Well, now, we must be
pushing on. We are bound for the ford where Morgan's horse must have
come over, and shall hear from our fellows there whether they rode
straight here after crossing, as, if so, there can be no doubt whatever
that the rocket was a signal."
Upon arriving at the ford they found that Morgan's horse had only
crossed an hour before the time at which they arrived at Mr. Jackson's.
One of the scouts had instantly taken word to the nearest cavalry
outpost, but the enemy had recrossed the river before these had arrived
on the spot.
After three days on duty at the front, the party returned to their
lines, and the next time that the young men rode out to their friends
they took with them Jake and Peter, to whom they related the
circumstances.
The scouts proceeded on foot and separated from the others a mile before
reaching the house, having arranged that Peter should scout round it,
while Jake should proceed to the plantation of Mr. Chermside and keep a
sharp lookout there.
They had arranged with Mr. Jackson that no mention of the rocket should
be made to anyone, however intimate with the family.
"I am glad to see you again," the host said, as they entered the room
where the family were assembled, "although I own that these two raids of
Morgan's horse have made me uneasy. The girls have been immensely amused
at your suspicions of young Chermside."
"How could you think such a thing?" Isabelle said. "He was here on the
following evening, and was as indignant as we were at the thought of
treachery being at work.
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