"Colonel Coffee, is there any other road than the one by which we have come from Greeltop that leads to the south?" asked the major, after he had digested the report sent by his son.
"There is, and a better one than that by which the ruffians came," replied the magnate. "As nearly as I can make it out, the enemy are concealed not more than half a mile from this cross-road; but you could not get to them without going at least three miles."
"That is not a great distance for mounted men. Is the distance about three miles?"
"It will not vary half a mile from it."
"Have you your watch with you, Dexter?" asked the major.
"I have, sir; I never leave it in the baggage-wagons," replied Deck.
"What time is it now?" continued the major, as he consulted his own time-keeper.
"Ten minutes past seven," answered Deck, after he had held his watch up so that he could see the face by the light of the fire in the square.
"About right. How long will it take you to reach the spot on the hill where the second company is posted?"
"Ten minutes."