"
Shattuck advanced with certainty, and the others, true to their training,
came behind him in single file, and without noise. But as they advanced
the sounds of an army ahead of them increased, and when they reached the
edge of the covert they saw a great Confederate division on their side
of the stream, in full possession of the cottages and occupying all the
ground about them. Many men were at work, restoring the wrecked bridge,
but the others were eating their suppers or were at rest.
"There must be seven or eight thousand men here," said Dick, who did not
miss the full significance of the fact.
"So it seems," said Warner, "and I'm afraid it bodes ill for General
Pope."
CHAPTER IV
SPRINGING THE TRAP
Lying close in the bushes the little party watched the Southerners making
themselves ready for the night. The cottages were prepared for the
higher officers, but the men stacked arms in the open ground all about.
As well as they could judge by the light of the low fires, soldiers were
still crossing the river to strengthen the force already on the Union
side.
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