They had given him a delicate and dangerous task, but he was doing it.

He had overcome every obstacle so far, and he would overcome them to the end.

He was bound to enter that Washington which, in the distance, seemed to lie in such a close cluster.
He felt that he had lingered long enough at Arlington, and, descending, he made a great curve around the earthworks, coming to the river north of Arlington.

His next problem was the passage of the Potomac.

He did not dare to try Long Bridge, which he knew would be guarded strictly, but he thought he might find some boatman who would take him over.
As the capital was so crowded, the farmers were continually crossing with loads of provisions, and now that an uncommonly hot July had come the night would be a favorite time for the passage.
A search up and down the bank brought its reward.