Nobody supposed that any rebel sympathizer would be mad enough to attempt the passage of the river on such a night as that, for the Potomac looked alive with the angry waves that beat upon its broad bosom.

Hapgood and Fred Pemberton were with him, and the party did the best they could to keep themselves comfortable, and at the same time discharge the duty assigned to them.
"Here, lads," said old Hapgood, who, closely muffled in his great-coat, was walking up and down the bank of the creek to keep the blood warm in his veins.
"What is it, Hapgood ?" demanded Fred, who was coiled up on the lee side of a tree, to protect him from the cold blast that swept down the creek.
"Hush!" said Hapgood.

"Don't make a noise; there's a boat coming.

Down! down! Don't let them see you." Tom and Fred crawled upon the ground to the verge of the creek, and placed themselves by the side of the veteran.
"I don't see any boat," said Tom.
"I can see her plain enough, with my old eyes.

Look up the creek." "Ay, ay! I see her." "So do I," added Fred.