His wheel, somewhat damaged by the fall, was moving stiffly now, but Overton put into his pedaling every ounce of energy left to him.
In another moment he was out of sight, his dispatch-bearing ride ended, and the band leader stopped his musicians.
In this startling scene the onlookers felt that they had viewed the best piece of individual daring of the afternoon.
Little did they guess that they had seen the failure of a scoundrel's dastardly attempt to end Sergeant Overton's life.
But grizzled old Colonel North, of the Thirty-fourth United States Infantry, knew better.
"Cortland," he remarked, turning to B Company's captain, "just as soon as the last number is over I want you to make an instant and red-hot investigation of that accident to Sergeant Overton. Report to me as soon as you have even the trace of a suggestion to make."
"Yes, sir; and I have one suggestion to make now," replied Captain Cortland.
"I ask you, sir, to oblige me very greatly by promising a warrant at once for Corporal Terry's promotion to sergeant."
"By Jove, young Terry earned it!" agreed Colonel North.
"Yes, sir; and, to my way of thinking, he did more. He proved that B Company cannot afford to be without a sergeant of his proved calibre."
"Go to Wright, the battalion adjutant, then, and tell him, with my compliments, to prepare an order at once, for reading at the dress parade which is to end up the afternoon's show."
"And, Cortland, ask Wright, as a personal favor to me, to read the order slowly and distinctly, so that the audience can grasp the fact that they've witnessed a deed of heroism and its prompt reward in the Army."
At the close of the afternoon's fast and furious work came a spectacle such as doubtless no one in the audience had ever seen before.
The three fighting arms of the service--artillery, cavalry and infantry--combined at dress parade.
The ceremony, as enacted that afternoon, possessed all the fervor and solemnity of a religious rite.
When it came to the publication of orders appointing Corporal Oliver Terry a sergeant in recognition of unusual bravery and judgment in saving a comrade's life, only a small percentage of the on-looking, listening thousands grasped the importance or meaning of the promotion of one young soldier.