He felt with all the certainty of truth that the
Union skirmishers in the thicket could not escape the keen eyes that
sought them out.
"I can see at least twenty men creeping about among the bushes, and
seeking chances for shots," whispered Harry.
"I knew that you would see them."
It was Harry's turn to give a look of curiosity.
"What do you mean, Captain?" he asked.
"I knew that you had good eyes and I believed that with the aid of the
glasses you would be able to trace figures, despite the shelter of the
bushes. Study the undergrowth again, will you, Harry, and tell me what
more you can see there?"
"I don't need to study it. I can tell at one look that they're gathering
a force. Maybe they mean to rush the creek at a shallow place."
"Is that force moving in any direction?"
"Yes, it's going down the creek."
"Then we'll go down the creek with it. We mustn't be lacking in
hospitality."
Sherburne drew a whistle from his pocket and blew a low call upon it.
Scores of shadowy figures rose from the undergrowth, and followed his
lead down the stream. Harry was still able to see that the force on the
other side was increasing largely in numbers, but Sherburne reminded him
that his duties, as far as the coming skirmish was concerned, were over.
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