A few moments later, and the officers were seen approaching from their several quarters to join the parade. Captain Headley, dressed in his newest uniform, was the first on the ground; then came the Doctor, then Elmsley, for, on that occasion, the guard at the gate had been left without an officer; and lastly, much to the surprise of all, Ronayne. As he approached, all eyes were fixed upon him, and every breast acknowledged a sympathy in the pallor of his now unmoved brow, that in more than one instance moulded itself into a tear it was impossible to suppress. As for the women, they held their aprons to their eyes and wept outright. On gaining his company, the Virginian touched his cap as usual to the commander of the parade, and, passing close by Elmsley, whose eyes he saw riveted upon him with much interest, he significantly grasped his hand. "Mr. Elmsley," ordered the commandant, "let the company be wheeled inwards, to form a hollow square." The order was promptly obeyed, and within the square stood the little group of officers. "Gentlemen and men!" began Captain Headley, as he unfolded a despatch, "it is on no common occasion that we find ourselves assembled this morning." Every eye was again turned upon Ronayne. The looks of the men seemed to say, "We know it, and we are prepared to do our utmost to repair the evil." "There is not a man of us, your honor," said Corporal Collins, "who is not ready to volunteer to go out and recover Mrs. Ronayne, or die in the attempt. You have but to say the word." "Silence, sir! How dare you presume to speak in the ranks! Corporal Collins, from this day you lose your stripes,--a fit example, truly, for a non-commissioned officer to set to the men. Mr. Elmsley, you will see to this." The lieutenant gravely touched his hat, but replied not. "It is not for this purpose that I have assembled you," resumed Captain Headley. "Much as is to be deplored the unfortunate occurrence of yesterday, matters of deeper importance must engage our attention now." Many of the men shrugged their shoulders, and looked their discontent. They could not imagine what he meant, or what could be of more importance to them than the recovery of the lost lady. The parade was once more called to attention, when Captain Headley proceeded to read to them the document that has been so often before the reader. "You see, gentlemen and men," he continued, when he had finished the perusal, "how intricate is our position, and how little choice there is left to us to decide in the matter. It must be but mere form to ask your opinions on the subject, for the directions of the General are so positive that our duty is implicitly to follow them. Mr. Elmsley, as the oldest officer, what is your opinion?"