But he and Dalton had done their duty.

They had uncovered one hostile force, and doubtless other men who rode in the night for Jackson would attend to the rest.
Both Harry and Dalton had been continuously in the saddle for many hours now, but they did not notice their weariness.

They were still upborne by a great anxiety and a great exaltation, too.

Feeling to the full the imminence and immensity of the crisis, they were bending themselves heart and soul to prevent it, and no thought of weariness could enter their minds.

Each was another Billy, only on a larger and older scale.
Later on, the moon and all the stars slipped away, and it became very dark.