CHAPTER XIX.
Conclusion.
The next evening, as soon as it was dark, they again started out.

For three days they held their course straight through the woods, and, finally, releasing their prisoner, they bent their steps toward Red River, where, after many delays, they succeeded in securing a canoe.
They traveled entirely by night, and, in a short time reached Alexandria, where they landed just above the village, and went ashore to reconnoiter.

To their disappointment they found that the place was filled with soldiers, and that a pontoon-bridge had been thrown across the river, and was guarded at both ends.
After making all their observations, they retreated to the bank of the river, and held a consultation.

Should they abandon their canoe, and strike off through the woods again?
There were many objections to this plan.

The country, for miles around, was, doubtless, filled with encampments, and guarded by pickets, and their progress would involve both danger and difficulty.