The ridge was
still lined with troops, but they appeared to be scattered about at
their ease on the ground. The girl's eyes drooped; she wearily
climbed to her room and was soon asleep.
Many others slept also who would sleep again that night in the
stillness of death; others who would groan through coming days and
nights in anguished wakefulness. The temporary quiet did not deceive
the resting soldiers on either side. They well knew that the active
brains of their superiors were at work. Scoville found unexpected
duty. He was given a score of men, with orders to scour the roads to
the eastward, so that, if best, his general could retire rapidly and
in assured safety toward the objective point where he was to unite
with a larger force. Instead of resting, the young man was studying
topography and enjoying the chicken which had at last caught up with
him. He knew the importance of his work and did it thoroughly.
Having chosen the road which promised best, he marked it on a map,
expecting soon to go over it again as guide.
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