rse
comparatively fresh after easy riding, went many miles without showing
any signs of weariness.

The boy knew the country well, and it was the object of his circuit to
take him ahead of the Union troop and to the village which held a
small guard of perhaps two hundred men. If the happy chance in which he
trusted should fail him after all, these men could carry off a part of
the supplies, and the rest could be destroyed to keep them from falling
into Northern hands.

He gave his horse a little breathing space and then galloped harder
than ever, reckoning that he would reach the village in another hour. He
turned from the woods into one of the narrow roads between farms, just
wide enough for wagons, and increased his speed.

The afternoon sun was declining, filling the west with dusky gold, and
Harry still rode at a great pace along the rough road, wondering all
the while what would be the nature of the lucky chance, in which he was
trusting so firmly. Lower sank the sun and the broad band of dusky gold
was narrowing before the advance of the twilight. The village was not
now more than two miles away, and the road dipped down before him.
Sounds like that made by the force behind him, the rattle of arms, the
creak of leather and the beat of hoofs, came suddenly to his ears.

Harry halted abruptly and reined his horse into some bushes beside the
road. Then he heard the sounds more plainly. They were made by cavalry,
riding slowly. The great pulses in his throat leaped in quick alarm.
Was it possible that they had sent a portion of their force swiftly by
another route, and that it was now between him and the village?

He listened again and with every faculty strained. The cavalrymen were
riding toward him and they could not be a part of the Union force. Then
they must be of his own South. Surely this was the happy chance of which
he had dreamed! Again the great pulses leaped, but with a different
emotion.

Scorning every risk, he reined his horse back into the road and rode
straight forward. The heads of men were just topping the rise, and a few
moments later they and the horses they bestrode came into full view. It
was a thankful thrill that shot through him now. The sun, almost sunk,
sent a last golden shower across them and disclosed the dingy gray of
their uniforms and the lean, tanned faces.

Uttering a shout of joy and holding up a hand to show that he was a
friend, Harry galloped forward. A young man at the