Twice again she was halted by sentinels and each time she told the same story and underwent the same experience. Once clear of the chain of sentries she whipped her horse and hurried ahead for a distance of fifteen miles. At that time the animal was in a perfect lather and when she pulled up in front of the frame house which was the dwelling place of her friends the horse was panting and trembling from the unusual exertion. She leaped from the animal’s back and going to the door rapped on it with the butt end of her riding whip. There was no reply, so she hammered harder than ever. Presently a window in the second story was cautiously opened and a head poked out and a voice called: “Who’s there?” “Belle Boyd, and I have important intelligence to give to Colonel Ashby.” “My dear Belle!” shrieked the voice from the window. “Where in the world did you come from and how did you get here?” “Oh, I forced the sentries,” was the reply, in a matter of fact voice. Within sixty seconds the girl was in the house and receiving refreshments and telling her strange story to her wondering friend. The horse in the meantime was taken to the stable by a negro and carefully groomed and fed. Only after these important details had been attended to was the girl permitted to tell her story. “I must see Colonel Ashby,” she said in conclusion, “and if you can tell me where to find him I will go at once.” She was informed that the Confederate officer and his party were in the woods about a half mile distant from the place in which they were sitting. Just as the girl was ready to go the front door was thrown open and Colonel Ashby stood before her. He looked at her as if she were a ghost and then finally burst forth in amazement: “My God, Miss Belle, is that you? Where did you come from? Did you drop from the clouds?” “No,” she said smilingly, “I didn’t. I came on horseback and I have some very important information.” Whereupon she related the details of the council that had taken place in the Boyd home, and then told the story of her mad ride through the night. She concluded by handing him the cipher, which he said would be communicated to his superior officers at once. After that she insisted on mounting her horse and returning home again. It was more than two hours’ ride, during which time she ran the blockade of the sleeping sentries with comparative success. Just at dawn when she was in sight of her home one of the sentries she was passing called out: “Halt or I’ll shoot!”