man on the long, lean figure of a horse shot from the trees on their
right and drew up by the side of Sherburne and Harry.

"Lankford, sir, Jim Lankford is my name," he said to Sherburne, touching
one finger to his forehead in a queer kind of salute.

Harry saw that the man had a thin, clean-shaven face with a strong nose
and chin.

"I 'low you're runnin' away from the Yankees," said Lankford to
Sherburne.

Sherburne flushed, but no anger showed in his voice as he replied:

"You're right, but we run for two reasons. They're five to our one,
and we have business elsewhere that mustn't be interrupted by fighting."

"First reason is enough. A man who fights five to one is five times
a fool. I'm a good Johnny Reb myself, though I keep off the fightin'
lines. I live back there in a house among the trees, just off the road.
You'd have seen it when you passed by, if you hadn't been in such a
hurry. Just settin' down to take a smoke when Mandy, my wife, tells me
she hears the feet of many horses thunderin' on the road. In a moment
I hear 'em, too. Run to the front porch, and see Confederate cavalry
coming at a gallop, followed by a big Yankee force. Mandy and me didn't
like the sight, and we agree that I take a hand. Now I'm takin' it."

"How do you intend to help us?"

"I'm gettin' to that. I saddled my big horse quick as lightnin',