e figure of the stalwart
woman appeared. Harry knew that she had been watching there every minute
since they left. He was touched by the dramatic spirit of the moment,
and he said:

"Mrs. Pomeroy, we bring back to you the most gallant soldier in
Stonewall Jackson's army of the Valley of Virginia. He led us straight
to the Gap where we were able to learn the enemy's movements, a
knowledge which may save the Confederacy from speedy destruction. We
bring him back to you, safe and unharmed, and sleeping soundly in his
saddle."

He lifted Billy from the saddle and put him in his mother's arms.

"Billy's a hero, Cousin Eliza," said Dalton. "Few full-grown men have
done as important deeds in their whole lives as he has done to-night.
When he awakens he'll be angry because he didn't go with us, but you
tell him we'll see that he's a duly enrolled member of General Jackson's
army. Stonewall Jackson never forgets such deeds as his."

"It's a proud woman I am to-night," said Mrs. Pomeroy. "Good-bye, Cousin
George, and you, too, Mr. Kenton. I can see that you're in a hurry to be
off, and you ought to be. I want to see both of you in my house again in
better days."

She went inside, carrying the exhausted and sleeping boy in her arms,
and Harry and Dalton galloped away side by side.

"How's your horse, Harry?" asked Dalton.

"Fine. Smooth as silk! How's yours?"

"The machinery moves without a jar. I may be stiff and sore myself, but
I'm so anxious to get to General Jackson that I haven't time to think
about it."

"Same here. Suppose we speed 'em up a little more."

They came into the turnpike, and now the horses lengthened out their
stride as they fled northward. It was yet some time until dawn, but the
two young riders took the cold food from their knapsacks and ate as they
galloped on. It was well that they had good horses, staunch and true, as
they were pushing them hard now.

Harry looked toward the west, where the dark slope of Little North
Mountain closed in the valley from that side, and he felt a shiver
which he knew did not come from the night air. He knew that a powerful
Northern force was off there somewhere, and he wondered what it was
doing. But he and Dalton had done their duty. They had uncovered one
hostile force, and doubtless other men who rode in the night for Jackson
would attend to the rest.

Both Harry and Dalton had been continuously in the saddle for many hours
now, but they did not notice the