"They've been beaten off," said Harry. "At least for the time," said Dalton, "but I've an idea they'll hang on our front and may attack again in a day or so." "How then are you and I to get through and tell General Lee that this is the place to bridge the Potomac, if it's to be bridged at all?" Dalton shook his head. "I don't know," he replied, "and I won't think about it until Colonel Sherburne gives his orders." The sounds of battle died in the distant woods. The last shot, whether from cannon or rifle, was fired, and the Southern troops returned to their positions, which they began to fortify strongly. Sherburne appeared presently, his uniform cut by bullets in two or three places, but his body untouched. He drew Harry and Dalton aside, where their words could not be heard by anybody else. "You two," he said, "were to report to General Lee when I thought fit. Well, the time has come; Harry, you go first, and, at a suitable moment, George will follow. We have news of surpassing importance. We took a number of prisoners in that battle and we were also lucky enough to rescue several of our men who had been held as captives. We've learned from them that General Meade, after making up his mind to pursue, followed straight behind us for a while, but he has now turned and gone southward in the direction of Frederick. He will cross South Mountain, advance toward Sharpsburg, and attempt to smash us here, with our backs to this swollen river. Why, some of the Federal leaders consider the Army of Northern Virginia as good as destroyed already!" He spoke with angry emphasis. "But it isn't," said Harry. "No, it isn't. Doubtless General Lee will learn from scouts of his own of General Meade's flanking movement, but we mustn't take the chance. Moreover, we must tell him that this is the place for our army to cross. If the river runs down in two or three days we'll have a ford here." "I'm ready to go at any moment," said Harry. "Night helping me, I may be able to ride through the lines of our enemies out there." "No, Harry, you must not go that way. They're so vigilant that you would not have any possible chance. Nor can you ride. You must leave your horse behind." "What way then must I go, sir?" "By the river. We have gathered up a few small boats, used at the crossing here. You can row, can't you?" "Fairly well, sir." "'Twill do, because you're not to stay in the boat long. I want you to drop down the stream until you're well beyond the Federal lines. Then leave the boat and strike out across the country for General Lee. You know the way. You can buy or seize a horse, and you must not fail." "I will not fail," said Harry confidently. "You'll succeed if anybody will, and now you must be off. Your pistols are loaded, Harry? You may have to use them." They did not delay a minute, going down the shelving shore to the Potomac, where a man held a small boat against the bank.