"I've been waiting for a chance like this," he chortled, "and now I'm going to make him sweat—sweat blood."
"Don't be a fool, Corporal," the trooper counseled. "What'll ye be after doin'?"
"Report him, at headquarters—for helping a spy escape! If I have the man and this," and he slapped the paper, "it'll mean his sword and shoulder straps—if not a bullet! Come on!"
He turned away, to scramble over the wall, but Trooper O'Connell caught his arm.
"Hold on! Ye may get in trouble."
In answer Dudley broke away and doggedly kept on towards the stone wall and the road. "Keep off," he snarled. "I'm running this."
"I know ye are," the trooper replied, "but wait," and he pointed to the rear. "Don't forgit that the Colonel's out yonder reconnoiterin'. If he happened to overtake ye on the road—"
Struck with the sudden thought Dudley paused. "Well, that's so," he growled as he saw how easily he could be held for disobeying orders and how quickly all his plans for vengeance could be smashed. He stood still for a moment gnawing his lip, then suddenly struck his doubled fist into the palm of the other hand.
"Then you stay here to guard the prisoner," he said. "I'll cut through the woods—make my report—come back with the horses—and my authority."
"Here, Smith! You and Judson come along with me. Never mind the grub. We'll get that later."