Relieved as to this, and confident the fellow dare not play us false, I could take notice of other things, and permit my thoughts to wander.

There was little to be seen or heard; except for the musical tinkle of the stream, all to the right was silence, but from the other side there arose an occasional sound, borne faintly from a distance--a voice calling, the blare of a far-off bugle, the echo of a hammer pounding on iron.

Once through the obscuring branches the fitful yellow of a camp-fire was dimly visible, but the ravine twisted so that I could not determine whether this was from Federal or Confederate lines.

Anyhow no eye saw us creep past, and no suspicious voice challenged.

Indeed we had every reason to believe the ravine unguarded, although pickets were undoubtedly patrolling the east bank, and there were places we must go close in under its shadow.
So intent had I been upon this adventure, my mind concentrated on details, that the personal equation had been entirely forgotten.