So I continued moving along in the same direction, until I struck woods, where the hill ceased in a plateau; here I was on level ground, and I could see in the distance the light of camp-fires, between which and me I could not doubt were the pickets, if not indeed the main line also, of the enemy.

I kept on.  The ground changed again, so that I looked down on the fires.  I paused and reflected.  This picket-line was long; it certainly covered more than a regiment or two.  Again I wished that I were on the north side of the road.

The camp-fires now seemed more distant and a little to my right.  I was beginning to flatter myself with the belief that I had reached the point where the picket-line bent back.  I felt encouraged.

I retired some twenty yards, and then went on more boldly, still pursuing a course parallel, as I thought, with the picket-line fronting east.  Soon I reached another road.

Should I cross this road?  It ran straight, so far as I could see, into the position of the enemy; it was a wide road, no doubt one of the main roads leading to Hanover Court-House.

I looked up the road toward the enemy.  I could see no camp-fires.

I thought that I had reached the enemy’s flank.

A troop of cavalry rode by, going to their front.

I felt sure that I was right.  I looked and found the north, star through the branches of the trees.  I was right.  This road ran north and south.  The picket-line doubtless reached the road, or very near it, and bent back; but how far back?  If the enemy depended upon cavalry for their flank,—­and this flank was toward their main army at Richmond,—­my work would be easy.

I crossed the road, and crept along it toward Hanover.  More cavalry rode by.  I kept on, doubting more strongly the existence of any infantry pickets.

An ambulance went by, going north into camp.

I went thirty yards deeper into the woods.  I took everything out of my pockets, stripped off my uniform, and covered it with leaves as well as I could in the darkness.  Then I put on the gray clothes and twisted the gum-blanket and threw it over my shoulder.  I had resolved to accompany any ambulance or wagon that should come into the rebel camp.

Taking my station by the side of the road, I lay down and waited.

Again cavalry rode by, this squad also going to the front.  I was now convinced that there was no picket-line here; this flank was protected by cavalry.  Now I was glad that I had not tried the left flank of the rebel line.

I heard trains rolling, and they seemed not very far from me.  I could hear the engines puffing.

From down the road toward Richmond came the crack of a whip.  I saw a team coming—­four or six mules, I could not yet tell in the night.

A heavy wagon came lumbering along.  I was about to step out and get behind it, when I saw another; it passed, and still another came.  As the last one went by I rose and followed it, keeping bent under the feed-box which, was slung behind it.