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14 the river a mile below here," put in Major Morris, who had also come up. "Captain Anderson came over last night, and he said it was running at a fearful rate then."

"And what about that new bridge we worked so hard to put up?" asked the young lieutenant.

"It's completely swept away. The captain thought the storm had done it, but I think the guerillas helped matters along. They hate us worse than they hate poison."

"I suppose they reckon we have kept them from a good deal of booty," said Gilbert. "Well, we have, for a fact."

The storm now became so violent that conversation could be carried on only with difficulty, and presently the party relapsed into silence. The route step had been ordered at the very start; and all of the regulars were marching to suit themselves, although keeping something of a semblance to a column of fours.

At last the river was gained, and a halt was ordered,—an unnecessary command, since none of the troops could go forward. The stream was running two feet deep over its ordinary banks, and swirling along with