"Look here!" said Dan. "It was that measly horse. He had no business to throw up his head at that moment. Served him right to get killed."
"But the second shot, Dan. It went wild and hit his revolver, and the third missed altogether. And of all men to let Jerry Alcorn escape. Kick me, Dan."
"Might have bored one of us if you hadn't knocked the revolver out of his hand," answered Dan, "so shut up."
They had ridden far out of their way and had to make a wide circuit to get back. A little before noon the distant booming of the cannon was heard no longer.
"It's all over," sighed Lawrence, "and I'm afraid."
Dan's jaws came together with a snap and a dark scowl came over his face. "Why in thunder didn't Warren come?" he wrathfully exclaimed. "Some of these officers make me tired."
It was the middle of the afternoon before Warren was found. He was fearful of an attack on himself, and was several miles from the battlefield.
To Lawrence's request to hurry the Colonel replied, "You say the battle is over and in all probability Foster's whole force captured. In that case I can do no good. My force is but little greater than that Foster had."
"But they may not all be captured. You may be able to cover the retreat," Lawrence urged.
"The best I can do is to stay and watch the enemy, and wait for reinforcements," replied Warren.