's eyes; she sat with averted face, talking earnestly to her father.

Uneasy, and puzzled how best to straighten out the tangle, I went out into the hall, and glanced in at the room opposite.

A bunch of gray-clad men were against the wall, disarmed and helpless, even their tongues silent, and three watchful troopers guarded them, revolvers in hand.

All stared at me as I stepped forward.
"Where is the sergeant ?" "At the stable, sir." "Oh, yes; hope he has as good luck there--got them all ?" "Every bloomin' one of 'em, sir.