although Bierce's horseman knew that allowing himself to be captured might save his life, why was it important to the troops that he did not exercise that opinion?
In context, we can infer that the horseman did not want to be perceived as saving himself at the expense of others. It would have been easy yo surrender... to become a prinsoer of war, but in doing so, he would not achieve his goal, which was to reveal the oppositions location and weapons store. He becomes a source of inspiration to the troops as they watch him, he is seen by them all, except maybe the commander, as a hero.
There is no hope except the hope against hope that the crest is clear. True, he might prefer capture to death. So long as he advances, the line will not fire,—why should it? He can safely ride into the hostile ranks and become a prisoner of war. But this would defeat his object. It would not answer our question; it is necessary either that he return unharmed or be shot to death before our eyes. Only so shall we know how to act. If captured—why, that might have been done by a half-dozen stragglers.
A Son of the Gods
