e figure of John Haskell,
standing motionless on a hill. He knew that the man was not likely to
remain in that position more than half the allotted time. It was certain
that he would soon turn, despite the risk, but Harry was already beyond
his reach.

He leaped from the fence, crossed another field and entered a wood.
There he paused among the trees and saw Haskell returning. But when he
had come a little distance, he shook his head doubtfully, and then walked
toward the north.

"A counsel of wisdom," chuckled Harry, who was going in quite another
direction. "I think I'll read my dispatch now."

He opened it and blessed his luck. It was from Meade to Pleasanton,
directing him to cut in with all the cavalry he could gather on the
enemy's flank. The Potomac was in great flood and the Army of Northern
Virginia could not possibly cross. If it were harried to the utmost by
the Union cavalry the task of destroying it would be much easier.

"So it would," said Harry to himself. "But Pleasanton won't get this
dispatch. Providence has not deserted me yet; and it's true that fortune
favors the brave. I'm John Haskell of the Fifth Pennsylvania and I can
prove it."

He had put the canteen over his shoulder and the name upon it was a
powerful witness in his favor. The dispatch itself was another, and his
faded uniform told nothing.

Harry had passed through so much that a reckless spirit was growing upon
him, and he had succeeded in so much that he believed he would continue
to succeed. Regretfully he threw the shotgun away, as it would not
appear natural for a messenger to carry it and a rifle too.

He went forward boldly now, and, when an hour later he saw a detachment
of Union cavalry in a road, he took no measures to avoid them. Instead
he went directly toward the horsemen and hailed them in a loud voice.
They stopped and their leader, a captain, looked inquiringly at Harry,
who was approaching rapidly.

Harry held up both hands as a sign that he was a friend, and called in a
loud voice:

"I want a horse! And at once, if you please, sir!"

He had noticed that three led horses with empty saddles, probably the
result of a brush with the enemy, and he meant to be astride one of them
within a few minutes.

"You're a cool one," said the captain. "You come walking across the
field, and without a word of explanation you say you want a horse.
Don't you want a carriage too?"

"I don't need it. But I must