"That's no joke, Dennis," said Noel positively. "If we do what you say, they will think they are being attacked on the other side, and if they retreat they will come straight toward this place where we are now."
"Shure, but they won't retreat," said Dennis. "It's positive I am that they will be puttin' straight for the place where they think these guns are bein' fired."
"Then that will give us a chance to get away."
"Which may be right, my boy."
"Yes, I am right," said Noel hesitatingly. "Although I confess I don't like your scheme very much."
"We'll not fire together," said Dennis. "I'll fire first, then you fire directly after me. Be sure you don't miss that tree."
Dennis raised his gun to his shoulder, took careful aim and fired. After a brief interval Noel followed his example, though his better judgment still protested against the action as perilous.
True to the aim of the young soldiers the strange shots struck the tree just as Dennis had believed they would. An explosion followed each shot that was so loud that even the report of the guns from the V along the line of the rail fence sounded feeble.
In a moment the little Confederate band was thrown into confusion, as the men hastily arose and glanced in consternation first up the road and then in the opposite direction. They had heard the report of the guns of the two young soldiers, but, as Dennis had prophesied, the louder reports had come after the caps had been exploded when the great oak tree had been struck by the strange missiles.
Eagerly Noel peered between the rails to discover in which direction the little band would start.