"Good morning," called a soldier as Tom peered out. "Have a good nap, young man?"
"What day is this, anyhow!" demanded Tom. "How long have I been sleeping?"
"Just twenty-four hours, that's all," answered the soldier.
"Hello, Burns." It was the Captain. "How are you?"
"Fine! But I'm ashamed of myself for cheating you out of your bed."
"You've earned a bed, my boy. Get some clothes on and we'll have breakfast.
Can you travel today?"
"Yes."
"A message came from Mitchel at Huntsville. He wants to see you."
And so Tom, mounted upon Star and accompanied by the Captain's messenger, retraced the road to Shelbyville and followed the course of Mitchel's army southward. All along the route, when the news spread that one of the raiders was passing through, they were surrounded by soldiers, who wanted to hear the story and to shake hands. Finally Tom begged the messenger not to tell people who he was, not to mention the raid. "We'll never get to Huntsville if this keeps up," he said.
It was noon of the third day when they reined their horses in at the outskirts of the town, and exhibited their pass to a Sentry. "Let 'em past, boys," yelled the Sentry. "Here's the raider!" They trotted into Huntsville with the soldiers yelling. And it was all that Tom could do to keep from yelling. Now, for the first time, the full exultation of being back again struck him; but he sat speechless, stroking Star's neck nervously.