"I know it," answered Noel. "But they may not be able to see us now."
"There's one thing," said Dennis; "they don't know how many there are here. If they have seen only two, it may be they think we're part of a big company. We'll do all we can to lave them believe that. We don't want any closer acquaintance with any of thim Johnnies."
It was manifest that the party had halted in the road, and whether or not there was any prospect of an advance was something which the boys could not determine.
Behind him Noel saw that the field sloped towards some woods that were not more than one hundred yards away.
Once within the shelter of the trees, safety for a time at least might be secured, but in passing across the open field, even on the slightly sloping ground, they would be exposed to the fire of the men in the road.
Suddenly Dennis exclaimed, "Look yonder, me boy! Is that a spade, or do me eyes deceive me?"
Glancing quickly at the corner in the fence Noel saw a spade resting upon the ground, where it plainly had been abandoned by some one who had been repairing the fence.
"Be careful, Dennis. You'll be seen if you try to get that."
"Niver fear, me lad. That spade is worth its weight in gold, and I'm the boy that is goin' to try for it."
Instantly acting upon his own suggestion Dennis crawled slowly through the grass and stubble and carefully attempted to gain the implement.