Part 79 (1/2)
”Oh, father, I am glad,” cried the boy, joyously.
”Yes, persuaded,” continued Colonel Forrester, in measured tones, ”with sword and gun, not till they are utterly helpless. Then they may.”
”Oh, father!”
”Yes, my boy; it is very sad, but they will not see that their case is desperate.”
”Is the attack to be made to-day, father?”
”I am not the general in command, my boy. That is a matter for another to decide.”
”Yes; but you know, father, and you can trust me.”
”Of course I can, Fred, and I will. Yes; the attack is to be made directly.”
”And will it succeed?”
”It must. It shall. No. I will not interfere,” he added to himself a moment later.
”And you, father?” said Fred, anxiously.
”Well, my boy, what of me?”
”You--Oh, father. Must I speak out. Don't be angry with me. I have no right to say such things to you, but I always looked upon Scar Markham as a brother, and they always treated me at the Hall as if I was a son; and it does seem so terrible for you to be going up at the head of armed men to attack our dear old friends.”
Colonel Forrester stood with his brow knit.
”You are angry with me, father; but I can't help speaking. I say it seems so terrible. You ought not to do this thing.”
Fred's hesitation had gone. He had taken the plunge, and now he felt desperate, and ready to speak on to the end. He gazed full in the stern face with the lowering brows, but it checked him no longer. His words came fast, and he caught his father by the arm.
”If you speak to General Hedley, he will listen to you, for Sir G.o.dfrey is your oldest friend; and think, father, how horrible it would be if the Markhams were to be killed.”
The brows appeared to be knit more closely, and Colonel Forrester's gaze seemed fierce enough to wither his son.
But Fred kept on, begging and importuning his father to do something to change the general's purpose, without obtaining any reply.
”Then you are going to lead the attack on the Hall, father?” said Fred at last.
The colonel turned upon him sharply.
”You must not, you shall not,” cried Fred, excitedly. ”Yes; I see you are angry with me; but--”
”No, my boy, not angry,” said the colonel, gravely; ”but very, very proud of you. No, my boy, I am not going to head the fight.”
”Father!” cried Fred, joyously.
”And I have done more than beg General Hedley to excuse me from all partic.i.p.ation in to-day's work.”
”Then it really will be to-day?”