Jackson was gaining.
But there were shrewd minds in Milroy's command.

The Western men knew many devices of battle and the trail, and Milroy was desperately bent upon saving his force, which he knew would be overwhelmed, if overtaken by Jackson's army.

Now he had recourse to a singular device.
Harry, riding with Captain Sherburne, noticed that the trees were dry despite the recent rains.

On the slopes of the mountains the water ran off fast, and the thickets were dry also.

Then he saw a red light in the forest in front of them.