Part 58 (1/2)
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
TOWARDS HOME.
Weeks followed of desultory warfare. One day messengers came bringing news to the little inn--which had gradually become head-quarters from the coming there of General Hedley, and the centre to which reinforcements were continually gathering--that the king's men were once more in force, and preparations were made for a hasty move.
”Far sooner than I could wish, my boy,” said the colonel, as he sat beside his son after a busy day.
”But I feel quite strong again, father,” pleaded Fred. ”You are too anxious about me.”
”Too anxious, my boy? No, I think not. Well, you will have to try and sit your horse again, even if you are a non-combatant.”
”Which way shall we retreat?” asked Fred.
”Retreat? Who said anything about retreat?” cried a stern voice, and General Hedley entered the room. ”Oh, you, eh, boy?” he continued, shaking one of his buff gauntlets at the convalescent. ”Don't you let Captain Miles hear you say that again. We may move to a different position, but we will not talk of retreat yet.”
Fred felt the colour burning once more in his pale cheeks, and the general went on--
”Forrester, I want a chat with you. Come into my room. I have fresh despatches.”
The colonel followed his leader out of the little parlour which had been devoted to the wounded lad by the general's command, he having insisted upon its being retained when he joined them there, and tents had sprung up in all directions upon the moor close to the inn.
Directly after, there was a hoa.r.s.e cough heard outside, in company with a heavy step.
”Hem! Master Fred, sir.”
”You, Samson?”
”Yes, sir. Alone, sir?”
”Yes.”
”May I speak to you!”
”Yes; go on.”
Samson's head appeared at the window, upon the sill of which he leaned his arms as he gazed in.
”Getting quite tidy again, arn't you, sir!” he said, in a hoa.r.s.e whisper.
”Yes, quite strong; and you?”
”Never better, sir; only wind feels a little short sometimes, and I gets too hot too soon.”
”You didn't come to tell me that, Samson.”
”No, sir; I come to tell you there's news in the camp.”
”What of?--a movement?”
”Yes, sir; that's it.”