"There's a little orchard beyond the wood.
I know there is because I caught a glimpse of a red apple hanging from a tree.

I suppose the skirt of forest kept the Yankee raiders from seeing it." They followed with a shout of joy.
"Treasure trove!" exclaimed Happy.
"Who's an optimist now ?" asked Harry.
"All of us are," said St.Clair.
They passed through the wood and entered a small orchard of not more than half an acre.

But it was filled with apple trees loaded with red apples, big juicy fellows, just ripened by the October sun.

A little beyond the orchard in a clearing was a small log house, obviously that of the owner of the orchard, and also obviously deserted.

No smoke rose from the chimneys, and windows and doors were nailed up.