"Good luck and adieu!" said she, with a fine flourish of her whip;
those people had always a pretty politeness of manner.

"Adieu," I said, lifting my hat as I rode off, with a prick of the
spur, for the road was long and I had lost quite half an hour.

My elation gave way to sober thought presently. I began to think
of Louise--that quiet, frank, noble, beautiful, great-hearted girl,
who might be suffering what trouble I knew not, and all silently,
there in her prison home. A sadness grew in me, and then suddenly
I saw the shadow of great trouble. I loved them both; I knew not
which I loved the better. Yet this interview had almost committed
me to Louison.




XVII

Orders came shortly from the War Department providing a detail to
go and help man the guns of Perry at Put-in Bay. I had the honor
of leading them on the journey and turning them over to the young
Captain. I could not bear to be lying idle at the garrison. A
thought of those in captivity was with me night and day, but I
could do nothing for them. I had had a friendly talk with General
Brown. He invited and received my confidence touching the tender
solicitude I was unable to cover. I laid before him the plan of an
expedition. He smiled, puffing a cigar thoughtfully.