Suddenly a noise startled his nap.

He sprang up just in time to see his prisoner make one leap, then disappear into the thicket.
A concealed knife had cut the thongs.

Negligence had let "slip the dogs of war." That night when the general returned to his tent he found the prisoner had escaped.
Fronting his master the terror-stricken soldier had no excuse to offer save this; "While thy servant was busy here and there the man was gone." Gone opportunity!--and lightning could not equal its swift flight.

Gone forever opportunity!--and the wings of seraphim could not overtake and bring it back.

Gone honor, gone fidelity, gone good name!--all lost irretrievably.