CHAPTER III
BESIDE THE RIVER
Dick was on duty early in the morning when he saw a horseman coming at
a gallop toward the Rapidan. The man was in civilian clothing, but his
figure seemed familiar. The boy raised his glasses, and he saw at once
that it was Shepard. He saw, too, that he was urging his horse to its
utmost speed.
The boy's heart suddenly began to throb, and there was a cold, prickling
sensation at the roots of his hair. Shepard had made an extraordinary
impression upon him and he did not believe that the man would be coming
at such a pace unless he came with great news.
He saw Shepard stop, give the pass word to the pickets, then gallop on,
ford the river and come straight toward the heart of the army. Dick ran
forward and met him.
"What is it?" he cried.
"General Pope's tent! Where it is! I can't wait a minute."
Dick pointed toward a big marquee, standing in an open space, and Shepard
leaping from his horse and abandoning it entirely, ran toward the
marquee. A word or two to the sentinels, and he disappeared inside.
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