f the mountains."

"As the idea has occurred to me I take it that it will occur to Little
Phil also," said Warner.

"Are you sure that he hasn't thought of it first?"

"My politeness forbids an answer. I am but a lieutenant and he is our
commander."

The rest of the day was spent in massing the troops across the valley,
the Winchester regiment being sent further west until it was against
the base of the Massanuttons. Here Shepard came in the twilight and
conferred with Colonel Winchester, who called Dick.

"Dick," he said, "Mr. Shepard thinks he can obtain information of value
on the mountain. He has an idea that some fighting may occur, and so
it's better for a small detachment to go with him. I've selected you to
lead the party, because you're at home in the woods."

"May I take Lieutenant Warner and Lieutenant Pennington with me? It
would hurt their feelings to be left behind."

"Yes. Under no circumstances must the feelings of those two young men be
hurt," laughed Colonel Winchester.

"And Sergeant Whitley, too? He's probably the best scout in our army.
He can follow a trail where there is no trail. He can see in the pitchy
dark, and he can hear the leaves falling."

"High recommendations, but they're almost true. Take the sergeant by all
means. I fancy you'll need him."

The whole party numbered about a dozen, and Shepard was the guide.
It was dismounted, of course, as the first slope they intended to carry
was too steep for a horse to climb. They were also heavily armed,
it being absolutely certain that Southern riflemen were on Massanutton
Mountain.

Dick and Shepard were in the lead, and, climbing up at a sharp angle,
they quickly disappeared from the view of those below. It was as if
night and the wilderness had blotted them out, but every member of
the little party felt relief and actual pleasure in the expedition.
Something mysterious and unknown lay before them, and they were anxious
to find out what it was.

Shepard whispered to Dick of the care that they must take against their
foes, and Warner whispered to Pennington that the mountain was really
fine, although finer ridges could be found in Vermont.

Two hundred yards up, and Shepard, touching Dick's shoulder, pointed
to the valley. The whole party stopped and looked back. Although
themselves buried in brown foliage they saw the floor of the valley all
the way to the mountains on the other side, and it was a wonderful sight,