Alfred made up his mind at once. He knew he could reach the cross road before the troops could possibly come up, and he would then decide what course to pursue. He did some rapid thinking during the five minutes it took to reach the road.
They were still a quarter of a mile away. The cloud in his rear seemed to grow bigger, and appeared closer than before, and the dust in front showed that troops were also approaching from that direction. Then he saw the Belgian colors and felt greatly relieved to know that friends and not foes were approaching.
As Alfred neared the oncoming column they halted, and he did not attempt to slow down his speed until within a hundred feet of the advance. The troopers made way for him, as he rode down the line, and the officer in command galloped through and met him.
"Dispatches from Colonel Neerden!" he cried, as he held aloft the packet.
"Did you come along the road from the railway?" asked the officer, as he reached forward to take the papers.
Alfred drew back, without answering the question. "I must deliver this to the Colonel only," he responded. The officer smiled as he answered: "I am Colonel Neerden."
"Yes," responded Alfred, quickly, when he recognized his mistake, "I thought it strange that I did not meet any patrols."
"Didn't you know the Germans were after you?"
"Not until about ten minutes ago. But I couldn't go any faster than I did," said Alfred.
"Well, you are a brave fellow," said the Colonel. "What command of the Scouts do you belong to?"