It was very dark now and the wood was moaning, but the columns of air came directly from the wood, bearing clearly upon their crest the noises made by regiments.
"You're right, Dick," said Colonel Winchester, bitter mortification showing in his tone.

"They're there, and they're on our side of the river.

Oh, we might have known it! They say that Stonewall Jackson never sleeps, and they make no mistake, when they call his infantry foot cavalry!" Dick was silent.

He shared his leader's intense disappointment, but he knew that it was not for him to speak at this moment.
"Mr.Shattuck," said Colonel Winchester, "how near do you think we can approach without being seen ?" "I know a neck of woods leading within a hundred yards of the cottages.
If we was to leave our horses here with a couple of men we could slip down among the trees and bushes, and there ain't one chance in ten that we'd be seen on so dark a night." "Then you lead us.

Pawley, you and Woodfall hold the horses.