t last after what must have
seemed an age, yet could not have been over thirty minutes from the
time of their arrival, a soldier running in, said he could hear hoofs
out on the plain, and at the same instant two men appeared lugging
between them, bleeding and senseless, the ragged form of Edward
Harvey.

Scratched, torn, covered with blood and bruises, and still unconscious
though he was, Drummond knew him at a glance. They had met the
previous year, and though only once it was enough. Men with young and
lovely sisters are not soon forgotten. Kneeling by his side, the
lieutenant sought anxiously for trace of blade or bullet. Rents there
were many and many a bloody scratch and tear, but, to his infinite
relief, no serious wound appeared. Still in deep swoon, his friend
seemed to resist every effort for his restoration. The dash of water
in his face was answered only by a faint shivering sigh. The
thimbleful of whiskey forced between his lips only gurgled down his
throat, and Drummond felt no responsive flutter of pulse. The shock to
his system must indeed have been great, for Harvey lay like one in a
trance. Drummond feared that he might never again open his eyes to
light and home.

And then the weary troop came trotting into view, old Sergeant
Meinecke in command. Halting and dismounting at his signal, the men
stood silent and wondering at their horses' heads, while their leader
went in to report to his commander. Drummond barely lifted his eyes
from the pallid features before him.

"Unsaddle, sergeant; rub down; pick out the best and likeliest horses.
I want twenty men to go on a chase with me. How soon can the packs get
up?"

"They must be fully half an hour behind, sir."

"Sorry for that, sergeant. We've got to take at least four of them;
load them up with barley, bacon, hardtack, ammunition. Kick off
everything else. We'll feed and water here before starting, then we've
got to ride like the devil. Send Trooper Bland here as soon as he has
unsaddled. I want him to ride with me. He knows all the roads to the
south."

Meinecke saluted in his methodical German fashion, turned away, and
presently could be heard ordering "Unsaddle" and then shouting for
Private Bland.

"Are there any of our men besides the farrier who have any knowledge
of surgery?" asked the lieutenant of Sergeant Lee.

"They say Bland has, sir. I don't know any one else."

"Well, I've just sent for him. Mr. Harvey here doesn't seem to be
w