He was anxious to know whether he had killed the rebel or not.

There was something awful in the circumstances, for the soldier boy's sensibilities were too acute to permit him to take a human life, though it was that of an enemy, without producing a deep impression upon his mind.

Perhaps, in the great battle in which he had been a participant, he had killed several rebels; if he had done so, he had not seen them fall.

This was the first man he had consciously killed or wounded, and the fact was solemn, if not appalling, to the young soldier.
As the rebel raised his companion from the water he seemed to be dead, and Tom was forced to the conclusion that he had killed him.

He had done the deed in self-defence, and in the strict line of duty.