Harry, making no reply, fled swiftly through
the forest toward the valley where the rebel raiders rode.
CHAPTER VII
IN THE WAGON
He ran at first, reckless of impediments, and there was a sound of
crashing as he sped through the bushes. He was not in the least afraid
of Haskell. He had his rifle and pistols and in the woods he was
infinitely the superior. He did not even believe that Haskell would
pursue, but he wanted to get far beyond any possible Federal sentinels
as soon as possible.
After a flight of a few hundred yards he slackened speed, and began to go
silently. The old instincts and skill of the forester returned to him.
He knew that he was safe from immediate pursuit and now he would approach
his own lines carefully. He was grateful for the chance or series of
chances that always took him toward Lee. It seemed now that his enemies
had merely succeeded in driving him at an increased pace in the way he
wanted to go.
He was descending a slope, thickly clothed with undergrowth. A few
hundred yards farther his knees suddenly crumpled under him and he sank
down, seized at the same time with a fit of nervous trembling. He had
passed through so many ordeals that strong and seasoned as he was and
high though his spirits, the collapse came all at once.
Pages:
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167