124 Sallie Russell 



of a heavy murderous bullet. His uplifted arm fell 

 helplessly by his side, he caught frantically at the 

 reins, and then fell over the side of the mare to the 

 ground. The bugle could not have checked Sallie 

 quicker than the fall of her master. She set her 

 forefeet firmly in the ground and stood immovable as 

 a rock by his side. Meanwhile the tide of the furi- 

 ous battle had swept on, carrying with it friend and 

 foe alike, and leaving few dead or wounded near the 

 desolate spot where Ashley had fallen, unconscious 

 and almost lifeless. When he revived, the first sight 

 that met his gaze was the intelligent face of his horse 

 looking down upon him with an anxious, earnest, 

 and gentle expression. Human friends may forget, 

 foes will be unpitying, but a devoted animal is stead- 

 fast. Its life is concentrated upon the objects of its 

 love ; it has no divided interests, no counter-currents 

 of affection to draw it away. 



The hot Southern sun came upon the field, but 

 no ambulances or stretchers appeared. The battle 

 had passed to other regions, carrying with it all camp 

 followers and hospital attendants. A tree stood a 

 few rods away, underneath which was ample shade. 



