The Lost Despatch

Transcriber's Note: The Frontispiece illustration is not available.
TO A GALLANT SOLDIER OF THE UNION BRIGADIER-GENERAL SUMNER H. LINCOLN U.S. ARMY WHO FOUGHT IN TWO WARS UNDER THE FLAG THIS NOVEL OF 1865 IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED
Love rules the court, the camp, the grove
And men below, and saints above.
Sir Walter Scott.
CONTENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
THE LOST DESPATCH
CHAPTER I
THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT
It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods. The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense. Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left. The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
Take care, Symonds, said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree. How near are we now to Poolesville?