Noel could see that neither of the men was clad in the uniform of the Confederate army. His suspicions were confirmed that both were being used by the rebel troops to secure information concerning the presence and the actions of McClellan's army. Noel was desirous of hearing the men speak more concerning their immediate plans, but, although it was plain that neither was suspicious that any one was near, almost instinctively they both lowered their voices whenever they spoke concerning the immediate task which confronted them. An interruption was provided, however, by Noel himself. A sudden impulse to sneeze became almost uncontrollable. In spite of his efforts to repress the impulse Noel soon found that he was unable to do so, and after several attempts a prolonged and agonizing sound came from the hut, which instantly caused the two men outside to leap to their feet and gaze anxiously at the little building. CHAPTER XX THE STACK OF STRAW The little sutler was unarmed, but his companion carried a rifle, which Noel had no difficulty in concluding was of unusual excellence. Grasping the weapon in his hand, the man instantly stood leaning forward prepared for the appearance of an enemy from the place from which the unexpected sound had come. The action caused Noel at once to draw farther back from the window, although he still was watching the movements of his enemies outside. The expression of consternation that appeared on their faces, as well as the manifest fear of Levi, at another time would have caused the young soldier to laugh heartily. As it was, however, unarmed, and wearied by the labors of the preceding night, and facing one, at least, who would not hesitate to use his rifle, there was no expression of mirth on the young soldier's face. "Vat's dat?" Noel heard Levi demand of his companion. The expression of alarm on the face of the little sutler became more marked and he glanced fearfully about him as if the sound might be repeated from some other direction. "Why don't yo' all go into the shanty and find out what it is?" drawled Levi's companion. "I haven't any gun." "Well, I shan't let yo' have mine. I should not dare to trust myself a minute here with my gun in your hands. Bad enough to be shot by the Yanks, but if I should be hit by one who is neither fish, fowl, nor good red herring, I think I would feel worse about it." "You go and see who vas in dere." "I'm a-goin' to," said the man in a low voice. "That's just what I'm thinkin' of. I reckon yo'll find it's some nigger who's crawled in there and gone to sleep." As if in answer to the implied question there came at that moment from the hut a sound not unlike the sneeze which had preceded it. This time, however, the report was suddenly broken as if the guilty party had stifled the rising sounds.