He could only think of home, his mother and sisters, and John, by this time snugly coiled away in the bed where he had been wont to dream of the glories of war.

He had cast his fears to the winds when he found that his captors did not intend to butcher him, and he could not help thinking that his situation might have been worse.
Those with whom he had spoken told him they had eaten nothing since morning; and in this respect he was far better off than his companions were.

The only thing that troubled him was the thought of the anguish which his mother must suffer, when she heard of the battle.

When the regiment should be gathered together again, he would be reported as "missing," and this would be a terrible word to her, for it meant killed, wounded, or a prisoner.

If he could only assure her that he still lived and was uninjured, he would have been happy--happy in spite of the drenching rain--happy in spite of the prospective dungeon, and the hardships to which he might be subjected.