And so, the terse captain himself had a soft heart which he seldom showed! The convoy started the next morning, John with five soldiers in an armored automobile bringing up the rear.

There were other men on the flank and in front, and a captain commanded.

The day was wintry and gloomy.

Heavy clouds obscured the sky, and the slush was deep in the roads.

A desolate wind moaned through the leafless trees, and afar the cannon grumbled and groaned.
But neither the somber day nor the melancholy convoy affected John's spirits.