In his mind's eye he saw the vindictive Dudley, eager for a revenge which he could not encompass any other way, laying the proof of this act before his superiors with an abundance of collateral evidence which, he knew, would condemn him before any military tribunal in the world.

It mattered not what kindly impulses had guided his hand when he wrote the safeguard on the other side of the paper on which Robert E.Lee had previously placed his name, for it is not the custom of courts martial to weigh the milk of human kindness against the blood and iron of war.

The good and the safety of the greater number demand the sacrifice of every man who would imperil the cause by ill considered generosity.

Morrison could see that very presently he would have to answer certain stern questions.
Yet, there was a chance still that Dudley might be headed off and this whole miserable business stopped before revenge could set the inexorable wheels in motion and he whirled round on O'Connell with a sharp question: "Which way did Dudley go ?" "Down the pike, then over the hill by the wood road, sor--makin' for headquarters," the young Irishman answered, only too glad of a chance to help his officer out of what, he saw, was a frightful situation.
"How long ago ?" came back the instant query.
"Five minutes, sor.

Ye cud catch him wid a horse." "Ah," exclaimed Morrison, and he threw up his hand to his men.
"Lieutenant Harris," he shouted.