is place on the
golden cloud and receives his harp."

Harry laughed.

"That'll be old Arthur, sure," he said. Then his head drooped again.
Fatigue was overpowering him. St. Clair and Langdon put a hand on either
shoulder and held him erect, but Harry was so far sunk in lethargy that
he was not conscious of their grasp. Men looked curiously at the three
young officers riding rapidly forward, the one in the center apparently
held on his horse by the other two.

St. Clair took prompt measures.

"Harry Kenton!" he called sharply.

"Here!"

"Do you know what they do with a sentinel caught asleep?"

"They shoot him!"

"What of a messenger, bearing great news who has ridden two or three days
and nights through a thousand dangers, and then becomes unconscious in
his saddle within five hundred yards of his journey's end?"

"The stake wouldn't be too good for him," replied Harry as with a mighty
effort he shook himself, both body and mind. Once more his eyes cleared
and once more he sat erect in his saddle without help.

"I won't fail, Arthur," he said. "Show the way."

"There's a big tree by the roadside almost straight ahead," said
St. Clair. "General Lee is asleep under that, but he'll be as wide awake
as any man can be a half-minute after you arrive."

They sprang from their horses, St. Clair spoke quickly with a watching
officer who went at once to awaken Lee. Harry dimly saw the form of the
general who was sleeping on a blanket, spread over small boughs. Near
him a man in brilliant uniform was walking softly back and forth, and now
and then impatiently striking the tops of his high yellow-topped boots
with a little riding whip. Harry knew at once that it was Stuart,
but the cavalry leader had not yet noticed him.

Harry saw the officer bend over the commander-in-chief, who rose in an
instant to his feet. He was fully dressed and he showed gray in the
dusky light, but he seemed as ever calm and grave. Harry felt instantly
the same swell of courage that the presence of Jackson had always brought
to him. It was Lee, the indomitable, the man of genius, who could not
be beaten. He heard him say to the officer who had awakened him, "Bring
him immediately!" and he stepped forward, strengthening himself anew and
filled with pride that he should be the first to arrive, as he felt that
he certainly now was.

"Lieutenant Kenton!" said Lee.

"Yes, sir," said Harry, lifting his cap.

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