If you look around at all I fire, and I'm
a good marksman. Stand there ten minutes, and then you can move on!
That's right! Now march!"
The man walked away slowly and when he had gone about half the distance
Harry, picking up the dispatch, took flight again across the fields.
Climbing a fence, he looked back and saw the figure of John Haskell,
standing motionless on a hill. He knew that the man was not likely to
remain in that position more than half the allotted time. It was certain
that he would soon turn, despite the risk, but Harry was already beyond
his reach.
He leaped from the fence, crossed another field and entered a wood.
There he paused among the trees and saw Haskell returning. But when he
had come a little distance, he shook his head doubtfully, and then walked
toward the north.
"A counsel of wisdom," chuckled Harry, who was going in quite another
direction. "I think I'll read my dispatch now."
He opened it and blessed his luck. It was from Meade to Pleasanton,
directing him to cut in with all the cavalry he could gather on the
enemy's flank. The Potomac was in great flood and the Army of Northern
Virginia could not possibly cross. If it were harried to the utmost by
the Union cavalry the task of destroying it would be much easier.
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