d that night, but they could find some measure of
protection. To the scouts and skirmishers and to Dick, wandering through
the forest, nature was an unmitigated foe.

But nothing could stop the boy. He was resolved to get back to the army
with the news that a heavy Southern force was across the Rappahannock.
Others might get there first with the fact, but one never knew. A
hundred might fall by the wayside, leaving it to him alone to bear the
message.

He stumbled on. He was able to keep his cartridges dry in his pouch, but
that was all. His wet, cold clothes flapped around him and he shivered
to the bone. He could see only the loom of the black forest before him,
and sometimes he slipped to the waist in swollen brooks. Then the wind
shifted and drove the sheets of rain, sprinkled with hail, directly in
his face. He was compelled to stop a while and take refuge behind a big
oak. While he shivered in the shelter of the tree the only things that
he thought of spontaneously were dry clothes, hot food, a fire and a
warm bed. The Union and its fate, gigantic as they were, slipped away
from his mind, and it took an effort of the will to bring them back.

But his will made the effort, and recalling his mission he struggled
on again. He had the river on his right, and it now became an unfailing
guide. It had probably been raining much earlier in the mountains along
the headwaters and the flood was already pouring down. The river swished
high against its banks and once or twice, when he caught dim glimpses
of it through the trees, he saw a yellow torrent bearing much brushwood
upon its bosom.

He had very little idea of his progress. It was impossible to judge of
pace under such circumstances. The army might be ten miles further on
or it might be only two. Then he found himself sliding down a muddy and
slippery bank. He grasped at weeds and bushes, but they slipped through
his hands. Then he shot into a creek, swollen by the flood, and went
over his head.

He came up, gasping, struck out and reached the further shore. Here he
found bushes more friendly than the others and pulled himself upon the
bank. But he had lost everything. His belt had broken in his struggles,
and pistols, small sword and ammunition were gone. He would be helpless
against an enemy. Then he laughed at the idea. Surely enemies would not
be in search of him at such a time and such a place.

Nevertheless when he saw an open space in front of him he pause