"It shows that the enemy at least is watching, and that while we may
retreat unattacked it will not be unobserved. Hark! do you hear that,
George? It's rifle shots, isn't it?"

"Yes, and a lot of 'em, but they're a long distance away. I don't think
we could hear 'em at all if it were not night time."

"But it means something! There they go again! I believe it's a heavy
skirmish and it's in the direction in which Sherburne rode."

"The general's up. It's likely that one of us will be sent to see what
it's all about."

General Lee and his whole staff had risen and were listening attentively.
The faint sound of many shots still came, and then a sharper, more
penetrating crash, as if light field guns were at work. The commander
beckoned to Harry.

"Ride toward it," he said briefly, "and return with a report as soon as
you can."

Harry touched his cap, sprang upon his horse and galloped away. He knew
that other messengers would be dispatched also, but, as he had been sent
first, he wished to arrive first. He found a path among the trees along
which he could make good speed, and, keeping his mind fixed on the firing,
he sped forward.

Thousands of soldiers lay asleep in the woods and fields on either side
of him, but the thud of the horse's hoofs awakened few of them. Nor did