"
Harry laughed.
"That'll be old Arthur, sure," he said. Then his head drooped again.
Fatigue was overpowering him. St. Clair and Langdon put a hand on either
shoulder and held him erect, but Harry was so far sunk in lethargy that
he was not conscious of their grasp. Men looked curiously at the three
young officers riding rapidly forward, the one in the center apparently
held on his horse by the other two.
St. Clair took prompt measures.
"Harry Kenton!" he called sharply.
"Here!"
"Do you know what they do with a sentinel caught asleep?"
"They shoot him!"
"What of a messenger, bearing great news who has ridden two or three days
and nights through a thousand dangers, and then becomes unconscious in
his saddle within five hundred yards of his journey's end?"
"The stake wouldn't be too good for him," replied Harry as with a mighty
effort he shook himself, both body and mind. Once more his eyes cleared
and once more he sat erect in his saddle without help.
"I won't fail, Arthur," he said. "Show the way."
"There's a big tree by the roadside almost straight ahead," said
St. Clair. "General Lee is asleep under that, but he'll be as wide awake
as any man can be a half-minute after you arrive.
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