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The
sleeping sentinel in the clump of laurel was a young Virginian named Carter
Druse. He was the son of wealthy(22)
parents. His home was but (23)
a few miles from where he now lay. One morning he had risen from the breakfast
table and said, quietly but gravely: “Father, a Union regiment has arrived
at Grafton. I am going to join it.”
The father lifted(24)
his head, looked at the son a moment in silence, and replied: “Well,
go sir,(25)
and whatever may occur, do what you conceive(26)
to be your duty. Virginia, to which you are a traitor, must get
on (27)without
you. Should we both live to the end of the war,(28)
we will speak further of the matter. Your mother, as the physician has informed
you, is in a most critical condition; at the best
(29)she
cannot be with us longer than a few weeks, but that time is
precious.(30)
It would be better not to disturb her.”
So Carter Druse, bowing
to his father, who returned the salute with a stately
(31)
courtesy(32),left
the home of his childhood. By conscience and courage,
devotion and daring, he soon commended himself to his fellows and his officers;
and it was to these qualities and to some knowledge of the country that
he owed his selection for his present duty at the extreme outpost. (33)
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English
Intensive Reading 
Introduction
