Lawson had so abruptly broken off, and went through the
remainder of the prayers. A very few minutes sufficed
for the performance of this solemn duty, which was effected
by the faint dim light of the at length dawning day, and
the men in attendance proceeded to fill up the grave of
their officer.

Gradually the mists, that had fallen during the latter
hours of the night, began to ascend from the common, and
disperse themselves in air, conveying the appearance of
a rolling sheet of vapour retiring Back upon itself, and
disclosing objects in succession, until the eye could
embrace all that came within its extent of vision. As
the officers yet lingered near the rude grave of their
companion, watching with abstracted air the languid and
almost mechanical action of their jaded men, as they
emptied shovel after shovel of the damp earth over the
body of its new tenant, they were suddenly startled by
an expression of exultation from Sir Everard Valletort.

"By Jupiter, I have pinked him," he exclaimed triumphantly.
"I knew my rifle could not err; and as for my sight, I
have carried away too many prizes in target-shooting to
have been deceived in that. How delighted the old governor
will be, Charles, to hear this. No more lecturing, I am
sure, for the next six months at least;" and the young
officer rubbed his hands together, at the success of his
shot, with as much satisfaction and unconcern for the
future, as if he had been in his own native England; in
the midst of a prize-ring.