They have got him. I thought he could not live in that storm."
"No," said the older man quietly, although the hand in which he held the field glass trembled, "He is riding on the side of his horse. I have seen it done before."
Presently the Confederate artillery which had not been directed at the flying trooper opened up. The two watchers on the mountain side could see the shrapnel spattering all about them.
"What a hell that must be," said the younger man. "I don't see how they can keep going. That shrapnel will get them presently."
"Most of it falls behind them," said his companion. "You see our gunners underestimate the speed of that horse."
Presently as they watched with straining eyes the horse was seen to pause in his flight. For a second he almost stopped and then he gave a great leap of twenty feet.
"There we have got him," cried the young man.
"I think not." said other officer.