It was a combat of raiders who advanced secretly under cover of the vast wilderness.
The twilight died with the rapidity of the South, and the darkness, thick at the early hours, passed over the curve of the earth.

For a time Dick and the sergeant could not see many yards in front and they rode very slowly.

After a while, as the sky lightened somewhat and their eyes also grew keen, they made better speed.

Then they struck a path through the woods leading in the right direction, and they broke into a trot.
The earth was so soft that their horses' feet gave back but little sound, and both were confident they would not meet any enemy in the night at least.
"Straight southeast," said the sergeant, "and we're bound to strike Grierson's tracks.

After that we'd be blind if we couldn't follow the trail made by nearly two thousand horsemen." The path still led in the direction they wished and they rode on silently for hours.