Major Lyon improved his time as he took his lunch with Captain Truman, in listening to a fuller report of the action on the east road. The commander asked particularly in regard to the lieutenant who had fallen under the onslaught of Deck Lyon. He had been wounded in the chest by a ball, and he had gone down from a cut of the young soldier's sabre. He had been stunned by the blow, and left on the field. But he had been conveyed to the camp in the wagon with other wounded men, and the surgeon had dressed his wounds. He believed he would recover. "I should like to see that man," said the major. "I saw him walking about the shanty hospital not long ago. I spoke with him, and he is a very gentlemanly fellow. You can send for him if you wish, Major. But it is time for me to join my company, as I sent the men in charge of Lieutenant Gadbury; for I had to give some orders in regard to the prisoners." "I will not send for him; but I will ride down to the hospital, which is only a few rods from the cross-roads. Captain Gordon, I wish to have some one near me to carry my orders, if need be," said the commander, as Captain Truman rode off. "Your orderly?" asked the captain. "I prefer Artie Lyon; I have already sent Dexter on duty upon the bridge. I am going down to the hospital; send me notice at once if any movement is apparent." Artie was sent to him at once; but Deck had told him where he was going, and he hoped he would not be sent to join him. He followed his father to the hospital, where Dr. Farnwright received him. He asked for the Texan lieutenant; and the surgeon pointed him out, seated on a log at the side of the road. "This is Major Lyon, commanding the squadron," said the doctor, introducing him. The officer rose from his seat, and saluted the major very politely. "This gentleman is Lieutenant Makepeace, of the Texan Rangers," added the surgeon. "That does not sound like a Southern name," replied Major Lyon, and he took the hand of the wounded officer. "I am a Northern man; but my home has been in Texas for seven years, though I came from a New England State." "I regret to see you on the wrong side in this war, though I am sorry that you have been wounded." "I don't know exactly how I came in this service; but I was very near being elected to the captaincy of this company, though I am not a Texan." "Who is the commander of the company?" "Captain Dingfield." "There comes the picket down the hill!" exclaimed Artie, who had discovered half-a-dozen men running their horses down the descent. "Then I must leave you; but I shall see you again," added the major, as he dashed up the road at full speed. CHAPTER XV THE AMERICAN FLAG ON THE BRIDGE