e
failure of the hopeful enterprise.

"Well, we have done some good by coming over here," said Captain de
Banyan as the officer galloped up the road above the creek.

"Hush, captain!" replied Somers. "You forget where you are."

"No, I don't; we are alone."

"Perhaps not; the trees have ears sometimes."

"Well, where are you going now?"

"Up the river. We will take a walk up to the batteries, if there are any
there."

They proceeded in the direction indicated for about three miles without
being molested, or even challenged by a sentinel. The Army of the Potomac
had been on the other side of the river nearly a month, and had ceased to
be a curiosity to the rebel inhabitants in the vicinity; and like
sensible people, as they were in this respect if in no other, they
devoted the hours of darkness to sleep. On the shore opposite the camp,
they found a battery of artillery. Rude field-works had been constructed
near the water, on which the guns of the company had been placed. Our
travelers were too modest to make the acquaintance of the rebels, and
kept at a respectful distance from them, crawling on the ground near
enough to ascertain the force of the enemy.

Taking to the fields for greater safety, the scouts went up the river
several miles farther, without making any discoveries worthy of notice.
The object of the excursion had been fully accomplished; and they began
to retrace their steps towards the creek, where the boat was waiting
their return. When we are well employed, time passes away very rapidly;
and our adventurers had taken no note of its passage. Before they had
made a single mile, the bright streaks of day in the east warned them
that they had remained too long for their own safety.

The prospect of being examined by rebel officers in broad daylight was
not pleasant; and, increasing their speed, they walked by the shortest
way towards the creek. When they had passed the battery of artillery,
they abandoned the fields, through which they could make but slow
progress, for the road. They had three miles farther to go, and it was
now nearly sunrise.

"I think we must have lost two or three hours," said Somers as they
hastened on their way. "I had no idea that it was more than two o'clock
in the morning when we turned about."

"Nor I," replied De Banyan. "We must have spent two or three hours in
crawling on the ground about that battery."

"I don't see where the time is all gone."

"It goes fast w