He had no doubt that those who had fired the shots were farmers, but it had been easy for them to make good their escape in the thickets.
He thought he saw relief on Colonel Hertford's face also, when he reported that the riflemen had escaped, and, after spreading out skirmishers a little farther on either flank, the column, which had never broken its march, went on at increased pace.

It was growing warm now, and the dust and heat of the long ride began to affect them.

The blue line of the mountains, as they came close, turned to green and Dick, Warner and Pennington looked enviously at the deep shade.
"Not so bad," said Warner.

"Makes me think a little of the Green Mountains of Vermont, though not as high and perhaps not as green." "Of course," said Dick.

"Nothing outside of Vermont is as good as anything inside of it." "I'm glad you acknowledge it so readily, Dick.