“Some big sulphur springs spout out of the bank and run down to the river. They are fine and healthy to drink an' there's a lot of cottages built up by people who come there to stay a while. But I guess them people have gone away. It ain't no place for health just at this time.”
“That's a certainty,” said Colonel Winchester.
“An' then there's the bridge, which, as we know, the cavalry has broke down.”
“Fortunately. But can't we go a little faster, boys?”
There was a well defined road and Shattuck now led them at a gallop. As they approached the springs they checked their speed, owing to the increasing darkness. But Dick's good ears soon told him that something was happening at the springs. He heard faintly the sound of voices, and the clank and rattle which many men with weapons cannot keep from making now and then.
“I'm afraid, sir,” he said to Colonel Winchester, “that they're already across.”
The little troop stopped at the command of its leader and all listened intently. It was very dark now and the wood was moaning, but the columns of air came directly from the wood, bearing clearly upon their crest the noises made by regiments.
“You're right, Dick,” said Colonel Winchester, bitter mortification showing in his tone. “They're there, and they're on our side of the river. Oh, we might have known it! They say that Stonewall Jackson never sleeps, and they make no mistake, when they call his infantry foot cavalry!”
Dick was silent. He shared his leader's intense disappointment, but he knew that it was not for him to speak at this moment.
“Mr. Shattuck,” said Colonel Winchester, “how near do you think we can approach without being seen?”