AN OLD ENEMY Despite the brilliant sunset the night came on very dark and heavy with damp.

The road through the gap was none too good and the lofty slopes clothed in forest looked menacing.

Many sharpshooters might lurk there, and the three colonels were anxious to reach Sheridan with their force intact, at least without further loss after the battle with Colonel Talbot's command.
The column was halted and it was decided to send out another scouting party to see if the way was clear.

Twenty men, of whom the best for such work were Shepard and Whitley, were chosen, and Dick, owing to his experience, was put in nominal command, although he knew in his heart that the spy and the sergeant would be the real leaders, a fact which he did not resent.

Warner and Pennington begged to go too, but they were left behind.
Shepard had received a remount, and, as all of them rode good horses, they advanced at a swift trot through the great gap.