He did as directed, and for a moment continued to gaze silently into
the gray dawn.

"Well?" I asked impatiently.

"There's men out there sure, plenty of 'em," he reported slowly. "It
looks to me mighty like the end of a line of battle, right there by
that big magnolia-tree. Anyhow, there must be all of twenty fellows
lying close together between there and where the corner of the house
shuts off my view. I don't see none this side anywhere, unless it's a
shooter or two hiding along the fence where the vines are thick."

"That's it, my lad," I exclaimed heartily, getting upon my feet as I
spoke. "We can stand up now, there's no danger here, but there will be
music for all of us presently. Those fellows are getting ready to
charge us front and rear."

There were five in the room. I could see them only indistinctly, as the
morning light was not yet sufficiently strong to penetrate clearly to
where we were, but I was able to note those present--the corporal and
his wounded companion, with Hollis and Call of my troop.

"Let the wounded man remain and guard these windows," I commanded. "He
would prove of small value in a hand to hand struggle, but can probably
do some shooting. The rest come with me."

I led them forth into the wide hallway, which extended the full length
of the house, with a broad flight of stairs just forward of the centre,
gradually curving and leading to the second story.