An exultant scream,--a cry of unending hate, defiance, _victory_! He sprang to his feet.

Off came the battered old campaign hat and unmindful that he stood there hidden in the woods and that his voice could carry only a few yards against the roar of battle, he swung it over his head: and shouted out his encouragement.
"Look! We're whipping 'em.

Virgie, do you hear?
We're getting them on the run.

Come on, boys! Come on!" He felt her clutch on his sleeve.

With wide eyes grown darker than ever with excitement, she asked her piteous question.
"Daddy! _Will they kill the Colonel ?_" For a moment he could not answer.