It was marvelous to see what he was able to accomplish with his spade and still without exposing himself to the possible fire of the enemy, who were not moving from the position where they had halted some distance up the road. As soon as a slight excavation had been made, both Noel and Dennis leaped into it. A few fence rails were also secured and piled upon the fence in front of them. "You see now," said Dennis, "we're ready for almost any kind of an attack." Noel smiled, though he made no reply. The full seriousness of the peril in which he and his companion now found themselves was plain. They were confronted by a band which had seen them scurrying across the road, and though the gray-clad soldiers had halted some distance down the road the young soldier was aware that they knew of the presence of the two boys in blue. Why they had not advanced he did not understand. He was afraid to make the attempt to gain the woods in his rear, as he believed his enemies were still watchful and that any effort to escape would meet with a quick fire. Meanwhile Dennis had succeeded in digging a ditch along the two sides of the V-shaped rail fence. "There," he exclaimed, with a sigh of relief. "That will keep out the Johnnies, I'm thinkin'." "Not very long," said Noel quickly. "But they don't know how many there are of us," declared Dennis. "If they try to attack us there will be a couple of thim what shurely will nade the sarvices of the surgeon." "We may need the services of the undertaker." "Not yet, sor!" said Dennis with a laugh. It was apparently impossible for the young Irish soldier to realize the seriousness of the position in which he and his comrade now found themselves. "We'll wait a while, anyway," said Noel, "before we do anything. If they don't attack us, we'll not make any trouble for them." "I'm not so shure o' that," said Dennis. "We won't yet, anyway," said Noel quietly, fearful that his impulsive friend, if the attack should be delayed, would become impatient and with difficulty would be held back from firing at the men who were so near. Glancing again at the band of Confederates, Noel was still more puzzled by their inactivity. Apparently they had broken ranks and were sitting or lying about on the ground near the road, though guards had been stationed in front and rear. The moments dragged slowly on, and the confidence of Noel that an attack was not to be made upon them gradually became stronger. The afternoon sun now was not more than a half-hour above the horizon. If they should be left free for another hour, he was hopeful that they might make their way to the near-by woods and by a wide detour be able to return to the camp at Harper's Ferry. "Shure!" said Dennis, after a few more minutes had elapsed, "we can't lave the Johnnies like this." "You had better let sleeping dogs alone," warned Noel.