"That is vat I vill try to do."

The order to march was given. Lysander proceeded a few paces in advance,
accompanied by Ropes and the two guides. The troops followed in silence,
with dull, irregular tramp, filing through obscure hollows, over barren
ridges crowned by a few thistles and mulleins, and by the edges of
thickets which the fires had not reached. At length they came to a tract
of the burned woods. The word "halt!" was whispered. The sound of
tramping feet was suddenly hushed, and the slender column of troops,
winding like a dark serpent up the side of the mountain, became
motionless.

"All right so far, Pepperill?"

"Wal, I hain't made nary mistake yet, cap'm."

Pepperill recognized the woods in which, when flying to the cave with
Virginia, Penn, and Cudjo, they had found themselves surrounded by
fires.

"How far is it now to your ravine?"

"Nigh on to half a mile, I reckon."

"Shall we go through these woods?"

"It's the nighest to go through 'em. But I s'pose we can git around if
we try."

"The moon sets early. We'd better take the nearest way," said the
captain. "Well, Dutchy,"--for the first time deigning to consult
Carl,--"this route is taking us to the cave, too, ain't it?"

"Wery certain," said Carl, "prowided you go far enough, and turn often
enough, and never lose the vay."

"That'll be your risk, Dutchy. Look out for the landmarks, so that when
Pepperill stops you can keep on."

"I vill look out, but if they have all been purnt up since I vas here,
how wery wexing!"

This wood had been but partially consumed when the flames were checked
by the rain. Many trunks were still standing, naked, charred, stretching
their black despairing arms to the moon. The shadows of these ghostly
trees slanted along the silent field of desolation, or lay entangled
with the dark logs and limbs of trees which had fallen, and from which,
at short distances, they were scarcely distinguishable. Here and there
smouldered a heap of rubbish, its pallid smoke rising noiselessly in the
bluish light. There were heaps of ashes still hot; half-burned brands
sparkled in the darkness; and now and then a stump or branch emitted a
still bright flame.

Through this scene of blackness and ruin, rendered gloomily picturesque
by the moonlight, the men picked their way. Not a word was spoken; but
occasionally a muttered curse told that some ill-protected foot had come
in contact with live cinders, or that some unlucky leg