CHAPTER XXV.
RIDGE WINS HIS SWORD A few minutes before this, while the Rough Riders lay in sullen despair, with death on all sides and filling the air above them, a staff-officer from headquarters, keenly anxious concerning the situation and for the honor of his chief, appeared among them.
Whatever happened, he could not afford to betray uneasiness or fear.
So he walked erect as calmly as though inspecting troops on parade, apparently unconscious of the bullets that buzzed like hornets about him.

He was studying the position of the several regiments, and his face lighted with a smile as he found himself among the men of the First Volunteer Cavalry.
"Hello, Rough Riders!" he cried.

"Glad to see you taking things so cool and comfortable.

By-the-way, there is a promotion for one of you waiting at headquarters.

It came by cable last evening.