Feeling confident of their game the Confederates allowed him to go up higher until his form began to fade from sight.
“We can take him as he comes down,” said Boggs. “Look sharp for him, boys.”
This was spoken in an undertone which of course did not reach the scout’s ears, though he knew well enough their intentions.
Higher and higher he rapidly ascended the tree, until at last he was near the top.
Parting the thick branches he gazed out upon the surrounding country scene for several miles in the clear starlight. Had it been daylight he might have seen distinctly a wide panorama of scenery.
As he had expected to do he gazed upon the tents of an encampment of the Federal troops. He knew well enough it was McPherson’s corps lying in wait, undecided as yet whether to move boldly upon Reseca or to retreat.
The forces were but a few miles away and fixing the direction in his mind he began to look around him for some avenue of escape, knowing that he had but a few minutes in which to act.
Peering down through the matted branches he saw that the Confederates were listlessly waiting his movements. At the least cause for alarm they would be active enough, though evidently they felt certain of their prey.
As we have already told the pine stood near to the house, so near in fact that Cavalry Curt had noticed that its branches touched the building.
Particularly were they thick together and long at a point objective to the chamber windows. Here was where the scout hoped to escape.