Men will fight, sir, to keep from losin' their grub." A man rode forward from the ranks, saluted and asked leave to speak.
He was a native of the next county and knew that region well.

Two miles east of them and running parallel with the road over which they had come was another and much wider road, the one that they called the big road.
"Which means, I suppose, that it contains more mud than this one," said Captain Markham.
"True, sir," replied the man, "but if the rebel army is advancing it is likely to be on that road." "That is certainly sound logic.

At least we'll go there and see.

Can you lead us through these woods to it ?" "I can take you straight across," replied the man whose name was Carpenter.

"But on the way we'll have to ford a creek which is likely to be pretty deep at this time of the year." "Show the way," said Captain Markham briskly.
They plunged into the deep woods, and Carpenter guided them well.