“As usual, the heavy concussion of the artillery produced a rain-storm, which set in on the afternoon of the 4th, and continued all night.  As the enemy appeared to be intrenching in a strong position, there seemed no hope of doing any more that day, and I spent the night in a piece of woods with my men.

“On the dark, dreary morning of the 5th, it was soon discovered that the Confederate army had disappeared.  As the early shades of the previous stormy evening had settled over the region, its movement towards Virginia had begun.  I became satisfied before night that Strahan also was southward bound, for, procuring a horse, I rode all day, visiting the temporary Confederate hospitals.  Since they had left their own severely wounded men, they certainly would not have taken Union soldiers unable to walk.  Not content with my first search, I spent the next two days in like manner, visiting the houses in Gettysburg and vicinity, until satisfied that my effort was useless.  Then, availing myself of a brief leave of absence, I came north.”

Blauvelt then gave Merwyn some suggestions, adding:  “If you find no trace of him on the field, I would advise, as your only chance, that you follow the track of Lee’s army, especially the roads on which their prisoners were taken.  Strahan might have given out by the way, and have been left at some farmhouse or in a village.  It would be hopeless to go beyond the Potomac.”

Rising, he concluded:  “Mark my words, and see if I am not right.  Strahan is a prisoner, and will be exchanged.”  Then with a laugh and a military salute to Marian, he said, “I have finished my report.”

“It is accepted with strong commendation and congratulations,” she replied.  “I shall recommend you for promotion.”

“Good-by, Miss Vosburgh,” said Merwyn, gravely.  “I shall start in the morning, and I agree with Captain Blauvelt that my best chance lies along the line of Lee’s retreat.”

Again she gave him her hand kindly in farewell; but her thought was:  “How deathly pale he is!  This has been a night of horrors to him,—­to me also; yet if I were a man I know I could meet what other men face.”

“She was kind,” Merwyn said to himself, as he walked through the deserted streets; “but I fear it was only the kindness of pitiful toleration.  It is plainer than ever that she adores heroic action, that her ardor in behalf of the North is scarcely less than that of my mother for the South, and yet she thinks I am not brave enough to face a musket What a figure I make beside the men of whom we have heard to-night!  Well, to get away, to be constantly employed, is my only hope.  I believe I should become insane if I brooded much longer at home.”

In spite of his late hours, he ordered an early breakfast, proposing to start without further delay.

The next morning, as he sat down to the table, the doorbell rang, there was a hasty step down the hall, and Strahan, pale and gaunt, with his arm in a sling, burst in upon him, and exclaimed, with his old sang froid and humor:  “Just in time.  Yes, thanks; I’ll stay and take a cup of coffee with you.”