Spurred on by the necessity of gaining a point of safety for his child he began to calculate the distance yet to be covered and their chances of gaining friendly lines before encountering scouting parties of Federals.

Behind him, a few miles south on the other bank of the James at Light House Point Sheridan was in camp with two brigades and Cary knew this fast riding, hard striking cavalryman too well not to suspect that the country, even in front of him, was alive with Union men.

There was the pass which Morrison had given him, of course, but the worth of a pass in war time often depends more on him who receives it than on the signature.
But all those things, even food, would have to wait for a while because he was consumed with thirst and must find water before he went another mile forward.
A tired sigh from Virgie caught his ear and he stopped by a stone wall and let her get down from his shoulder.

The child stood up on the broad, flat stones and then gave a little cry of pain.

She raised one foot up and nursed it against her dusty, brown leg, meanwhile clutching her doll closer to her neck.
"It's all right, honey; be a brave little girl," her father said consolingly.