Thoroughly exhausted as I was, on Wednesday night I
was ordered to join a party to go on a secret reconnoitering
expedition to the Molina-del-Rey. On Thursday morning I was sent out
with another party on a foraging tour. On Thursday night I was sent
in attendance upon the officer who carried despatches to General
Quitman. On Friday morning I was set on guard between the hours of
four and eight!"
"Oh, heaven, what an infamous abuse of military authority!"
exclaimed Herbert, indignantly.
"Herbert, in my life I have sometimes suffered with hunger, cold and
pain, and have some idea of what starving, freezing and torture may
be, but among all the ills to which flesh is heir, I doubt if there
is one so trying to the nerves and brain of man as enforced and
long-continued vigilance, when all his failing nature sinks for want
of sleep. Insanity and death must soon be the result."
"Humph! Go on. Tell me about the manner of their finding you," said
Herbert, scarcely able to repress his indignation.
"Well, when after--let me see--eighty-four--ninety--ninety six hours
of incessant watching, riding and walking, I was set on guard to
keep the morning watch between four o'clock and eight, 'my whole
head was sick and my whole heart faint'; my frame was sinking; my
soul could scarcely hold my body upright. In addition to this
physical suffering was the mental anguish of feeling that these men
had resolved upon my death, and thinking of my dear mother and
Clara, whose hearts would be broken by my fall.
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