The Opposite House: A Novel — page 199: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

194 The Oppostte Flouse. the use of having the poor fellows wander about in this wilderness, where they would never have found their way down into the valley! I had already gone through the difficulties, and knew the ground, while they were ignorant of it. No, that would have been useless waste of life! My men ride like the Wild Huntsman; the horses were still fresh; so why should others dash into needless destruction? Therefore I volunteered to return.” “T hope the general understood the meaning of the offer ’” said Von Halcern, with sparkling eyes. ‘““T presume he was satisfied with his hussars ?”’ “He thanked me in the name of the king and as- ’ sured me of his fullest appreciation,” replied Ger- rald, quietly nodding assent. ‘ But I really don’t understand why you make such an ado over my doing my duty. I consider it a matter of course.” “Go and cool your arm now; the hand is very ’ much swollen,” said the captain of the regiment, who had returned with the major. ‘“ You will prob- ably be unable to use anything but a revolver to- morrow, Gerrald ; it’s a bad cut.” “And I advise you to get a few hours’ sleep, my b brave young fellow,” added the commander, holding out his hand to him a second time. ‘ Corporal Hocker and Meissner have given me the details of your skirmish, and I can only express my entire satisfaction with yourdiscreet management, Icon- ComicbOoks.c©