Turning to Tom, he said: “This way, my lad. Now, then, give him a knee, Sergeant; so, a foot in my stirrup and up you go behind me. Now, then, right about by twos, march.�
He went off at a sharp trot with Tom’s arms around his waist.
“Hold on to the belt,� he said.
“May I some day have a boy like you! I enlist you in my troop. You are one of Allan McLane’s rangers. Hold hard. The road is better. I am going to gallop.�
If ever there was a proud boy it was Tom Markham, for who did not know Allan McLane, the terror of outlying pickets, the hero of a dozen gallant adventures?
“How are you, Gemini?� cried Tom, looking back.
“Oh, we’re fine!� roared Bill, his teeth chattering with cold.
At the river they were stopped a minute. McLane gave the password, “Washington,� and at dusk they tramped over the bridge and were at once among General Varney’s brigades.
Bill had ceased to ask questions. Harry, again uneasy at the sight of soldiers, wept unseen, and even Tom felt a certain awe at thus facing the unknown. He was more at ease as he saw hundreds of ill-clad men making merry in a wild snowball fight, shouting and laughing.
They rode in the gloom through dimly seen rows of log huts, and at one of them McLane dismounted.