"But our Rebel scouts usually neglect to mention their precise intentions." "Perhaps.

If this one went at all.

Is he still here ?" "I should imagine--_not_." "Then he did go this way--to the river crossing ?" Once more he caught and held her eyes and thought he would read the truth in spite of anything she might say.
But while he looked he saw her strained face suddenly relax--saw the anxiety flee from her eyes--saw heart and soul take on new life.

From far away across the river had come some faint popping sounds, regularly spaced--_three shots_.
"Ah!" he said, in wonder.

"What is that ?" "It _sounds_," laughed Herbert Cary's wife, "like firing.