Was that so?
Had that army, with freedom emblazoned on its banners, come at last to offer them deliverance if they would accept it?
Was it a bright, beautiful dream, or a blessed reality soon to be grasped by his willing hands?
His heart grew buoyant with hope; the lightness of his heart gave elasticity to his step and sent the blood rejoicingly through his veins.

Freedom was almost in his grasp, and the future was growing rose-tinted and rainbow-hued.

All the ties which bound him to his home were as ropes of sand, now that freedom had come so near.
When the army was afar off, he had appeared to be light-hearted and content with his lot.

If asked if he desired his freedom, he would have answered, very naively, that he was eating his white bread and believed in letting well enough alone; he had no intention of jumping from the frying-pan into the fire.

But in the depths of his soul the love of freedom was an all-absorbing passion; only danger had taught him caution.