outside, and probably unguarded. And in this he was right; there stood the troop in a line, the bridles cast loosely over the hitching-posts. Lightly, George tossed Peggy upon the back of one of these, while Herbert leaped upon another. The young New Englander was in[121] the saddle instantly, and casting loose the other horses, with shouts and blows, sent them scattering down the road.

[121]

All this only occupied a few moments; and those few moments the soldiers wasted in endeavoring to force the door which George had bolted in their faces. Their officer was the first to recover his wits, and with excited shouts he drove them to the windows. Out they came, leaping like so many jacks-in-the-box; but the escaping three were already mounted, had given their nags rein and were speeding along the dark road. In a fury the officer drew his pistol and snapped it; the two soldiers followed his example with their muskets. But they were empty, as George had guessed.

And when they had rammed fresh charges home, the flying trio were beyond range. Indeed the sound of the horses’ hoofs had almost died away.

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CHAPTER VIII TELLS HOW PEGGY GAVE A WARNING

The three horses proved to be hardy and fleet; and they seemed to see almost perfectly in the dark. For almost a half hour they were kept at a free gallop, then their riders, feeling them beginning to blow, drew them down to a walk.

The

Turning in his saddle, George listened, but there were no sounds of pursuit, and he laughed.

“I think our little plan carried very well,” said he.

“Our plan!” It was Lieutenant Camp that spoke, and his voice contained a note of protest. “Yours, you mean; and believe me, sir, the very cleverest that I ever saw executed.”

George laughed again.

“You are giving me credit for a great deal that was purely chance,” said he, lightly. “The bolt upon the door, for instance, and the fact that the horses were not tied fast.”[123] He turned to Peggy, who rode upon the other side of him, and added: “The element of chance is the great factor in most enterprises; don’t you think so?”

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