hidden pools and sloughs was betrayed by startled splashings; a few
paces from their marching feet arose the sunlit pinions of a swan.
The air was filled with multitudinous small cries and pipings. In
this vocal confusion it was some minutes before he recognized the
voice of one of his out-flankers calling to the other.

An important discovery had been made. In a long tongue of bushes
that ran down to the Marsh they had found a mud-stained uniform,
complete even to the cap, bearing the initial of the deserter's
company.

"Is there any hut or cabin hereabouts, Schmidt?" asked Calvert.

"Dot vos schoost it, Lefdennun," replied his corporal. "Dot vos de
shanty from der Kingvisher--old Gulbebber. I pet a dollar, py
shimminy, dot der men haf der gekommt."

He pointed through the brake to a long, low building that now
raised itself, white in the sunlight, above the many blackened
piles. Calvert saw in a single reconnoitring glance that it had
but one approach--the flight of steps from the Marsh. Instructing
his men to fall in on the outer edge of the brake and await his
orders, he quickly made his way across the space and ascended the
steps. Passing along the gallery he knocked at the front door.
There was no response. He repeated his knock. Then the window
beside it opened suddenly, and he was confronted with the double-
muzzle of a long ducking-gun. Glancing instinctively along the
barrels, he saw at their other extremity the bright eyes, brilliant
color, and small set mouth of a remarkably handsome girl. It was
the fact, and to the credit of his training, that he paid more