“Halt!” he cried.
The galloping horse was pulled up so quickly as to almost throw him back upon his haunches.
“Who goes there?” demanded the sentry.
“A friend,” came the voice of Tom Deering.
“Advance, friend, with the countersign.”
Tom walked his snorting horse forward.
“I have not received the countersign,” said he. “But I have urgent business with Colonel Moultrie, and must see him at once.”
“Against orders,” said the sentry. “I’ll call out the sergeant of the guard, though, and leave him to settle it with you.”
In a few moments the sergeant had presented himself. Tom was led forward into the light of a camp-fire, where the sergeant carefully questioned him.
“I can answer no questions,” said the boy, “unless asked by Colonel Moultrie or——”