That night,
upon again inquiring for him, he was told that he had been sent in
attendance upon the officers who had borne secret despatches to
General Quitman, at his quarters on the Acapulco road.
"Traverse is right. They mean to ruin him. I see how it is, exactly.
When I saw Traverse on guard, two days ago, he looked like a man
exhausted and crazed for want of sleep, and since that time he has
been night and day engaged in harassing duty. That demon, Le Noir,
with Zuten to help him, has determined to keep Traverse from sleep,
until nature is thoroughly exhausted, and then set him upon guard,
that he may be found sleeping on his post. That was what the boy
meant when he talked of the cloud that was hanging over him, and of
being forced into a dishonored grave, and when he hoped, poor
fellow, to fall in the approaching assault upon the Molino-del-Rey!
I see it all now. They have decided upon the destruction of
Traverse. He can do nothing. A soldier's whole duty is comprised in
one word--obedience, even if, as in this instance, he is ordered to
commit suicide. Let them hatch their diabolical plots. We will see
if the Lord does not still reign, and the devil is not a fool. It
shall go hard, but that they are 'hoist with their own petard!'"
said Herbert, indignantly.
Early the next morning he went to the tent of Captain Zuten and
requested to see Private Traverse Rocke, in whom, he said, he felt a
warm interest.
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