They passed
beyond the hearing of the mulatto, though from his elevated position he
occasionally obtained a view of them, as they approached the cottage.
Anxiously he waited their return, in the hope of getting more definite
ideas of the time and method of the proposed attack upon the island.
After a careful survey of the premises, Maxwell and Vernon returned to
their former position.
"Quite an easy job," said Vernon; "the only difficulty is this thick
brush, which can be easily removed. I will cut away a part now."
"Very well," responded Maxwell, as his associate proceeded to cut away
the bushes, and form a pathway through, the thicket. "When shall the
thing be done?"
"As to that I can hardly say. When we get to Vicksburg we can decide.
Better let the girl rest a week or so; for it may take that time to get
things ready. You can't hire men to do such work as easily as you can to
cut wood and dig ditches. It takes skill and caution."
"Very well, I am in no haste."
For nearly an hour Vernon labored at his task, and completed a path
through which the party could easily pass to the cottage.
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