"I think there's a farmhouse not much further on," said Dalton, "and
we'll ask there for information. It's safe to do so because all the
people through here are on our side. There, you can see the house now."

The moonlight disclosed a farmhouse, surrounded by a lawn that was
well sprinkled with big trees, but as they approached Harry and Dalton
simultaneously reined their horses back into the wood. They had seen a
dozen troopers on the lawn, and the light was good enough to show that
their uniforms were or had been blue. A woman was standing in the open
door of the house, and one of the men, who seemed to be the leader, was
talking to her.

"Yankee scouts," whispered Harry.

"Undoubtedly. The Yankee generals are waking up--Jackson has made 'em do
it, but I didn't expect to find their scouts so far in the valley."

"Nor I. Suppose we wait here, George, until they leave."

"It's the thing to do."

They rode a little further into the woods where they were safe from
observation, and yet could watch what was passing at the house. But
they did not have to wait long. The troopers evidently got little
satisfaction from the woman to whom they were talking and turned their
horses. Harry saw her disappear inside, and he fairly heard the door
slam when it closed. The men galloped southward down the road.

Harry heard a chuckle beside him and he turned in astonishment.

"I'm laughing," said Dalton, "because I've got a right to laugh. Here in
the valley we are all kin to one another just as you people in Kentucky
are all related. The woman who stood in the doorway is Cousin Eliza
Pomeroy. She's about my seventh cousin, but she's my cousin just the
same, and if we could have heard it we would have enjoyed what she was
saying to those Yankees."

"Oughtn't we to stop also and get news, if we can?"

"Of course. We must have a talk with Cousin Eliza."

They emerged from the woods, opened the gate and rode upon the lawn. Not
a ray of light came from the house anywhere. Every door and shutter was
fast.

"Knock on the door with the hilt of your sword, Harry," said Dalton. "It
will bring Cousin Eliza. She can't have gone to sleep yet."

Harry dismounted and holding the reins of his horse over his arm,
knocked loudly. There was no reply.

"Beat harder, Harry. She's sure to hear."

Harry beat upon that door until he bruised the hilt of his sword. At
last it was thrown open violently, and a powerful woman of middle years
appea