He felt instead a certain surge of the spirits. They had thrown off
the pursuit--there could be no doubt of it--and the first step in their
mission was accomplished. They were now in the midst of action, action
thrilling and of the highest importance, and his soul rose to the issue.

He had no doubt that some great movement, possibly like that of the
Second Manassas, hung upon their mission, and Lee and Jackson might be
together at that very moment, planning the mighty enterprise which would
be shaped according to their news.

They emerged from the gorge and rode up a low, sloping bank which gave
back but little sound to the tread of the horses, and here Lankford said
that he would leave them. Sherburne reached over his gauntleted hand
and gave him a powerful grasp.

"We won't forget this service, Mr. Lankford," he said.

"I ain't goin' to let you forget it. Keep straight ahead an' you'll
strike a cross-country road in 'bout a quarter of a mile. It leads you
to the Potomac, an' I reckon from now on you'll have to take care of
yourselves."

Lankford melted away in the darkness as he rode back up the gorge,
and the troop went on at a good pace across a country, half field,
half forest. They came to a road which was smooth and hard, and
increased their speed. They soon reached a region which several of
their horsemen knew, and, as the night lightened a little, they rode
fast toward the Potomac.

Harry looked at his watch and saw that it was not much past midnight.