it shut out most of the moonlight. But they rode on confidently, Dick
and the sergeant leading. If it had not been for the size of the trees,
Dick would have thought that he was back in the Wilderness. They heard
now and then the wings of night birds among the leaves, and occasionally
some small animal would scuttle across the path. They forded a narrow
but deep stream, its waters black from decayed vegetation, and continued
to push on briskly through the unbroken forest, until the sergeant said
in a low voice to Dick:

"I think I hear something ahead of us."

They pulled back on the reins so suddenly that those behind almost rode
into them. Then they sat there, a solid, compact little group, while
Dick and the sergeant listened intently.

"It's hoofbeats," said Dick, "very faint, because they are far away."

"I think you are right, sir," said the sergeant.

"But they're coming this way."

"Yes, and at a steady pace. No stops and no hesitation."

"Which shows that it's somebody who doesn't fear any harm."

"The beats are pretty solid. A heavy man on a heavy horse."

"About three hundred yards away, don't you think?"

"About that, sir."