"They came this way. I saw them when they turned," a voice was saying. "If I had been a little closer, I could have potted both men with one bullet."
"Why didn't you take a shot anyhow?" another asked.
"I was creeping up, trying to get closer. They have had to hide or run upon the heels of our people."
A number of men were now sitting on the very log in which Jack was hidden. The young scout saw the legs of a man standing opposite the open end of the log. Then these memorable words were spoken:
"This log is good cover for a man to hide in, but nobody is hid in it. There's a big spider's web over the opening."
There was more talk, in which it came out that nine thousand men were crossing to Gravesend.
"Come on, boys, I'm going back," said one of the party. Whereupon they went away.
Dusk was falling. Jack waited for a move from Solomon. In a few minutes he heard a stir in the brush. Then he could dimly see the face of his friend beyond the spider's web.
"Come on, my son," the latter whispered. With a feeling of real regret, Jack rent the veil of the spider and came out of his hiding-place. He brushed the silken threads from his hair and brow as he whispered:
"That old spider saved me--good luck to him!"