Harry saw there the blaze of the knightly spirit that craved adventure.
"Men," he said in clear, happy tones, "we've ridden for days and days in quests that brought nothing.

Now the enemy is at hand, nearly a thousand strong, and means to destroy our stores.

There are two hundred of you and there are two hundred more guarding the stores.

If there's a single one among you who says he must ride on to Winchester, let him hold up his hand." Not a hand was raised, and the bold young captain laughed.
"I don't need to put the other side of the question," he said to Harry.
"They're as eager as I am to scorch the faces of the Yankees." The order was given to turn and ride.

The "men," not one of whom was over twenty-five, obeyed it eagerly, and galloped for the village, every heart throbbing with the desire for action.