two hours they were
in touch with the enemy, near Bridgeton. Jack and his companions, in the
rear, heard the sound of firing, which soon became general. And then,
unhampered, Jack sped for the place where he had already cut the
railroad, and, in two hours theoretically destroyed nearly half a mile
of track.

"They're in a trap, now," he cried. "They'll never get by here!"

CHAPTER XVI

THE PERIL IN THE WOODS

It was nearly seven o'clock that evening, and quite dark, when Jack and
the others rejoined the main body of the Troop of Scouts at Bremerton.

Durland was full of enthusiasm.

"The war is as good as over," he said, happily. "We've licked them
utterly! It's just a question now of what they'll be able to save from
the wreck. The brigade that made the raid toward Fessenden Junction was
annihilated by Bean, cut off, and forced to surrender. General Bliss is
in full retreat upon Hardport from Mardean, and the invasion has been
repelled. Our cavalry is pursuing him, and I think we will be in
Hardport again to-morrow. Whatever fighting remains to be done will be
on their side of the line, and the capital is safe."

"Will there be any more fighting to-night, Captain?" asked Jack.

"Only by the cavalry. They are worrying Bliss as much as possible in his
retreat, and we'll probably pick up a few guns. We outnumber them
decidedly now, as we have taken nearly eleven thousand prisoners in the
last two days, and there is no chance at all for them to take the
offensive again. General Bliss will be lucky to escape the capture of
his whole army. One of the umpires told me to-day that our success was
due entirely to the speed and accuracy with which we got information of
the movements of the enemy, which seemed to him to be remarkably well
covered."

"That's what Jack Danby's done for us," said Dick Crawford. "He's
certainly proved that the scout car has come to stay. And it was more or
less by accident that he got the chance to handle it, too."

"That's true," said Durland, "but a great many men have opportunities
just as good, and can't make use of them. It's not how a man gets a
chance to do things that counts, it's the way he uses the chance when he
gets it. And that's where Jack's skill and courage have helped him.
You've covered the Troop with glory, Jack, and we're all proud of you."

"Is there anything more for us to do to-night, sir?"

"No, indeed! I think everyone feels that the Boy Scouts have done