"A private?"
"Yes, a volunteer."
"You know something about him?"
"Yes, your excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole army,—bold to a fault and capable enough, in case of necessity, to act with the caution of an officer. If the thing can be done, that man'll do it."
"And you believe—it's a terrible responsibility to ask a man to ride to sure death—you believe the man will do it freely—willingly?"
"I'll swear he will, your excellency."
"Then I dare not refuse, though it's a fearful venture. I'll send for Tanner at once."
"May I take the order to him?" interrupted Egon, quickly. The general turned in surprise and looked at him.
"You, yourself, do you mean? Why?"
"Only to save time. The way which Tanner must take lies over Chapel mountain; before he'd get to headquarters and back again to his starting place an hour would be lost."