ng, and they don't anticipate any great danger, because we
don't care to shoot at one another, until the campaign really begins."

"At least," said Warner, "it's best to apply to the problem a good
algebraic formula. Here we are in a wood, some distance from our main
camp. Messages, bearing a warning either in jest or in earnest, have
come floating down from a point which may be within the enemy's country.
One of the facts is x and the other is y, but what they amount to is an
unknown quantity. Hence we are left in doubt, and when you're in doubt
it's best to do the safe thing."

"Which means that we should go back to the camp," said Dick. "But we'll
take our fish with us, that's sure."

They began to wind up their lines, but knowing that departure would be
prudent they were yet reluctant to go in the face of a hidden danger,
which after all might not be real.

"Suppose I climb this tree," said Pennington, indicating a tall elm,
"and I may be able to get a good look over the country, while you fellows
keep watch."

"Up you go, Frank," said Dick. "George and I will be on guard, pistols
in one hand and fish in the other."

Pennington climbed the elm rapidly and then announced from the highest
bough able to support him that he saw open country beyond, then more
woods, a glimpse of the stream above the elbow, but no human being.
He added that he would remain a few minutes in the tree and continue his
survey of the country.

Dick's eyes had followed Frank's figure until it disappeared among the
brown leaves, and he had listened to him carefully, while he was telling
the result of his outlook, but his attention now turned back to the
river. No more chips were floating down its stream. Nothing foreign
appeared upon the clear surface of its waters, but Dick's sharp vision
caught sight of something in a thicket on the far shore that made his
heart beat.

It was but little he saw, merely the brown edge of an enormous flap-
brimmed hat, but it was enough. Slade and his men undoubtedly were there--
practically within the Union lines--and he was the danger! He called up
the tree in a fierce sibilant whisper that carried amazingly far:

"Come down, Frank! Come down at once, for your life!"

It was a call so alarming and insistent that Pennington almost dropped
from the tree. He was upon the ground, breathless, in a half minute,
his fish in one hand and the pistol that he had snatched from his belt
in the other.