Thus gazing about with no certain purpose, I saw a figure coming toward me. One of our sharpshooters or spies returning from explorations, was my first thought. But this thought quickly yielded to another, in which wonderment was mingled to a marked extent. That figure was familiar. I had seen that swing, that manner, before. My wonderment increased, and I decided to observe closely. I stepped farther aside that I might not be seen, of which, however, there was but small chance, so long as I sought concealment. The figure veered a little from me, choosing a course where the night lay thickest. I was unable to make up my mind about it. Once I had taken another figure that looked like it for Albert, and once I had taken it for Albert’s sister, and each time I had been wrong. Now I had my choice, and also the results of experience, and remained perplexed. I resolved to follow. There might be mischief afoot. Albert was quite capable of it, if Albert’s sister was not. The figure proceeded toward our post, where I had left Whitestone in command for the time being. I fell in behind, preserving a convenient distance between us. Ahead of us I saw a spark of fire, tiny but distinct. I knew very well that it was the light of Whitestone’s pipe. I expected the figure that I was following to turn aside, but it did not. Instead, after a moment’s pause, as if for examination, it went straight on toward the spark of light. I continued to follow. Whitestone was alone. The soldiers were not visible. I suppose they were farther back. The gallant sergeant raised his rifle at sight of the approaching figure, but dropped it when he perceived that nothing hostile was intended. “Good evening, Miss Van Auken,” he said most politely. “Have you come to surrender?” “No,” replied Kate, “but to make inquiries, sergeant, if you would be so kind as to answer them.” “If it’s not against my duty,” replied Whitestone, with no abatement of his courtesy. “I wanted to know if all my friends had escaped unhurt from the battle,” she said. “I was going to ask about you first, sergeant, but I see that it is not necessary.” “What others?” said the sergeant. “Well, there’s Mr. Shelby,” she said. “Albert said he saw him in that fearful charge, the tumult of which frightened us so much.” “Oh, Mr. Shelby’s all right, ma’am,” replied the sergeant. “The fact is, he’s in command of this very post, and he’s scouting about here somewhere now. Any others, ma’am, you wish to ask about?” “I don’t recall any just now,” she said, “and I suppose I ought to go back, or you might be compelled to arrest me as a spy, or something of that kind.” The sergeant made another deep bow. Whitestone always thought he had fine manners. Kate began her return. She did not see me, for I had stepped aside. But I was very glad that I had seen her. I watched her until she re-entered the British camp.