Two grape-shot, making one wound, had crashed right into his chest and
through the heart.
His covering-sergeant was within three lengths of Royston when the
latter went down: he pulled up and sprang down instantly, and was by his
officer's side in a second, trying to extricate him.
"Hold up, Major," he said cheerily; "that's nothing. Take my horse.
He'll carry you in; and I can manage well enough."
The strong soldier reeled, from sheer weakness, as he was speaking; for
the blood was spouting in dark-red jets from a ghastly cut in his bridle
arm: yet he seemed to see nothing in his offer but a simple act of duty;
though men have won a place in history for meaner self-sacrifice. One of
the most remarkable peculiarities about the Cool Captain was the hold he
maintained over the affections and impulses of those with whom he was
brought in contact, without any visible reason for such influence. He
was the strictest possible disciplinarian; and his demeanor toward his
subordinates was consistently dictatorial; yet the present case was only
one instance of the enthusiasm with which they regarded him.
Keene looked up at the speaker wistfully, from where he lay; and his
face softened in its set sternness.
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