Suppose we should be taken.

Then it's for you to gallop back with the news that Shields' whole army will be in the pass in the morning, and under such circumstances, your mother would send you on to General Jackson with a message of such immense importance." "That's so," said Billy with conviction, in the face of so much eloquence and logic, "but I don't want you fellows to be captured." Dalton and Harry dismounting, gave the reins of their horses into the hands of Billy, and the small fingers clutched them tightly.
"Stay exactly where you are, Billy," said Harry.

"We want to find you without trouble when we come back." "I'll be here," said Billy proudly.
Harry and Dalton began the descent through the bushes and trees.

They had not the slightest doubt that this was the vanguard of the Northern army which they heard was ten thousand strong, and that this force was merely a vanguard for McDowell, who had nearly forty thousand men.

But they knew too well to go back to Stonewall Jackson with mere surmise, however plausible.
"We've got to find out some way or other whether their army is certainly at hand," whispered Dalton.
Harry nodded, and said: "We must manage to overhear some of their talk, though it's risky business." "But that's what we're here for.