"
"And who may you be?" asked Hertford in surprise.
"Why, Colonel, don't you know me? I'm Lieutenant Richard Mason of
Colonel Winchester's regiment, and this is Sergeant Daniel Whitley of the
same regiment."
The colonel broke into a hearty laugh, and then extended his hand to Dick.
"I should have known your voice, my boy," he said, "but it's certainly
impossible to recognize any one who is as thickly covered with dry
Mississippi mud as you are. What's your news, Dick?"
Dick told him and the sergeant repeated the same tale. He knew them both
to be absolutely trustworthy, and their coming on such an errand through
so many dangers carried its own proof.
"We've several spare horses, bearing provisions and arms," said Colonel
Hertford. "Two can be unloaded and be made ready for you and the
sergeant. I fancy that you don't care to keep on walking, Dick?"
"I've had enough to last me for years, Colonel."
They were mounted in a few minutes, and rode with the colonel. The world
had now changed for Dick. Astride a good horse and in a column of six
hundred men he was no longer the hunted.
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