But
Harry looking immediately down the slope, saw the forest that he wished.
Lester swept the glasses in a wide circle, looking for Union troops.
His own troop was about a hundred yards ahead and the hoofbeats were
growing fainter. Then Harry's courage almost failed him, but necessity
was instant and cruel. Still he modified the blow, nor did he use any
weapon, save one that nature had given him.
"Look out!" he cried, and as Lester turned in astonishment he struck him
on the point of the jaw. Even as his fist flashed forward he held back a
little and his full strength was not in the blow.
Nevertheless it was sufficient to strike Lester senseless, and he slid
from his horse. Harry caught him by the shoulder and eased him in his
fall. Then he lay stretched on his back in the grass like one asleep,
with his horse staring at him. Harry knew that he would revive in a
minute or two, and with a "Farewell, Captain Lester," he galloped down
the slope and into the covering woods.
He knew that Lester's men, finding that they did not follow, would
quickly come back, and he raced his horse among the trees as fast as he
dared. A couple of miles between him and the hill and he felt safe,
at least so far as the troop of Captain Lester was concerned.
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