im.

Harry fired into the mass the next instant; a few random shots replied,
and another impetus of fear spurred the mob onward.

Fortner and Harry sped away to another point of interception, where
the same scene was repeated, and then to another, and then to a third,
Fortner muttering after each shot his disappointment at not finding the
one whom he anxiously sought.

When they hurried away the third time they were compelled to make a
wide circuit, for the little valley suddenly broadened out into a
considerable plain. Upon this the long-drawn-out line of fugitives
gathered in a compact, turmoiling mass.

"That's Little Rockassel Ford," said Fortner, pointing with his left
hand to the base of the mountain that rose steeply above the farther
side of the commotion. "That's Rockassel Mountain runnin' up thar inter
the clouds. The Little Rockassel River runs round hits foot. That's
what's a-stoppin' 'em. They'll hev a turrible time gittin' acrost hit.
Hit's mouty hard crossin' at enny time, but hit's awful now, fur the
Rockassel's boomin'. The big rains hev sent her up kitin', an' hit's now
breast-deep thar in the Ford. We'll git round whar we kin see hit all."

Another wide detour to keep themselves in the concealment of the woods
brough Fortner and Harry out upon an acclivity that almost overhung the
ford, and those gathered around it. The two Unionists crawled cautiously
through the cedars and laurel to the very edge of the cliff and looked
down upon their enemies. They were so near that everything was plainly
visible, and the hum of conversation reached their ears. They could even
hear the commands of the officers vainly trying to restore order, the
curses of the teamsters upon their jaded animals, the ribald songs of
the few whose canteens furnished them with forgetfulness of defeat, and
contempt for the surrounding misery.

All the flooding showers which had been falling upon hundreds of square
miles of precipitous mountin sides were now gorging through the crooked,
narrow throat of the Little Rockcastle. The torrent filled the ragged
banks to the brim, and in their greedy swirl undermined and tore from
there logs, great trees, and even rocks.

This was the barrier that stayed the flight of the fugitive throng,
and it was this that they strove to put between them and the presumed
revengeful victors.

On the bank, field and line officers labored to calm their men and
restore organization. It was in vain that