from it. Leading their horses, the company got along faster than
before, but still had some distance to go before they reached the
stream. The escort of the train seemed to be discouraged at the
prospect before them; though they still worked hard at the wheels, and
their progress seemed to be slower than when first seen.

"I reckon we shall have a fight on this medder, Milton, and you must
ride back and report to the leftenant," said Life as he descended from
the tree. "Them half-starved Cornfeds won't give it up; for a dozen or
more wagins, loaded with rations, is a prize to them, to say nothin' of
the army in which they train. Your horse is well rested now, and you
must make the gravel fly on your way to the road; for I reckon the
re-enforcements will be needed as soon as they can get here."

"All right, Sergeant; I will make the distance as fast as we did
coming," replied Milton as he started his horse, and immediately
hurried him to a gallop.

Life Knox ascended the tree again, seated himself on a branch, and
proceeded to watch the "Cornfeds." In about ten minutes more they
reached the stream; but they had some difficulty in making their horses
go down the steep bank, for the animals were evidently disgusted with
their experience in the soft soil. The troopers stamped down the sods;
and after making an inclined plane to the water, they rode down into
the flowing current. The horses, perhaps concluding that they had made
this movement to be watered, fell to drinking as though they had had no
water that day.

Life was rather disappointed when he saw the company making so good
progress in this novel road, and they soon reached their nearest point
to the coveted wagons. The enemy were now within twenty rods of the
train. Half an hour had elapsed since Milton left, and it was about
time for the re-enforcement to appear.

The sergeant wanted to do something to retard the advance of the
company; and, at the top of his ample lungs, he began to give military
commands, as though he had a regiment in charge. The enemy heard his
voice, and halted where they were in the stream.

CHAPTER XVI

AN IMAGINARY AND A REAL BATTLE

"Company--halt!" yelled Sergeant Knox; and he continued to give orders,
as though he were in the act of bringing a column into position.

The enemy halted, as if in obedience to the command of the sergeant on
the shore. His commands were plainly heard in the still air of the
morning by the t