And thus the crowning misfortune, the culminating apes of
disaster -- the loss of his knife -- the thing of all others that
roused in Rolf the spirit of rebellion, was the way of life,
his dungeon's key, the golden chain that haled him from the pit.
Chapter 85. The Hospital, the Prisoners, and Home
There were wagons and buckboards to be had, but the road was
rough, so the three changed off as litter-bearers and brought him
to the lake where the swift and smooth canoe was ready, and two
hours later they carried him into the hospital at Plattsburg.
The leg was set at once, his wounds were dressed, he was warmed,
cleaned, and fed; and when the morning sun shone in the room, it
was a room of calm and peace.
The general came and sat beside him for a time, and the words he
spoke were ample, joyful compensation for his wounds. MacDonough,
too, passed through the ward, and the warm vibrations of his
presence drove death from many a bed whose inmate's force ebbed
low, whose soul was walking on the brink, was near surrender.
Rolf did not fully realize it then, but long afterward it was
clear that this was the meaning of the well-worn words, "He
filled them with a new spirit.
Pages:
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474