Nor are you to carry any written
message to Colonel Hertford. He knows you well, and he'll accept your
word at once as truth. Now, this is a ride that will call for woodcraft
as well as soldiership."
"I start at once, do I not, sir?"
"You do. Warner and Pennington are ready now, and your own horse is
waiting for you. Here is a small map which I have reason to believe is
accurate, at least fairly so, although few of our men know much of this
country. But use it, lad, as best you can."
It was a sheet of thick fibrous paper about six inches square and,
after a hasty glance at it, Dick folded it up carefully and put it in his
pocket. Warner and Pennington appeared then, mounted and armed and ready
to tell him good-bye. He and Colonel Winchester watched them a moment or
two as they rode away, and then an orderly appeared with Dick's own horse,
a fine bay, saddled, bridled, saddlebags filled with food, pistols in
holsters, and a breech-loading rifle strapped to the saddle.
"I've made your equipment the best I could," said Colonel Winchester,
"and after you start, lad, you must use your own judgment.
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