CHAPTER VIII
WE FIND THE COURIER
THE column of cavalry was already advancing, ploughing their way through yellow spirals of dust, the men eager with the thrill of participating in an important movement. Half way to Coulter's my little party of scouts rode past the vanguard, and swung into the main road, our horses on a trot. When once safely beyond the sight of the head of that plodding column, I checked the speed to a swift walk, my mind free to consider the nature of those strange duties so suddenly thrust upon me. There was nothing at all complicated in my orders. We were merely to keep well in advance of the main body, spreading out sufficiently to cover all the country within eyesight, seeking thus to prevent any possible knowledge of our movement being borne to the enemy's camp. But this service would not be important until we were well across the river. I glanced about at the small squad over whom I had been appointed in temporary command. There were twenty all told, exceptionally well mounted, I observed at a glance, but of so varied characteristics, and such peculiarity of dress, as to form a rather remarkable medley. There was, to be sure, a semblance of uniform, but exhibiting marks of rough service, and representative of every department, so that no
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