“Who goes there?”
Captain Bannister answered and gave the pass-word: and then exclaimed:
“You are as dark as the Stygian lake here, Griffin! What the d—— do you mean by it? I had nearly ridden over you.”
“The orders were to show no lights, Captain.”
“Humph! What is the news, Griffin?”
“Wiley has captured a sutler’s wagon with a lot of liquor and provisions, Captain. The major will feast you all to-night and give the men double rations, and to-morrow we are to have double rations of food and grog also.”
“That is good news indeed, Griffin, to men who have been on short commons as long as we have.”
“Hope you’ve had success, Captain. So dark I can’t see who is with you, sir.”
“Yes, we have secured the rich prize we went to seek. Good night, Griffin,” said Bannister, passing on his way, followed by all his band.
The approach to Monck’s camp was very strongly picketed; they passed several other guards, but all concealed in thick wood and deep darkness, out of which they watched and listened like crouching tigers for their prey.