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 undeniable a proof of your bravery, in the presence too of old soldiers, who have most of them seen many a tough fight."

"It was God's will," said I; "else what power had a boy like I to do such a thing?"

"You are now no child," replied my father; "you have this day, or I mistake you much, thrown off every lingering feeling of boyhood; the change has been sudden, but it has been complete, and it will last, or I mistake you much."

"You do not," I replied, "I am not what I was; to-day is the first blood I have seen spilled; I feel that it will not be the last."