He had made his uniform look as spruce as possible and he held himself with dignity when the horsemen approached, but he could not conceal the fact that he was exhausted.
"I congratulate you, Harry," he said, when he also was astride a horse.
"It is likely that you are the only one who has got through so far.
I'm quite sure that Langdon was driven back, and I don't know what has become of the others.

But it was great luck to find such a command as this." He looked somewhat enviously at Jeb Stuart's magnificent raiment, and again pulled and brushed at his own.
"You cannot expect to equal it," said Harry, smiling.
"Not unless my opportunities improve greatly.

I must say, also, that the colors are a little too bright for me, although they suit him.
Everything must be in harmony, Harry, and it is certainly true of Stuart and his uniform that they are in perfect accord.

Good clothes, Harry, give one courage and backbone." Stuart and his men continued to advance rapidly, although they were now deep in the hills, and Harry realized to the full that it was a splendid command, splendid men and splendid horses, led by a cavalryman of genius.

Stuart neglected no precaution.