In the main, the mountaineers were sympathetic, partly through devotion to the Union, and partly through jealousy of the more prosperous lowlanders.
One day Major Hertford sent Dick, Warner, and Sergeant Whitley, ahead to scout.

He had recognized the ability of the two lads, and also their great friendship for Sergeant Whitley.

It seemed fitting to him that the three should be nearly always together, and he watched them with confidence, as they rode ahead on the icy mountain trail and then disappeared from sight.
Dick and his friends had learned, at mountain cabins which they had passed, that the country opened out further on into a fine little valley, and when they reached the crest of a hill somewhat higher than the others, they verified the truth of the statement.

Before them lay the coziest nook they had yet seen in the mountains, and in the center of it rose a warm curl of smoke from the chimney of a house, much superior to that of the average mountaineer.

The meadows and corn lands on either side of a noble creek were enclosed in good fences.