Actors: In the foreground, a horseman and a drowsy sentinel roused to a sense of his duty by the sound of the approaching rider; in the background, a score or more of Confederate cavalry—men springing from their blankets at the warning of danger.
A rifle had sprung to the shoulder of the startled sentry, and the sharp click of a lock followed his ringing challenge.
The foam-flecked steed of the on-comer was hurled back upon its haunches by the iron hold laid upon its bit.
“Who comes there?” repeated the ominous tone of the man in gray.
“A friend to the loyal,” answered the horseman.
“Advance, friend, and give the countersign.”
“Freedom!”
As the single word left the stranger’s lips, he plunged the rowels deep into his horse’s quivering flank, when like an arrow shot from a bow he bounded forward.
The movement was so sudden that before the surprised sentry could discharge his weapon the rider was upon him.
The report of his rifle followed, but the bullet flew wide of its mark, and he was hurled to the earth.