"No, Harry, you must not go that way. They're so vigilant that you would not have any possible chance. Nor can you ride. You must leave your horse behind."
"What way then must I go, sir?"
"By the river. We have gathered up a few small boats, used at the crossing here. You can row, can't you?"
"Fairly well, sir."
"'Twill do, because you're not to stay in the boat long. I want you to drop down the stream until you're well beyond the Federal lines. Then leave the boat and strike out across the country for General Lee. You know the way. You can buy or seize a horse, and you must not fail."
"I will not fail," said Harry confidently.
"You'll succeed if anybody will, and now you must be off. Your pistols are loaded, Harry? You may have to use them."
They did not delay a minute, going down the shelving shore to the Potomac, where a man held a small boat against the bank.
"Get in, Harry," said Sherburne. "You'd better drop down three or four miles, at least. Good-by and good luck."
He shook hands with his colonel and Dalton, took the oars and pulled far out into the stream.