"Edgeworth," he exclaimed, "when you came near I thought it was you, but I scarcely dared to hope."
The officer, tall and striking of appearance, with penetrating gray eyes, seized Middleton's hand.
"And it is you, Middleton," he said. "What a meeting for two who have not seen each other since they were at West Point together."
"But it's where we both want to be," said Middleton.
"That is so," said Edgeworth with emphasis, "but I had heard, George, that you were sent on an errand of uncommon danger, and I had feared--I will not hesitate to say it to you now--that you would never come back."
Middleton laughed. He was obviously delighted with this meeting of the comrade of his cadetship. Then he introduced Woodfall and the others, after which he asked:
"How did you know we were friends, Tom? You came on as if you were riding to a garden-party."
"A scout brought news of you," he replied. "We have a small force about twenty miles ahead, and I rode back to meet you, and see what was here."
"We have some good men," said Woodfall, "and they are willing to fight. We've come a good many hundreds of miles for that purpose."
"I believe you," said Edgeworth, running his trained eyes over the crowd. "A finer body of men I never saw, and we need you, every one of you."