Of course Henry did not answer. Instead, he swung himself into the saddle, which had been left on the steed, and started away from the stable on a gallop. Reaching the rude stone wall of the field, he made the horse take it at a bound, and then continued on his way along the river road.
He had not yet reached some timber ahead of him, when a shot rang out, followed by another, showing that he was discovered. The bullets, however, flew wide of the mark, and soon he felt that he was practically out of range, for the muskets and pistols of those days did not carry as far, nor as accurately, as do those of modern construction.
“They will be after me,” thought the young soldier, as he continued to urge the horse onward, and at the same time fastened the knapsack to his back and the saber to his waist. “Well, if they come, I reckon I can fight for it,” he continued, and set his teeth together more firmly than ever.
The timber was gained a few minutes later. Just before passing out of sight between the trees he looked back. Four troopers had left the barn on their horses and were in hot pursuit.
Four troopers were in hot pursuit.—Page 222.
CHAPTER XXIV
A GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK
Fortunately for Henry, the road through the timber was on a slight ridge, which the wind had swept almost free of snow. Here and there the elements had torn down branches, and even trees themselves, but the horse the young soldier rode appeared to know something of steeplechasing and took every obstruction without difficulty.
For a distance of half a mile the way was straight, and looking back he saw the four troopers plainly. They were riding about as fast as himself, but no faster.