Danger hovered everywhere, and the utmost vigilance was necessary to guard every point.

The country was overrun with Fenian spies and emissaries, and arrests of suspicious characters were numerous.

Even at home there were traitors who needed watching, as there were some who were ready to give countenance and support to the enemy.

Thus the companies who remained at their local headquarters, and the Home Guards who were enrolled for home protection, did remarkably good service along those lines..