Louis broke off short as three horsemen appeared at the ridge of the hill just beyond the brook. The three horsemen wore the uniforms and trappings of cavalrymen. In a moment more they were leading their animals down to the brook for a drink. Feeling they might be a detachment of the enemy, the two Union boys started to withdraw from sight. But the movement came too late. “Halt, there!” came the command, and in a moment more the three cavalrymen were upon them. CHAPTER VI THE VOLUNTEERS AT THE CAPITOL The men who had come so unexpectedly upon Louis and Harry Bingham were noble-looking fellows, all well-built and past middle age. Their trappings were of the finest, and by his shoulder-straps Louis saw that one of the number was a captain. “Well, young men, where are you bound?” demanded the captain of the trio. “Bound for Frederick,” answered Harry, having taken his cue from Louis’s former speech. “Frederick, eh? Do you intend to remain in that city?” “That depends.” “Don’t you think you are bound for Washington?” put in a second of the cavalrymen. “What if we were?” asked Louis, cautiously. “Well, if I were in your place I wouldn’t be ashamed to own it.” “Neither we are,” burst out Harry, without stopping to think twice. “Are you alone?” was the next question put. “Can’t you see that we are?” was Louis’s counter query. “But by your caps you belong to some company, I take it,” went on the cavalry captain. “Where is the rest of that company?” “On the road somewhere.” “Humph!” There was a moment of silence. “Come, boys, it is useless to waste time here,” and having watered his horse the captain of the strangers rode off, followed by his two companions. “Now, what does that mean?” demanded Harry Bingham, as soon as they were left alone. “That is what I would like to know,” said Louis, much disturbed. “I wonder if those fellows belong to a cavalry troop close at hand?” “More than likely.” “Then they may hunt up our boys and cause trouble.” “Shall we go back?” “I think one of us might. The other can go ahead, as Captain Paulding directed.” This was agreed to, and by tossing up a cent it was decided that Harry Bingham should return to the Goreville Volunteers, while Louis went on as originally intended, but with increased vigilance. In five minutes more they had separated, and Louis was stalking sturdily along towards Frederick. The road now led beside a number of plantation fields where numerous colored hands were hard at work getting the ground into shape for the coming summer. Many of the slaves eyed Louis curiously, but none asked him questions. Several, noting his cap, haversack, and gun, grinned broadly, but that was all.