The company did not pause for more than five hours, as it was daylight when the first halt was made. They had scarcely dismounted when the echoes of horses' feet were heard in the distance. "We are pursued, but we must press forward. Those sounds cannot be more than a mile in the rear. They must have ridden very rapidly. But we will escape them without difficulty. We cannot be more than ten miles from our outposts, and they will not dare pursue us much farther." They had scarcely prepared to set off again, when Nettleton said: "There come the skunks that went after the powder!" It was true. In the opposite direction came the party of twenty. Behind, they were followed by they knew not how large a force, and before, twenty rebels were approaching. Whether they could be so easily misled this time, was a matter of considerable doubt. "Quick--ride for the wood, Miss Alibamo. You may save yourself--we must fight. Stay! They see you. It will be too late; besides, we met this party once before, and they may not interrupt us at all. That which I fear most is, that they will detain us so long in conversation that the rear party will overtake us. But we must venture." "They will know me, captain," said Alibamo. "If a fight is inevitable, Alibamo, do you start for the river. White Surry can swim--he is accustomed to it. Plunge in--give him a loose rein, and he will bear you safely to the opposite shore. Then ride rapidly for camp. They are upon us." "Well, captain, the army is moving, is it not?" asked Hayward. "What army?" was the sullen question. "Why, _our_ army moves to-day--or at least the general so informed me; but I speak of the federal army. The general received information last night that Fremont would cross the river to-day at four o'clock. And I was sent to ascertain if this was so!" "Indeed! And do you usually take women with you when you act as spies?" "Not usually. But I thought _my wife_ could gain admittance to the camp much more easily than a man!" "Your wife. Bah! Very likely the general would let her go, when he knows she passes half her time singing the Star-spangled Banner, and wears the federal flag as an apron! She would betray us all, and never return." "Look you, sir!" said Hayward sternly, "I don't intend to hold any argument with you, and I will not listen to any insults or insinuations. I married Alibamo last evening. She was an old friend, and will hereafter adhere Strictly to my cause and adopt my principles. You see, she no longer wears the flag as an apron!" "I see it!" "And when approaching the federal camp, do you suppose she would take it off, unless it was of her own accord?"