Captain Cortland thanked the court heartily. Then, with his young soldier boys following, he made his way from the court room. Dr. McKenzie was at their heels when they reached open air, and a pleasant chat of a few moments followed. "Men, I would have come to you much sooner than I did," explained Captain Cortland, "but an accident happened that couldn't be helped. Through some stupidity your messenger left your note over among the militiamen, and it did not reach me until this morning. Then I came as fast as I could travel." The heartiest thanks of all three soldiers were extended to Dr. McKenzie, after which the Army party started back to camp. Hal's adventures for the day, however, were by no means yet ended. As the three entered the regulars' infantry camp, Captain Cortland caught sight of a horse being held before his tent by one of his infantry privates. "I want to talk with you two a moment," remarked B Company's commander, "but I see that I have a visitor from the cavalry. Wait outside until I summon you." The horse, a beautiful animal, very plainly belonged to the cavalry, for the saddle blanket and trappings were trimmed with yellow, which is the cavalry color. "Had much work this morning, Claxton?" Hal asked of the private soldier who was holding the horse's bridle. "We've been going some, Corporal," replied Claxton, with a smile. "And it was hot in the sun to-day, too." "Even at that," observed Corporal Hal grimly, "I guess you had it easier here than we did." "You've been in some trouble, Corporal?" "Yes, but now it's----" Corporal Hal Overton never finished that sentence. At that instant all three became aware of a great clatter up the field. A pair of horses attached to a light victoria came racing down the field, passing close to the head of the infantry camp. There was no driver on the seat; the reins were trailing at the heels of the runaways. Nor did it take more than a glance to show that both of the runaways were now frightened past all hope of stopping them by any simple expedient. Less than a quarter of a mile down the field two regular and two militia field batteries were drawn up in a long line, squarely in front of the path of the flying horses. Worse still, the horses belonging to the batteries had been detached and sent to the rear. There were some four hundred artillerymen in all near the guns, but not one of them mounted in this period of instruction. The horses seemed bound to dash in among the closely aligned field guns, wrecking the victoria and probably killing the woman and girl who now stood up in the vehicle screaming with terror, but seemingly too frightened to jump. This Corporal Hal saw in his one swift glance, as the outfit went by like a whirlwind. What he didn't see the soldier boy didn't even stop to guess. "Let go, Claxton!" he shouted, snatching the bridle from the orderly's hand. All in a twinkling Hal was up in saddle and urging the magnificent cavalry animal forward.