The boy’s face went white and his voice failed.
The youngster’s body suddenly stiffened and a smile overspread his face. The tense scene was unearthly in the pale moonlight. His voice was quick and rang in deep, manly tones.
“Hurrah for the President of the United States!--to hell with all emperors!”
The Colonel drew his pistol and shot him down before their agonized gaze.
The mother swooned, Marya fled in terror to the woods.
Zonia caught the crumpled figure in her arms.
Vassar with a single leap was by Virginia’s side, seized her and rushed toward the shadows of the hedge.
“She’s mine, Colonel--by right of conquest!”
“Shout, fight, scratch, scream to him for help--”
Quick to catch his ruse, she struck wildly with her hands, and called for help.
“I had reserved higher honors for you!” he shouted. “You’re not worth it--go with your man!”
Mrs. Holland rallied from her swoon and Marya helped her to rise as Zonia shouted joyfully: “Come quick! He’s alive--he’s alive!”
Billy opened his eyes feebly and raised his hand to the ugly wound in his breast. Zonia caught it, bent and kissed him.
Mrs. Holland staggered to the group and knelt by their side.
“Oh--my boy--you’ll live--I feel it--I know it. God has heard my prayer--”
“Go, darling, quick--bring some water and tell Peter to come.”
Marya darted across the lawn, entered the house, summoned Peter and seized a glass of water.
In ten minutes the faithful old butler had carried Billy from the lawn and was leading the stricken group toward the road for New York.
Vassar’s trick succeeded. He reached his post without interference, thrust Virginia into the edge of the dense hedgerow and waited until the guards had returned to their places. Not a moment was to be lost.
He seized her hand and rushed down the street lit by the glare of burning houses.
“Play your part now!” he commanded. “It’s the only way and it’s safe. It’s the order of the night’s work.”
They pushed through mobs of panic-stricken fleeing refugees and groups of drunken soldiers revelling in every excess. Again and again they passed brutes with captive girls as their prey. Some had them tied with cords. Others relied on a blow from their fists to insure obedience.
They waved their congratulations to Vassar and his captive as they passed.