The frontier is only fifty miles distant.

I will send on a man at once to ascertain some point at which there are boats on this side of the river.

I will march at daylight with 150 picked men, and no fear but with a sudden attack we shall break through the patrols." The plan was carried out.

The boys, inured to marching, made the fifty miles journey before nightfall.

They were met by the spy, who stated that the boats had almost all been removed, but that a number were gathered at a village which was occupied by 200 Russian infantry.
The midshipmen proposed that they should steal through and endeavor to get one of the boats, but their friend would not hear of their running such a risk, and after taking some hours of rest the party proceeded on their march.