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The hay had been cut and most of it drawn in； but there was in
the middle of the field a hay…cock。 Rolf was near this when he
heard sounds of soldiers from the mill。 Soon large numbers came
out； carrying their blankets。 Evidently there was not room for
them in the mill； and they were to camp on the field。
The scout began to retreat when sounds behind showed that another
body of soldiers was approaching from that direction and he was
caught between the two。 There was only one place to hide and that
was beneath the haycock。 He lifted its edge and crawled under；
but it was full of thistles and brambles； indeed； that was why it
was left； and he had the benefit of all the spines about him。
His heart beat fast as he heard the clank of arms and the
trampling； they came nearer； then the voices became more
distinct。 He heard unmistakable evidence too that both bodies
were camping for the night； and that he was nearly surrounded。
Not knowing what move was best he kept quiet。 The men were
talking aloud； then they began preparing their beds and he heard
some one say； 〃There's a hay…cock； bring some of that。〃
A soldier approached to get an armful of the hay； but sputtered
out a chapter of malediction as his bare hands touched the masses
of thistle and briers。 His companions laughed at his mishap。 He
went to the fire and vowed he'd stick a brand in it and back he
came with a burning stick。
Rolf was all ready to make a dash for his life as soon as the
cover should take fire； and he peered up into the soldier's face
as the latter blew on the brand； but the flame had died； the
thistles were not dry； and the fire was a failure； so； growling
again； the soldier threw down the smoking stick and went away。 As
soon as he was safely afar； Rolf gathered a handful of soil and
covered the red embers。
It was a critical moment and his waiting alone had saved him。
Two soldiers came with their blankets and spread them near。 For a
time they smoked and talked。 One of them was short of tobacco；
the other said； 〃Never mind； we'll get plenty in Plattsburg；〃 and
they guffawed。
Then he heard； 〃As soon as the colonel〃 and other broken phrases。
It was a most difficult place for Rolf； he was tormented with
thistles in his face and down his neck； he dared not change his
position； and how long he must stay was a problem。 He would try
to escape when all was still。
The nearer soldiers settled to rest now。 All was very quiet when
Rolf cautiously peeped forth to see two dreadful things： first； a
couple of sentries pacing up and down the edges of the camp；
second； a broad； brilliant； rising moon。 How horrible that lovely
orb could be Rolf never before knew。
Now； what next？ He was trapped in the middle of a military camp
and undoubtedly La Colle Mill was the rendezvous for some
important expedition。
He had ample time to think it all over。 Unless he could get away
before day he would surely be discovered。 His uniform might save
his life； but soldiers have an awkward； hasty way of dealing
summarily with a spy then discovering too late that he was in
uniform。
From time to time he peered forth； but the scene was unchanged
the sleeping regiment； the pacing sentries； the ever…brightening
moon。 Then the guard was changed； and the sentries relieved
selected of all places for their beds； the bank beside the
hay…cock。 Again one of them went to help himself to some hay for
a couch； and again the comic anger as he discovered it to be a
bed of thorns。 How thankful Rolf was for those annoying things
that pricked his face and neck。
He was now hemmed in on every side and； not knowing what to do；
did nothing。 For a couple of hours he lay still； then actually
fell asleep。 He was awakened by a faint rustling near his head
and peered forth to see a couple of field mice playing about。
The moon was very bright now； and the movements of the mice were
plain； they were feeding on the seeds of plants in the hay…cock；
and from time to time dashed under … the hay。 Then they gambolled
farther off and were making merry over a pod of wild peas when a
light form came skimming noiselessly over the field。 There was a
flash； a hurried rush； a clutch； a faint squeak； and one of the
mice was borne away in the claws of its feathered foe。 The
survivor scrambled under the hay over Rolf's face and somewhere
into hiding。
The night passed in many short naps。 The bugle sounded at
daybreak and the soldiers arose to make breakfast。 Again one
approached to use a handful of hay for fire…kindler； and again
the friendly thistles did their part。 More and more now his ear
caught suggestive words and sounds 〃Plattsburg〃 〃the
colonel〃 etc。
The breakfast smelt wonderfully captivating poor Rolf was
famished。 The alluring aroma of coffee permeated the hay…cock。 He
had his dried meat； but his need was water； he was tormented with
thirst； and stiff and tortured； he was making the hardest fight
of his life。 It seemed long； though doubtless it was less than
half an hour before the meal was finished； and to Rolf's relief
there were sounds of marching and the noises were drowned in the
distance。
By keeping his head covered with hay and slowly raising it； he
was safe to take a look around。 It was a bright； sunny morning。
The hay…cock； or thistle…cock； was one of several that had been
rejected。 It was a quarter…mile from cover； the soldiers were at
work cutting timber and building a stockade around the mill； and；
most dreadful to relate； a small dog was prowling about； looking
for scraps on the scene of the soldiers' breakfast。 If that dog
came near his hiding…place； he knew the game was up。 At such
close quarters； you can fool a man but not a dog。
Fortunately the breakfast tailings proved abundant； and the dog
went off to assist a friend of his in making sundry interesting
smell analyses along the gate posts of the stockade。
Chapter 76。 The Duel
This was temporary relief； but left no suggestion of complete
escape。 He lay there till nearly noon suffering more and more
from the cramped position and thirst； and utterly puzzled as to
the next move。
〃When ye don't like whar ye air； git up without any fuss； and go
whar ye want to be；〃 was what Sylvanne once said to him； and it
came to Rolf with something like a comic shock。 The soldiers were
busy in the woods and around the forges。 In half an hour it would
be noon and they might come back to eat。
Rolf rose without attempting any further concealment； then
stopped； made a bundle of the stuff that had sheltered him and；
carrying this on his shoulder； strode boldly across the field
toward the woods。
His scout uniform was inconspicuous； the scouts on duty at the
mill saw only one of themselves taking a bundle of hay round to
the stables。
He reached the woods absolutely unchallenged。 After a few yards
in its friendly shade； he dropped the tho