"
Harry could have shouted aloud in anger and disappointment. While the
captain trusted him fully, he would not be much more than a prisoner,
nevertheless.
"Thank you very much, Captain," he said, "but you needn't trouble
yourself about me. Perhaps I'd better go on ahead. One rides faster
alone."
"Don't be afraid that we'll hold you back," said the captain, smiling.
"We're one of the hardest riding detachments in General Pleasanton's
whole cavalry corps, and we won't delay you a second. On the contrary,
we know the road so well that we'll save you wandering about and losing
time."
Harry did not dare to say more. And so Providence, which had been
watching over him so well, had decided now to leave him and watch over
the other fellow. But he had at least one consolation. Pleasanton was
on Lee's flank and their ride did not turn him from the line of his true
objective. Every beat of his horse's hoofs would bring him nearer to
Lee. Invincible youth was invincibly in the saddle again, and he said
confidently to the captain:
"Let's start."
"All right. You keep by my side, Haskell. You appear to be brave and
intelligent and I want to ask you questions."
The tone, though well meant, was patronizing, but Harry did not resent it.
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