"The odds are only tin to one," said Dennis, chuckling as if the fact was more of a joke than a peril. "They're comin', too," he added as he pointed toward a small body of men who could be seen advancing up the side of the hill. CHAPTER IV THE V IN THE FENCE The prophecy of Dennis that a small body of men were approaching up the winding road was in part fulfilled. The men advanced until both the crouching soldiers were able to see distinctly that they were clad in the uniform of gray. This fact confirmed their suspicions that somehow the small body of men had come between them and the camp at Harper's Ferry. Just what this meant or how much it implied, neither was able to conjecture. The afternoon sun was low in the western sky. As Noel glanced behind him he became aware of this fact, and with it also came a hope that if the advancing party might be kept off until the sun had set, the darkness would provide a shelter under which he and his companion might be able to retrace their way to camp. "They're stoppin', lad!" whispered Dennis excitedly. "So they are," replied Noel "If they will only stay there we may be able to get away from here after all." "But they have seen us," protested Dennis. "I know it," answered Noel. "But they may not be able to see us now." "There's one thing," said Dennis; "they don't know how many there are here. If they have seen only two, it may be they think we're part of a big company. We'll do all we can to lave them believe that. We don't want any closer acquaintance with any of thim Johnnies." It was manifest that the party had halted in the road, and whether or not there was any prospect of an advance was something which the boys could not determine. Behind him Noel saw that the field sloped towards some woods that were not more than one hundred yards away. Once within the shelter of the trees, safety for a time at least might be secured, but in passing across the open field, even on the slightly sloping ground, they would be exposed to the fire of the men in the road. Suddenly Dennis exclaimed, "Look yonder, me boy! Is that a spade, or do me eyes deceive me?" Glancing quickly at the corner in the fence Noel saw a spade resting upon the ground, where it plainly had been abandoned by some one who had been repairing the fence. "Be careful, Dennis. You'll be seen if you try to get that." "Niver fear, me lad. That spade is worth its weight in gold, and I'm the boy that is goin' to try for it." Instantly acting upon his own suggestion Dennis crawled slowly through the grass and stubble and carefully attempted to gain the implement. Noel meanwhile anxiously watched his friend, fearful every moment that the report of guns in the distance would be heard. His fears, however, were relieved when in a few minutes Dennis returned with the spade. "There, now!" he exclaimed. "We'll be ready for the Johnnies in a jiffy. Just watch me!"