GIPSY SPY. 221 



lest they might disclose our movements, I had them 

 marched back to the main body; and then was 

 glad to get once more into my clothes, for the rays 

 of the sun had begun to scorch my shoulders. By 

 the time this little arrangement was completed, and 

 my horse saddled, the whole of our party had 

 crossed, and were forming up ready for service. 

 From information gleaned from our captives, we 

 learned that the Russians had established a camp 

 some six miles distant, and that the train of arabas 

 we had intended to surprise had by this time 

 reached its shelter. As the enemy were represented 

 to be in force, with infantry and artillery, any offen- 

 sive movement by daylight with our small numbers 

 was out of the question ; and the old chief and his 

 Suwars were almost beside themselves, at having 

 taken so much trouble to no purpose, and being 

 thus balked of their booty. It was, however, 

 determined that some blow should be struck if 

 possible before returning to our old rendezvous ; and 

 for this purpose the gipsy spy, who knew the country 

 well, was again sent out to reconnoitre the enemy's 

 position, and gain such information of his move- 



