Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/246



was a clear morning in August when Robert Dorlon set forth from the American camp again to be the "express" of the commander and to carry a letter to the army in the north. There had come to the leaders an increasing hope that, in spite of the failures and difficulties that thus far had beset the attempts to check the invasion by John Burgoyne, the outlook was not altogether dark, and this feeling almost unconsciously had come to be shared in by the men.

At all events, there was a spirit of determination in Robert Dorlon's heart to do his utmost, and as he entered the wilder region beyond the boundaries of the camp, the very surroundings seemed to stimulate him. Not only had he now the opportunity to redeem his apparent failure in his preceding journey, but there was also an added interest as he thought of the exciting experiences which were likely to be his before he should return; for, in spite of the perils that must be faced, there was a