Zane. From its faded and time-worn pages I have taken the
main facts of my story. My regret is that a worthier pen
than mine has not had this wealth of material.

In this busy progressive age there are no heroes of the
kind so dear to all lovers of chivalry and romance. There
are heroes, perhaps, but they are the patient sad-faced kind,
of whom few take cognizance as they hurry onward. But
cannot we all remember some one who suffered greatly, who
accomplished great deeds, who died on the battlefield--some
one around whose name lingers a halo of glory? Few of us
are so unfortunate that we cannot look backward on kith or
kin and thrill with love and reverence as we dream of an act
of heroism or martyrdom which rings down the annals of time
like the melody of the huntsman's horn, as it peals out on a
frosty October morn purer and sweeter with each succeeding
note.

If to any of those who have such remembrances, as well
as those who have not, my story gives an hour of pleasure
I shall be rewarded.

-viii-