“That must be our course. On our right is Dalton, on our left, Buzzard’s Gap. We must look sharp or we shall run into the clutches of foes before we know it. These disguises must be cast off at the first possible moment. Now that they have served their purpose we could not be in more dangerous costumes, for were we discovered we should be mistaken for escaping slaves and shot down without a word.” These remarks were spoken in a low tone for no one knew better than the speaker the peril that lay before them. In the very heart of the enemy’s country, overrun by their troops, escape seemed well-nigh impossible. The scout spoke but a few times for the next hour and nothing occurred to check their flight. Coming to a stream he proposed that they should wash the black from their faces and hands and discard the garbs that they wore over their own. This was but a short undertaking and Mara soon appeared as herself glad to escape the uncomfortable disguise. To her surprise her companion produced a wig and a set of long, white whiskers. Then with a few deft touches he was transformed into an old man. “A staff, and my disguise is complete, is it not?” he said with a smile. “This is a favorite character of mine. Remember now you are to pass as my daughter.” “I do not wonder they call you the Wizard Scout,” declared Mara, as she looked on with amazement. “You will wonder less when you know me better, my darter,” assuming the role of his new relationship. “But I must put these old duds out of the way.” “Hark!” she exclaimed, “what is that firing?” as the sound of firearms suddenly awoke the stillness of the night. “The two armies are having a battle. From the direction I should judge that Schofield has attacked the flank of Johnston’s army. Ah, he will give the graycoats a hard tussle.” “I think you are a Northern man.” “My sympathies are for the Union, and while I can lift this good right arm of mine I will stand in its defense.” He spoke with great earnestness. “You forget that I am a rebel.” “No more than you did when you saved the life of Cavalry Curt. But have done with talk. I believe I hear a body of horsemen coming this way.” “And they are coming at a smart canter,” said Mara, as the sounds grew rapidly plainer. “It must be a skirmishing squad of Johnston’s. We can’t be far from the road.” “Do you think they will see us?” she asked. “Not if we can help it. We must look round for a hiding-place though. Ha! I believe yonder thicket is just the place for us. Let’s see about it.” Upon reaching the spot they found that a huge tree had been uptorn there, its matted roots, filled in with earth and overgrown with a thick mass of bushes forming as impenetrable a cover as could be desired. “Just the place for us,” declared the scout, “and we are near enough, so that we can see the horsemen as they pass. Crawl in and make yourself as comfortable as possible,” parting the bushes so that she had little difficulty in gaining the retreat.