"
Swartz looked suddenly toward me--his smiles had all vanished.
"The paper! give me the paper!" exclaimed Mohun; "you shall have gold
for it!"
"I have left it in Culpeper, general."
"Liar!--give me the paper!"
Swartz started to his feet.
Mohun caught at his throat--the spy recoiled--when suddenly a quick
firing was heard coming rapidly from the direction of Germanna Ford.
"The enemy have crossed, Mohun!" I cried.
Mohun started, and turned his head in the direction of the sound.
"They are advancing!" I said, "but look out!--the spy!--"
Mohun wheeled, drawing his pistol.
Swartz had profited by the moment, when our attention was attracted by
the firing, to pass through the door, gain his horse at a bound, and
throw himself into the saddle, with an agility that was incredible in
one so fat.
At the same moment Mohun's pistol-shot responded, but the bullet
whistled harmlessly over the spy's head. In an instant he had
disappeared in the woods.
Mohun rushed to his horse, I followed, and we were soon riding at full
speed in the direction of the firing.
As we advanced, however, it receded. We pushed on, and reached the bank
of the Rapidan just as Mohun's men had driven a party of the enemy
over.
It was only a small body, who, crossing at a private ford and
surprising the sleepy picket, had raided into the thicket, to retire
promptly when they were assailed.
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