Crittenden - A Kentucky Story of Love and War by John Fox
page 45 of 183 (24%)
page 45 of 183 (24%)
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"Yes," he said, studying his face. "You look just as he did when we
courted and camped and fought together." The tone of his voice moved Crittenden deeply. "And you are going to the war--good--good! Your father would be with me right now if he were alive. Come to see me right away. I may go to Tampa any day." And, as he rode away, he stopped again. "Of course you have a commission in the Legion." "No, sir. I didn't ask for one. I was afraid the Legion might not get to Cuba." The General smiled. "Well, come to see me"--he smiled again--"we'll see--we'll see!" and he rode on with his hands still folded on the pommel of his saddle and his eyes still lifted, dreamily, upward. It was guard-mount and sunset when Crittenden, with a leaping heart, reached Rivers's camp. The band was just marching out with a corps of trumpeters, when a crash of martial music came across the hollow from the camp on the next low hill, followed by cheers, which ran along the road and were swollen into a mighty shouting when taken up by the camp at the foot of the hill. Through the smoke and faint haze of the early evening, moved a column of infantry into sight, headed by a band. "Tramp, tramp, tramp, The boys are marching!" Along the brow of the hill, and but faintly seen through the smoky haze, came the pendulum-like swing of rank after rank of sturdy legs, with guidons fluttering along the columns and big, ghostly army wagons |
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