A young Maryland cavalry officer, riding near, explained to them that the point from which the cannonade came was a gap in South Mountain, although it was as yet invisible, owing to the forest.
"We heard that Lee's army was much further away," said Warner to Dick.
"What can it mean?
What force is there fighting our vanguard ?" It was Shepard, the spy, who brought them the facts.

He had already reported to General McClellan, when he approached Colonel Winchester.
His face was worn and drawn, and he was black under the eyes.

His clothes were covered with dust.

His body was weary almost unto death, but his eyes burned with the fire of an undying spirit.
"I've been all the night and all this morning in the mountains and hills," he said.

"Harper's Ferry is not yet taken, but I think it will fall.