"Have either of you crossed the ravine?" I asked, endeavoring to reach some conclusion.
"Yes, sir, Joe did. He was up in the edge of the orchard."
"See any men?"
"Not a man, sir, outside," answered the other. "But I saw shadows against the curtains on that lower floor. I couldn't tell how many; they just come an' go, only they wasn't dressed alike."
One thing was sufficiently certain—we could gain little information remaining where we were.
"Sergeant," I said, determining swiftly on a course of action, "take your men, dismounted, across the ravine, and into the orchard. Keep under cover, but get as close to the house as you can safely. Picket your horses back there beside the road."
"And you, sir?"
"I'll take Tom with me, and we'll circle that horse herd, and come up to the house from the rear. I want to discover where those fellows are, and what they are up to. See this whistle, sergeant?"
"Yes, sir."
"It gives a sharp, shrill blast. If I blow it twice, get your men inside the house instantly. I'll not sound it unless I need you at once. We'll wait here until you get across."