as Colonel Hertford walked away, earnest injunctions to use his influence
to the utmost followed him.

"It will take the sight of the crater from my mind," said Warner.
"That's one reason why I want to go."

Dick, searching his own mind, concluded it was the chief reason with him,
although he, too, was eager enough for a more spacious life than that of
the trench.

"I'm going to wish so hard for it," said Pennington, "that it'll come
true."

Whether Pennington's wish had any effect or not, they departed two days
later, three mounted regiments under the general command of Hertford,
his right as a veteran cavalry leader. All regiments, despite new men,
had been reduced greatly by the years of fighting, and the three combined
did not number more than fifteen hundred horse. But there was not one
among them from the oldest to the youngest who did not feel elation as
they rode away on the great curve that would take them into the Valley
of Virginia.

"It's glorious to be on a horse again, with the world before you,"
said Pennington. "I was born horseback, so to speak, and I never had to
do any walking until I came to this war. The great plains and the free
winds that blow all around the earth for me."

"But you don't have rivers and hills and forests like ours," said Dick.

"I know it, but I don't miss them. I suppose it's what you're used to