Captain Sherburne told Captain McGee that the invaders were coming,
and there was a stir in the ranks of the defenders. The cavalrymen,
disciplined and eager, said nothing, but merely moved a little in order
to see better along the road over which the enemy was advancing. The
original defenders, who were infantry, talked in whispers, despite
commands, and exchanged doubts and apprehensions.

Harry walked up and down in front of the warehouse with Captain Sherburne,
and both watched the road.

"If we only had a little artillery, just a light gun or two," said
Sherburne, "we'd give 'em such a surprise that they'd never get over it."

"But we haven't got it."

"No, we haven't, but maybe rifles and carbines will serve."

The hoofbeats were fast growing louder, and Harry knew that the head of
the Northern column would appear in a minute or two. Every light in
the warehouse or about it and all in the village had been extinguished,
but the moonlight was clear and more stars had come into the full sky.

"We can see well enough for a fight," murmured Captain Sherburne.

Everybody could hear the hoofbeats now, and again there was a stir in
the ranks of the defenders. The dark line appeared in the road three or
four hundred yards away and then, as the horsemen emerged into the open,
they deployed rapidly by companies. They, too, were trained men, and