"I was ordered to report anything that looked like a blaze," said Dick, when the non-commissioned officer came up. "Just cast your eye in that direction and tell me—"
"Great Scott!" exclaimed the corporal.
"See it, don't you?" said Dick. "Well, now, look over that way, and tell me if there isn't another just breaking out."
Dick pointed toward the woods, which were so thick that not the first glimmer of light could come through them, and although the corporal bent almost to the ground and twisted himself into all sorts of uncomfortable shapes, he was obliged to confess that he could not see anything that looked like a fire.
"I'm sure I saw it not more than a minute ago," said Dick, who, of course, did not tell the corporal that he had been several yards from his post when he saw it. "Perhaps if you go across the road you can get a view of it."
The corporal went, and one look was enough to satisfy him. When he returned he was highly excited.
"The niggers are at it, sure as you live," said he. "That's right in range of Mr. Riley's house."
"Too far to the right for that," replied the sentry. "Looks to be more like Elder Bowen's."
"It can't be," exclaimed the corporal incredulously. "The negroes wouldn't hurt him."
"No; but the secessionists might."