Smartly taken and gallantly held." It was the voice of a general officer passing with his staff.

There was a note of pleasant relief in its tone, and the middle-aged, care-drawn face of its owner was relaxed in a paternal smile.

The young captain flushed with pleasure.
"And you seem to have had close work too," added the general, pointing to the dead man.
The young officer hurriedly explained.

The general nodded, saluted, and passed on.

But a youthful aide airily lingered.
"The old man's feeling good, Courtland," he said.