Ten thousand Yankees will be through the pass in the morning, and Stonewall Jackson will have great cause to be grateful to William Pomeroy, aged twelve." The boy's eyes fairly glowed, but he was a man of action.
"Then I guess that we've got to jump on our horses and ride lickety split down the valley to give warnin' to General Jackson," he said.
Harry knew what was passing in the boy's mind, that he would go with them all the way to Jackson, and he did not have the heart to say anything to the contrary just then.

But Dalton replied: "Right you are, Billy.

We ride now as if the woods were burning behind us." Billy was first in the saddle and led the way.

The horses had gained a good rest, while Harry and Dalton were stalking the troopers in the valley, and, after they had made the descent of the slope, they swung into a long easy gallop across the level.
The little lad still kept his place in front.

Neither of the others would have deprived him of this honor which he deserved so well.