Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

ah LOVE’S SACRIFICE. 44 the exptession. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, nor one defeat a war. The South must yield in the end; it is manifestly impossible for it to whip the N orth, and unless it can, its cause is hopeless. All things being equal, might is sure to win in the long tun. No matter what temporary advantage they Inay secure, the Confederacy is clearly outclassed. ’’ ‘‘We should have been in this fight but for: my wound. ‘This inaction worries me. I sorely regret that I have been the cause of detaining you here when you could have been actively engaged in up- holding our country’s flag.”” “Don’t speak of it, my dear friend,’’ said Royal. ‘“My first duty is to the man who saved my life.’? ‘“You have more than repaid the debt,’’ said Mose, pressing his hand. ‘Indeed, I have not.”’ ‘It was in my poor sister’s defense you received your wound. Think you I can ever forget that? It was a noble, disinterested act to face those scoundrels alone. Few men would have run the risk. Though a Northern man, you have all the chivalry that flows in the veins of a Southern gentleman. I am proud of your friendship—of your companionship.”’ ‘CA truce to this, Moses. I appreciate your regard, and feel equally honored in knowing you. But this is no time for mutual admiration. Let us talk of our country. Let Pennsylvania and Virginia clasp hands across the chasm and swear never to rest until our glorious Union is once more intact—an example for all nations to copy.” Fervently the young men grasped each other’s hand, and silently registered their mutual resolve. Ge think,’’ said Moses, ‘‘it 1s well that we separate — for a while at least.’? ‘“Separate!’’ exclaimed Royal. “Ves. I have been thinking over the matter for a week past. I have planned to return to the old home, (ef @ m (e(oy a allice 00 KS