id as ever, but those of wood had been used for fuel by the
soldiers.

They watered their horses at a clear creek, and then Sherburne and Harry,
from the summit of a low hill, scanned the country with their glasses.

They saw no human being. There was the rolling country, brown now with
autumn, and the clear, cool streams flowing through almost every valley,
but so far as man was concerned the scene was one of desolation.

"I should think that McClellan would have mounted scouts some distance
this side of the Potomac," said Sherburne. "Certainly, if he were
making the crossing, as our reports say, he would send them ahead."

"We're sure to strike 'em before we reach the river," said Harry.

"I think with you that we'll see 'em, but it's our business to avoid
'em. We're sent forth to see and not to fight. But if General Stuart
could ride away up into Pennsylvania, make a complete circuit around the
Union army and come back without loss, then we ought to be successful
with our own task, which is an easier one."

Harry smiled.

"I never knew you to fail, Captain. I consider your task as done
already."

"Thanks, Harry. You're a noble optimist. If we fail, it will not be
for lack of trying. Forward, my lads, and we'll reach the Potomac some
time to-night."

They rode on through the same silence and desolation. They had no doubt
that eyes watched them from groves and fence corners, keeping cautiously
out of the way, because it was sometimes difficult now to tell Federals
from Confederates. But it did not matter to Sherburne. He kept a
straight course for the Potomac, at least half of his men knowing
thoroughly every foot of the way.

"What time can we reach the river and the place at which they say
McClellan is going to cross?" asked Harry.

"By midnight anyway," replied Sherburne. "Of course, we'll have to slow
down as we draw near, or we may run square into an ambush. Do you see
that grove about two miles ahead? We'll go into that first, rest our
horses, and take some food."

It was a fine oak grove, covering about an acre, with no undergrowth and
a fair amount of grass, still green under the shade, on which the horses
could graze. The trunks of the trees also were close enough together to
hide them from anyone else who was not very near. Here the men ate cold
food from their haversacks and let their horses nibble the grass for a
half hour.

They emerged refreshed and resumed their course tow