We'll go down and
meet that fellow. Orderly, have my horse sent to the ford." So, followed
by three or four of the younger officers,--the married men being
restrained, as a rule, by protesting voices, close at hand,--the
commanding officer went slipping and sliding down a narrow, winding
pathway, a mere goat track, many of the soldiers following at respectful
distance, while all the rest of the gathered throng remained at the
crest, eagerly, almost breathlessly awaiting the result. They saw the
trooper come speeding in across the flats from the northeast; saw as he
reached the "bench" that he was spurring hard; heard, even at the
distance, the swift batter of hoofs upon the resounding sod; could
almost hear the fierce panting of the racing steed; saw horse and rider
come plunging down the bank and into the stream, and shoving breast deep
through the foaming waters; then issue, dripping, on the hither shore,
where, turning loose his horse, the soldier leaped from saddle and
saluted his commander. But only those about the major heard the stirring
message:
"Captain Gregg's compliments, sir. It's Rudge from the Dry Fork.
Sergeant Kelly feared that Kennedy hadn't got through, for most of Lame
Wolf's people pulled away from the Fork yesterday morning, coming this
way, and the sergeant thought it was to unite with Stabber to surround
any small command that might be sent ahead from here.
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