"Oh, Massachusetts, of course, has more people, I'm merely speaking of the average."
"Nebraska hasn't been settled long," said Pennington, "but you just wait. When we get a population we'll make both Vermont and Massachusetts take a back seat."
"And that population, or at least the best part of it," rejoined the undaunted Warner, "will come from Vermont and Massachusetts and other New England states."
"Sunset and the gap together are close at hand," said Dick, "and however the mountains of Virginia may compare with those of Vermont, it's quite certain that the sun setting over the two states is the same."
"I concede that," said Warner; "but it looks more brilliant from the Vermont hills."
Nevertheless, the sun set in Virginia in a vast and intense glow of color, and as the twilight came they entered the gap.
CHAPTER V
AN OLD ENEMY
Despite the brilliant sunset the night came on very dark and heavy with damp. The road through the gap was none too good and the lofty slopes clothed in forest looked menacing. Many sharpshooters might lurk there, and the three colonels were anxious to reach Sheridan with their force intact, at least without further loss after the battle with Colonel Talbot's command.