"You forget to-morrow at Canton. You are going to meet your opponent there. It is the deciding day. You can't afford to miss that! It's your big chance!"
Everett shook his head smiling. When he answered his eyes were full of the expression of a man who is drunk with joy.
"No," he said, "my chance lies in Natchez next week—the great chance of my life!"
Colonel Pickram looked at him amazed. Had the man lost his mind!
"But the people here! Your speech! They are waiting for you to finish it!"
Sargent had already picked up his hat and cane.
"Tell them I am ill—that I cannot go on. Tell them anything, Colonel, I don't care what. I can't say anything more. I haven't a moment to lose. Good-bye to all of you!"
CHAPTER X
THE LEAD OF HONOUR
On and on through the country Sargent urged his horse, followed closely by the faithful Jonas. They had stopped only for a change of horses and for food, taking no rest until at the end of the second day he realized that his wild impatience must be curbed or the end of the journey would find him exhausted.