commander his congratulations upon his great skill and courage. I may
add, myself, Mr. Mason, that Colonel Talbot knows a brave man when he
sees him."

"I've no doubt the offer will be accepted. Will you wait a moment?"

"Certainly," replied St. Clair, giving his most elegant salute with his
small sword.

Dick went back to the Union colonels, and they accepted at once. That
long line of dead and wounded, and the mournful song of the wind through
the trees, affected the colonels on both sides. More flags of truce
were hoisted, and the officers in blue or gray rode forward to meet one
another, and to talk together as men who bore no hate in their hearts for
gallant enemies.

The troopers rapidly dug shallow graves with their bayonets in the soft
soil, and the dead were laid away. The feeling of friendship and also of
curiosity among these stern fighters grew. They were anxious to see and
talk a little with men who had fought one another so hard more than three
years. Nearly all of them had lost blood at one time or another, and the
venom of hate had gone out with it.

Dick found Harry dismounted and standing with a group of officers,
among whom were St. Clair and Langdon. The two cousins shook hands with
the greatest warmth.

"Well, Dick," said Harry, "we didn't think to meet again in this way,
did we?"