Something. There was something … She groped amid the tumult. Said: it happened before the Confederate general came here—while the flood of soldiers was pouring down from the seminary. It had to do with Cybo … had his head in my lap, the awfulness of him stained my clothing. Indeed—she said—now, now I have it! It was Daniel Bale. (When she recalled his name, immediately she could feel him loving her in the dark; it was rape, and nothing else.) He ran between the trotting columns, officers howled at him to get out of the way, but still he raced on, and grew larger and more formidable every second. He was past the ruined fence, running through the wreck of cabbages. He called, “Are you all safe?” Yes, Mr. Fanning answered, wholly beaten—yes, Daniel, we are safe except for the dog. See, he is dead.

Bale looked at her; he must have been tending some of the wounded during that day, for he had stains all over him. Blood upon them both. Her gown, his pantaloons and shirt—her hands, and his. The car of war came trundling across from South Mountain, spoiling all the crops. She stared at him … tried to say, Lover, I am here.

This must be the end, her father-in-law was lamenting. Nothing but the dissolution of our country can result from these endless defeats. The Nationals broke and ran like … his throat went dry, and there was nothing more for him to say. Now the rebels were in the barnyard.

I’ll be at hand, Bale said, if you need me.

Daniel, I see troops in your yard— Yes, he said again, I will go back. Most of the soldiers are past, now … more artillery. He stood looking for a long moment at the body of the dead Federal soldier, the one who must have been named David. It had fallen off the step and lay on its face; the elbows were bent and stiff, the neck seemed swollen above the collar.

She tried once more to meet Bale’s gaze and give him whatever it was he wanted, but she could still hear Cybo going I-yee-yee and see him wallowing toward her.

“Call me if you have need,” the man told them again, and went back across the pasture.