To the southeast I hear the boom of a distant gun--and another. I hurry on. What do they mean by fighting down there?
I keep looking out for a horse, but I see none--none in the fields or roads or pastures or lots. This war-stricken land is bare. No smoke rises from the farmhouses. The fields are untilled; the roads are untravelled. There are no horses in such a land.
I reach a wide public road running east and west, Hoof-prints cover the road--hoof-prints going west; our cavalry; I almost shout and weep for joy. The cavalry will certainly detect Lee's movement. That is, if they go far enough west.
Again the dull booming of cannon in the far southeast. What does it mean? It means, I know it, I feel certain of it, it means that Lee is preventing Meade's retreat by deceiving him. Those guns are only to deceive.
On the wide public road I turn eastward--straight down the road. Other cavalry may be coming or going.
The road turns sharply toward the northeast. I cease to follow it. I go straight eastward, hoping to shorten the way and find the road beyond the hill. What is that I see through the trees? It looks like a man. It is a man, and in blue uniform. From mere habit I cock my rifle and hold it at the ready. I cannot see that he is armed. I go straight to him. He is lying on the ground, with his back toward me. He hears me. He rises to his feet. He is unarmed. He is greatly astonished, but is silent.
"What are you doing here?"
"I surrender," he says.
"Very well, then," I say; "guide me at once to the nearest body of your men."
He opens wide eyes. He says, "All right, if that's your game."