The Federal troops were everywhere, and any moment he might have aid in
cutting off the fugitive.
When Harry eased his horse's flight he saw the troop, very distant but
still pursuing, and he read the mind of the Union leader. He was saving
his mounts, trailing merely, in the hope that Harry would exhaust his own
horse, after which he and his men would come on at great speed.
Harry looked down at his horse and saw that he was heaving with his great
effort. He knew that he had made a mistake in driving him so hard at
first, and with the courage of which only a young veteran would have been
capable he brought the animal almost to a walk, and resolutely kept him
there, while the enemy gained. When they were almost within rifle shot
he increased his speed again, but he did not seek for the present to
increase his gain.
As long as their bullets could not reach him his horse should merely go
stride for stride with theirs, and when the last stretch was reached,
he would send forward the brave animal at his utmost speed. His were the
true racing tactics drawn from his native state. He had no doubt of his
ability to leave his pursuers far behind when the time came, but his true
danger was from interference.
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