Craig was riding directly in my front, sitting erect as if on parade,
and the woman's horse kept up the pace without apparent effort. Surely
we had already covered a good safe mile from where we had left the dead
soldier to tell his speechless story, and the way ahead was clear. My
spirits rose buoyantly with every stride of the horse, and my faith,
never long dormant, already saw my task accomplished, my pledge to Lee
fulfilled.

But it is the unexpected which masters us in the end. I had all but
completely shut the dark night from my thoughts. I suppose, in truth, I
was as keenly observant as ever, but it now seems to me that I was
riding that black road with closed eyes, so busy were my thoughts
elsewhere. Then, suddenly, my horse was jerked almost to a standstill,
the hand upon his bit seemingly as hard as my own, and I wheeled in the
saddle, pressing my knees tightly to prevent being thrown, only to
perceive the woman tugging desperately at the lines.

"What now?" I asked sharply, and in sudden anger I forced her to
release her grasp. "We must ride, and ride hard, madam, to be out of
this cordon by daylight."

"Ride where?"

She faced me stiffly, and there was a slight sting in her voice, I
felt.

"Where?" I repeated; then partially gathering my scattered wits: "Why,
to the camp we are seeking, of course."

I was conscious that her eyes were striving anxiously to see my face in