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. Nor can you ride. You must leave your
horse behind."

"What way then must I go, sir?"

"By the river. We have gathered up a few small boats, used at the
crossing here. You can row, can't you?"

"Fairly well, sir."

"'Twill do, because you're not to stay in the boat long. I want you to
drop down the stream until you're well beyond the Federal lines. Then
leave the boat and strike out across the country for General Lee.
You know the way. You can buy or seize a horse, and you must not fail."

"I will not fail," said Harry confidently.

"You'll succeed if anybody will, and now you must be off. Your pistols
are loaded, Harry? You may have to use them."

They did not delay a minute, going down the shelving shore to the Potomac,
where a man held a small boat against the bank.

"Get in, Harry," said Sherburne. "You'd better drop down three or four
miles, at least. Good-by and good luck."

He shook hands with his colonel and Dalton, took the oars and pulled far
out into the stream.

CHAPTER IV

A HERALD TO LEE

When he swept out upon the sullen bosom of the Potomac, Harry looked back
only once. He saw two dim figures going up the bank, and, at its crest,
a line of lights that showed the presence of the Southern force. There
was no sound of firing, and he judged that the enemy had withdrawn to a
distance of two or three miles.

The night had turned darker since the battle cea