Part 18 (2/2)

The ravine at one point led out on a bare shoulder of the slope, and looking over the little pines they clearly saw a fire blazing on the crest and waving flags silhouetted before its glow. Far below, at Fisher's Hill, flags were waving also.

”Quite a lively talk,” whispered Shepard. ”I suppose the lookouts are telling a lot about our army.”

”But it won't make much difference,” said d.i.c.k. ”By the time they've spelled out from the flags what Sheridan is doing he'll be doing something else.”

They resumed their climb and the ravine led again into dense forest. Sergeant Whitley had moved up by the side of Shepard, as they were now near the enemy, and his great scouting abilities were needed. It was a wise precaution, as presently he held up his hand, and then, at a signal from him, the whole party climbed softly out of the ravine, and crouched among the little cedars.

Now d.i.c.k himself heard what the sergeant had heard perhaps a half minute earlier, that is, the footsteps of two men coming swiftly down the ravine. In another minute they came in sight, Confederate troopers, obviously scouting. Luckily, the ravine being stony and the light bad, they did not see any trail, left by Shepard's troop, and they went on down the ravine.

”Shall we go on?” asked d.i.c.k.

”Not yet, sir,” replied Shepard. ”They don't suspect that we're up here, and it's likely they're trying for a good view of our army. But I fancy they'll be returning in a few minutes. We'd best be very quiet, sir.”

d.i.c.k cautioned the men, and they lay as still as wild animals in their coverts. In about ten minutes the two riflemen came back up the ravine, and the hidden troopers could hear them talking.

”We'll try some other part of the slope, Jack,” said one.

”Yes, that was a bad view,” rejoined the other. ”We couldn't tell a thing about the Yankee movements from down there. We can leave the ravine higher up, and I know a path that leads toward the north.”

”There's not much good in finding out about 'em anyway. That fellow Sheridan is going to press us hard, and they have everything, numbers, arms, food, while we have next to nothing.”

”But we'll fight 'em anyhow. Still, I wish old Stonewall was here.”

”But he ain't here, and we'll have to do the best we can without him.”

Their voices were lost, as they pa.s.sed up the ravine and disappeared.

Then d.i.c.k and his little party came out cautiously, and followed.

”I gather from what those two said that Early's men are depressed,” said d.i.c.k.

”They've a right to be,” replied Shepard. ”Their army is in bad shape, besides being small, and now that we have a real leader we are, I think, sure to clean up the valley.”

”But there'll be plenty of hard fighting.”

”Yes. We'll have to win what we get.”

The ravine widened and deepened a little, and they stopped. Sergeant Whitley in his capacity of chief scout and trailer climbed up the rocky side and looked about a little, while the others waited. He returned in two or three minutes, and d.i.c.k saw, by the moonlight, that his face expressed surprise.

”What is it, sergeant?” asked d.i.c.k.

”A woman is on the mountain. She pa.s.sed by the ravine not long since, perhaps not a half hour ago.”

”A woman at such a time? Why, sergeant, it's impossible!”

”No, sir, it isn't. See here!”

He opened his left hand. Within the palm lay a tiny bit of thin gray cloth.

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