Well, the time has come; Harry, you go first, and, at a suitable moment,
George will follow. We have news of surpassing importance. We took
a number of prisoners in that battle and we were also lucky enough to
rescue several of our men who had been held as captives. We've learned
from them that General Meade, after making up his mind to pursue,
followed straight behind us for a while, but he has now turned and gone
southward in the direction of Frederick. He will cross South Mountain,
advance toward Sharpsburg, and attempt to smash us here, with our backs
to this swollen river. Why, some of the Federal leaders consider the
Army of Northern Virginia as good as destroyed already!"
He spoke with angry emphasis.
"But it isn't," said Harry.
"No, it isn't. Doubtless General Lee will learn from scouts of his own
of General Meade's flanking movement, but we mustn't take the chance.
Moreover, we must tell him that this is the place for our army to cross.
If the river runs down in two or three days we'll have a ford here."
"I'm ready to go at any moment," said Harry. "Night helping me, I may be
able to ride through the lines of our enemies out there."
"No, Harry, you must not go that way. They're so vigilant that you would
not have any possible chance.
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