Page:War; or, What happens when one loves one's enemy, John Luther Long, 1913.djvu/202

WAR for a lie. Now he stands here, by my side, to prove his Unionism with his life!"

Then he turns to Jon:

"If you and I must go alone, down there, to that sad man at Washington, representing our town, I am not ashamed. My great end is achieved. Give me your hand—both of them. And, I swear to you, that if no one else volunteers to-night, you and I will go alone! But I don't think we shall. I see, crowding up here, other young men like you—the hope and glory of our land. Come, come, come! Now they halt! They are at the Rubicon! A word will carry them over! Say a word to them—Captain Vonner—just a word!"

Well, by that time the red-headed son of a gun had got me and all the rest crazy! Yes, there was a bunch of fine young men all crowded together, and just waiting, right out in front, for another encouraging word!

"Captain Vonner, say a word!" yells Kratz, the craziest of all. 186