"The Yanks have gone into camp on Hicks' farm. They seem to be making free with Hicks' fodder, pigs and 'taters (here Hicks was heard to groan), and it looks as if they intended to stay all night." "What do you say, Billy? Shall we attack them there?" asked Jerry. "Stevens saw how they were situated. Let's hear what he thinks." "We might whip them, but it would be a costly job," answered Stevens. "We had a taste of how they can fight this afternoon. My advice is to let them alone tonight and they will think we have run entirely away. When they are not attacked nor hear anything from us, they will move out kind of careless." "Then your idea is to attack them in the morning?" asked Jerry. "Yes, and I know a capital place. It is where this road crosses the main road. This side of the main road is covered with bushes for about two hundred yards, then come clear fields. Along the edge of the fields the ground descends this way. We can leave our horses in the field, the men hide in the brush along the road, and when they come along we can annihilate them with one volley." "What do you think of the plan, Billy?" asked Jerry. "It's all right. If it works well we ought to finish them without the loss of a man. Even if they discover us, we will have the advantage of position, and we have two men to their one. If we cannot whip them I shall lose my confidence in you as a fighter." "Well said, Billy. Tomorrow morning it is. I will never rest until I leave the body of Lawrence Middleton swinging on a tree." Then turning to his lieutenant, Jerry said, "As you know the ground, Stevens, I will leave the details to you. See the troop is on the ground by daylight. Mind you don't fail me." Thus speaking, Jerry and Billy rode back and in a few moments were followed by the other four. As soon as the sound of their horses' hoofs died away, Harry drew a long breath. "I say, Jack," he exclaimed, "this is a cinch. Got all we want without half trying. Now to camp as quick as we can." They started back on the run, but Bruno soon gave notice of danger and they hid while four men passed them. "Recruits for Jerry," said Harry. "He may have two hundred men by morning." When they came to the main road both were breathing heavily from their run. "Let's stop here a moment," panted Harry. "Here is where they propose to ambush us, and a jolly good place it is for the job. But let's hurry on. Cap can't learn of this too quick." Again they started on the run, and did not stop until they were halted by the picket guarding the road. CHAPTER XVIII LIVE--I CANNOT SHOOT YOU "Back so soon!" cried Lawrence, grasping Harry's hand, as he came up. "Thank God you are back safe!" "Never had an easier job, did we, Jack?" laughed Harry. "Even Bruno is ashamed of himself, it was so easy." "And you found out what you were after?" "Yes," and Harry told his story. Lawrence and Dan listened in silence. "What do you think, Dan?" asked Lawrence.