In another moment he was out of sight, his dispatch-bearing ride ended, and the band leader stopped his musicians.
In this startling scene the onlookers felt that they had viewed the best piece of individual daring of the afternoon.
Little did they guess that they had seen the failure of a scoundrel's dastardly attempt to end Sergeant Overton's life.
But grizzled old Colonel North, of the Thirty-fourth United States Infantry, knew better.
"Cortland," he remarked, turning to B Company's captain, "just as soon as the last number is over I want you to make an instant and red-hot investigation of that accident to Sergeant Overton. Report to me as soon as you have even the trace of a suggestion to make."
"Yes, sir; and I have one suggestion to make now," replied Captain Cortland.
"What is it?"
"I ask you, sir, to oblige me very greatly by promising a warrant at once for Corporal Terry's promotion to sergeant."
"By Jove, young Terry earned it!" agreed Colonel North.
"Yes, sir; and, to my way of thinking, he did more. He proved that B Company cannot afford to be without a sergeant of his proved calibre."