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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9745-0.txt b/9745-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..43123ba --- /dev/null +++ b/9745-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10144 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Rock of Chickamauga, by Joseph A. Altsheler + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rock of Chickamauga + +Author: Joseph A. Altsheler + +Release Date: January, 2006 [EBook #9745] +Posting Date: June 16, 2009 +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA *** + + + + +Produced by Ken Reeder + + + + + + +THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + +A STORY OF THE WESTERN CRISIS + + +By Joseph A. Altsheler + + + + +FOREWORD + + +“The Rock of Chickamauga,” presenting a critical phase of the great +struggle in the west, is the sixth volume in the series, dealing with +the Civil War, of which its predecessors have been “The Guns of Bull +Run,” “The Guns of Shiloh,” “The Scouts of Stonewall,” “The Sword of +Antietam” and “The Star of Gettysburg.” Dick Mason who fights on the +Northern side, is the hero of this romance, and his friends reappear +also. + + +THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + + VOLUMES IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + THE GUNS OF BULL RUN. + THE GUNS OF SHILOH. + THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL. + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM. + THE STAR OF GETTYSBURG. + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA. + THE SHADES OF THE WILDERNESS. + THE TREE OF APPOMATTOX. + + + PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + HARRY KENTON, A Lad Who Fights on the Southern Side. + DICK MASON, Cousin of Harry Kenton, Who Fights on the Northern Side. + COLONEL GEORGE KENTON, Father of Harry Kenton. + MRS. MASON, Mother of Dick Mason. + JULIANA, Mrs. Mason's Devoted Colored Servant. + COLONEL ARTHUR WINCHESTER, Dick Mason's Regimental Commander. + COLONEL LEONIDAS TALBOT, Commander of the Invincibles, + a Southern Regiment. + LIEUTENANT COLONEL HECTOR ST. HILAIRE, Second in Command of the + Invincibles. + ALAN HERTFORD, A Northern Cavalry Leader. + PHILIP SHERBURNE, A Southern Cavalry Leader. + WILLIAM J. SHEPARD, A Northern Spy. + DANIEL WHITLEY, A Northern Sergeant and Veteran of the Plains. + GEORGE WARNER, A Vermont Youth Who Loves Mathematics. + FRANK PENNINGTON, A Nebraska Youth, Friend of Dick Mason. + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, A Native of Charleston, Friend of Harry Kenton. + TOM LANGDON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + GEORGE DALTON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + BILL SKELLY, Mountaineer and Guerrilla. + TOM SLADE, A Guerrilla Chief. + SAM JARVIS, The Singing Mountaineer. + IKE SIMMONS, Jarvis' Nephew. + AUNT “SUSE,” A Centenarian and Prophetess. + BILL PETTY, A Mountaineer and Guide. + JULIEN DE LANGEAIS, A Musician and Soldier from Louisiana. + JOHN CARRINGTON, Famous Northern Artillery Officer. + DR. RUSSELL, Principal of the Pendleton School. + ARTHUR TRAVERS, A Lawyer. + JAMES BERTRAND, A Messenger from the South. + JOHN NEWCOMB, A Pennsylvania Colonel. + JOHN MARKHAM, A Northern Officer. + JOHN WATSON, A Northern Contractor. + WILLIAM CURTIS, A Southern Merchant and Blockade Runner. + MRS. CURTIS, Wife of William Curtis. + HENRIETTA CARDEN, A Seamstress in Richmond. + DICK JONES, A North Carolina Mountaineer. + VICTOR WOODVILLE, A Young Mississippi Officer. + JOHN WOODVILLE, Father of Victor Woodville. + CHARLES WOODVILLE, Uncle of Victor Woodville. + COLONEL BEDFORD, A Northern Officer. + CHARLES GORDON, A Southern Staff Officer. + JOHN LANHAM, An Editor. + JUDGE KENDRICK, A Lawyer. + MR. CULVER, A State Senator. + MR. BRACKEN, A Tobacco Grower. + ARTHUR WHITRIDGE, A State Senator. + + + HISTORICAL CHARACTERS + + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. + JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Southern Confederacy. + JUDAH P. BENJAMIN, Member of the Confederate Cabinet. + U. S. GRANT, Northern Commander. + ROBERT E. LEE, Southern Commander. + STONEWALL JACKSON, Southern General. + PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, Northern General. + GEORGE H. THOMAS, “The Rock of Chickamauga.” + ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Southern General. + A. P. HILL, Southern General. + W. S. HANCOCK, Northern General. + GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Northern General. + AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Northern General. + TURNER ASHBY, Southern Cavalry Leader. + J. E. B. STUART, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOSEPH HOOKER, Northern General. + RICHARD S. EWELL, Southern General. + JUBAL EARLY, Southern General. + WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, Northern General. + SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, Southern General. + LEONIDAS POLK, Southern General and Bishop. + BRAXTON BRAGG, Southern General. + NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOHN MORGAN, Southern Cavalry Leader. + GEORGE J. MEADE, Northern General. + DON CARLOS BUELL, Northern General. + W. T. SHERMAN, Northern General. + JAMES LONGSTREET, Southern General. + P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Southern General. + WILLIAM L. YANCEY, Alabama Orator. + JAMES A. GARFIELD, Northern General, afterwards President of + the United States. + + And many others + + + IMPORTANT BATTLES DESCRIBED IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + BULL RUN + KERNSTOWN + CROSS KEYS + WINCHESTER + PORT REPUBLIC + THE SEVEN DAYS + MILL SPRING + FORT DONELSON + SHILOH + PERRYVILLE + STONE RIVER + THE SECOND MANASSAS + ANTIETAM + FREDERICKSBURG + CHANCELLORSVILLE + GETTYSBURG + CHAMPION HILL + VICKSBURG + CHICKAMAUGA + MISSIONARY RIDGE + THE WILDERNESS + SPOTTSYLVANIA + COLD HARBOR + FISHER'S HILL + CEDAR CREEK + APPOMATTOX + + + +CONTENTS + + I. AT BELLEVUE + + II. FORREST + + III. GRANT MOVES + + IV. DICK'S MISSION + + V. HUNTED + + VI. A BOLD ATTACK + + VII. THE LITTLE CAPITAL + + VIII. CHAMPION HILL + + IX. THE OPEN DOOR + + X. THE GREAT ASSAULT + + XI. THE TAKING OF VICKSBURG + + XII. AN AFFAIR OF THE MOUNTAINS + + XIII. THE RIVER OF DEATH + + XIV. THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + + XV. BESIDE THE BROOK + + + + +THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + + + +CHAPTER I. AT BELLEVUE + + +“You have the keenest eyes in the troop. Can you see anything ahead?” + asked Colonel Winchester. + +“Nothing living, sir,” replied Dick Mason, as he swept his powerful +glasses in a half-curve. “There are hills on the right and in the +center, covered with thick, green forest, and on the left, where the +land lies low, the forest is thick and green too, although I think I +catch a flash of water in it.” + +“That should be the little river of which our map tells. And you, +Warner, what do your eyes tell you?” + +“The same tale they tell to Dick, sir. It looks to me like a +wilderness.” + +“And so it is. It's a low-lying region of vast forests and thickets, +of slow deep rivers and creeks, and of lagoons and bayous. If Northern +troops want to be ambushed they couldn't come to a finer place for it. +Forrest and five thousand of his wild riders might hide within rifle +shot of us in this endless mass of vegetation. And so, my lads, it +behooves us to be cautious with a very great caution. You will recall +how we got cut up by Forrest in the Shiloh time.” + +“I do, sir,” said Dick and he shuddered as he recalled those terrible +moments. “This is Mississippi, isn't it?” + +Colonel Winchester took a small map from his pocket, and, unfolding it, +examined it with minute care. + +“If this is right, and I'm sure it is,” he replied, “we're far down in +Mississippi in the sunken regions that border the sluggish tributaries +of the Father of Waters. The vegetation is magnificent, but for a home +give me higher ground, Dick.” + +“Me too, sir,” said Warner. “The finest state in this Union is Vermont. +I like to live on firm soil, even if it isn't so fertile, and I like to +see the clear, pure water running everywhere, brooks and rivers.” + +“I'll admit that Vermont is a good state for two months in the year,” + said Dick. + +“Why not the other ten?” + +“Because then it's frozen up, solid and hard, so I've heard.” + +The other boys laughed and kept up their chaff, but Colonel Winchester +rode soberly ahead. Behind him trailed the Winchester regiment, now +reorganized and mounted. Fresh troops had come from Kentucky, and +fragments of old regiments practically destroyed at Perryville and Stone +River had been joined to it. + +It was a splendid body of men, but of those who had gone to Shiloh only +about two hundred remained. The great conflicts of the West, and the +minor battles had accounted for the others. But it was perhaps one of +the reliefs of the Civil War that it gave the lads who fought it little +time to think of those who fell. Four years crowded with battles, great +and small, sieges and marches absorbed their whole attention. + +Now two men, the dreaded Forrest and fierce little Joe Wheeler, occupied +the minds of Winchester and his officers. It was impossible to keep +track of these wild horsemen here in their own section. They had a habit +of appearing two or three hundred miles from the place at which they +were expected. + +But the young lieutenants while they watched too for their redoubtable +foes had an eye also for the country. It was a new kind of region for +all of them. The feet of their horses sank deep in the soft black soil, +and there was often a sound of many splashings as the regiment rode +across a wide, muddy brook. + +Dick noted with interest the magnolias and the live oaks, and the great +stalks of the sunflower. Here in this Southern state, which bathed +its feet in the warm waters of the Gulf, spring was already far along, +although snows still lingered in the North. + +The vegetation was extravagant in its luxuriance and splendor. The +enormous forest was broken by openings like prairies, and in every one +of them the grass grew thick and tall, interspersed with sunflowers and +blossoming wild plants. Through the woods ran vast networks of vines, +and birds of brilliant plumage chattered in the trees. Twice, deer +sprang up before them and raced away in the forest. It was the +wilderness almost as De Soto had traversed it nearly four centuries +before, and it had a majesty which in its wildness was not without its +sinister note. + +They approached a creek, deeper and wider than usual, flowing in slow, +yellow coils, and, as they descended into the marsh that enclosed its +waters, there was a sharp crackling sound, followed quickly by another +and then by many others. The reports did not cease, and, although +blood was shed freely, no man fell from his horse, nor was any wounded +mortally. But the assault was vicious and it was pushed home with the +utmost courage and tenacity, although many of the assailants fell never +to rise again. Cries of pain and anger, and imprecations arose from the +stricken regiment. + +“Slap! Slap!” + +“Bang! Bang!” + +“Ouch! He's got his bayonet in my cheek!” + +“Heavens, that struck me like a minie ball! And it came, whistling and +shrieking, too, just like one!” + +“Phew, how they sting! and my neck is bleeding in three places!” + +“By thunder, Bill, I hit that fellow, fair and square! He'll never +trouble an honest Yankee soldier again!” + +The fierce buzzing increased all around them and Colonel Winchester +shouted to his trumpeter: + +“Blow the charge at once!” + +The man, full willing, put the trumpet to his lips and blew loud and +long. The whole regiment went across the creek at a gallop--the water +flying in yellow showers--and did not stop until, emerging from the +marsh, they reached the crest of a low hill a mile beyond. Here, stung, +bleeding and completely defeated by the enemy they stopped for repairs. +An occasional angry buzz showed that they were not yet safe from the +skirmishers, but their attack seemed a light matter after the full +assault of the determined foe. + +“I suppose we're all wounded,” said Dick as he wiped a bleeding cheek. +“At least as far as I can see they're hurt. The last fellow who got his +bayonet in my face turned his weapon around and around and sang merrily +at every revolution.” + +“We were afraid of being ambushed by Forrest,” said Warner, speaking +from a swollen countenance. “Instead we struck something worse; we rode +straight into an ambush of ten billion high-powered mosquitoes, every +one tipped with fire. Have we got enemies like these to fight all the +way down here?” + +“They sting the rebels, too,” said Pennington. + +“Yes, but they like newcomers best, the unacclimated. When we rode down +into that swamp I could hear them shouting, to one another: 'That fat +fellow is mine, I saw him first! I've marked the rosy-cheeked boy for +mine. Keep away the rest of you fellows!' I feel as if I'd been through +a battle. No more marshes for me.” + +Some of the provident produced bottles of oil of pennyroyal. Sergeant +Daniel Whitley, who rode a giant bay horse, was one of the most +foreseeing in this respect, and, after the boys had used his soothing +liniment freely, the fiery torment left by the mosquito's sting passed +away. + +The sergeant seemed to have grown bigger and broader than ever. His +shoulders were about to swell through his faded blue coat, and the hand +resting easily on the rein had the grip and power of a bear's paw. His +rugged face had been tanned by the sun of the far south to the color of +an Indian's. He was formidable to a foe, and yet no gentler heart beat +than that under his old blue uniform. Secretly he regarded the young +lieutenants, his superiors in military rank and education, as brave +children, and often he cared for them where his knowledge and skill were +greater than theirs or even than that of colonels and generals. + +“God bless you, Sergeant,” said Dick, “you don't look like an angel, but +you are one--that is, of the double-fisted, fighting type.” + +The sergeant merely smiled and replaced the bottle carefully in his +pocket, knowing that they would have good use for it again. + +The regiment after salving its wounds resumed its watchful march. + +“Do you know where we're going?” Pennington asked Dick. + +“I think we're likely if we live long enough to land in the end before +Vicksburg, the great Southern fortress, but as I gather it we mean +to curve and curl and twist about a lot before then. Grant, they say, +intends to close in on Vicksburg, while Rosecrans farther north is +watching Bragg at Chattanooga. We're a flying column, gathering up +information, and ready for anything.” + +“It's funny,” said Warner thoughtfully, “that we've already got so far +south in the western field. We can't be more than two or three hundred +miles from the Gulf. Besides, we've already taken New Orleans, the +biggest city of the South, and our fleet is coming up the river to meet +us. Yet in the East we don't seem to make any progress at all. We lose +great battles there and Fredericksburg they say was just a slaughter of +our men. How do you make it out, Dick?” + +“I've thought of several reasons for it. Our generals in the West are +better than our generals in the East, or their generals in the East are +better than their generals in the West. And then there are the rivers. +In the East they mostly run eastward between the two armies, and they +are no help to us, but a hindrance rather. Here in the West the rivers, +and they are many and great, mostly run southward, the way we want to +go, and they bring our gunboats on their bosoms. Excuse my poetry, but +it's what I mean.” + +“You must be right. I think that all the reasons you give apply +together. But our command of the water has surely been a tremendous +help. And then we've got to remember, Dick, that there was never a navy +like ours. It goes everywhere and it does everything. Why, if Admiral +Farragut should tell one of those gunboats to steam across the +Mississippi bottoms it would turn its saucy nose, steer right out of +the water into the mud, and blow up with all hands aboard before it quit +trying.” + +“You two fellows talk too much,” said Pennington. “You won't let +President Lincoln and Grant and Halleck manage the war, but you want to +run it yourselves.” + +“I don't want to run anything just now, Frank,” rejoined Dick. “What I'm +thinking about most is rest and something to eat. I'd like to get rid, +too, of about ten pounds of Mississippi mud that I'm carrying.” + +“Well, I can catch a glint of white pillars through those trees. +It means the 'big house' of a plantation, and you'll probably find +somewhere back of it the long rows of cabins, inhabited by the dark +people, whom we've come to raise to the level of their masters, if not +above them. I can see right now the joyous welcome we'll receive from +the owners of the big house. They'll be standing on the great piazza, +waving Union flags and shouting to us that they have ready cooling +drinks and luxurious food for us all.” + +“It's hardly a joke to me. Whatever the cause of the war, it's the +bitterness of death for these people to be overrun. Besides, I remember +the words of that old fellow in the blacksmith shop before we fought +the battle of Stone River. He said that even if they were beaten they'd +still be there holding the land and running things.” + +“That's true,” said Warner. “I've been wondering how this war would end, +and now I'm wondering what will happen after it does end. But here we +are at the gate. What big grounds! These great planters certainly had +space!” + +“And what silence!” said Dick. “It's uncanny, George. A place like this +must have had a thousand slaves, and I don't see any of them rushing +forward to welcome their liberators.” + +“Probably contraband, gone long ago to Ben Butler at New Orleans. I +don't believe there's a soul here.” + +“Remember that lone house in Tennessee where a slip of a girl brought +Forrest down on us and had us cut pretty nearly to pieces.” + +“I couldn't forget it.” + +Nor could Colonel Winchester. The house, large and low, stood in grounds +covering an area of several acres, enclosed by a paling fence, now +sagging in many places. Great stone posts stood on either side of the +gateway, but the gate was opened, and it, too, sagged. + +The grounds had evidently been magnificent, both with flowers and forest +trees. Already many of the flowers were blooming in great luxuriance and +brilliancy, but the walks and borders were untrimmed. The house was of +wood, painted white with green shutters, and as they drew nearer they +appreciated its great size, although it was only two stories in height. +A hundred persons could have slept there, and twice as many could have +found shade in the wide piazzas which stretched the full length of the +four sides. + +But all the doors and shutters were closed and no smoke rose from any +chimney. They caught a glimpse of the cabins for the slaves, on lower +ground some distance behind the great house. The whole regiment reined +up as they approached the carriage entrance, and, although they were +eight hundred strong, there was plenty of room without putting a single +hoof upon a flower. + +It was a great place. That leaped to the eye, but it was not marked upon +Colonel Winchester's map, nor had he heard of it. + +“It's a grand house,” he said to his aides, “and it's a pity that it +should go to ruin after the slaves are freed, as they certainly will +be.” + +“But it was built upon slave labor,” said Warner. + +“So it was, and so were many of the most famous buildings in the world. +But here, I'm not going to get into an argument about such questions +with young men under my command. Besides, I'm fighting to destroy +slavery, not to study its history. Sergeant Whitley, you're an +experienced trailer: do you see any signs that troops have passed here?” + +“None at all, sir. Down near the gate where the drive is out of repair +I noticed wheel tracks, but they were several days old. The freshest of +them were light, as if made by buggies. I judge, sir, that it was the +family, the last to leave.” + +“And the wagons containing their valuables had gone on ahead?” + +“It would seem so, sir.” + +Colonel Winchester sighed. + +“An invader is always feared and hated,” he said. + +“But we do come as enemies,” said Dick, “and this feeling toward us +can't be helped.” + +“That's true. No matter what we do we'll never make any friends here in +one of the Gulf states, the very core of Southern feeling. Dick, take +a squad of men and enter the house. Pennington, you and Warner go with +him.” + +Dick sprang down instantly, chose Sergeant Whitley first and with the +others entered the great portico. The front door was locked but it +was easy enough to force it with a gun butt, and they went in, but +not before Dick had noticed over the door in large letters the name, +“Bellevue.” So this was Bellevue, one of the great cotton plantations of +Mississippi. He now vaguely remembered that he had once heard his uncle, +Colonel Kenton, speak of having stopped a week here. But he could not +recall the name of the owner. Strong for the Union as he was Dick was +glad that the family had gone before the Northern cavalry came. + +The house was on a splendid scale inside also, but all the rugs and +curtains were gone. As they entered the great parlor Dick saw a large +piece of paper, and he flushed as he read written upon it in tall +letters: + + TO THE YANKEE RAIDERS: + YOU NEED NOT LOOK FOR THE SILVER. + IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO VICKSBURG. + + +“Look at that!” he said indignantly to Warner. “See how they taunt us!” + +But Warner laughed. + +“Maybe some of our men at New Orleans have laid us open to such a stab,” + he said. Then he added whimsically: + +“We'll go to Vicksburg with Grant, Dick, and get that silver yet.” + +“The writing's fresh,” said Sergeant Whitley, who also looked at the +notification. “The paper hasn't begun to twist and curl yet. It's not +been posted up there many hours.” + +Colonel Winchester entered at that moment and the notice was handed to +him. He, too, flushed a little when he read it, but the next instant he +laughed. Dick then called his attention to the apparent fact that it had +been put there recently. + +“May I speak a word, Colonel,” said Warner, who had been thinking so +hard that there was a line the full length of his forehead. + +“Yes, George, a dozen if you like. Go ahead. What is it?” + +“The sergeant, who has had much experience as a trailer, told us that +the tracks made by the buggy wheels were several days old. The slaves +probably had been sent southward before that time. Now some one who +saw our advance has come back, and, whoever it was, he was thoroughly +familiar with the house. He couldn't have been a servant. Servants +don't leave taunts of that kind. It must have been somebody who felt our +coming deeply, and if it had been an elderly man he would have waited +for action, he wouldn't have used saucy words. So, sir, I think it must +have been a boy. Just like Pennington there, for instance.” + +“Good, George, go on with your reasonings.” + +“As surely, sir, as z plus y equals the total of the two, the one who +put up the placard was a son of the owner. He alone would feel deeply +enough to take so great a risk. The conditions absolutely demand that +the owner has such a son and that he has done it.” + +“Very good, George. I think you're right, and this youth in giving way +to a natural burst of anger, although he did not mean to do so, has +posted up for us a warning. A lad of his spirit would go in search +of Forrest, and we cannot forget our experience with that general in +Tennessee. Now, boys, we'll make ready for the night, which is not far +away.” + +The house was built for a Southern climate, although Dick had learned +that it could be cold enough in Central Mississippi in midwinter. But +it was spring now and they opened all the doors and windows, letting the +pleasant air rush through the musty house. + +“It may rain,” said Colonel Winchester, “and the officers will sleep +inside. The men will spread their blankets on the piazzas, and the +horses will be tethered in the grounds. I hate to see the flowers and +grass trodden down, but nature will restore them.” + +Some of the soldiers gathered wood from heaps nearby and fires were +kindled in the kitchen, and also on the hearths in the slave quarters. +Colonel Winchester had been truly called the father of his regiment. +He was invariably particular about its health and comfort, and, as he +always led it in person in battle, there was no finer body of men in the +Union service. + +Now he meant for his men to have coffee, and warm food after this long +and trying ride and soon savory odors arose, although the cooking was +not begun until after dark, lest the smoke carry a signal to a lurking +enemy. The cavalrymen cut the thick grass which grew everywhere, and fed +it to their horses, eight hundred massive jaws munching in content. The +beasts stirred but little after their long ride and now and then one +uttered a satisfied groan. + +The officers drank their coffee and ate their food on the eastern +piazza, which overlooked a sharp dip toward a creek three or four +hundred yards away. The night had rushed down suddenly after the fashion +of the far South, and from the creek they heard faintly the hoarse frogs +calling. Beyond the grounds a close ring of sentinels watched, because +Colonel Winchester had no mind to be surprised again by Forrest or by +Fighting Joe Wheeler or anybody else. + +The night was thick and dark and moist with clouds. Dick, despite the +peace that seemed to hang over everything, was oppressed. The desolate +house, even more than the sight of the field after the battle was over, +brought home to him the meaning of war. It was not alone the death +of men but the uprooting of a country for their children and their +children's children as well. Then his mind traveled back to his uncle, +Colonel Kenton, and suddenly he smote his knee. + +“What is it, Dick,” asked Colonel Winchester, who sat only two or three +yards away. + +“Now I remember, sir. When I was only seven or eight years old I heard +my uncle tell of stopping, as I told you, at a great plantation in +Mississippi called Bellevue, but I couldn't recall the name of its +owner. I know him now.” + +“What is the name, Dick?” + +“Woodville, John Woodville. He was a member of the Mississippi Senate, +and he was probably the richest man in the State.” + +“I think I have heard the name. He is a Confederate colonel now, with +Pemberton's army. No doubt we'll have to fight him later on.” + +“Meanwhile, we're using his house.” + +“Fortune of war. But all war is in a sense unfair, because it's usually +a question of the greater force. At any rate, Dick, we won't harm +Colonel Woodville's home.” + +“Yet in the end, sir, a lot of these great old country places will go, +and what will take their place? You and I, coming from a border state, +know that the colored race is not made up of Uncle Toms.” + +“Well, Dick, we haven't won yet, and until we do we won't bother +ourselves about the aftermath of war. I'm glad we found so large a place +as this. At the last moment I sent part of the men to the cabins, but +at least three or four hundred must lie here on the piazzas. And most of +them are already asleep. It's lucky they have roofs. Look how the clouds +are gathering!” + +As much more room had been made upon the piazzas by the assignment of +men to the cabins, Colonel Winchester and some of his officers also +rested there. Dick, lying between the two blankets which he always +carried in a roll tied to his saddle, was very comfortable now, with his +head on his knapsack. The night had turned cooler, and, save when faint +and far lightning quivered, it was heavy and dark with clouds. But the +young lieutenants, hardened by two years of war and life in the open, +felt snug and cosy on the broad, sheltered piazza. It was not often they +found such good quarters, and Dick, like Colonel Winchester, was truly +thankful that they had reached Bellevue before the coming storm. + +It was evident now that the night was going to be wild. The lightning +grew brighter and came nearer, cutting fiercely across the southern sky. +The ominous rumble of thunder, which reminded Dick so much of the mutter +of distant battle, came from the horizon on which the lightning was +flashing. + +Colonel Winchester, Pennington and Warner had gone to sleep, but Dick +was wakeful. He had again that feeling of pity for the people who had +been compelled to flee from such a house, and who might lose it forever. +It seemed to him that all the men, save himself and the sentinels, were +asleep, sleeping with the soundness and indifference to surroundings +shown by men who took their sleep when they could. + +The horses stamped and moved uneasily beneath the threat of the +advancing storm, but the men slept heavily on. + +Dick knew that the sentinels were awake and watchful. They had a +wholesome dread of Forrest and Wheeler, those wild riders of the South. +Some of them had been present at that terrible surprise in Tennessee, +and they were not likely to be careless when they were sure that Forrest +might be near, but he remained uneasy nevertheless, and, although he +closed his eyes and sought a soft place for his head on the saddle, +sleep did not come. + +He was sure that his apprehension did not come from any fear of an +attack by Forrest or Wheeler. It was deeper-seated. The inherited sense +that belonged to his great grandfather, who had lived his life in the +wilderness, was warning him. It was not superstition. It seemed to Dick +merely the palpable result of an inheritance that had gone into the +blood. His famous great-grandfather, Paul Cotter, and his famous friend, +Henry Ware, had lived so much and so long among dangers that the very +air indicated to them when they were at hand. + +Dick looked down the long piazza, so long that the men at either end of +it were hidden by darkness. The tall trees in the grounds were nodding +before the wind, and the lightning flashed incessantly in the southwest. +The thunder was not loud, but it kept up a continuous muttering and +rumbling. The rain was coming in fitful gusts, but he knew that it would +soon drive hard and for a long time. + +Everybody within Dick's area of vision was sound asleep, except himself. +Colonel Winchester lay with his head on his arm and his slumber was so +deep that he was like one dead. Warner had not stirred a particle in the +last half-hour. Dick was angry at himself because he could not sleep. +Let the storm burst! It might drive on the wide roof of the piazza +and the steady beating sound would make his sleep all the sounder and +sweeter. He recalled, as millions of American lads have done, the days +when he lay in his bed just under the roof and heard hail and sleet +drive against it, merely to make him feel all the snugger in the bed +with his covers drawn around him. + +The fitful gusts of rain ceased, and then it came with a steady pour and +roar, driving directly down, thus leaving the men on the outer edges of +the piazzas untouched and dry. Still, Dick did not sleep, and at last +he arose and walked softly into the house. Here the sense of danger +grew stronger. He was reminded again of his early boyhood, when some one +blindfolded was told to find a given object, and the others called “hot” + when he was near or “cold” when he was away. He was feeling hot now. +That inherited sense, the magnetic feeling out of the past, was warning +him. + +Dick felt sure that some one not of their regiment was in the building. +He neither saw nor heard the least sign of a presence, but he was +absolutely certain that he was not alone within Bellevue. Since the +lightning had ceased it was pitchy dark inside. There was a wide hall +running through the building, with windows above the exits, but he saw +nothing through them save the driving rain and the dim outline of the +threshing trees. + +He turned into one of the side rooms, and then he paused and pushed +himself against the wall. He was sure now that he heard a soft footstep. +The darkness was so intense that it could be felt like a mist. He waited +but he did not hear it again, and then he began to make his way around +the wall, stepping as lightly as he could. + +He had gone through most of the rooms at their arrival and he still +retained a clear idea of the interior of the house. He knew that there +was another door on the far side of the chamber in which he stood, and +he meant to follow the wall until he reached it. Some one had been in +the room with him and Dick believed that he was leaving by the far door. + +While he heard no further footsteps he felt a sudden light draught on +his face and he knew that the door had been opened and shut. He might +go to Colonel Winchester and tell him that a lurking spy or somebody +of that character was in the house, but what good would it do? A spy +at such a time and in such a place could not harm them, and the whole +regiment would be disturbed for nothing. He would follow the chase +alone. + +He found the door and passed into the next room. Its windows opened upon +the southern piazza and two or three shutters were thrown back. A faint +light entered and Dick saw that no one was there but himself. He could +discern the dim figures of the soldiers sleeping on the piazza and +beyond a cluster of the small pines grown on lawns. + +Dick felt that he had lost the trail for the time, but he did not intend +to give it up. Doubtless the intruder was some one who knew the house +and who was also aware of his presence inside. He also felt that he +would not be fired upon, because the stranger himself would not wish to +bring the soldiers down upon him. So, with a hand upon his pistol butt, +he opened the side door and followed once more into the darkness. + +The ghostly chase went on for a full half-hour, Dick having nothing to +serve him save an occasional light footfall. There was one period of +more than half an hour when he lost the fugitive entirely. He wandered +up to the second floor and then back again. There, in a room that had +been the library, he caught a glimpse of the man. But the figure was so +shadowy that he could tell nothing about him. + +“Halt!” cried Dick, snatching out his pistol. But when he leveled it +there was nothing to aim at. The figure had melted away, or rather it +had flitted through another door. Dick followed, chagrined. The stranger +seemed to be playing with him. Obviously, it was some one thoroughly +acquainted with the house, and that brought to Dick's mind the thought +that he himself, instead of the other man, was the stranger there. + +He came at last to a passage which led to the kitchen, a great room, +because many people were often guests at Bellevue, and here he stopped +short, while his heart suddenly beat hard. A distinct odor coming from +different points suddenly assailed his nostrils. He had smelled it too +often in the last two years to be mistaken. It was smoke, and Bellevue +had been set on fire in several places. + +He inhaled it once or twice and then he saw again the shadowy figure +flitting down to the passage and to a small door that, unnoticed by the +soldiers, opened on the kitchen garden in the rear of the house. + +Dick never acted more promptly. Instantly he fired his pistol into the +ceiling, the report roaring in the confined spaces of the house, and +then shouting with all his might: “Fire! Fire! Fire!” as he dashed down +the passage he ran through the little door, which the intruder had left +open, and pursued him in the darkness and rain into the garden. There +was a flash ahead of him and a bullet whistled past his ear, but he +merely increased his speed and raced in the direction of the flash. As +he ran he heard behind him a tremendous uproar, the voices and tread +of hundreds of soldiers, awakened suddenly, and he knew that they would +rush through Bellevue in search of the fires. + +But it was Dick's impulse to capture the daring intruder who would +destroy the house over their heads. Built of wood, it would burn so +fast, once the torches were set, that the rain would have little effect +upon the leaping flames, unless measures were taken at once, which he +knew that the regiment would do, under such a capable man as Colonel +Winchester. Meanwhile he was hot in pursuit. + +The trail which was not that of footsteps, but of a shadowy figure, ran +between tall and close rows of grapevines so high on wooden framework +that they hid any one who passed. The suspicion that Dick had held at +first was confirmed. This was no stranger, no intruder. He knew every +inch of both house and grounds, and, after having set the house on fire, +he had selected the only line of retreat, but a safe one, through the +thick and lofty vegetation of the garden, which ran down to the edge +of the ravine in the rear, where he could slip quietly under the fence, +drop through the thick grass into the ravine unseen by the pickets, and +escape at his leisure in the darkness. + +Dick was so sure of his theory that he strained every effort to overtake +the figure which was flitting before him like a ghost. In his eagerness +he had forgotten to shout any alarm about the pickets, but it would +have been of no avail, as most of them, under the impulse of alarm, had +rushed forward to help extinguish the fires. + +He saw the fugitive reach the end of the garden, drop almost flat, and +then slip under a broken place in the palings. At an ordinary time +he would have stopped there, but all the instincts of the hunter were +aroused. It was still raining, and he was already soaked. Wet branches +and leaves struck him in the face as he passed, but his energy and +eagerness were undimmed. + +He, too, dropped at the hole under the broken palings and slid forward +face foremost. The wet grass was as slippery as ice, and after he passed +through the hole Dick kept going. Moreover, his speed increased. He had +not realized that the garden went to the very edge of the ravine, and he +was shooting down a steep slope to the depth of thirty feet. He grasped +instinctively at weeds and grass as he made his downward plunge and +fetched up easily at the bottom. + +He sprang to his feet and saw the shadowy fugitive running down the +ravine. In an instant he followed headlong, tripped once or twice on the +wet grass, but was up every time like lightning, and once more in swift +pursuit. The fugitive turned once, raised his pistol and pulled the +trigger again, evidently forgetful that it was empty. When the hammer +snapped on the trigger he uttered a low cry of anger and hurled the +useless weapon into the grass. Then he whirled around and faced Dick, +who was coming on, eager and panting. + +Dick's own pistol was empty and he did not carry his small sword. He +stopped abruptly when the other turned, and, in the dim light and rain, +he saw that his opponent was a young man or rather youth of about his +own size and age. When he saw the lad cast the pistol aside Dick, moved +by some chivalrous impulse, dropped his own in the grass. + +Then the two stared at each other. They were far beyond the line of the +pickets, and as they stood in the deep ravine there was no chance that +any one would either see or hear them. As Dick gazed intently, the face +and figure of his antagonist shaped themselves more distinctly in the +dim light. He beheld before him a tall youth, extremely well built, fair +of face, his brown hair slightly long. He wore rain-soaked civilian's +garb. + +He saw that the youth was panting like himself, but it was not wholly +the result of flight. His face expressed savage anger and indignation. + +“You dirty Yankee!” he said. + +Dick started. No one had ever before addressed him with such venom. + +“If by Yankee you mean loyalty to the Union then I'm one,” he said, “and +I'm proud of it. What's more I'm willing to tell who I am. My name is +Richard Mason. I'm from Kentucky, and I'm a lieutenant in the regiment +of Colonel Arthur Winchester, which occupies the building behind us.” + +“From Kentucky and consorting with Yankees! A lot of you are doing it, +and you ought to be on our side! We hate you for it more than we do the +real Yankees!” + +“It's our right to choose, and we've chosen. And now, since you're +talking so much about right and wrong, who may you be, Mr. Firebug?” + +Even in the dark Dick saw his opponent's face flush, and his eyes flash +with deadly hostility. + +“My name is Victor Woodville,” he replied, “and my father is Colonel +John Woodville, C.S.A. He is the owner of the house in which your +infamous Yankee regiment is encamped.” + +“And which you have tried to burn?” + +“I'd rather see it burn than shelter Yankees. You'd burn it anyway later +on. Grant's troops have already begun to use the torch.” + +“At any rate you'll go before our colonel. He'll want to ask you a lot +of questions.” + +“I'm not going before your colonel.” + +“Oh, yes, you are.” + +“Who's going to take me?” + +“I am.” + +“Then come on and do it.” + +Dick advanced warily. Both had regained their breath and strength now. +Dick with two years of active service in the army had the size and +muscles of a man. But so had his opponent. Each measured the other, and +they were formidable antagonists, well matched. + +Dick had learned boxing at the Pendleton Academy, and, as he approached +slowly, looking straight into the eyes of his enemy, he suddenly shot +his right straight for Woodville's chin. The Mississippian, as light on +his feet as a leopard, leaped away and countered with his left, a blow +so quick and hard that Dick, although he threw his head to one side, +caught a part of its force just above his ear. But, guarding himself, he +sprang back, while Woodville faced him, laughing lightly. + +Dick shook his head a little and the singing departed. Just above his +ear he felt a great soreness, but he was cool now. Moreover, he was +losing his anger. + +“First blow for you,” he said. “I see that you know how to use your +fists.” + +“I hope to prove it.” + +Woodville, stepping lightly on his toes and feinting with his left, +caught Dick on his cheek bone with his right. Then he sought to spring +away, but Dick, although staggered, swung heavily and struck Woodville +on the forehead. The Mississippian went down full length on the slippery +grass but jumped to his feet in an instant. Blood was flowing from his +forehead, whence it ran down his nose and fell to the earth, drop by +drop. Dick himself was bleeding from the cut on his cheek bone. + +The two faced each other, cool, smiling, but resolute enemies. + +“First knockdown for you,” said Woodville, “but I mean that the second +shall be mine.” + +“Go in and try.” + +But Woodville drew back a little, and as Dick followed, looking for an +opening he was caught again a heavy clip on the side of the head. He +saw stars and was not able to return the blow, but he sprang back and +protected himself once more with his full guard, while he regained his +balance and strength. + +“Am I a firebug?” asked Woodville tauntingly. + +Dick considered. This youth interested him. There was no denying that +Woodville had great cause for anger, when he found his father's house +occupied by a regiment of the enemy. He considered it defilement. The +right or wrong of the war had nothing to do with it. It was to him a +matter of emotion. + +“I'll take back the epithet 'firebug,'” he said, “but I must stick to my +purpose of carrying you to Colonel Winchester.” + +“Always provided you can: Look out for yourself.” + +The Mississippian, who was wonderfully agile, suddenly danced in--on his +toes it seemed to Dick--and landed savagely on his opponent's left ear. +Then he was away so quickly and lightly that Dick's return merely cut +the air. + +The Kentuckian felt the blood dripping from another point. His ear, +moreover, was very sore and began to swell rapidly. One less enduring +would have given up, but he had a splendid frame, toughened by incessant +hardship. And, above all, enclosed within that frame was a lion heart. +He shook his head slightly, because a buzzing was going on there, but in +a moment or two it stopped. + +“Are you satisfied?” asked young Woodville. + +“You remember what Paul Jones said: 'I've just begun to fight.'” + +“Was it Paul Jones? Well, I suppose it was. Anyhow, if you feel that way +about it, so do I. Then come on again, Mr. Richard Mason.” + +Dick's blood was up. The half-minute or so of talk had enabled him to +regain his breath. Although he felt that incessant pain and swelling in +his left ear, his resolution to win was unshaken. Pride was now added to +his other motives. + +He took a step forward, feinted, parried skillfully, and then stepped +back. Woodville, always agile as a panther, followed him and swung for +the chin, but Dick, swerving slightly to one side, landed with great +force on Woodville's jaw. The young Mississippian fell, but, while Dick +stood looking at him, he sprang to his feet and faced his foe defiantly. +The blood was running down his cheek and dyeing the whole side of his +face. But Dick saw the spirit in his eye and knew that he was far from +conquered. + +Woodville smiled and threw back his long hair from his face. + +“A good one for you. You shook me up,” he admitted, “but I don't see any +sign of your ability to carry me to that Yankee colonel, as you boasted +you would do.” + +“But I'm going to do it.” + +The rain increased and washed the blood from both their faces. It was +dark within the ravine, but they had been face to face so long that they +could read the eyes of each other. Those of Woodville like those of Dick +ceased to express great anger. In the mind of each was growing a respect +for his antagonist. The will to conquer remained, but not the desire to +hate. + +“If you're going to do it, then why don't you?” said Woodville. + +Dick moved slowly forward, still watching the eyes of the Mississippian. +He believed now that Woodville, agile and alert though he might be, had +not fully recovered his strength. There was terrific steam in that last +punch and the head of the man who had received it might well be buzzing +yet. + +Dick then moved in with confidence, but a lightning blow crashed through +his guard, caught him on the chin and sent him to earth. He rose, +though still half-stunned, and saw that the confident, taunting look had +returned to Woodville's face. Fortunate now for Dick that the pure blood +of great woods rangers flowed in his veins, and that he had inherited +from them too an iron frame. His chin was cut and he had seen a thousand +stars. But his eyes cleared and steadily he faced his foe. + +“Do I go with you to your colonel?” asked Woodville, ironically. + +“You do,” replied Dick firmly. + +He looked his enemy steadily in the eye again, and he felt a great sense +of triumph. After such severe punishment he was stronger than ever and +he knew it. + +Therefore he must win. He struck heavily, straight for the angle of +Woodville's chin. The Mississippian evaded the blow and flashed in with +his left. But Dick, who was learning to be very wary, dodged it and came +back so swiftly that Woodville was caught and beaten to his knees. + +But the son of the house of Bellevue was still so agile that he was +able to recover his feet and spring away. Dick saw, however, that he was +panting heavily. The blow had taken a considerable part of his remaining +strength. He also saw that his antagonist was regarding him with a +curious eye. + +“You fight well, Yank,” said Woodville, “although I ought not to call +you Yank, but rather a traitor, as you're a Kentuckian. Still, I've +put my marks on you. You're bleeding a lot and you'd be a sight if it +weren't for this cleansing rain.” + +“I've been putting the map of Kentucky on your own face. You don't look +as much like Mississippi as you did. You'll take notice too that you +didn't burn the house. If you'll glance up the side of this ravine +you'll see just a little dying smoke. Eight hundred soldiers put it out +in short order.” + +Woodville's face flushed, and his eyes for the first time since the +beginning of the encounter shone with an angry gleam. But the wrathful +fire quickly died. + +“On the whole, I'm not sorry,” he said. “It was an impulse that made me +do it. Our army will come and drive you away, and our house will be our +own again.” + +“That's putting it fairly. What's the use of burning such a fine place +as Bellevue? Still, we want you. Our colonel has many questions to ask +you.” + +“You can't take me.” + +Dick judged that the crucial moment had now come. Woodville was +breathing much more heavily than he was, and seemed to be near +exhaustion. Dick darted boldly in, received a swinging right and left on +either jaw that cut his cheeks and made the blood flow. But he sent his +right to Woodville's chin and the young Mississippian without a sound +dropped to the ground, lying relaxed and flat upon his back, his white +face, streaked with red, upturned to the rain. + +He was so still that Dick was seized with fear lest he had killed him. +He liked this boy who had fought him so well and, grasping him by both +shoulders, he shook him hard. But when he loosed him Woodville fell back +flat and inert. + +Dick heard the waters of a brook trickling down the ravine, and, +snatching off his cap, he ran to it. He filled the cap and returned just +in time to see Woodville leap lightly to his feet and disappear with the +speed of a deer among the bushes. + + + + +CHAPTER II. FORREST + + +Dick dashed after the fugitive, but he had disappeared utterly, and the +dense bushes impeded the pursuer. He was hot and angry that he had been +deluded so cleverly, but then came the consolation that, after all, he +had won in the fistic encounter with an antagonist worthy of anybody. +And after this came a second thought that caused him to halt abruptly. + +He and Woodville had fought it out fairly. Their fists had printed upon +the faces of each other the stamp of a mutual liking. Why should he +strive to take young Woodville before Colonel Winchester? Nothing was +to be gained by it, and, as the Mississippian was in civilian's garb, he +might incur the punishment of a spy. He realized in a flash that, since +he had vindicated his own prowess, he was glad of Woodville's escape. + +He turned and walked thoughtfully back up the ravine. Very little noise +came from the house and the thin spires of smoke had disappeared. He +knew now that the fires had been put out with ease, thanks to his +quick warning. Before starting he had recovered both his own pistol and +Woodville's, and he was particularly glad to find the latter because +it would be proof of his story, if proof were needed. The rain had not +ceased nor had the heavy darkness lifted, but the looming shadow of the +big house was sufficient guide. He found the place where he had slipped +down the bank and the torn bushes and grass showed that he had made a +fine trail. He pulled himself back up by the bushes and reentered the +garden, where he was halted at once by two watchful sentries. + +“Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's staff,” he said, +“returning from the pursuit of a fugitive.” + +The men knew him and they said promptly: + +“Pass Lieutenant Mason.” + +But despite the dark they stared at him very curiously, and when he +walked on toward the piazza one of them muttered to the other: + +“I guess he must have overtook that fugitive he was chasin'.” + +Dick walked up the steps upon the piazza, where some one had lighted a +small lamp, near which stood Colonel Winchester and his staff. + +“Here's Dick!” exclaimed Warner in a tone of great relief. + +“And we thought we had lost him,” said Colonel Winchester, gladness +showing in his voice. Then he added: “My God, Dick, what have you been +doing to yourself?” + +“Yes, what kind of a transformation is this?” added a major. “You've +certainly come back with a face very different from the one with which +you left us!” + +Dick turned fiery red. He suddenly became conscious that he had a left +ear of enormous size, purple and swollen, that his left eye was closing +fast, that the blood was dripping from cuts on either cheek, that the +blood had flowed down the middle of his forehead and had formed a little +stalactite on the end of his nose, that his chin had been gashed in five +places by a strong fist, and that he had contributed his share to the +bloodshed of the war. + +“If I didn't know these were modern times,” said Warner, “I'd say that +he had just emerged from a sanguinary encounter bare-handed in the Roman +arena with a leopard.” + +Dick glared at him. + +“It was you who gave the alarm of fire, was it not?” asked Colonel +Winchester. + +“Yes, sir. I saw the man who set the fires and I pursued him through the +garden and into the ravine that runs behind it.” + +“Your appearance indicates that you overtook him.” + +Dick flushed again. + +“I did, sir,” he replied. “I know I'm no beauty at present, but neither +is he.” + +“It looks as if it had been a matter of fists?” + +“It was, sir. Both of us fired our pistols, but missed. Then we threw +our weapons to one side and clashed. It was a hard and long fight, sir. +He hit like a pile driver, and he was as active as a deer. But I was +lucky enough to knock him out at last.” + +“Then why does your face look like a huge piece of pickled beef?” asked +the incorrigible Warner mischievously. + +“You wait and I'll make yours look the same!” retorted Dick. + +“Shut up,” said Colonel Winchester. “If I catch you two fighting I may +have you both shot as an example.” + +Dick and Warner grinned good-naturedly at each other. They knew that +Colonel Winchester did not dream of carrying out such a threat, and they +knew also that they had no intention of fighting. + +“And after you knocked him out what happened?” asked the colonel. + +Dick looked sheepish. + +“He lay so still I was afraid he was dead,” he replied. “I ran down to +a brook, filled my cap with water, and returned with it in the hope +of reviving him. I got there just in time to see him vanishing in the +bushes. Pursuit was hopeless.” + +“He was clever,” said the Colonel. “Have you any idea who he was?” + +“He told me. He was Victor Woodville, the son of Colonel John Woodville, +C.S.A., the owner of this house.” + +“Ah!” said Colonel Winchester, and then after a moment's thought he +added: “It's just as well he escaped. I should not have known what to do +with him. But we have you, Dick, to thank for giving the alarm. Now, go +inside and change to some dry clothes, if you have any in your baggage, +and if not dry yourself before a fire they're going to build in the +kitchen.” + +“Will you pardon me for speaking of something, sir?” + +“Certainly. Go ahead.” + +“I think the appearance of young Woodville here indicates the nearness +of Forrest or some other strong cavalry force.” + +“You're right, Dick, my officers and I are agreed upon it. I have +doubled the watch, but now get yourself to that fire and then to sleep.” + +Dick obeyed gladly enough. The night had turned raw and chill, and the +cold water dripped from his clothes as he walked. But first he produced +Woodville's pistol and handed it to Colonel Winchester. + +“There's my antagonist's pistol, sir,” he said. “You'll see his initials +on it.” + +“Yes, here they are,” said Colonel Winchester: “'V.W., C.S.A.' It's a +fine weapon, but it's yours, Dick, as you captured it.” + +Dick took it and went to the kitchen, where the big fire had just begun +to blaze. He was lucky enough to be the possessor of an extra uniform, +and before he changed into it--they slept with their clothes on--he +roasted himself before those glorious coals. Then, as he was putting on +the fresh uniform, Warner and Pennington appeared. + +“What would you recommend as best for the patient, Doctor,” said Warner +gravely to Pennington. + +“I think such a distinguished surgeon as you will agree with me that his +wounds should first be washed and bathed thoroughly in cold water.” + +“And after that a plentiful application of soothing liniment.” + +“Yes, Doctor. That is the best we can do with the simple medicines we +have, but it especially behooves us to reduce the size of that left ear, +or some of the boys will say that we have a case of elephantiasis on our +hands.” + +“While you're reducing the size of it you might also reduce the pain in +it,” said Dick. + +“We will,” said Pennington; “we've got some fine horse liniment here. +I brought it all the way from Nebraska with me, and if it's good for +horses it ought to be good for prize fighters, too. That was surely a +hefty chap who fought you. If you didn't have his pistol as proof I'd +say that he gave you a durned good licking. Isn't this a pretty cut down +the right cheek bone, George?” + +“Undoubtedly, but nothing can take away the glory of that left ear. +Why, if Dick could only work his ears he could fan himself with it +beautifully. When I meet that Woodville boy I'm going to congratulate +him. He was certainly handy with his fists.” + +“Go on, fellows,” said Dick, good-naturedly. “In a week I won't have a +wound or a sign of a scar. Then I'll remember what you've said to me and +I'll lick you both, one after the other.” + +“Patient is growing delirious, don't you think so, Doctor?” said Warner +to Pennington. + +“Beyond a doubt. Violent talk is always proof of it. Better put him to +bed. Spread his two blankets before the fire, and he can sleep there, +while every particle of cold and stiffness is being roasted out of him.” + +“You boys are very good to me,” said Dick gratefully. + +“It's done merely in the hope that your gratitude will keep you from +giving us the licking you promised,” said Pennington. + +Then they left him and Dick slept soundly until he was awakened the next +day by Warner. The fire was out, the rain had ceased long since and the +sun was shining brilliantly. + +“Hop up, Dick,” said Warner briskly. “Breakfast's ready. Owing to your +wound we let you sleep until the last moment. Come now, take the foaming +coffee and the luscious bacon, and we'll be off, leaving Bellevue again +to its masters, if they will come and claim it.” + +“Has anything happened in the night?” + +“Nothing since you ran your face against a pile driver, but Sergeant +Daniel Whitley, who reads the signs of earth and air and wood and water, +thinks that something is going to happen.” + +“Is it Forrest?” + +“Don't know, but it's somebody or something. As soon as we can eat our +luxurious breakfasts we mean to mount and ride hard toward Grant. We're +scouts, but according to Whitley the scouts are scouted, and this is a +bad country to be trapped in.” + +Dick was so strong and his blood was so pure that he felt his wounds +but little now. The cuts and bruises were healing fast and he ate with a +keen appetite. He heard then of the signs that Whitley had seen. He had +found two broad trails, one three miles from the house, and the other +about four miles. Each indicated the passage of several hundred men, but +he had no way of knowing whether they belonged to the same force. They +were bound to be Confederate cavalry as Colonel Winchester's regiment +was known to be the only Union force in that section. + +Dick knew their position to be dangerous. Colonel Winchester had done +his duty in discovering that Forrest and Wheeler were raiding through +Mississippi, and that a heavy force was gathering in the rear of Grant, +who intended the siege of Vicksburg. It behooved him now to reach Grant +as soon as he could with his news. + +Refreshed and watchful, the regiment rode away from Bellevue. Dick +looked back at the broad roof and the great piazzas, and then he thought +of young Woodville with a certain sympathy. They had fought a good fight +against each other, and he hoped they would meet after the war and be +friends. + +It was about an hour after sunrise, and the day was bright and warm. The +beads of water that stood on every leaf and blade of grass were drying +fast, and the air, despite its warmth, was pure and bracing. Dick, as +he looked at the eight hundred men, tanned, experienced and thoroughly +armed, under capable leaders, felt that they were a match for any roving +Southern force. + +“Just let Forrest come on,” he said. “I know that the Colonel is aching +to get back at him for that surprise in Tennessee, and I believe we +could whip him.” + +“You're showing great spirit for a man who was beaten up in the prize +ring as you were last night. I thought you'd want to rest for a few +days.” + +“Drop it, George. I did get some pretty severe cuts and bruises, but I +was lucky enough to have the services of two very skillful and devoted +young physicians. Their treatment was so fine that I'm all right +to-day.” + +“Unless I miss my guess, we'll need the services of doctors again before +night comes. No mountains are here, but this is a great country for +ambush. It's mostly in forest, and even in the open the grass is already +very tall. Besides, there are so many streams, bayous, and ponds. Notice +how far out on the flanks the skirmishers and scouts are riding, and +others ride just as far ahead.” + +Two miles from Bellevue and they came to a small hill, covered with +forest, from the protection of which the officers examined the country +long and minutely, while their men remained hidden among the deep +foliaged trees. Dick had glasses of his own which he put to his eyes, +bringing nearer the wilderness, broken here and there by open spaces +that indicated cotton fields. Yet the forest was so dense and there +was so much of it that a great force might easily be hidden within its +depths only a mile away. + +“Have we any information at all about Forrest's strength?” whispered +Pennington to Dick. + +“His full force isn't down here. It is believed he has not more than a +thousand or twelve hundred men. But he and his officers know the country +thoroughly, and of course the inhabitants, being in full sympathy with +them, will give them all the information they need. The news of every +movement of ours has been carried straight to the rebel general.” + +“And yet the country seems to have no people at all. We come to but few +houses, and those few are deserted.” + +“So they are. What was that? Did you see it, Frank?” + +“What was what?” + +“I forgot that you are not using glasses. I caught a momentary glitter +in the woods. I think it was a sunbeam passing through the leaves and +striking upon the polished barrel of a rifle. Ah! there it is again! And +Colonel Winchester has seen it too.” + +The colonel and his senior officers were now gazing intently at the +point in the wood where Dick had twice seen the gleam, and, keener-eyed +than they, he continued to search the leafy screen through his own +glasses. Soon he saw bayonets, rifles, horses and men advancing swiftly, +and then came two of their own scouts galloping. + +“The enemy is advancing!” they cried. “It's Forrest!” + +A thrill shot through Dick. The name of Forrest was redoubtable, but +he knew that every man in the regiment was glad to meet him again. He +glanced at Colonel Winchester and saw that his face had flushed. He knew +that the colonel was more than gratified at this chance. + +“We'll make our stand here,” said Colonel Winchester. “The hill runs to +the right, and, as you see over there, it is covered with forest without +undergrowth. Thus we can secure protection, and at the same time be able +to maneuver, mounted.” + +The regiment was posted rapidly in two long lines, the second to fire +between the intervals of the first. They carried carbines and heavy +cavalry sabers, and they were the best mounted regiment in the Northern +service. + +Yet these men, brave and skillful as they were, were bound to feel +trepidation, although they did not show it. They were far in the +Southern forest, cut off from their army, and Forrest, in addition +to his own cavalry, might have brought with him fresh reserves of the +enemy. + +Dick, Warner, and Pennington, as usual, remained close to their colonel, +and Sergeant Daniel Whitley was not far away. But Colonel Winchester +presently rode along the double line of his veterans, and he spoke to +them quietly but with emphasis and conviction: + +“My lads,” he said, “you see Forrest's men coming through the woods to +attack us. Forrest is the greatest cavalry leader the South has, west of +the Alleghanies. Some of you were with me when we were surprised and cut +up by him in Tennessee. But you will not be surprised by him now, nor +will you be cut up by him. All of you have become great riders, a match +for Forrest's own, and as I look upon your faces here I know that there +is no fear in a single heart. You have served under Grant, and you have +served under Thomas. They are two generals who always set their faces +toward the front and never turn them toward the rear. You will this day +prove yourselves worthy of Grant and Thomas.” + +They were about to cheer, but he checked it with the simple gesture of +a raised hand. Then they did a thing that only a beloved leader could +inspire. Every man in the regiment, resting his carbine across the +pommel of his saddle, drew his heavy cavalry saber and made it whirl in +coils of glittering light about his head. + +The great pulse in Dick's throat leaped as he saw. The long double line +seemed to give back a double flash of flame. Not a word was said, and +then eight hundred sabers rattled together as they were dropped back +into their scabbards. Colonel Winchester's face flushed deeply at the +splendid salute, but he did not speak either. He took off his cap and +swept it in a wide curve to all his men. Then he turned his face toward +the enemy. + +The Southern trumpet was singing in the forest, and the force of +Forrest, about twelve hundred strong, was emerging into view. Dick, +through his glasses, saw and recognized the famous leader, a powerful, +bearded man, riding a great bay horse. He had heard many descriptions of +him and he knew him instinctively. He also recognized the fact that the +Winchester regiment had before it the most desperate work any men could +do, if it beat off Forrest when he came in his own country with superior +numbers. + +Neither side had artillery, not even the light guns that could be +carried horse- or muleback. It must be left to carbine and saber. +Colonel Winchester carefully watched his formidable foe, trying to +divine every trick and expedient that he might use. He had a memory to +avenge. He had news to carry to Grant, and Forrest must not keep +him from carrying it. Moreover, his regiment and he would gain great +prestige if they could beat off Forrest. There would be glory for the +whole Union cavalry if they drove back the Southern attack. Dick saw the +glitter of his colonel's eye and the sharp compression of his lips. + +But the men of Forrest, although nearly within rifle shot, did not +charge. Their bugle sang again, but Dick did not know what the tune +meant. Then they melted away into the deep forest on their flank, and +some of the troop thought they had gone, daunted by the firm front of +their foe. + +But Dick knew better. Forrest would never retreat before an inferior +force, and he was full of wiles and stratagems. Dick felt like a +primitive man who knew that he was being stalked by a saber-toothed +tiger through the dense forest. + +Colonel Winchester beckoned to Sergeant Whitley. “Pick a half-dozen +sharp-eyed men,” he said, “and ride into those woods. You're experienced +in this kind of war, Whitley, and before you go tell me what you think.” + +“General Forrest, sir, besides fighting as a white man fights, fights +like an Indian, too; that is, he uses an Indian's cunning, which is +always meant for ambush and surprise. He isn't dreaming of going away. +They're coming back through the thick woods.” + +“So I think. But let me know as soon as you can.” + +Ten minutes after the sergeant had ridden forward with his comrades they +heard the sound of rapid rifle shots, and then they saw the little band +galloping back. + +“They're coming, sir,” reported the sergeant. “Forrest has dismounted +several hundred of his men, and they are creeping forward from tree to +tree with their rifles, while the others hold their horses in the rear.” + +“Then it's an Indian fight for the present,” said Colonel Winchester. +“We'll do the same.” + +He rapidly changed his lines of battle. The entire front rank was +dismounted, while those behind held their horses. The four hundred in +front, spreading out in as long a line as possible in order to protect +their flanks, took shelter behind the trees and awaited the onset. + +The attack was not long in coming. The Southern sharpshooters, creeping +from tree to tree, began to fire. Scores of rifles cracked and Dick, +from a convenient place behind a tree, saw the spouts of flame appearing +along a line of four or five hundred yards. Bullets whizzed about him, +and, knowing that he would not be needed at present for any message, he +hugged the friendly bark more tightly. + +“It's lucky we have plenty of trees,” said a voice from the shelter of +the tree next to him. “We have at least one for every officer and man.” + +It was Warner who spoke and he was quite cheerful. Like Colonel +Winchester, he seemed to look forward to the combat with a certain joy, +and he added: + +“You'll take notice, Dick, old man, that we've not been surprised. +Forrest hasn't galloped over us as he did before. He's taking the +trouble to make the approach with protected riflemen. Now what is the +sergeant up to?” + +Sergeant Whitley, after whispering a little with Colonel Winchester, +had stolen off toward the right with fifty picked riflemen. When they +reached the verge of the open space that lay between the two sides they +threw themselves down in the thick, tall grass. Neither Dick nor Warner +could see them now. They beheld only the stems of the grass waving as if +under a gentle wind. But Dick knew that the rippling movement marked the +passage of the riflemen. + +Meanwhile the attack in their front was growing hotter. At least six +or seven hundred sharpshooters were sending a fire which would have +annihilated them if it had not been for the trees. As it was, fragments +of bark, twigs, and leaves showered about them. The whistling of the +bullets and their chugging as they struck the trees made a continuous +sinister note. + +The Union men were not silent under this fire. Their own rifles were +replying fast, but Colonel Winchester continually urged them to take +aim, and, while death and wounds were inflicted on the Union ranks, the +Southern were suffering in the same manner. + +Dick turned his eyes toward the right flank, where the fifty picked +riflemen, Sergeant Whitley at their head, were crawling through the +tall grass. He knew that they were making toward a little corner of the +forest, thrust farther forward than the rest, and presently when the +rippling in the grass ceased he was sure that they had reached it. Then +the fifty rifles cracked together and the Southern flank was swept by +fifty well-aimed bullets. Lying in their covert, Whitley's men reloaded +their breech-loading rifles and again sent in a deadly fire. + +The main Northern force redoubled its efforts at the same time. The men +in blue sent in swarms of whistling bullets and Dick saw the front line +of the South retreating. + +“We're rousing the wolves from their lairs,” explained Pennington +exultantly as he sprang from his tree, just in time for a bullet to send +his hat flying from his head. Fortunately, it clipped only a lock of +hair, but he received in a good spirit Warner's admonishing words: + +“Don't go wild, Frank. We've merely repelled the present attack. You +don't think that Forrest with superior forces is going to let us alone, +do you?” + +“No, I don't,” replied Pennington, “and don't you get behind that tree. +It's mine, and I'm coming back to it. I've earned it. I held it against +all kinds of bullets. Look at the scars made on each side of it by rebel +lead.” + +The firing now died. Whitley's flank movement had proved wholly +successful, and Colonel Winchester reinforced him in the little forest +peninsula with fifty more picked men, where they lay well hidden, a +formidable force for any assailant. + +The silence now became complete, save for the stamping of the impatient +horses and the drone of insects in the woods and grass. Dick, lying +on his stomach and using his glasses, could see nothing in the forest +before them. It was to him in all its aspects an Indian battle, and he +believed in spite of what Warner had said that the enemy had retired +permanently. + +Colonel Winchester and all the officers rose to their feet presently and +walked among the trees. No bullets came to tell them that they were +rash and then the senior officers held a conference, while all the men +remounted, save a dozen or so who would ride no more. But the colonel +did not abate one whit of his craft or caution. + +They resumed the march toward Grant, but they avoided every field or +open space. They would make curves and lose time in order to keep in the +dense wood, but, as Dick knew, Colonel Winchester still suspected that +Forrest was hovering somewhere on his flank, covered by the great forest +and awaiting a favorable opportunity to attack. + +They approached one of the deep and narrow streams that ultimately +find their way to the Mississippi. It had only one ford, and the scouts +galloping back informed them that the farther shore was held by a +powerful force of cavalry. + +“It's Forrest,” said Colonel Winchester with quiet conviction. “Knowing +every path of the woods, they've gone ahead of us, and they mean to cut +us off from Grant. Nevertheless we'll make a way.” + +He spoke firmly, but the junior officers of the staff did not exactly +see how they were going to force a ford defended by a larger number of +cavalry under the redoubtable Forrest. + +“I didn't think Forrest would let us alone, and he hasn't,” said +Pennington. + +“No, he hasn't,” said Warner, “and it seems that he's checkmated us, +too. Why, that river is swollen by the rains so much that it's a hard +job to cross it if no enemy were on the other side. But you'll note, +also, that the enemy, having got to the other side, can't come back +again in our face to attack us.” + +“But we want to go on and they don't,” said Dick. “They're satisfied +with the enforced status quo, and we're not. Am I right, Professor?” + +“You certainly are,” replied Warner. “Now, our colonel is puzzled, as +you can tell by his looks, and so would I be, despite my great natural +military talents.” + +The Winchester regiment fell back into the woods, leaving the two +forces out of rifle shot of each other. Sentinels were posted by both +commanders not far from the river and the rest, dismounting, took their +ease, save the officers, who again went into close conference. + +Afterward they sat among the trees and waited. It was low ground, with +the earth yet soaked from the heavy rain of the night before, and the +heat grew heavy and intense. The insects began to drone again, and once +more mosquitoes made life miserable. But the soldiers did not complain. +It was noon now, and they ate food from their knapsacks. Two springs of +clear water were found a little distance from the river and all drank +there. Then they went back to their weary waiting. + +On the other side of the river they could see the dismounted troopers, +playing cards, sleeping or currying their horses. They seemed to be in +no hurry at all. Colonel Winchester sent divisions of scouts up and down +the stream, and, both returning after a while, reported that the river +was not fordable anywhere. + +Colonel Winchester sat down under a tree and smoked his pipe. The longer +he smoked the more corrugated his brow became. He looked angrily at the +ford, but it would be folly to attempt a passage there, and, containing +himself as best he could, he waited while the long afternoon waned. His +men at least would get a good rest. + +Dick and his comrades, selecting the dryest place they could find, +spread their blankets and lay down. Protecting their faces from the +mosquitoes with green leaves, they sank into a deep quiet. Dick even +drowsed for a while. He could not think of a way out of the trap, and +he was glad it was the duty of older men like Colonel Winchester and the +majors and captains to save them. + +The heat of the day increased with the coming of afternoon, and Dick's +eyelids grew heavier. He had become so thoroughly hardened to march and +battle that the presence of the enemy on the other side of a river did +not disturb him. What was the use of bothering about the rebels as long +as they did not wish to fire upon one? + +His eyes closed for a few minutes, and then his dreaming mind traversed +space with incredible rapidity. He was back in Pendleton, sitting on +the portico with his mother, watching the flowers on the lawn nod in the +gentle wind. His cousin Harry Kenton saluted him with a halloo and came +bounding toward the porch, and the halloo caused Dick to awake and sit +up. He rubbed his eyes violently and looked around a little bit ashamed. +But two captains older than himself were sound asleep with their backs +against trees. + +Dick stood up and shook himself violently. Whatever others might do he +must not allow himself to relax so much. He saw that the sun was slowly +descending and that the full heat of the afternoon was passing. Colonel +Winchester had withdrawn somewhat among the trees and he beckoned to +him. Sergeant Whitley was standing beside the colonel. + +“Dick,” said Colonel Winchester, “colored men have brought us news that +Colonel Grierson of our army, with a strong raiding force of nearly two +thousand cavalry is less than a day's march away and on the same side +of this river that we are. We have received the news from three separate +sources and it must be true. Probably Forrest's men know it, too, but +expect Grierson to pass on, wholly ignorant that we're here. I have +chosen you and Sergeant Whitley to bring Grierson to our relief. The +horses are ready. Now go, and God speed you. The sergeant will tell you +what we know as you ride.” + +Dick sprang at once into the saddle, and with a brief good-bye he and +the sergeant were soon in the forest riding toward the southeast. Dick +was alive and energetic again. All that laziness of mind and body was +gone. He rode on a great ride and every sense was alert. + +“Tell me,” he said, “just about what the news is.” + +“Three men,” replied the sergeant, “came in at different times with +tales, but the three tales agree. Grierson has made a great raid, even +further down than we have gone. He has more than double our numbers, and +if we can unite with him it's likely that we can turn Forrest into the +pursued instead of the pursuer. They say we can hit his trail about +twenty-five miles from here, and if that's so we'll bring him up to the +ford by noon to-morrow. Doesn't it look promising to you, Lieutenant +Mason?” + +“It does look promising, Sergeant Whitley, if we don't happen to be +taken by the Johnnies who infest this region. Besides, you'll have to +guide through the dark to-night. You're trained to that sort of thing.” + +“You can see pretty well in the dark yourself, sir; and since our way +lies almost wholly through forest I see no reason why we should be +captured.” + +“That's so, sergeant. I'm just as much of an optimist as you are. You +keep the course, and I'm with you to the finish.” + +They rode rather fast at first as the sun had not yet set, picking their +way through the woods, and soon left their comrades out of sight. The +twilight now came fast, adding a mournful and somber red to the vast +expanse of wilderness. The simile of an Indian fight returned to Dick +with increased force. This was not like any battle with white men in +the open fields. It was a combat of raiders who advanced secretly under +cover of the vast wilderness. + +The twilight died with the rapidity of the South, and the darkness, +thick at the early hours, passed over the curve of the earth. For a time +Dick and the sergeant could not see many yards in front and they rode +very slowly. After a while, as the sky lightened somewhat and their eyes +also grew keen, they made better speed. Then they struck a path through +the woods leading in the right direction, and they broke into a trot. + +The earth was so soft that their horses' feet gave back but little +sound, and both were confident they would not meet any enemy in the +night at least. + +“Straight southeast,” said the sergeant, “and we're bound to strike +Grierson's tracks. After that we'd be blind if we couldn't follow the +trail made by nearly two thousand horsemen.” + +The path still led in the direction they wished and they rode on +silently for hours. Once they saw a farmhouse set back in the woods, and +they were in fear lest dogs come out and bark alarm, but there was no +sound and they soon left it far behind. + +They passed many streams, some of which were up to their saddle girths, +and then they entered a road which was often so deep in mud that they +were compelled to turn into the woods on the side. But no human being +had interfered with their journey, and their hopes rose to the zenith. + +They came, finally, into an open region of cotton fields, and the +sergeant now began to watch closely for the great trail they hoped to +find. A force as large as Grierson's would not attempt a passage through +the woods, but would seek some broad road and Sergeant Whitley expected +to find it long before morning. + +It was now an hour after midnight and they reckoned that they had come +about the right distance. There was a good moon and plenty of stars and +the sergeant gave himself only a half-hour to find the trail. + +“There's bound to be a wide road somewhere among these fields, the kind +we call a county road.” + +“It's over there beyond that rail fence,” said Dick. They urged their +horses into a trot, and soon found that Dick was right. A road of red +clay soft from the rains stretched before them. + +“A man doesn't have to look twice here for a trail. See,” said the +sergeant. + +The road from side to side was plowed deep with the hoofs of horses, +every footprint pointing northward. + +“Grierson's cavalry,” said Dick. + +“I take it that it can't be anything else. There is certainly in these +parts no rebel force of cavalry large enough to make this trail.” + +“How old would you say these tracks are?” + +“Hard to tell, but they can't have been made many hours ago. We'll press +forward, lieutenant, and we can save time going through the fields on +the edge of the road.” + +Although they had to take down fences they made good speed and just +as the sun was rising they saw the light of a low campfire among some +trees, lining either bank of a small creek. They approached warily, +until they saw the faded blue uniforms. Then they galloped forward, +shouting that they were friends, and in a few minutes were in the +presence of Grierson himself. + +He had been making a great raid, but he was eager now for the +opportunity to strike at Forrest. He must give his horses a short rest, +and then Dick and the sergeant should guide him at speed to the ford +where the opposing forces stood. + +“It's twenty-five miles, you tell me?” said Grierson to Dick. + +“As nearly as I can calculate, sir. It's through swampy country, but I +think we ought to be there in three or four hours.” + +“Then lead the way,” said Grierson. “Like your colonel, I'll be glad to +have a try at Forrest.” + +Sergeant Whitley rode in advance. A lumberman first and then a soldier +of the plains, he had noted even in the darkness every landmark and he +could lead the way back infallibly. But he warned Grierson that such a +man as Forrest would be likely to have out scouts, even if they had to +swim the river. It was likely that they could not get nearer by three or +four miles to Colonel Winchester without being seen. + +“Then,” said Grierson, who had the spirit of a Stuart or a Forrest, +“we'll ride straight on, brushing these watchers out of our way, and if +by any chance their whole force should cross, we'll just meet and fight +it.” + +“The little river is falling fast,” said the sergeant. “It's likely that +it'll be fordable almost anywhere by noon.” + +“Then,” said Grierson, “it'll be all the easier for us to get at the +enemy.” + +Dick, just behind Grierson, heard these words and he liked them. Here +was a spirit like Colonel Winchester's own, or like that of the great +Southern cavalry leaders. The Southerners were born on horseback, but +the Northern men were acquiring the same trick of hard riding. Dick +glanced back at the long column. Armed with carbine and saber the men +were riding their trained horses like Comanches. Eager and resolute +it was a formidable force, and his heart swelled with pride and +anticipation. He believed that they were going to give Forrest all he +wanted and maybe a little more. + +Up rose the sun. Hot beams poured over forest and field, but the +cavalrymen still rode fast, the scent of battle in their nostrils. Dick +knew that these Southern streams, flooded by torrents of rain, rose fast +and also fell fast. + +“How much further now, sergeant?” asked Grierson, as they turned from a +path into the deep woods. + +“Not more than three miles, sir.” + +“And they know we're coming. Listen to that!” + +Several rifles cracked among the trees and bullets whizzed by them. +Forrest's skirmishers and scouts were on the south side of the stream. +As they had foreseen, the river had sunk so much that it was fordable +now at many points. Dick was devoutly grateful that they had found +Grierson. Otherwise the Winchester regiment would have been flanked, and +its destruction would have followed. + +Skirmishers were detached from Grierson's command and drove off the +Southern riflemen. Dick heard the rattling fire of their rifles in the +deep wood, but he seldom saw a figure. Then he heard another fire, heavy +and continuous, in their front, coming quite clearly on a breeze that +blew toward them. + +“Your whole regiment is engaged,” exclaimed Grierson. “Forrest must have +forded the river elsewhere!” + +He turned and shook aloft his saber. + +“Forward, lads!” he shouted. “Gallant men of our own army will be +overwhelmed unless we get up in time!” + +The whole force broke into a gallop through the woods, the fire in their +front rapidly growing heavier. In ten minutes they would be there, but +rifles suddenly blazed from the forest on their flank and many saddles +were emptied. Nothing upsets like surprise, and for a few moments the +whole command was in disorder. It was evident that Forrest was attacking +Winchester with only a part of his force, while he formed an ambush for +Grierson. + +But the Northern cavalrymen had not learned in vain through disaster and +experience. Grierson quickly restored order and drew his men back into +the forest. As the enemy followed the Northern carbines began to flash +fast. The troopers in gray were unable to flank them or drive them back. +Grierson, sure of his superior numbers, pushed on toward Winchester, +while fighting off the foe at the same time. + +Dick and the sergeant kept in the van, and presently they came within +sight of Colonel Winchester's men, who, dismounted, were holding off as +best they could the overwhelming attack of Forrest. The Southern leader, +after sending the majority of his men to a new crossing lower down had +forced the ford before the Winchester regiment, and would have crushed +it if it had not been for the opportune arrival of Grierson. + +But a tremendous cheer arose as the Northern cavalry leader, who was +already proving his greatness, charged into the battle with his grim +troopers. The men in blue were now more numerous, and, fighting with the +resolve to win or die, they gradually forced back Forrest. Dick began to +foresee a victory won over the great Southern cavalryman. + +But the astute Forrest, seeing that the odds were now heavily against +him, ordered a retreat. The trumpets sang the recall and suddenly +the Southern horsemen, carrying their dead with them, vanished in the +forest, where the Northern cavalry, fearful of ambushes and new forces, +did not dare to pursue. + +But Winchester and Grierson were shaking hands, and Winchester thanked +the other in brief but emphatic words. + +“Say no more, colonel,” exclaimed Grierson. “We're all trying to serve +our common country. You'd help me just the same if we had the chance, +and I think you'll find the road clear to Grant. While the siege of +Vicksburg was determined on long ago, as you know, I believe that he is +now moving toward Grand Gulf. You know he has to deal with the armies of +Johnston and Pemberton.” + +“We'll find him,” said Winchester. + +A quarter of an hour later his regiment was galloping toward Grant, +while Grierson's command rode eastward to deal with other forces of the +Confederacy. + + + + +CHAPTER III. GRANT MOVES + + +The Winchester regiment had not suffered greatly. A dozen men who had +fallen were given speedy burial, and all the wounded were taken away on +horseback by their friends. Dick rejoiced greatly at their escape from +Forrest, and the daring and skill of Grierson. He felt anew that he was +in stronger hands in the West than he had been in the East. In the East +things seemed to go wrong nearly always, and the West they seemed to +go right nearly always. It could not be chance continued so long. He +believed in his soul that it was Grant, the heroic Thomas, and the great +fighting powers of the western men, used to all the roughness of life +out-of-doors and on the border. + +They turned their course toward the Mississippi and that afternoon they +met a Union scout who told them that Grant, now in the very heart of the +far South, was gathering his forces for a daring attack upon Grand +Gulf, a Confederate fortress on the Mississippi. In the North and at +Washington his venture was regarded with alarm. There was a telegram +to him to stop, but it was sent too late. He had disappeared in the +Southern wilderness. + +But Dick understood. He had both knowledge and intuition. Colonel +Winchester on his long and daring scout had learned that the Confederate +forces in the South were scattered and their leaders in doubt. Grant, +taking a daring offensive and hiding his movements, had put them on the +defensive, and there were so many points to defend that they did not +know which to choose. Joe Johnston, just recovered from his wound at +Fair Oaks the year before, and a general of the first rank, was coming, +but he was not yet here. + +Meanwhile Pemberton held the chief command, but he seemed to lack energy +and decision. There were forces under other generals scattered along the +river, including eight thousand commanded by Bowen, who held Grand Gulf, +but concert of action did not exist among them. + +This knowledge was not Dick's alone. It extended to every man in +the regiment, and when the colonel urged them to greater speed they +responded gladly. + +“If we don't ride faster,” he said, “we won't be up in time for the +taking of Grand Gulf.” + +No greater spur was needed and the Winchester regiment went forward as +fast as horses could carry them. + +“I take it that Grant means to scoop in the Johnnies in detail,” said +Warner. + +“It seems so,” said Pennington. “This is a big country down here, and we +can fight one Confederate army while another is mired up a hundred miles +away. + +“That's General Grant's plan. He doesn't look like any hero of romance, +but he acts like one. He plunges into the middle of the enemy, and if he +gets licked he's up and at 'em again right away.” + +Night closed in, and they stopped at an abandoned plantation--it seemed +to Dick that the houses were abandoned everywhere--where they spent the +night. The troopers would have willingly pushed on through the darkness, +but the horses were so near exhaustion that another hour or two would +have broken them down permanently. Moreover, Colonel Winchester did not +feel much apprehension of an attack now. Forrest had certainly turned +in another direction, and they were too close to the Union lines to be +attacked by any other foe. + +The house on this plantation was not by any means so large and fine as +Bellevue, but, like the other, it had broad piazzas all about it, and +Dick, in view of his strenuous experience, was allowed to take his +saddle as a pillow and his blankets and go to sleep soon after dark in a +comfortable place against the wall. + +Never was slumber quicker or sweeter. There was not an unhealthy tissue +in his body, and most of his nerves had disappeared in a life amid +battles, scoutings, and marchings. He slept heavily all through the +night, inhaling new strength and vitality with every breath of the +crisp, fresh air. There was no interruption this time, and early in the +morning the regiment was up and away. + +They descended now into lower grounds near the Mississippi. All around +them was a vast and luxuriant vegetation, cut by sluggish streams and +bayous. But the same desolation reigned everywhere. The people had fled +before the advance of the armies. Late in the afternoon they saw pickets +in blue, then the Mississippi, and a little later they rode into a Union +camp. + +“Dick,” said Colonel Winchester, “I shall want you to go with the senior +officers and myself to report to General Grant on the other side of the +Mississippi. You rode on that mission to Grierson and he may want to ask +you questions.” + +Dick was glad to go with them. He was eager to see once more the man who +had taken Henry and Donelson and who had hung on at Shiloh until Buell +came. The general's tent was in a grove on a bit of high ground, and he +was sitting before it on a little camp stool, smoking a short cigar, and +gazing reflectively in the direction of Grand Gulf. + +He greeted the three officers quietly but with warmth and then he +listened to Colonel Winchester's detailed account of what he had seen +and learned in his raid toward Jackson. It was a long narrative, showing +how the Southern forces were scattered, and, as he listened, Grant's +face began to show satisfaction. + +But he seldom interrupted. + +“And you think they have no large force at Jackson?” he said. + +“I'm quite sure of it,” replied Colonel Winchester. + +Grant chewed his cigar a little while and then said: + +“Grierson is doing well. It was an achievement for you and him to beat +off Forrest. It will raise the prestige of our cavalry, which needs it. +I believe it was you, Lieutenant Mason, who brought Grierson.” + +“It was chiefly, sir, a sergeant named Whitley. I rode with him and +outranked him, but he is a veteran of the plains, and it was he who did +the real work.” + +The general's stern features were lightened by a smile. + +“I'm glad you give the sergeant credit,” he said. “Not many officers +would do it.” + +He listened a while longer and then the three were permitted to withdraw +to their regiment, which was posted back of Grand Gulf, and which had +quickly become a part of an army flushed with victory and eager for +further action. + +Before sunset Dick, Warner, and Pennington looked at Grand Gulf, a +little village standing on high cliffs overlooking the Mississippi, +just below the point where the dark stream known as the Big Black River +empties into the Father of Waters. Around the crown of the heights was a +ring of batteries and lower down, enclosing the town, was another ring. + +Far off on the Mississippi the three saw puffing black smoke marking +the presence of a Union fleet, which never for one instant in the whole +course of the war relaxed its grip of steel upon the Confederacy. Dick's +heart thrilled at the sight of the brave ships. He felt then, as most of +us have felt since, that whatever happened the American navy would never +fail. + +“I hear the ships are going to bombard,” said Warner. + +“I heard so, too,” said Pennington, “and I heard also that they will +have to do it under the most difficult circumstances. The water in front +of Grand Gulf is so deep that the ships can't anchor. It has a swift +current, too, making at that point more than six knots an hour. There +are powerful eddies, too, and the batteries crowning the cliffs are +so high that the cannon of the gunboats will have trouble in reaching +them.” + +“Still, Mr. Pessimist,” said Dick, “remember what the gunboats did at +Fort Henry. You'll find the same kind of men here.” + +“I wasn't trying to discourage you. I was merely telling the worst +first. We're going to win. We nearly always win here in the West, but it +seems to me the country is against us now. This doesn't look much like +the plains, Dick, with its big, deep rivers, its high bluffs along the +banks, and its miles and miles of swamp or wet lowlands. How wide would +you say the Mississippi is here?” + +“Somewhere between a mile and a mile and a half.” + +“And they say it's two or three hundred feet deep. Look at the steamers, +boys. How many are there?” + +“I count seven pyramids of smoke,” said Warner, “four in one group and +three in another. All the pyramids are becoming a little faint as the +twilight is advancing. Dick, you call me a cold mathematical person, but +this vast river flowing in its deep channel, the dark bluffs up there, +and the vast forests would make me feel mighty lonely if you fellows +were not here. It's a long way to Vermont.” + +“Fifteen hundred or maybe two thousand miles,” said Dick, “but look +how fast the dark is coming. I was wrong in saying it's coming. It just +drops down. The smoke of the steamers has melted into the night, and you +don't see them any more. The surface of the river has turned black as +ink, the bluffs of Grand Gulf have gone, and we've turned back three or +four hundred years.” + +“What do you mean by going back three or four hundred years?” asked +Warner, looking curiously at Dick. + +“Why, don't you see them out there?” + +“See them out there? See what?” + +“Why, the queer little ships with the high sides and prows! On my soul, +George, they're the caravels of Spain! Look, they're stopping! Now they +lower something in black over the side of the first caravel. I see a man +in a black robe like a priest, holding a cross in his hand and standing +at the ship's edge saying something. I think he's praying, boys. Now +sailors cut the ropes that hold the dark object. It falls into the river +and disappears. It's the burial of De Soto in the Father of Waters which +he discovered!” + +“Dick, you're dreaming,” exclaimed Pennington. + +“Yes, I know, but once there was a Chinaman who dreamed that he was a +lily. When he woke up he didn't know whether he was a Chinaman who had +dreamed he was a lily or a lily now dreaming he was a Chinaman.” + +“I like that story, Dick, but you've got too much imagination. The tale +of the death and burial of De Soto has always been so vivid to you that +you just stood there and re-created the scene for yourself.” + +“Of course that's it,” said Pennington, “but why can't a fellow create +things with his mind, when things that don't exist jump right up before +his eyes? I've often seen the mirage, generally about dark, far out on +the western plains. I've seen a beautiful lake and green gardens where +there was nothing but the brown swells rolling on.” + +“I concede all you say,” said Dick readily. “I have flashes sometimes, +and so does Harry Kenton and others I know.” + +“Flashes! What do you mean?” asked Warner. + +“Why, a sort of lightning stroke out of the past. Something that lasts +only a second, but in which you have a share. Boys, one day I saw myself +a Carthaginian soldier following Hannibal over the Alps.” + +“Maybe,” said Pennington, “we have lived other lives on this earth, and +sometimes a faint glimpse of them comes to us. It's just a guess.” + +“That's so,” said Warner, “and we'd better be getting back to the +regiment. Grand Gulf defended by Bowen and eight thousand good men is +really enough for us. I think we're going to see some lively fighting +here.” + +The heavy boom of a cannon from the upper circle of batteries swept over +the vast sheet of water flowing so swiftly toward the Gulf. The sound +came back in dying echoes, and then there was complete silence among +besieged and besiegers. + +The Winchesters had found a good solid place, a little hill among the +marshes, and they were encamped there with their horses. Dick had no +messages to carry, but he remained awake, while his comrades slept +soundly. He had slept so much the night before that he had no desire for +sleep now. + +From his position he could see the Confederate bluffs and a few lights +moving there, but otherwise the two armies were under a blanket of +darkness. He again felt deeply the sense of isolation and loneliness, +not for himself alone, but for the whole army. Grant had certainly shown +supreme daring in pushing far into the South, and the government at +Washington had cause for alarm lest he be reckless. If there were any +strong hand to draw together the forces of the Confederacy they could +surely crush him. But he had already learned in this war that those who +struck swift and hard were sure to win. That was Stonewall Jackson's +way, and it seemed to be Grant's way, too. + +Still unable to sleep, he walked to a better position, where he could +see the shimmering dark of the river and the misty heights with their +two circles of cannon. A tall figure standing there turned at his tread +and he recognized Colonel Winchester. + +“Uneasy at our position, Dick?” said the colonel, fathoming his mind at +once. + +“A little, sir, but I think General Grant will pull us through.” + +“He will, Dick, and he'll take this fort, too. Grant's the hammer we've +been looking for. Look at his record. He's had backsets, but in the end +he's succeeded in everything he's tried. The Confederate government and +leaders have made a mess of their affairs in the West and Southwest, and +General Grant is taking full advantage of it.” + +“Do we attack in the morning, sir?” + +“We do, Dick, though not by land. Porter, with his seven gunboats, is +going to open on the fort, but it will be a hazardous undertaking.” + +“Because of the nature of the river, sir?” + +“That's it. They can't anchor, and with full steam up, caught in all the +violent eddies that the river makes rounding the point, they'll have to +fire as best they can.” + +“But the gunboats did great work at Fort Henry, sir.” + +“So they did, Dick, and we've come a long way South since then, which +means that we're making progress and a lot of it here in the West. Well, +we'll see to-morrow.” + +They walked back to their own camp and sleep came to Dick at last. But +he awoke early and found that the thrill of expectation was running +through the whole army. Their position did not yet enable them to attack +on land, but far out on the river they saw the gunboats moving. Porter, +the commander, divided them into two groups. Four of the gunboats were +to attack the lower circle of batteries and three were to pour their +fire upon the upper ring. + +Dick by day even more than by night recognized the difficulty of the +task. Before them flowed the vast swift current of the Mississippi, +gleaming now in the sunshine, and beyond were the frowning bluffs, +crested and ringed with cannon. Grant had with him twenty thousand men +and his seven gunboats, and Bowen, eight thousand troops. But if the +affair lasted long other Southern armies would surely come. + +Dick and his comrades had little to do but watch and thousands watched +with them. When the sun was fully risen the seven boats steamed out in +two groups, four farther down the river in order to attack the lower +batteries, while the other three up the stream would launch their fire +against those on the summit. + +He watched the crest of the cliffs. He saw plainly through his glasses +the muzzles of cannon and men moving about the batteries. Then there +was a sudden blaze of fire and column of smoke and a shell struck in the +water near one of the gunboats. The boat replied and its comrades also +sent shot and shell toward the frowning summit. Then the batteries, both +lower and upper, replied with full vigor and all the cliffs were wrapped +in fire and smoke. + +The boats steamed in closer and closer, pouring an incessant fire from +their heavy guns, and both rings of batteries on the cliffs responded. +The water of the river spouted up in innumerable little geysers and now +and then a boat was struck. Over both cliffs and river a great cloud +of smoke lowered. It grew so dense that Dick and his comrades, watching +with eagerness, were unable to tell much of what was happening. + +Yet as the smoke lifted or was shot through with the blaze of cannon +fire they saw that their prophecies were coming true. The boats in water +too deep for anchorage were caught in the powerful eddies and their +captains had to show their best seamanship while they steamed back and +forth. + +The battle between ship and shore went on for a long time. It seemed at +last to the watching Union soldiers that the fire from the lower line of +batteries was diminishing. + +“We're making some way,” said Warner. + +“It looks like it,” said Dick. “Their lower batteries are not so well +protected as the upper.” + +“If we were only over there, helping with our own guns.” + +“But there's a big river in between, and we've got to leave it to the +boats for to-day, anyhow.” + +“Look again at those lower batteries. Their fire is certainly +decreasing. I can see it die down.” + +“Yes, and now it's stopped entirely. The boats have done good work!” + +A tremendous cheer burst from the troops on the west shore as they saw +how much their gallant little gunboats had achieved. Every gun in the +lower batteries was silent now, but the top of the cliffs was still +alive with flame. The batteries there were far from silent. Instead +their fire was increasing in volume and power. + +The four gunboats that had silenced the lower batteries now moved up to +the aid of their comrades, and the seven made a united effort, steaming +forward in a sort of half-moon, and raining shot and shell upon the +summits. But the guns there, well-sheltered and having every advantage +over rocking steamers, maintained an accurate and deadly fire. The +decks of the gunboats were swept more than once. Many men were killed or +wounded. Heavy shot crashed through their sides, and Dick expected every +instant to see some one of them sunk by a huge exploding shell. + +“They can't win! They can't win!” he exclaimed. “They'd better draw off +before they're sunk!” + +“So they had,” said Warner sadly. “Boats are at a disadvantage fighting +batteries. The old darky was right when he preferred a train wreck to a +boat wreck, 'ef the train's smashed, thar you are on the solid ground, +but ef the boat blows up, whar is you?' That's sense. The boats are +retiring! It's sad, but it's sense. A boat that steams away will live to +fight another day.” + +Dick was dejected. He fancied he could hear the cheering of their foes +at what looked like a Union defeat, but he recalled that Grant, the +bulldog, led them. He would never think of retiring, and he was sure to +be ready with some new attempt. + +The gunboats drew off to the far western shore and lay there, puffing +smoke defiantly. Their fight with the batteries had lasted five hours +and they had suffered severely. It seemed strange to Dick that none of +them had been sunk, and in fact it was strange. All had been hit many +times, and one had been pierced by nearly fifty shot or shell. Their +killed or wounded were numerous, but their commanders and crews were +still resolute, and ready to go into action whenever General Grant +wished. + +“Spunky little fellows,” said Pennington. “We don't have many boats out +where I live, but I must hand a bunch of laurel to the navy every time.” + +“And you can bind wreaths around the hair of those navy fellows, too,” + said Warner, “and sing songs in their honor whether they win or lose.” + +“Now I wonder what's next,” said Dick. + +To their surprise the gunboats opened fire again just before sundown, +and the batteries replied fiercely. Rolling clouds of smoke mingled +with the advancing twilight, and the great guns from either side flashed +through the coming darkness. Then from a stray word or two dropped +by Colonel Winchester Dick surmised the reason of this new and rather +distant cannonade. + +He knew that General Grant had transports up the river above Grand Gulf, +and he believed that they were now coming down the stream under cover of +the bombardment and the darkness. He confided his belief to Warner, who +agreed with him. Presently they saw new coils of smoke in the darkness +and knew they were right. The transports, steaming swiftly, were soon +beyond the range of the batteries, and then the gun boats, drawing off, +dropped down the river with them. + +Long before the boats reached a point level with Grant's camp the army +was being formed in line for embarkation on the gunboats and transports. +The horses were to be placed on one or two of the transports and the men +filled all the other vessels. + +“You can't down Grant,” said Pennington. “A failure with him merely +means that he's going to try again.” + +“But don't forget the navy and the Father of Waters,” said Dick, as +their transports swung from the shore upon the dark surface of the +river. “The mighty rivers help us. Look how we went up the Cumberland +and the Tennessee and now we've harnessed a flowing ocean for our +service.” + +“Getting poetical, Dick,” said Warner. + +“I feel it and so do you. You can't see the bluffs any more. There's +nothing in sight, but the lights of the steamers and the transports. We +must be somewhere near the middle of the stream, because I can't make +out either shore.” + +There were two regiments aboard the transport, the Winchester and one +from Ohio, which had fought by their side at both Perryville and Stone +River. Usually these boys chattered much, but now they were silent, +permeated by the same feelings that had overwhelmed Dick. In the +darkness--all lights were concealed as much as possible--with both banks +of the vast river hidden from them, they felt that they were in very +truth afloat upon a flowing ocean. + +They knew little about their journey, except that they were destined for +the eastern shore, the same upon which Grand Gulf stood, but they did +not worry about this lack of knowledge. They were willing to trust to +Grant, and most of them were already asleep, upon the decks, in the +cabins, or in any place in which a human body could secure a position. + +Dick did not sleep. The feeling of mystery and might made by the +tremendous river remained longer in his sensitive and imaginative +nature. His mind, too, looked backward. He knew that the great +grandfathers of Harry Kenton and himself, the famous Henry Ware and the +famous Paul Cotter, had passed up and down this monarch of streams. +He knew of their adventures. How often had he and his cousin, who now, +alas! was on the other side, listened to the stories of those mighty +days as they were handed from father to son! Those lads had floated +in little boats and he was on a steamer, but it seemed to him that the +river with its mighty depths took no account of either, steamer or canoe +being all the same to its vast volume of water. + +He was standing by the rail looking over, when happening to glance back +he saw by the ship's lantern what he thought was a familiar face. A +second glance and he was sure. He remembered that fair-haired Ohio lad, +and, smiling, he said: + +“You're one of those Ohio boys who, marching southward from its mouth +in the Ohio, drank the tributary river dry clear to its source, the +mightiest achievement in quenching thirst the world has ever known. +You're the boy, too, who told about it.” + +The youth moved forward, gazed at him and said: + +“Now I remember you, too. You're Dick Mason of the Winchester regiment. +I heard the Winchesters were on board, but I haven't had time to look +around. It was hot when we drank up the river, but it was hotter that +afternoon at Perryville. God! what a battle! And again at Stone +River, when the Johnnies surprised us and took us in flank. It was you +Kentuckians then who saved us.” + +“Just as you would have saved us, if it had been the other way.” + +“I hope so. But, Mason, we left a lot of the boys behind. A big crowd +stopped forever at Perryville, and a bigger at Stone River.” + +“And we left many of ours, too. I suppose we'll land soon, won't we, and +then take these Grand Gulf forts with troops.” + +“Yes, that's the ticket, but I hear, Mason, it's hard to find a landing +on the east side. The banks are low there and the river spreads out to +a vast distance. After the boats go as far as they can we'll have to get +off in water up to our waists and wade through treacherous floods.” + +The question of landing was worrying Grant at that time and worrying him +terribly. The water spread far out over the sunken lands and he might +have to drop down the river many miles before he could find a landing on +solid ground, a fact which would scatter his army along a long line, and +expose it to defeat by the Southern land forces. But his anxieties were +relieved early in the morning when a colored man taken aboard from a +canoe told him of a bayou not five miles below Grand Gulf up which his +gunboats and transports could go and find a landing for the troops on +solid ground. + +Dick was asleep when the boats entered the bayou, but he was soon +awakened by the noise of landing. It was then that most of the +Winchester and of the Ohio regiment discovered that they were comrades, +thrown together again by the chances of war, and there was a mighty +welcome and shaking of hands. But it did not interfere with the rapidity +of the landing. The Winchester regiment was promptly ordered forward +and, advancing on solid ground, took a little village without firing a +shot. + +All that day troops came up and Grant's army, after having gone away +from Grand Gulf in darkness, was coming back to it in daylight. + +“They say that Pemberton at Vicksburg could gather together fifty +thousand men and strike us, while we've only twenty thousand here,” said +Pennington. + +“But he isn't going to do it,” said Warner. “How do I know? No, I'm not +a prophet nor the son of a prophet. There's nothing mysterious about +it. This man Grant who leads us knows the value of time. He makes up his +mind fast and he acts fast. The Confederate commander doesn't do either. +So Grant is bound to win. Let z equal resolution and y equal speed and +we have z plus y which equals resolution and speed, that is victory.” + +“I hope it will work out that way,” said Dick, “but war isn't altogether +mathematics.” + +“Not altogether, but that beautiful study plays a great part in every +campaign. People are apt to abuse mathematics, when they don't know what +they're talking about. The science of mathematics is the very basis of +music, divine melody, heaven's harmony.” + +“You needn't tell me,” said Pennington, “that a plus b and z minus y +lie at the basis of 'Home, Sweet Home' and the 'Star Spangled Banner.' +I accept a lot of your tales because you come from an old state like +Vermont, but there's a limit, George.” + +Warner looked at him pityingly. + +“Frank,” he said, “I'm not arguing with you. I'm telling you. Haven't +you known me long enough to accept whatever I say as a fact, and to +accept it at once and without question? Not to do so is an insult to me +and to the truth. Now say over slowly with me: 'The basis of music is +mathematics.'” + +They said slowly together: + +“The basis of music is mathematics.” + +“Now I accept your apologies,” said Warner loftily. + +Pennington laughed. + +“You're a queer fellow, George,” he said. “When this war is over and I +receive my general's uniform I'm coming up into the Vermont mountains +and look your people over. Will it be safe?” + +“Of course, if you learn to read and write by then, and don't come +wearing your buffalo robe. We're strong on education and manners.” + +“Why, George,” said Pennington in the same light tone, “I could +read when I was two years old, and, as for writing, I wrote a lot of +text-books for the Vermont schools before I came to the war.” + +“Shut up, you two,” said Dick. “Don't you know that this is a war and +not a talking match?” + +“It's not a war just now, or at least there are a few moments between +battles,” retorted Warner, “and the best way I can use them is in +instructing our ignorant young friend from Nebraska.” + +Their conversation was interrupted by Colonel Winchester, who ordered +the regiment to move to a new point. General Grant had decided to attack +a little town called Port Gibson, which commanded the various approaches +to Grand Gulf. If he could take that he might shut up Bowen and his +force in Grand Gulf. On the other hand, if he failed he might be shut +in himself by Confederate armies gathering from Jackson, Vicksburg, and +elsewhere. The region, moreover, was complicated for both armies by the +mighty Mississippi and the Big Black River, itself a large stream, and +there were deep and often unfordable bayous. + +But Grant showed great qualities, and Dick, who was experienced enough +now to see and know, admired him more than ever. He pushed forward with +the utmost resolution and courage. His vanguard, led by McClernand, and +including the Winchester regiment, seized solid ground near Port Gibson, +but found themselves confronted by a formidable Southern force. Bowen, +who commanded in Grand Gulf, was brave and able. Seeing the Union army +marching toward his rear, and knowing that if Grant took it he would be +surrounded, both on land and water, by a force outnumbering his nearly +three to one, he marched out at once and took station two miles in front +of Port Gibson. + +Dick was by the side of Colonel Winchester as he rode forward. The faint +echo of shots from the skirmishers far in front showed that they had +roused up an enemy. Glasses were put in use at once. + +“The Confederates are before us,” said Colonel Winchester. + +“So they are, and we're going to have hard fighting,” said a major. +“Look what a position!” + +Dick said nothing, but he was using his glasses, too. He saw before him +rough ground, thickly sown with underbrush. There was also a deep ravine +or rather marsh choked with vines, bushes, reeds, and trees that like a +watery soil. The narrow road divided and went around either end of the +long work, where the two divisions united again on a ridge, on which +Bowen had placed his fine troops and artillery. + +“I don't see their men yet, except a few skirmishers,” said Dick. + +“No, but we'll find them in some good place beyond it,” replied Colonel +Winchester, divining Bowen's plan. + +It was night when the army in two divisions, one turning to the right +and the other to the left, began the circuit of the great marshy ravine. +Dick noticed that the troops who had struggled so long in mud and water +were eager. Here, west of the Alleghanies, the men in blue were always +expecting to win. + +The sky was sown with stars, casting a filmy light over the marching +columns. Dick was with the troops passing to the right, and he observed +again their springy and eager tread. + +Nor was the night without a lively note. Skirmishers, eager riflemen +prowling among the bushes, fired often at one another, and now and then +a Union cannon sent a shell screaming into some thick clump of forest, +lest a foe be lurking there for ambush. + +The reports of the rifles and cannon kept every one alert and watchful. +Early in the night while it was yet clear Dick often saw the flashes +from the firing, but, as the morning hours approached, heavy mists began +to rise from that region of damp earth and great waters. He shivered +more than once, and on the advice of Sergeant Whitley wrapped his +cavalry cloak about him. + +“Chills and fever,” said the sergeant sententiously. “So much water and +marsh it's hard to escape it. The sooner we fight the better.” + +“Well, that's what General Grant thinks already,” said Dick; “so I +suppose he doesn't need chills and fever to drive him on. All the same, +Sergeant, I'll wrap up as you say.” + +All the men in the Winchester regiment were soon doing the same. The +mists of the Mississippi, the Big Black and the bayous were raw and +cold, although it would be hot later on. But the period of coldness did +not last long. Soon the low sun showed in the east and the warm daylight +came. In the new light they saw the Confederate forces strongly posted +on the ridge where the halves of the road rejoined. As the Union column +came into view a cannon boomed and a shell burst in the road so near +that dirt was thrown upon them as it exploded and one man was wounded. +At the same time the column on the left under Osterhaus appeared, having +performed its semicircle about the marsh, and the whole Union army, +weary of body but eager of soul, pressed forward. The Winchester +regiment and the Ohio regiment beside it charged hotly, but were +received with a fire of great volume and accuracy that swept them from +the road. Another battery on their far left also raked them with a cross +fire, and so terrible was their reception that they were compelled to +abandon some of their own cannon and seek shelter. + +The Winchester regiment, except the officers, were not mounted in this +march, as Grant would not wait for their horses, which were on another +transport. The very fact saved from death many who would have made a +more shining target. Dick's own horse was killed at the first fire, +and as he leaped clear to escape he went down to his waist in a marsh, +another fact which saved his life a second time as the new volleys swept +over his head. The horses of other officers also were killed, and the +remainder, finding themselves such conspicuous targets, sprang to the +ground. The frightened animals, tearing the reins from their hands, +raced through the thickets or fell into the marsh. + +All the time Dick heard the shells and bullets shrieking and whining +over his head. But, regaining his courage and presence of mind, he +slowly pulled himself out of the marsh, taking shelter behind a huge +cypress that grew at its very edge. As he dashed the mud out of his eyes +he heard a voice saying: + +“Don't push! There's room enough here for the three of us. In fact, +there's room enough behind the big trees for all the officers.” + +It was Warner who was speaking with such grim irony, and Pennington by +his side was hugging the tree. Shells and shot shrieked over their heads +and countless bullets hummed about them. The soldiers also had taken +shelter behind the trees, and Warner's jest about the officers was +a jest only. Nevertheless the Southern fire was great in volume and +accuracy. Bowen was an able commander with excellent men, and from +his position that covered the meeting of the roads he swept both Union +columns with a continuous hail of death. + +“We must get out of this somehow,” said Dick. “If we're held here in +these swamps and thickets any longer the Johnnies can shoot us down at +their leisure.” + +“But we won't be held!” exclaimed Pennington. “Look! One of our brigades +is through, and it's charging the enemy on the right!” + +It was Hovey who had forced his way through a thicket, supposed to be +impenetrable, and who now, with a full brigade behind him, was rushing +upon Bowen's flank. Then, while the Southern defense was diverted to +this new attack, the Winchester and the Ohio regiment attacked in front, +shouting with triumph. + +Hovey's rush was overpowering. He drove in the Southern flank, taking +four cannon and hundreds of prisoners, but the dauntless Confederate +commander, withdrawing his men in perfect order, retreated to a second +ridge, where he took up a stronger position than the first. + +Resolute and dangerous, the men in gray turned their faces anew to the +enemy and sent back a withering fire that burned away the front ranks +of the Union army. Osterhaus, in spite of every effort, was driven back, +and the Winchesters and their Ohio friends were compelled to give ground +too. It seemed that the utmost of human effort and defiance of death +could not force the narrow passage. + +But a new man, a host in himself, came upon the field. Grant, who had +been on foot for two days, endeavoring to get his army through the +thickets and morasses, heard the booming of the cannon and he knew that +the vanguards had clashed. He borrowed a cavalry horse and, galloping +toward the sound of the guns, reached the field at mid-morning. Grant +was not impressive in either figure or manner, but the soldiers had +learned to believe in him as they always believe in one who leads them +to victory. + +A tremendous shout greeted his coming and the men, snatching off their +hats and caps, waved them aloft. Grant took no notice but rapidly +disposed his troops for a new and heavier battle. Dick felt the strong +and sure hand over them. The Union fire grew in might and rapidity. +McPherson arrived with two brigades to help Osterhaus, and the +strengthened division was able to send a brigade across a ravine, where +it passed further around Bowen's flank and assailed him with fury. + +Dick felt that their own division under McClernand was also making +progress. Although many men were falling they pressed slowly forward, +and Grant brought up help for them too. For a long time the struggle was +carried on. It was one of the little battles of the war, but its results +were important and few were fought with more courage and resolution. +Bowen, with only eight thousand against twenty thousand, held fast +throughout all the long hot hours of the afternoon. Grant, owing to the +nature of the field, was unable to get all his numbers into battle at +once. + +But when the twilight began to show Dick believed that victory was at +hand. They had not yet driven Bowen out, but they were pressing him +so close and hard, and Grant was securing so many new positions of +advantage, that the Southern leader could not make another such fight +against superior numbers in the morning. + +Twilight turned into night and Bowen and his men, who had shown so much +heroism, retreated in the dark, leaving six guns and many prisoners as +trophies of the victors. + +It was night when the battle ceased. Cannon and rifles flashed at fitful +intervals, warning skirmishers to keep away, but after a while they +too ceased and the Union army, exhausted by the long march of the night +before and the battle of the day, threw itself panting upon the ground. +The officers posted the sentinels in triple force, but let the remainder +of the men rest. + +As Dick lay down in the long grass two or three bullets dropped from +his clothes and he became conscious, too, that a bullet had grazed his +shoulder. But these trifles did not disturb him. It was so sweet to +rest! Nothing could be more heavenly than merely to lie there in the +long, soft grass and gaze up at the luminous sky, into which the stars +now stole to twinkle down at him peacefully. + +“Don't go to sleep, Dick,” said a voice near him. “I admit the +temptation is strong. I feel it myself, but General Grant may have to +send you and me forward to-night to win another battle.” + +“George, I'm glad to hear your preachy voice over there. Hurt any?” + +“No. A million cannon balls brushed my right cheek and another million +brushed my left cheek, but they didn't touch me. They scared me to +death, but in the last few minutes I've begun to come back to life. In a +quarter of an hour I'll be just as much alive as I ever was.” + +“Do you know anything of Pennington?” + +“Yes. The rascal is lying about six feet beyond me, sound asleep. In +spite of all I could do he wouldn't stay awake. I've punched him all +over to see if he was wounded, but as he didn't groan at a single punch, +he's all right.” + +“That being the case, I'm going to follow Pennington's example. You may +lecture me as much as you please, George, but you'll lecture only the +night, because I'll be far away from here in a land of sweet dreams.” + +“All right, if you're going to do it, I will too. You'll hear my snore +before I hear yours.” + +Both sank in a few minutes into a deep slumber, and when they awoke the +next morning they found that Bowen had abandoned Port Gibson and had +retreated into Grand Gulf again. There was great elation among the lads +and Dick began to feel that the position of the Union army in the far +South was strengthened immeasurably. He heard that Sherman, who had +stood so staunchly at Shiloh, was on his way to join Grant. Their united +forces would press the siege of Grand Gulf and would also turn to strike +at any foe who might approach from the rear. + +Never since the war began had Dick felt so elated as he did that +morning. When he saw the short, thick-set figure of Grant riding by +he believed that the Union, in the West at least, had found its man at +last. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. DICK'S MISSION + + +The night came down warm and heavy. Spring was far advanced in that +Southern region, and foliage and grass were already rich and heavy. +Dick, from his dozing position beside a camp fire, saw a great mass of +tall grass and green bushes beyond which lay the deep waters of a still +creek or bayou. The air, although thick and close, conduced to rest and +the peace that reigned after the battle was soothing to his soul. + +His friends, the two lads, who were knitted to him by so many hardships +and dangers shared, were sound asleep, and he could see their tanned +faces when the light of the flickering fires fell upon them. Good +old Warner! Good old Pennington! The comradeship of war knitted youth +together with ties that never could be broken. + +He moved into an easier position. He lay upon the soft turf and he had +doubled his blanket under his head as a pillow. At first the droning +noises of camp or preparation had come from afar, but soon they ceased +and now the frogs down by the sluggish waters began to croak. + +It was a musical sound, one that he had heard often in his native state, +and, singularly enough, the lad drew encouragement from it. “Be of good +cheer! Be of good cheer! Trust in the future! Trust in the future!” said +all those voices down among the swamps and reeds. And then Dick said +to himself: “I will trust and I will have hope!” He remembered his last +glimpse of Grant's short, strong figure and the confidence that this man +inspired in him. He, with tens of thousands of others, Abraham Lincoln +at their head, had been looking for a man, they had looked long and in +vain for such a man, but Dick was beginning to believe that they had +found him at last. + +It would take much of a man to stand before the genius of Lee, but it +might be Grant. Dick's faith in the star of his country, shattered so +often for the moment, began to rise that night and never sank again. + +He fell asleep to the homely music of the frogs among the reeds, and +slept without stir until nearly dawn. + +Just as the first strip of gray showed in the east Colonel Winchester +walked toward the spot where Dick and his comrades lay. The colonel had +not slept that night. His fine face was worn and thin, but the blue eyes +were alight with strength and energy. He had just left a conference of +high officers, and he came upon a mission. He reached the three lads, +and looked down at them with a sort of pity. He knew that it was his +duty to awake them at once and send them upon a perilous errand, but +they were so young, and they had already been through so much that he +hesitated. + +He put his hand upon Dick's shoulder and shook him. But it took more +than one shake to awaken the lad, and it was fully a minute before he +opened his eyes and sat up. Dick conscious but partly and rubbing his +sleepy eyes, asked: + +“What is it? Are we to go into battle again? Yes, sir! Yes, sir! I'm +ready!” + +“Not that, Dick, but I've orders for you.” + +Dick now awoke completely and saw that it was Colonel Winchester. He +sprang to his feet and saluted. + +“We'll wake up Warner and Pennington next,” said the colonel, “because +they go also on the kind of duty to which you're assigned.” + +“I'm glad of that,” said Dick warmly. + +Warner and Pennington were aroused with difficulty, but, as soon as +they realized that Colonel Winchester was before them and that they were +selected for a grave duty, they became at once keen and alert. + +“Lads,” said the colonel briefly, “you've all felt that we're now led by +a great commander. But energy and daring on the part of a leader demand +energy and daring on the part of his men. General Grant is about to +undertake a great enterprise, one that demands the concentration of his +troops. I want you, Warner, to go to General Sherman with this dispatch, +and here is one for you, Pennington, to take to General Banks.” + +He paused a moment and Dick asked: + +“Am I to be left out?” + +Colonel Winchester smiled. + +He liked this eagerness on the part of his boys, and yet there was +sadness in his smile, too. Young lieutenants who rode forth on errands +often failed to come back. + +“You're included, Dick,” he said, “and I think that yours is the most +perilous mission of them all. Pennington, you and Warner can be making +ready and I'll tell Dick what he's to do.” + +The Vermonter and the Nebraskan hurried away and Colonel Winchester, +taking Dick by the arm, walked with him beyond the circle of firelight. + +“Dick,” he said gently, “they asked me to choose the one in my command +whom I thought most fit for this duty to be done, and I've selected you, +although I'm sending you into a great peril.” + +Dick flushed with pride at the trust. Youth blinded him at present to +its perils. + +“Thank you, sir,” he said simply. + +“You will recall Major Hertford, who was with us in Kentucky before the +Shiloh days?” + +“I could not forget him, sir. One of our most gallant officers.” + +“You speak truly. He is one of our bravest, and also one of our ablest. +I speak of him as Major Hertford, but he has lately been promoted to the +rank of colonel, and he is operating toward the East with a large body +of cavalry, partly in conjunction with Grierson, who saved us at the +ford.” + +“And you want me to reach him, sir!” + +“You've divined it. He is near Jackson, the capital of this state, and, +incidentally, you're to discover as much as you can about Jackson and +the Confederate dispositions in that direction. We wish Hertford to join +General Grant's advance, which will presently move toward Jackson, and +we rely upon you to find him.” + +“I'll do it, if he's to be found at all,” said Dick fervently. + +“I knew it, but, Dick, you're to go in your uniform. I'll not have you +executed as a spy in case you're taken. Nor are you to carry any written +message to Colonel Hertford. He knows you well, and he'll accept your +word at once as truth. Now, this is a ride that will call for woodcraft +as well as soldiership.” + +“I start at once, do I not, sir?” + +“You do. Warner and Pennington are ready now, and your own horse is +waiting for you. Here is a small map which I have reason to believe is +accurate, at least fairly so, although few of our men know much of this +country. But use it, lad, as best you can.” + +It was a sheet of thick fibrous paper about six inches square and, after +a hasty glance at it, Dick folded it up carefully and put it in his +pocket. Warner and Pennington appeared then, mounted and armed and ready +to tell him good-bye. He and Colonel Winchester watched them a moment +or two as they rode away, and then an orderly appeared with Dick's +own horse, a fine bay, saddled, bridled, saddlebags filled with food, +pistols in holsters, and a breech-loading rifle strapped to the saddle. + +“I've made your equipment the best I could,” said Colonel Winchester, +“and after you start, lad, you must use your own judgment.” + +He wrung the hand of the boy, for whom his affection was genuine and +deep, and Dick sprang into the saddle. + +“Good-bye, colonel,” he said, “I thank you for this trust, and I won't +fail.” + +It was not a boast. It was courage speaking from the heart of youth and, +as Dick rode out of the camp on his good horse, he considered himself +equal to any task. He felt an enormous pride because he was chosen for +such an important and perilous mission, and he summoned every faculty to +meet its hardships and dangers. + +He had the password, and the sentinels wished him good luck. So did the +men who were gathering firewood. One, a small, weazened fellow, gave him +an envious look. + +“Wish I was going riding with you,” he said. “It's fine in the woods +now.” + +Dick laughed through sheer exuberance of spirits. + +“Maybe it is and maybe it isn't,” he said. “Perhaps the forest is filled +with rebel sharpshooters.” + +“If you ride toward Jackson you're likely to strike Confederate bands.” + +“I didn't say where I'm going, but you may be certain I'll keep a watch +for those bands wherever I may be.” + +The little man was uncommonly strong nevertheless, as he carried on his +shoulder a heavy log which he threw down by one of the fires, but Dick, +absorbed in his journey, forgot the desire of the soldier to be riding +through the forest too. + +He soon left the camp behind. He looked back at it only once, and beheld +the luminous glow of the campfires. Then the forest shut it out and he +rode on through a region almost abandoned by its people owing to the +converging armies. He did not yet look at his map, because he knew that +he would soon come into the main road to Jackson. It would be sufficient +to determine his course then. + +Dick was not familiar with the farther South, which was a very different +region from his own Kentucky. His home was a region of firm land, hills +and clear streams, but here the ground lay low, the soil was soft and +the waters dark and sluggish. But his instincts as a woodsman were +fortified by much youthful training, and he felt that he could find the +way. + +It gave him now great joy to leave the army and ride away through the +deep woods. He was tired of battle and the sight of wounds and death. +The noises of the camp were painful to his ear, and in the forest he +found peace. + +He was absolutely alone in his world, and glad of it. The woods were in +all the depth and richness of a Southern spring. Vast masses of green +foliage billowed away to right and left. Great festoons of moss hung +from the oaks, and trailing vines wrapped many of the trees almost to +their tops. Wild flowers, pink, yellow and blue, unknown by name to +Dick, bloomed in the open spaces. + +The air of early morning was crisp with the breath of life. He had come +upon a low ridge of hard ground, away from the vast current and low, +sodden shores of the Mississippi. Here was a clean atmosphere, and the +forest, the forest everywhere. A mockingbird, perched on a bough almost +over his head, began to pour forth his liquid song, and from another far +away came the same song like an echo. Dick looked up but he could not +see the bird among the branches. Nevertheless he waved his hand toward +the place from which the melody came and gave a little trill in reply. +Then he said aloud: + +“It's a happy omen that you give me. I march away to the sound of +innocent music.” + +Then he increased his speed a little and rode without stopping until he +came to the main road to Jackson. There he examined his map upon which +were marked many rivers, creeks, lagoons and bayous, with extensive +shaded areas meaning forests. In the southeastern corner of the map was +Jackson, close to which he meant to go. + +He rode on at a fair pace, keeping an extremely careful watch ahead and +on either side of the road. He meant to turn aside soon into the woods, +but for the present he thought himself safe in the road--it was not +likely that Southern raiders would come so near to the Union camp. + +His feeling of peace deepened. He was so far away now that no warlike +sound could reach him. Instead the song of the mockingbird pursued +him. Dick, full of youth and life, began to whistle the tune with the +songster, and his horse perhaps soothed too by the rhythm broke into the +gentle pace which is so easy for the rider. + +It was early dawn, and the west was not yet wholly light. The east was +full of gold, but the silver lingered on the opposite horizon, and +the hot sun of Mississippi did not yet shed its rays over the earth. +Instead, a cool breeze blew on Dick's face, and the quick blood was +still leaping in his veins. The road dipped down and he came to a brook, +which was clear despite its proximity to the mighty yellow trench of the +Mississippi. + +He let his horse drink freely, and, while he drank, he surveyed the +country as well as he could. On his left he saw through a fringe of +woods a field of young corn and showing dimly beyond it a small house. +Unbroken forest stretched away on his right, but in field as well as +forest there was no sign of a human being. + +He studied his map again, noting the great number of water courses, +which in the spring season were likely to be at the flood, and, for +the first time, he realized the extreme difficulty of his mission. +Mississippi was in the very heart of the Confederacy. He could not +expect any sympathetic farmers to help him or show him the way. More +likely as he advanced toward Jackson he would find the country swarming +with the friends of the Confederacy, and to pass through them would +demand the last resource of skill and courage. Perhaps it would have +been wiser had he put on citizens clothes and taken his chances as a +spy! He did not know that Colonel Winchester would have ordered the +disguise had the one who rode on this most perilous mission been any +other than he. + +The realization brought with it extreme caution. Growing up in a country +which was still mainly in forest, not differing much from its primitive +condition, save for the absence of Indians and big game, he had learned +to be at home in the woods, and now he turned from the path, riding +among the trees. + +He kept a course some distance from the road, where he was sheltered +by the deep foliage and could yet see what was passing along the main +artery of travel. The ground at times was spongy, making traveling hard, +and twice his horse swam deep creeks. He would have turned into the road +at these points but the bridges were broken down and he had no other +choice. + +The morning waned, and the coolness departed. The sun hung overhead, +blazing hot, and the air in the forest grew dense and heavy. He would +have been glad to turn back into the road, in the hope of finding a +breeze in the open space, but caution still kept him in the forest. +He soon saw two men in brown jeans riding mules, farmers perhaps, but +carrying rifles on their shoulders, and, drawing his horse behind a big +tree, he waited until they passed. + +They rode on unseeing and he resumed his journey, to stop an hour later +and eat cold food, while he permitted his horse to graze in an opening. +He had seen only three houses, one a large colonial mansion, with the +smoke rising from several chimneys, and the others small log structures +inhabited by poor farmers, but nobody was at work in the fields. + +When he resumed the journey he was thankful that he had kept to the +woods as a body of Confederate cavalry, coming out of a path from the +north, turned into the main road and advanced at a good pace toward +Jackson. They seemed to be in good spirits, as he could hear them +talking and laughing, but he was glad when they were out of sight as +these Southerners had keen eyes and a pair of them might have discerned +him in the brush. + +He went deeper into the woods and made another long study of his map. It +seemed to him now that he knew every hill and lagoon and road and path, +and he resolved to ride a straight course through the forest. There +was a point, distinctly marked north of Jackson, where he was to find +Hertford if he arrived in time, or to wait for him if he got there ahead +of time, and he believed that with the aid of the map he could reach it +through the woods. + +He rode now by the sun and he saw neither path nor fields. He was in the +deep wilderness once more. The mockingbirds sang around him again and +through the rifts in the leaves he saw the sailing hawks seeking their +prey. Three huge owls sitting in a row on a bough slept undisturbed +while he passed. He took it as an omen that the wilderness was deserted, +and his confidence was strong. + +But the firm ground ceased and he rode through a region of swamps. The +hoofs of his horse splashed through mud and water. Now and then a snake +drew away its slimy length and Dick shuddered. He could not help it. +Snakes, even the harmless, always gave him shivers. + +The wilderness now had an evil beauty. The vegetation was almost +tropical in its luxuriance, but Dick liked better the tender green of +his more northern state. Great beds of sunflowers nodded in the light +breeze. Vast masses of vines and creepers pulled down the trees, and +on many of the vines deep red roses were blooming. Then came areas +of solemn live oaks and gloomy cypresses, where no mockingbirds were +singing. + +He rode for half a mile along a deep lagoon or bayou, he did not know +which, and saw hawks swoop down and draw fish from its dark surface. +The whole scene was ugly and cruel, and he was glad when he left it and +entered the woods again. Once he thought he heard the mellow voice of a +negro singing, but that was the only sound, save the flitting of small +wild animals through the undergrowth. + +He came, mid-afternoon, to a river, which he made his horse swim boldly +and then entered forest that seemed more dense than ever. But the ground +here was firmer and he was glad of a chance to rest both himself and his +mount. He dismounted, tethered the horse and stretched his own limbs, +weary from riding. + +It was a pretty little glade, surrounded by high forest, fitted for rest +and peace, but his horse reared suddenly and tried to break loose. There +was a heavy crashing in the undergrowth and a deer, wild with alarm, +darting within a dozen feet of Dick, disappeared in the forest, running +madly. + +He knew there were many deer in the Mississippi woods, but he was +observant and the flight aroused his attention. His first thought that +he and his horse had scared the deer could not be true, because it had +come from a point directly behind and had rushed past them. Then its +alarm must have been caused by some other human being near by in the +forest or by a panther. His theory inclined to the human being. + +Dick was troubled. The more he thought of the incident the less he liked +it. He made no effort to hide from himself the dangers that surrounded +him in the land of the enemy, and remounting he rode briskly forward. As +the ground was firm and the forest was free enough from undergrowth to +permit of speed he finally broke into a gallop which he maintained for a +half-hour. + +He struck marsh again and was a long time in passing through it. But +when he was a half-mile on the other side he drew into a dense cluster +of bushes and waited. He could not get the flight of the deer out of +his mind, and knowing that it was well in the wilderness to obey +premonitions he watched more closely. + +Dick sat on his horse behind the bush a full five minutes, and presently +he became conscious that his heart was pounding heavily. He exerted his +will and called himself foolish, but in vain. The flight of the deer +persisted in his mind. It was a warning that somebody else was in the +woods not far behind him, and, while he waited, he saw a shadow among +the trees. + +It was only a shadow, but it was like the figure of a man. A single +glimpse and he was gone. The stranger, whoever he was, had darted back +in the undergrowth. Dick waited another five minutes, but the shadow did +not reappear. He felt a measure of relief because all doubts were gone +now. He was sure that he was followed, but by whom? + +He knew that his danger had increased manifold. Some Southern scout or +skirmisher had discovered his presence and, in such a quest, the trailer +had the advantage of the trailed. Yet he did not hesitate. He knew his +general direction and, shifting the pistols from the saddle-holsters to +his belt he again urged his horse forward. + +When they came to good ground he walked, leading his mount, as the +animal was much exhausted by the effort the marshes needed. But whenever +the undergrowth grew dense he stopped to look and listen. He did not see +the shadow and he heard nothing save the ordinary sounds of the woods, +but either instinct or imagination told him that the stranger still +followed. + +The sun was far down the westward slope, but it was still very hot +in the woods. There was no breeze. Not a leaf, nor a blade of grass +stirred. Dick heard his heart still pounding. The unseen pursuit--he had +no doubt it was there--was becoming a terrible strain upon his nerves. +The perspiration ran down his face, and he sought with angry eyes for a +sight of the fellow who presumed to hang upon his tracks. + +He began to wonder what he would do when the night came. There would be +no rest, no sleep for him, even in the darkness. Twice he curved from +his course and hid in the undergrowth to see his pursuer come up, but +there was nothing. Then he reasoned with himself. He had not really seen +the flitting figure of a man. It was merely the effect of an alarmed +imagination, and he told himself to ride straight on, looking ahead, not +back. But reason again yielded to instinct and he curved once more into +the deep forest, where the tangle of vines and undergrowth also was so +thick that it would take a keen eye to find him. + +Dick looked back along the path which he had come and he was confident +that he saw some of the tall bushes shake a little. It could not be +wind, because the air was absolutely still, and soon he was convinced +that his instinct had been right all the time. Fancy had played him no +trick and the shadow that he had seen was a human figure. + +He felt with all the force of conviction that he was in great danger, +but he did not know what to do. So he did nothing, but sat quietly on +his horse among the bushes. The heat was intense there and innumerable +flies, gnats, and mosquitoes assailed him. The mosquitoes were so fierce +that they drew blood from his face a half-dozen times. + +Alone in the heat of the deep marshy wilderness he felt fear more than +in battle. Danger threatened here in a mysterious, invisible fashion and +he could only wait. + +He saw a bush move again, but much nearer, and then came the crack of +a rifle. If his horse, alarmed perhaps, had not thrown up his head +suddenly, and received the bullet himself the lad's career would have +ended there. + +The horse made a convulsive leap, then staggered for a few seconds, +giving his rider time to spring clear, and fell among the bushes. +Dick dropped down behind him and quickly unstrapped the rifle from the +saddle, meaning to use the animal's body as a breastwork against renewed +attack. + +His fear, the kind of fear that the bravest feel, had been driven away +by rage. The killing of his innocent horse, although the bullet was +intended for him, angered him as much as if he had received a wound +himself. The spirit of his ancestor, the shrewd and wary Indian fighter, +descended upon him again, and, lying upon his stomach behind the horse, +with the rifle ready he was anxious for the attack to come. + +Dick was firmly convinced that he had but a single enemy. Otherwise he +would have been attacked in force earlier, and more than one shot would +have been fired. But the report of the rifle was succeeded by deep +silence. The forest was absolutely still, not a breath of wind stirring. +His enemy remained invisible, but the besieged youth was confident that +he was lying quiet, awaiting another chance. Dick, still hot with anger, +would wait too. + +But other enemies were far more reckless than the hidden marksman. The +swarm of gnats, flies, and mosquitoes assailed him again and he could +have cried out in pain. His only consolation lay in the fact that the +other man might be suffering just as much. + +He was aware that his enemy might try a circling movement in order to +reach him on the flank or from behind, but he believed that his ear +would be keen enough to detect him if he came near. Moreover he lay in +a slight dip with the body of the horse in front of him, and it would +require an uncommon sharpshooter to reach him with a bullet. If he could +only stand those terrible mosquitoes an hour he felt that he might get +away, because then the night would be at hand. + +He saw with immense relief that the sun was already very low. The +heat, gathered in the woods, was at its worst, and over his head the +mosquitoes buzzed and buzzed incessantly. It seemed to him a horrible +sort of irony that he might presently be forced from his shelter by +mosquitoes and be killed in flight to another refuge. + +But he was endowed with great patience and tenacity and he clung to his +shelter, relying rather upon ear than eye to note the approach of an +enemy. Meanwhile the sun sank down to the rim of the wood, and the +twilight thickened rapidly in the east. Then a shot was fired from the +point from which the first had come. Dick heard the bullet singing over +his head, but it gave him satisfaction because he was able to locate his +enemy. + +He sought no return fire, but lay in the dip, wary and patient. The sun +sank beyond the rim, the western sky flamed blood red for a few moments, +and then the Southern night swept down so suddenly that it seemed to +come with violence. Dick believed that his escape was now at hand, but +he still showed an infinite patience. + +He did not stir from his place until the night was almost black, and +then, carrying his weapons and the saddlebag of provisions, he crept +among the thickets. + +When he stood up he found himself stiff from lying long in a cramped +position. His face burned from the bites of the mosquitoes, which still +hung in swarms about him, and he felt dizzy. + +But Dick remembered his mission, and his resolve to perform it was not +shaken a particle. He had lost his horse, but he could walk. Perhaps his +chance of success would be greater on foot in such a dangerous country. + +He advanced now with extreme caution, feeling the way carefully and +testing the ground before he put his foot down solidly. Still trusting +to his ears he stopped now and then, and listened for some sound from +his enemy in pursuit. But nothing came, and soon he became quite sure +that he had shaken him off. He was merely a dot in the wilderness in the +dark, and, feeling secure now, he pressed forward with more speed. + +He was hoping to get to a piece of firm, high ground, where he might +secure a measure of protection from those terrible mosquitoes which +still buzzed angrily about his head. In an hour chance favored him, as +he reached a low ridge much rockier than usual in that region. He would +have built a little smudge fire to protect himself from the mosquitoes, +but it would be sure to draw the lurking sharpshooter, and instead he +found a nook in the ridge, under the low boughs of a great oak. Then +he took a light blanket which he carried tied to his saddlebags, and +wrapped it around his neck and face, covering everything but his mouth +and eyes. + +He sank into the nook with his back against the turf, and the reclining +position was wonderfully easy. The mosquitoes, apparently finding the +points of exposure too small, left him alone and went away. His face +still burned from numerous stings, but he forgot it in present comfort. +There was food in the saddlebags, and he ate enough for his needs. Then +he laid the saddlebags beside him and the rifle across his knees and +stared out into the darkness. + +He felt a great relief after his extreme danger and long exertions. +It was both physical and mental, and sitting there alone in a sunken +wilderness he was nevertheless happy. Believing that the mosquitoes +would not come back, he wrapped the blanket about his whole body by and +by, and pulled his cap down over his eyes. + +Dick had no plans for the night. He did not know whether he intended to +remain there long or not, but nature settled doubts for him. His head +drooped, and soon he slept as easily and peacefully as if he had been at +home at Pendleton in his own bed. + +Then the wilderness blotted him out for the time. The little wild +animals scurried through the grass or ran up trees. In the far distance +an owl hooted solemnly at nothing, and he slept the mighty sleep of +exhaustion. + + + + +CHAPTER V. HUNTED + + +Dick slept the whole night through, which was a very good thing for him, +because he needed it, and because he could have made no progress in the +thick darkness through the marshy wilderness. No human beings saw him, +but the wild animals took more than one look. Not all were little. One +big clumsy brute, wagging his head in a curious, comic way, shuffled up +from the edge of the swamp, sniffed the strange human odor, and, still +wagging his comic head, came rather close to the sleeping boy. Then the +black bear decided to be afraid, and lumbered back into the bushes. + +An owl perched on a bough almost over Dick's head, but this was game far +too large for Mr. Owl's beak and talons, and he soon flew away in search +of something nearer his size. A raccoon on a bough stared with glowing +eyes and then slid out of sight. + +Man, although he had just come, became king of this swamp, king for the +night. The prowling beasts and birds of prey, after their first look, +gave Dick all the berth he needed, and he did not awake until a bright +sun was well above the edge of the earth. Then he rose, shook himself, +much like an animal coming from its lair, and bathed his face in a +little stream which ran down the hill into the swamp. It was swollen and +painful from the mosquito bites, but he resolved not to think of them, +and ate breakfast from the saddlebags, after which he studied his map a +little. + +Baggage and rifle on shoulder, he pursued a course south by east. There +was a strong breeze which gave him a rest from the dreaded insects, and +he pushed on with vigorous footsteps. The country remained thoroughly +wild, and he soon had proof of it. Another deer, this time obviously +started up by himself, sprang from the canebrake and darted away in the +woods. He noted tracks of bear and resolved some day when the war was +over to come there hunting. + +His course led him again from firm ground into a region of marshes and +lagoons, which he crossed with difficulty, arriving about an hour before +noon at a considerable river, one that would require swimming unless he +found a ford somewhere near. He was very weary from the journey through +the marsh and, sitting on a log, he scraped from his clothes a portion +of the mud they had accumulated on the way. + +He was a good swimmer, but he had his arms and ammunition to keep dry, +and he did not wish to trust himself afloat on the deep current. Wading +would be far better, and, when his strength was restored, he walked up +the bank in search of a shallower place. + +He came soon to a point, where the cliff was rather high, although it +was clothed in dense forest here as elsewhere, and when he reached the +crest he heard a sound like the swishing of waters. Alert and suspicious +he sank down among the trees and peered over the bank. Two men in a +canoe were paddling in a leisurely manner along the stream. + +The men were in faded and worn Confederate uniforms, and Dick saw +their rifles lying in the bottom of the boat. He also saw that they +had strong, resolute faces. They were almost opposite him and they were +closely scanning the forest on his side of the river. He was glad that +he had not tried to swim the stream, and he was glad too that he had +kept so well under cover. The men in the canoe were surely keen of eye, +and they must be a patrol. + +He sank closer to the earth and did not stir. One of the watchers drew +in his paddle and took up his rifle, while the other propelled the canoe +very slowly. It seemed that they expected something or somebody, and it +suddenly occurred to him that it might be he. He felt a little shiver of +apprehension. How could they know he was coming? It was mysterious and +alarming. + +He waited for them to pass down the river and out of sight, but at the +curve they turned and came back against the stream, the man with the +rifle in his hand still keenly watching the western shore, where Dick +lay hidden. Neither of them spoke, and the only sound was the swishing +of the paddle. The hoot of an owl came from the depths of the forest +behind him and he knew that it was a signal. The hair of his head +lifted. + +He felt the touch of the supernatural. The invisible pursuer was behind +him again, and the silent soldiers held the crossing. The hoot of the +owl came again, a little nearer now. He was tempted to rise and run, but +his will held him back from such folly. His unknown enemy could pursue, +because his boots left a deep trail in the soft earth. That was why he +had been able to follow again in the morning. + +He crept back some distance from the river and then, rising, retreated +cautiously up the stream. He caught glimpses of the water twice through +the bushes, and each time the canoe was moving up the river also, one +man paddling and the other, rifle on his arm, watching the western +shore. + +Dick had a feeling that he was trapped. Colonel Winchester had been wise +to make him wear his uniform, because it was now certain that he +was going to be taken, and death had always been the punishment of +a captured spy. He put down the thought resolutely, and began to run +through the forest parallel with the river. If it were only the firm +hard ground of the North he could hide his trail from the man behind +him, but here the soil was so soft that every footstep left a deep mark. +Yet he might find fallen trees thrown down by hurricanes, and in a few +minutes he came to a mass of them. He ran deftly from trunk to trunk, +and then continued his flight among the bushes. It broke his trail less +than a rod, but it might take his pursuer ten minutes to recover it, and +now ten minutes were precious. + +The soil grew harder and he made better speed, but when he looked +through the foliage he saw the canoe still opposite him. It was easy for +them, on the smooth surface of the river, to keep pace with him, if such +was their object. Furious anger took hold of him. He knew that he must +soon become exhausted, while the men in the canoe would scarcely feel +weariness. Then came the idea. + +The canoe was light and thin almost like the birch bark Indian canoe of +the north, and he was a good marksman. It was a last chance, but raising +his rifle he fired the heavy bullet directly at the bottom of the canoe. +As the echo of the first shot was dying he slipped in a cartridge and +sent a second at the same target. He did not seek to kill the men, his +object was the canoe, and as he ran rapidly away he saw it fill with +water and sink, the two soldiers in the stream swimming toward the +western shore. + +Dick laughed to himself. He had won a triumph, although he did not yet +know that it would amount to anything. At any rate the men could no +longer glide up and down the river at their leisure looking for him to +come forth from the forest. + +He knew that the shots would bring the single pursuer at full speed, +and, as he had saved some ounces of strength, he now ran at his utmost +speed. The river curved again and just beyond the curve it seemed +shallow to him. He plunged in at once, and waded rapidly, holding his +rifle, pistols and saddlebags above his head. He was in dread lest he +receive a bullet in his back, but he made the farther shore, ran into +the dense undergrowth and sank down dripping and panting. + +He had made the crossing but he did not forget to be ready. He rapidly +reloaded his rifle, and fastened the pistols at his belt. Then he looked +through the bushes at the river. The two canoemen, water running from +them in streams, were on the other bank, though a little farther down +the stream. He believed that they were no longer silent. He fondly +imagined that they were cursing hard, if not loud. + +His relief was so great that, forgetting his own bedraggled condition, +he laughed. Then he looked again to see what they were going to do. A +small man, his face shaded by the broad brim of a hat, emerged from the +woods and joined them. Dick was too far away to see his face, even +had it been uncovered, but his figure looked familiar. Nevertheless, +although he tried hard, he could not recall where he had seen him +before. But, as he carried a long-barreled rifle, Dick was sure that +this was his unknown pursuer. There had certainly been collusion +also between him and the men in the boat, as the three began to talk +earnestly, and to point toward the woods on the other side. + +Dick felt that he had avenged himself upon the boatmen, but his rage +rose high against the little man under the broad-brimmed hat. It was he +who had followed him so long, and who had tried ruthlessly to kill him. +The lad's rifle was of the most improved make and a bullet would reach. +He was tempted to try it, but prudence came to his rescue. Still lying +close he watched them. He felt sure that they would soon be hunting for +his footprints, but he resolved to stay in his covert, until they began +the crossing of the river, to which his trail would lead when they found +it. + +He saw them cease talking and begin searching among the woods. It might +be at least a half-hour before they found the trail and his strength +would be restored fully then. His sinking of the canoe had been in +reality a triumph, and so he remained at ease, watching the ford. + +He was quite sure that when his trail was found the little man would +be the one to find it, and sure enough at the end of a half-hour the +weazened figure led down to the ford. Dick might have shot one of them +in the water, but he had no desire to take life. It would serve no +purpose, and, refreshed and strengthened, he set out through the forest +toward Jackson. + +He came to a brook soon, and, remembering the old device of Indian +times, he waded in it at least a half-mile. When he left it he passed +through a stretch of wood, crossed an old cotton field and entered the +woods again. Then he sat down and ate from his store, feeling that he +had shaken off his pursuers. Another examination of his map followed. He +had kept fixed in his mind the point at which he was to find Hertford, +and, being a good judge of direction, he felt sure that he could yet +reach it. + +The sun, now high and warm, had dried his clothing, and, after the food, +he was ready for another long march. He struck into a path and walked +along it, coming soon to a house which stood back a little distance from +a road into which the path merged. A man and two women standing on the +porch stared at him curiously, but he pretended to take no notice. After +long exposure to weather, blue uniforms did not differ much from gray, +and his own was now covered with mud. He could readily pass as a soldier +of the Confederacy unless they chose to ask too many questions. + +“From General Pemberton's army?” called the man, when he was opposite +the house. + +Dick nodded and stepped a little faster. + +“Won't you stop for a bite and fresh water with friends of the cause?” + +“Thanks, but important dispatches. Must hurry.” They repeated the +invitation. He shook his head, and went on. He did not look back, but he +was sure that they stared at him as long as he was in sight. Then, for +safety's sake, he left the road and entered the wood once more. + +He had now come to country comparatively free from swamp and marsh, and +pursued his way through a great forest, beautiful with live oaks and +magnolias. In the afternoon he took a long rest by the side of a clear +spring, where he drew further upon the store of food in his saddlebags, +which he calculated held enough for another day. After that he would +have to forage upon the country. + +He would sleep the second night in the forest, his blanket being +sufficient protection, unless rain came, which he would have to endure +as best he could. Another look at his map and he believed that on the +following afternoon he could reach Hertford. + +He took the remaining food from his saddlebags, wrapped it in his +blanket, and strapped the pack on his back. Then, in order to lighten +his burden, he hung the saddlebags on the bough of a tree and abandoned +them, after which he pressed forward through the woods with renewed +speed. + +He came at times to the edge of the forest and saw houses in the fields, +but he always turned back among the trees. He could find only enemies +here, and he knew that it was his plan to avoid all human beings. +Precept and example are of great power and he recalled again much that +he had heard of his famous ancestor, Paul Cotter. He had been compelled +to fight often for his life and again to flee for it from an enemy who +reserved torture and death for the captured. Dick felt that he must do +as well, and the feeling increased his vigor and courage. + +A little later he heard a note, low, faint and musical. It was behind +him, but he was sure at first that it was made by negroes singing. It +was a pleasing sound. The negro had a great capacity for happiness, and +Dick as a young lad had played with and liked the young colored lads of +his age. + +But as he walked on he heard the low, musical note once more and, as +before, directly behind him. It seemed a little nearer. He paused and +listened. It came again, always nearer and nearer, and now it did not +seem as musical as before. There was a sinister thread in that flowing +note, and suddenly Dick remembered. + +He was a daring horseman and with his uncle and cousin and others at +Pendleton he had often ridden after the fox. It was the note of the +hounds, but of bloodhounds, and this time they were following him. From +the first he had not the slightest doubt of it. Somebody, some traitor +in the Union camp, knew the nature of his errand, and was hanging on to +the pursuit like death. + +Dick knew it was the little man whom he had seen by the river, and +perhaps the canoemen were with him--he would certainly have comrades, +or his own danger would be too great--and they had probably obtained the +bloodhounds at a farmhouse. Nearly everybody in Mississippi kept hounds. + +The long whining note came again and much nearer. Now all music was gone +from it for Dick. It was ferocious, like the howl of the wolf seeking +prey, and he could not restrain a shudder. His danger had returned with +twofold force, because the hounds would unerringly lead his pursuers +through the forest as fast as they could follow. + +He did not yet despair. A new resolution was drawn from the depths of +his courage. He did not forget that he was a good marksman and he +had both rifle and pistols. He tried to calculate from that whining, +ferocious note how many hounds were pursuing, and he believed they were +not many. Now he prepared for battle, and, as he ran, he kept his eye on +the ground in order that he might choose his own field. + +He saw it presently, a mass of fallen timber thrown together by a great +storm, and he took his place on the highest log, out of reach of a +leaping hound. Then, lying almost flat on the log and with his rifle +ready, he waited, his heart beating hard with anger that he should be +pursued thus like an animal. + +The howling of the hounds grew more ferocious, and it was tinged with +joy. The trail had suddenly grown very hot, and they knew that the +quarry was just before them. Dick caught a good view of a long, lean, +racing figure bounding among the trees, and he fired straight at a spot +between the blazing eyes. The hound fell without a sound, and with equal +ease he slew the second. The third and last drew back, although the lad +heard the distant halloo of men seeking to drive him on. + +Dick sprang from his log and ran through the forest again. He knew +that the lone hound after his first recoil would follow, but he had his +reloaded rifle and he had proved that he knew how to shoot. It would +please him for the hound to come within range. + +When he took to renewed flight the hound again whined ferociously and +Dick glanced back now and then seeking a shot. Once he caught a glimpse +of two or three dusky figures some distance behind the hound, urging +him on, and his heart throbbed with increased rage. If they presented an +equal target he would fire at them rather than the hound. + +He could run no longer, and his gait sank to a walk. His very exhaustion +brought him his opportunity, as the animal came rapidly within range, +and Dick finished him with a single lucky shot. Then, making an extreme +effort, he fled on a long time, and, while he was fleeing, he saw the +sun set and the night come. + +The strain upon him had been so great that his nerves and brain were +unsteady. Although the forest was black with night he saw it through a +blood-red mist. Something in him was about to burst, and when he saw a +human figure rising up before him it broke and he fell. + +Dick was unconscious a long time. But when he awoke he found himself +wrapped in a blanket, while another was doubled under his head. It was +pitchy dark, but he beheld the outline of a human figure, sitting by his +side. He strove to rise, but a powerful hand on his shoulder pushed him +back, though gently, and a low voice said: + +“Stay still, Mr. Mason. We mustn't make any sound now!” + +Dick recognized in dim wonder the voice of Sergeant Daniel Whitley. How +he had come there at such a time, and what he was doing now was past all +guessing, but Sergeant Whitley was a most competent man. He knew more +than most generals, and he was filled with the lore of the woods. He +would trust him. He let his head sink back on the folded blanket, and +his heavy eyes closed again. + +When Dick roused from his stupor the sergeant was still by his side, +and, as his eyes grew used to the darkness, he noticed that Whitley was +really kneeling rather than sitting, crouched to meet danger, his finger +on the trigger of a rifle. Dick's brain cleared and he sat up. + +“What is it, Sergeant?” he whispered. + +“I see you're all right now, Mr. Mason,” the sergeant whispered back, +“but be sure you don't stir.” + +“Is it the Johnnies?” + +“Lean over a little and look down into that dip.” + +Dick did so, and saw four men hunting among the trees, and the one +who seemed to be their leader was the little weazened fellow, with the +great, flap-brimmed hat. + +“They're looking for your trail,” whispered the sergeant, “but they +won't find it. It's too dark, even for a Sioux Indian, and I've seen +them do some wonderful things in trailing.” + +“I seem to have met you in time, Sergeant.” + +“So you did, sir, but more of that later. Perhaps you'd better lie down +again, as you're weak yet. I'll tell you all they do.” + +“I'll take your advice, Sergeant, but am I sound and whole? I felt +something in me break, and then the earth rose up and hit me in the +face.” + +“I reckon it was just the last ounce of breath going out of you with a +pop. They're hunting hard, Mr. Mason, but they can't pick up the trace +of a footstep. Slade must be mad clean through.” + +“Slade! Slade! Who's Slade?” + +“Slade is a spy partly, and an outlaw mostly, 'cause he often works on +his own hook. He's the weazened little fellow with so much hat-brim, and +he's about twenty different kinds of a demon. You've plenty of reason to +fear him, and it's lucky we've met.” + +“It's more than luck for me, Sergeant. It's salvation. I believe it +wouldn't have been half as hard on me if somebody had been with me, and +you're the first whom I would have chosen. Are they still in the dip, +Sergeant?” + +“No, they've passed to the slope on the right, and I think they'll go +over the hill. We're safe here so long as we remain quiet; that is, safe +for the time. Slade will hang on as long as there's a possible chance to +find us.” + +“Sergeant, if they do happen to stumble upon us in the dark I hope +you'll promise to do one thing for me.” + +“I'll do anything I can, Mr. Mason.” + +“Kill Slade first. That little villain gives me the horrors. I believe +the soul of the last bloodhound I shot has been reincarnated in him.” + +“All right, Mr. Mason,” returned the sergeant, placidly, “if we have to +fight I'll make sure of Slade at once. Is there anybody else you'd like +specially to have killed?” + +“No thank you, Sergeant. I don't hate any of the others, and I suppose +they'd have dropped the chase long ago if it hadn't been for this fellow +whom you call Slade. Now, I think I'll lie quiet, while you watch.” + +“Very good, sir. I'll tell you everything I can see. They're passing +over the hill out of sight, and if they return I won't fail to let you +know.” + +Sergeant Whitley, a man of vast physical powers, hardened by the long +service of forest and plain, was not weary at all, and, in the dusk, he +looked down with sympathy and pity at the lad who had closed his eyes. +He divined the nature of the ordeal through which he had gone. Dick's +face, still badly swollen from the bites of the mosquitoes, showed +all the signs of utter exhaustion. The sergeant could see, despite the +darkness, that it was almost the face of the dead, and he knew that +happy chance had brought him in the moment of Dick's greatest need. + +He ceased to whisper, because Dick, without intending it, had gone +to sleep again. Then the wary veteran scouted in a circle about their +refuge, but did not discover the presence of an enemy. + +He sat down near the sleeping lad, with his rifle between his knees, +and watched the moon come out. Owing to his wilderness experience he had +been chosen also to go on a scout toward Jackson, though he preferred to +make his on foot, and the sound of Dick's shots at the hounds had drawn +him to an observation which finally turned into a rescue. + +After midnight the sergeant slept a little while, but he never awakened +Dick until it was almost morning. Then he told him that he would go with +him on the mission to Hertford, and Dick was very glad. + +“What's become of Slade and his men?” asked Dick. + +“I don't know,” replied the sergeant, “but as they lost the trail in the +night, it's pretty likely they're far from here. At any rate they're not +bothering us just now. How're you feeling, Mr. Mason?” + +“Fine, except that my face still burns.” + +“We'll have to hold up a Confederate house somewhere and get oil of +pennyroyal. That'll cure you, but I guess you've learned now, Mr. +Mason, that mosquitoes in a southern swamp are just about as deadly as +bullets.” + +“So they are, Sergeant, and this is not my first experience. Luck has +been terribly against me this trip, but it turned when I met you last +night.” + +“Yes, Mr. Mason. In this case two rifles are better than one. We're +prowling right through the heart of the Confederacy, but I'm thinking +we'll make it. We've got a great general now, and we mustn't fail to +bring up Colonel Hertford and his cavalry. I've an idea in my head that +General Grant is going to carry through big plans.” + +“Then I think it's time we were starting.” + +“So do I, Mr. Mason, and now will you take these crackers and smoked +ham? I've plenty in my knapsack. I learned on the plains never to travel +without a food supply. If a soldier starves to death what use is he to +his army? And I reckon you need something to eat. You were about tired +out when I met you last night.” + +“I surely was, Sergeant, but I'm a new man this morning. You and I +together can't fail.” + +Dick, in truth, felt an enormous relief. He and his young comrades had +learned to trust Sergeant Whitley implicitly, with his experience of +forest and plain and his infinite resource. + +“Where do you figure we are, Sergeant?” he asked. + +“In the deep woods, Mr. Mason, but we haven't turned much from the line +leading you to the place where you were to meet Colonel Hertford. You +haven't really lost time, and we'll start again straight ahead, but +we've got to look out for this fellow Slade, who's as tricky and +merciless as they ever make 'em.” + +“Tell me more about Slade, Sergeant.” + +“I don't know a lot, but I heard of him from some of our scouts. He was +an overseer of a big plantation before the war. From somewhere up North, +I think, but now he's more of a rebel than the rebels themselves. Often +happens that way. But you've got to reckon with him.” + +“Glad I know that much. He reminds me of a man I've seen, though I can't +recall where or when. It's enough, though, to watch out for Slade. Come +on, Sergeant, I'm feeling so fine now that with your help I'm able to +fight a whole army.” + +The two striding through the forest, started toward the meeting place +with Hertford. Now that he had the powerful comradeship of Sergeant +Whitley, the wilderness became beautiful instead of gloomy for Dick. +The live oaks and magnolias were magnificent, and there was a wild +luxuriance of vegetation. Birds of brilliant plumage darted among the +foliage, and squirrels chattered on the boughs. He saw bear tracks +again, and called the sergeant's attention to them. + +“It would be nice to be hunting them, instead of men,” said Whitley. +“You can find nice, black fellows down here, good to eat, and it's a +deal safer to hunt them than it is the grizzlies and silver-tips of the +Rockies.” + +They saw now much cleared land, mostly cotton fields, and now and then +a white man or a negro working, but there was always enough forest +for cover. They waded the numerous brooks and creeks, allowing their +clothing to dry in the warm sun, as they marched, and about two hours +before sunrise the sergeant, wary and always suspicious, suggested that +they stop a while. + +“I've an idea,” he said, “that Slade and his men are still following us. +Oh, he's an ugly fellow, full of sin, and if they're not far behind us +we ought to know it.” + +“Just as you say,” said Dick, glad enough to shift the responsibility +upon such capable shoulders. “How would this clump of bushes serve for a +hiding place while we wait?” + +“Good enough. Indians pursued, often ambush the pursuer, and as we've +two good men with two good rifles, Mr. Mason, we'll just see what this +Slade is about.” + +“When I last saw him,” said Dick, “he had the two canoemen with him, and +perhaps they've picked up the owner of the hounds.” + +“That's sure, and they're likely to be four. We're only two, but we've +got the advantage of the ambush, and that's a big one. If you agree +with me, Mr. Mason, we'll wait here for 'em. We were sent out to take +messages, not to fight, but since these fellows hang on our trail we may +get to Colonel Hertford all the quicker because we do fight.” + +“Your opinion's mine too, Sergeant. I'm not in love with battle, but I +wouldn't mind taking a shot or two at these men. They've given me a lot +of trouble.” + +The sergeant smiled. + +“That's the way it goes,” he said. “You don't get mad at anybody in +particular in a big battle, but if two or three fellows lay around in +the woods popping away at you you soon get so you lose any objections to +killing, and you draw a bead on 'em as soon as a chance comes.” + +“That's the way I feel, Sergeant. It isn't Christian, but I suppose it +has some sort of excuse.” + +“Of course it has. Drop a little lower, Mr. Mason. I see the bushes out +there shaking.” + +“And that's the sign that Slade and his men have come. Well, I'm not +sorry.” + +Both Dick and the sergeant lay almost flat with their heads raised a +little, and their rifles pushed forward. The bushes ceased to shake, +but Dick had no doubt their pursuers were before them. They had probably +divined, too, that the quarry was at bay and was dangerous. Evidently +the sergeant had been correct when he said Slade was full of craft and +cunning. + +While they waited the spirit of Dick's famous ancestor descended upon +him in a yet greater measure. Their pursuers were not Indians, but this +was the deep wilderness and they were merely on a skirt of the great +war. Many of the border conditions were reproduced, and they were to +fight as borderers fought. + +“What do you think they're doing?” Dick whispered. + +“Feeling around for us. Slade won't take any more risk than he has to. +Did you see those two birds fly away from that bough, sudden-like? I +think one of the men has just crept under it. But the fellow who exposes +himself first won't be Slade.” + +Dick's inherited instinct was strong, and he watched not only in front, +but to right and left also. He knew that cunning men would seek to flank +and surprise them, and he noticed that the sergeant also watched in a +wide circle. He still drew tremendous comfort from the presence of the +skillful veteran, feeling that his aid would make the repulse of Slade a +certainty. + +A rifle cracked suddenly in the bushes to their right, and then another +by his side cracked so suddenly that only a second came between. Dick +heard a bullet whistle over their heads, but he believed that the one +from his comrade's rifle had struck true. + +“I've no way of telling just now,” said the sergeant, calmly, “but I +don't believe that fellow will bother any more. If we can wing another +they're likely to let us alone and we can go on. They must know by +the trail that we're now two instead of one, and that their danger has +doubled.” + +Dick had felt that the danger to their pursuers had more than doubled. +He had an immense admiration for the sergeant, who was surely showing +himself a host. The man, trained so long in border war, was thoroughly +in his element. His thick, powerful figure was drawn up in the fashion +of a panther about to spring. Bulky as he was he showed ease and grace, +and wary eyes, capable of reading every sign, continually scanned the +thickets. + +“They know just where we are, of course,” whispered the sergeant, “but +if we stay close they'll never get a good shot at us.” + +Dick caught sight of a head among some bushes and fired. The head +dropped back so quickly that he could not tell whether or not his bullet +sped true. After a long wait the sergeant suggested that they creep +away. + +“I think they've had enough,” he said. “They've certainly lost one man, +and maybe two. Slade won't care to risk much more.” + +Dick was glad to go and, following the sergeant's lead, he crawled four +or five hundred yards, a most painful but necessary operation. Then they +stood up, and made good time through the forest. Both would have been +willing to stay and fight it out with Slade and what force he had left, +but their mission was calling them, and forward they went. + +“Do you think they'll follow us?” asked Dick. + +“I reckon they've had enough. They may try to curve ahead of us and give +warning, but the salute from the muzzles of our rifles has been too warm +for any more direct pursuit. Besides, we're going to have a summer storm +soon, and like as not they'll be hunting shelter.” + +Dick, in the excitement of battle and flight, had not noticed the +darkening skies and the rising wind. Clouds, heavy and menacing, already +shrouded the whole west. Low thunder was heard far in the distance. + +“It's going to be a whopper,” said the sergeant, “something like those +big storms they have out on the plains. We must find shelter somewhere, +Mr. Mason, or it will leave us so bedraggled and worn out that for a +long time we won't be able to move on.” + +Dick agreed with him entirely, but neither yet knew where the shelter +was to be found. They hurried on, looking hopefully for a place. +Meanwhile the storm, its van a continual blaze of lightning and roar of +thunder, rolled up fast from the southwest. Then the lightning ceased +for a while and the skies were almost dark. Dick knew that the rain +would come soon, and, as he looked eagerly for shelter, he saw a +clearing in which stood a small building of logs. + +“A cornfield, Sergeant,” he exclaimed, “and that I take it is a crib.” + +“A crib that will soon house more than corn,” said the sergeant. “Two +good Union soldiers are about to stop there. It's likely the farmer's +house itself is just beyond that line of trees, but he won't be coming +out to this crib to-night.” + +“Not likely. Too much darkness and rain. Hurry, Sergeant, I can hear +already the rush of the rain in the forest.” + +They ran across the field, burst open the door of the crib, leaped in +and banged the door shut again, just as the van of the rain beat upon it +with an angry rush. + +Save for a crack or two they had no light, but they stood upon a dry +floor covered deep with corn shucks, and heard the rain sweep and roar +upon the roof. On one side was a heap of husked corn which they quickly +piled against the door in order to hold it before the assaults of the +wind, and then they sought warm places among the shucks. + +It was a small crib, and the rain drove in at the cracks, but it +furnished abundant shelter for its two new guests. Dick had never been +in a finer hotel. He lay warm and dry in a great heap of shucks, and +heard the wind and rain beat vainly upon walls and roof and the thunder +rumble as it moved off toward the east. He felt to the full the power of +contrast. + +“Fine in here, isn't it, Sergeant?” he said. + +“Fine as silk,” replied the sergeant from his own heap of shucks. “We +played in big luck to find this place, 'cause I think it's going to rain +hard all night.” + +“Let it. It can't get me. Sergeant, I've always known that corn is our +chief staple, but I never knew before that the shucks, which so neatly +enclose the grains and cob, were such articles of luxury. I'm lying upon +the most magnificent bed in the United States, and it's composed wholly +of shucks.” + +“It's no finer than mine, Mr. Mason.” + +“That's so. Yours is just like mine, and, of course, it's an exception. +Now, I wish to say, Sergeant, the rain upon the roof is so soothing that +I'm likely to go to sleep before I know it.” + +“Go ahead, Mr. Mason, and it's more'n likely I'll follow. All trails +will be destroyed by the storm and nobody will think of looking here for +us to-night.” + +Both soon slept soundly, and all through the night the rain beat upon +the roof. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. A BOLD ATTACK + + +Dick was the first to awake. The sergeant had not slept the night before +at all, and, despite his enormous endurance, he was overpowered. Having +fallen once into slumber he remained there long. + +It was not yet morning and the rain was yet falling steadily. Its sweep +upon the roof was still so pleasant and soothing that Dick resolved to +go to sleep again, after he had looked about a little. He had grown used +to dusk and he could see just a little. The sergeant, buried all but his +head among the corn shucks, was breathing deeply and peacefully. + +He looked out at one of the cracks, but he saw only rain sweeping by +in misty sheets. The road that ran by the field was invisible. He gave +devout thanks that this tight little corn crib had put itself in their +way. Then he returned to his slumbers, and when he awoke again the +sergeant was sitting by one of the cracks smoothing his thick hair with +a small comb. + +“I always try to keep as neat as I can, Mr. Mason,” he said, apologizing +for such weakness. “It gives you more courage, and if I get killed I +want to make a decent body. Here's your breakfast, sir. There's enough +left for the two of us, and I've divided it equally.” + +Cold ham, bacon and crackers were laid out on clean shucks, and they ate +until nothing was left. It was now full daylight, and the rain was dying +away to a sprinkle. The farmer might come out at any time to his crib, +and they felt that they must be up and away. + +They bade farewell to their pleasant shelter of a night, and, after +pulling through the deep mud of the field, entered again the forest, +which was now soaking wet. + +“If Colonel Hertford is near where we reckon he is we ought to meet him +by nightfall,” said Sergeant Whitley. + +“We're sure to reach him before then,” said Dick joyously. + +“Colonel Hertford is a mighty good man, and if he says he's going to +be at a certain place at a certain time I reckon he'll be there, Mr. +Mason.” + +“And then we'll bring him back and join General Grant. What do you think +of our General, Sergeant?” + +Dick spoke with all the freedom then so prevalent in the American +armies, where officer and man were often on nearly a common footing, and +the sergeant replied with equal freedom. + +“General Grant hits and hammers, and I guess that's what war is,” + he said. “On the plains we had a colonel who didn't know much about +tactics. He said the only way to put down hostile Indians was to find +'em, and beat 'em, and I guess that plan will work in any war, big or +little.” + +“I heard before I left the army that Washington was getting scared, +afraid that he was taking too big a risk here in the heart of the +Confederacy, and that his operations might be checked by orders from the +capital.” + +Sergeant Whitley smiled a wise smile. + +“We sergeants learn to know the officers,” he said, “and I've had the +chance to look at General Grant a lot. He doesn't say much, but I guess +he's doing a powerful lot of thinking, while he's chawing on the end of +his cigar. You notice, Mr. Mason, that he takes risks.” + +“He took a big one at Shiloh, and came mighty near being nipped.” + +“But he wasn't nipped after all, and now, if I can judge by the signs, +he's going to take another chance here. I wouldn't be surprised if he +turned and marched away from the Mississippi, say toward Jackson.” + +“But that wouldn't be taking Vicksburg.” + +“No, but he might whip an army of the Johnnies coming to relieve +Vicksburg, and I've a sneaking idea that the General has another daring +thought in mind.” + +“What is it, Sergeant?” + +“When he turns eastward he'll be away from the telegraph. Maybe he +doesn't want to receive any orders from the capital just now.” + +“I believe you've hit it, Sergeant. At least I hope so, and anyway we +want to reach Colonel Hertford right away.” + +Still following the map and also consulting their own judgment, they +advanced now at a good rate. But as they came into a more thickly +populated country they were compelled to be exceedingly wary. Once a +farmer insisted on questioning them, but they threatened him with their +rifles and then plunged into a wood, lest he bring a force in pursuit. + +In the afternoon, lying among some bushes, they saw a large Confederate +force, with four cannon, pass on the road toward Jackson. + +“Colonel Hertford might do them a lot of damage if he could fall on them +with his cavalry,” said the sergeant thoughtfully. + +“So he could,” said Dick, “but I imagine that General Grant wants the +colonel to come at once.” + +They turned northward now and an hour later found numerous hoofprints in +a narrow road. + +“All these were made by well-shod horses,” said the sergeant, after +examining the tracks critically. “Now, we've plenty of horseshoes and +the Johnnies haven't. That's one sign.” + +“What's the other?” + +“I calculate that about six hundred men have passed here, and that's +pretty close to the number Colonel Hertford has, unless he's been in a +hot fight.” + +“Good reasoning, Sergeant, and I'll add a third. Those men are riding +directly toward the place where, according to our maps and information, +we ought to meet Colonel Hertford.” + +“All these things make me sure our men have passed here, Mr. Mason. +Suppose we follow on as hard as we can?” + +Cheered by the belief that they were approaching the end of their quest +they advanced at such a rate that the great trail rapidly grew fresher. + +“Their horses are tired now,” said the sergeant, “and likely we're going +as fast as they are. They're our men sure. Look at this old canteen that +one of 'em has thrown away. It's the kind they make in the North. He +ought to have been punished for leaving such a sign.” + +“I judge, Sergeant, from the looks of this road, that they can't now be +more than a mile away.” + +“Less than that, Mr. Mason. When we reach the top of the hill yonder I +think we'll see 'em.” + +The sergeant's judgment was vindicated again. From the crest they saw a +numerous body of muddy horsemen riding slowly ahead. Only the brilliant +sunlight made their uniforms distinguishable, but they were, beyond a +doubt, the troops of the Union. Dick uttered a little cry of joy and the +sergeant's face glowed. + +“We've found 'em,” said the sergeant. + +“And soon we ride,” said Dick. + +They hurried forward, shouted and waved their rifles. + +The column stopped, and two men, one of whom was Colonel Hertford +himself, rode back, looking curiously at the haggard and stained faces +of the two who walked forward, still swinging their rifles. + +“Colonel Hertford,” said Dick joyfully, “we've come with a message for +you from General Grant.” + +“And who may you be?” asked Hertford in surprise. + +“Why, Colonel, don't you know me? I'm Lieutenant Richard Mason of +Colonel Winchester's regiment, and this is Sergeant Daniel Whitley of +the same regiment.” + +The colonel broke into a hearty laugh, and then extended his hand to +Dick. + +“I should have known your voice, my boy,” he said, “but it's certainly +impossible to recognize any one who is as thickly covered with dry +Mississippi mud as you are. What's your news, Dick?” + +Dick told him and the sergeant repeated the same tale. He knew them both +to be absolutely trustworthy, and their coming on such an errand through +so many dangers carried its own proof. + +“We've several spare horses, bearing provisions and arms,” said Colonel +Hertford. “Two can be unloaded and be made ready for you and the +sergeant. I fancy that you don't care to keep on walking, Dick?” + +“I've had enough to last me for years, Colonel.” + +They were mounted in a few minutes, and rode with the colonel. The world +had now changed for Dick. Astride a good horse and in a column of six +hundred men he was no longer the hunted. These troopers and he were +hunters now. + +The column turned presently into another road and advanced with speed in +the direction of Grant. Colonel Hertford asked Dick many questions about +Slade. + +“I've been hearing of him since we were on this raid,” he said. “He's +more of a guerilla than a regular soldier, but he may be able to gather +a considerable force. I wish we could cut him off.” + +“So do I,” said Dick, but his feeling was prompted chiefly by Slade's +determined attempts upon his life. + +Colonel Hertford now pushed forward his men. He, too, was filled with +ambitions. He began to have an idea of Grant's great plans, in which +all the Union leaders must cooperate, and he meant that his own little +command should be there, whenever the great deed, whatever it might be, +was done. He talked about it with Dick, who he knew was a trusted +young staff officer, and the two, the lad and the older man, fed the +enthusiasm of each other. + +This attack deep into the flank of the Confederacy appealed to them with +its boldness, and created a certain romantic glow that seemed to clothe +the efforts of a general so far from the great line of battle in the +East. They talked, too, of the navy which had run past forts on the +Mississippi, and which had shown anew all its ancient skill and courage. + +As they talked, twilight came, and the road led once more through the +deep woods, where the shade turned the twilight into the darkness of +night. Then rifles flashed suddenly in the thickets, and a half-dozen +horsemen fell. The whole column was thrown for an instant or two into +disorder, frightened horses rearing and stamping, and, before their +riders could regain control, another volley came, emptying a half-dozen +saddles. + +Colonel Hertford gave rapid commands. Then, shouting and waving his +saber he galloped boldly into the forest, reckless of trees and bushes, +and Dick, the sergeant, and the whole troop followed. The lad was nearly +swept from his horse by a bough, but he recovered himself in time to see +the figures of men on foot fleeing rapidly through the dusk. + +Bullets pattered on bark and leaves, and the angry horsemen, after +discharging their carbines, swept forward with circling sabers. But the +irregulars who had ambushed them, save a few fallen before the bullets, +escaped easily in the dense woods, and under cover of the darkness which +was now coming down, thick and fast. + +A trumpet sounded the recall and the cavalrymen, sore and angry, drew +back into the road. They had lost a dozen good men, but Colonel Hertford +felt that they could not delay for vengeance. Grant's orders were to +come at once; and he intended to obey them. + +“I'd wager a year's pay against a Confederate five-dollar note,” said +Sergeant Whitley to Dick, “that the man who laid that ambush was Slade. +He'll keep watch on us all the way to Grant, and he'll tell the Southern +leaders everything the general is doing. Oh, he's a good scout and spy.” + +“He's proved it,” said Dick, “and I'd like to get a fair shot at him.” + +They rode nearly all night and most of the next day, and, in the +afternoon, they met other men in blue who told them that a heavy Union +force was advancing. They had no doubt now that Grant's great plan was +already working and in a short time they reached McPherson, advancing +with Logan's division. Hertford reported at once to McPherson, who was +glad enough to have his cavalry, and who warmly praised Dick and the +sergeant for the dangerous service they had done so well. As it would +have been unwise for them to attempt to reach Grant then he kept them +with him in the march on Jackson. + +Dick slept that night under the stars, but thousands of Union men were +around him and he felt neither the weight of responsibility, nor the +presence of danger. He missed Warner and Pennington, but he and the +sergeant were happy. Beyond a doubt now Grant was going to strike +hard, and all the men were full of anticipation and hope. His force in +different divisions was advancing on Jackson, leaving Vicksburg behind +him and the Southern army under Pemberton on one side. + +Dick heard, too, that the redoubtable Joe Johnston was coming to take +command of the Southern garrison in Jackson, and a leader less bold than +Grant might have shrunk from such a circle of enemies, but Grant's own +courage increased the spirit of his men, and they were full of faith. + +“I expect they're alarmed in Washington,” said the sergeant, as they +sat on their blankets. “There ain't any telegraph station nearer than +Memphis. They've heard in the capital that the general has begun to move +toward Jackson, but they won't know for days what will happen.” + +“I don't blame the President for being disturbed,” said Dick. “After all +the army is to serve the nation and fights under the supreme civilian +authority. The armies don't govern.” + +“That's so, but there come times when the general who has to do the +fighting can judge best how it ought to be done.” + +Dick lay down on one blanket and put another over him. It was well into +May, which meant hot weather in Mississippi, but, if he could, he always +protected himself at night. He was not a vain lad, but he felt proud +over his success. Hertford's six hundred horse were a welcome addition +to any army. + +He lay back soon with a knapsack as a pillow under his head and listened +to the noises of the camp, blended now into a rather musical note. +Several cooking fires still burned here and there and figures passed +before them. Dick observed them sleepily, taking no particular note, +until one, small and weazened, came. The figure was about fifty yards +away, and there was a Union cap instead of a great flap-brimmed hat on +the head, but Dick sprang to his feet at once, snatched a pistol from +his belt and rushed toward it. + +The evil figure melted away like a shadow, and two astonished soldiers +seized the youth, who seemed to be running amuck in the camp, pistol in +hand. + +“Let go!” exclaimed Dick. “I've seen a man whom I know to be a spy, and +a most dangerous one, too.” + +They could find no trace of Slade. Dick returned crestfallen to his +blanket, but he recalled something now definitely and clearly. Slade +was the little man whom he had seen carrying the log the morning he left +General Grant's camp, on his mission. + +The sergeant, who had never stirred from his own blanket, sat up when +Dick returned. + +“Who was he, Mr. Mason?” he asked. + +“Slade himself. He must have seen me jump up, because he vanished like +a ghost. But I gained something. I know now that I saw him here in our +uniform just before I started to find Colonel Hertford. That was why I +was followed.” + +“The cunning of an Indian. Well, we'll be on the watch for him now, +but I imagine he's already on the way to Jackson with the news of our +advance and an estimate of our numbers. We can't do anything to head him +off.” + +On the second day after joining the column Dick was ahead with the +cavalry, riding beside Colonel Hertford, and listening to occasional +shots in their front on the Jackson road. Both believed they would soon +be in touch with the enemy. Sergeant Whitley, acting now as a scout, had +gone forward through a field and in a few minutes galloped back. + +“The enemy is not far away,” he said. “They're posted along a creek, +with high banks and in a wood. They've got a strong artillery too, and I +think they about equal us in numbers.” + +Dick carried the report to the commander of the column, and soon the +trumpets were calling the men to battle. The crackle of rifle shots +ahead increased rapidly. The skirmishers were already pulling trigger, +and, as Dick galloped back to Hertford he saw many puffs of white smoke +down the road and in the fields and woods on either side. The Union men +began to cheer. In the West they had suffered no such defeats as their +brethren in the East, and every pulse beat with confidence. As the whole +line moved forward the Southern cannon began to crash and their shells +swept the road. + +The cavalry were advancing in a field, but they were yet held back to +a slow walk. Dick heard many impatient exclamations, but he knew the +restraint was right. He saw the accuracy of the Southern gunners. They +were driving the Northern infantry from the road. Their fire was rapid +and deadly, and, for a while, the Union army was checked. + +Hertford was calmly examining the Southern position through his glasses, +while he restrained his eager men. The volume of Southern fire was +growing fast. Shells and shrapnel rained death over a wide area, and the +air was filled with whistling bullets. It was certain destruction for +any force to charge down the road in face of the Southern cannon, and +the Northern army began to spread out, wheeling toward either flank. + +An aide arrived with an order to Hertford, and then he loosed his eager +cavalry. Turning to one side they galloped toward the creek. Some of the +Southern gunners, seeing them, sent shells toward them, and a swarm +of riflemen in a wood showered them with bullets. But they passed so +rapidly that not many saddles were emptied, and the trumpeter blew a +mellow note that urged on spirits already willing enough. + +The sweep of the cavalry charge exhilarated Dick. The thought of danger +passed away for the moment. He saw all around him the eager faces of +men, and horses that seemed just as eager. Dust and dirt flew beneath +the thudding hoofs, and the dust and floating smoke together made a +grimy cloud through which they galloped. + +They passed around still further on the flank. They seemed, for a few +minutes, to be leaving the battle, which was now at its height, the +Southern artillery still holding the road and presenting an unbroken +front. + +Dick saw a flash of water and then the whole troop thundered into the +creek, almost without slackened rein. Up the bank they went, and with +a wild shout charged upon the Southern infantry. On the other flank +another Northern force which also had crossed the creek attacked with +fire and spirit. + +But the battle still swayed back and forth. Hertford and his cavalry +were thrown off, merely to return anew to the charge. A portion of +the Northern force was driven back on the creek. The strong Southern +batteries poured forth death. Dick felt that they might yet lose, but +they suddenly heard a tremendous cheer, and a fresh force coming up +at the double quick enabled them to sweep the field. Before sunset the +Southern army retreated toward Jackson, leaving the field to the men in +blue. + +Dick dismounted and, examining himself carefully, found that he had +suffered no wound. Colonel Hertford and the sergeant had also taken no +hurt. But the lad and his elder comrade secured but little rest. They +were bidden to ride across the country at once to General Sherman with +the news of the victory. Sherman was at the head of another column, and +Grant was farther away with the main body. + +Dick and the sergeant, with the battle smoke still in their eyes, were +eager for the service. + +“When you're with Grant you don't stay idle, that's certain,” said Dick +as they rode across the darkening fields. + +“No, you don't,” said the sergeant, “and I'm thinking that we've just +begun. I know from the feel of it that big things are going to happen +fast. Sheer away from the woods there, Mr. Mason. We don't want to be +picked off by sharpshooters.” + +They arrived after dark in Sherman's camp and he received them himself. +Dick remembered how he had seen this thin, dry man holding fast with his +command at Shiloh, and he saluted him with the deepest respect. He knew +that here was a bold and tenacious spirit, kin to that of Grant. Sherman +had heard already of the battle, but he wished more and definite news. + +“You say that our victory was complete?” he asked tersely. + +“It was, sir,” replied Dick. “The entire force of the enemy retired +rapidly toward Jackson, and our men are eager to advance on that city.” + +“It would be a great stroke to take the capital of Mississippi,” said +Sherman musingly. Then he added in his crisp manner: + +“Are you tired?” + +“Not if you wish me to do anything,” replied Dick quickly. + +Sherman smiled. + +“The right spirit,” he said. “I wish you and your comrade to ride at +once with this news to General Grant. He may hear it from other sources, +but I want to send a letter by you.” + +In ten minutes Dick and the sergeant were riding proudly away on another +mission, and, passing through all the dangers of Southern scouts and +skirmishers, they reached General Grant, to whom they delivered the +letter from Sherman. Grant, who had recently been in doubt owing to the +threat of Pemberton on his flank, hesitated no longer when he heard of +the victory, and resolved at once upon the capture of Jackson. + +Dick, after his battle and two rides, went to sleep in a wagon, while an +orderly took his horse. When he awoke unknown hours afterward he found +that he was moving. He knew at once that the army was advancing. Before +him and behind him he heard all the noises of the march, the beat of +horses' hoofs, the grinding of wheels, the clanking of cannon, the +cracking of whips and the sounds of many voices. + +He was wonderfully comfortable where he lay and he had the satisfaction +and pride of much duty done. He felt that he was entitled to rest, and, +turning on his side, he went to sleep again. After another unknown time +his second awakening came and he remained awake. + +He quietly slipped out at the tail of the wagon, and stood for a few +moments, dazzled by the blazing sunlight. Then a loud, cheery voice +called out: + +“Well, if it isn't our own Lucky Dick come back again, safe and well to +the people to whom he belongs!” + +“If z equals Dick and y equals his presence then we have z plus y, as +Dick is certainly present,” called out another voice not quite so loud, +but equally cheery. “Luck, Frank, is only a minor factor in life. What +we usually call luck is the result of foresight, skill and courage. +There are facts that I wouldn't have you to forget, even if it is a hot +day far down in Mississippi.” + +Warner and Pennington sprang from their horses and greeted Dick warmly. +They had returned a day or two before from their own less perilous +errands, but they were in great anxiety about their comrade. They were +glad too, when they heard that the sergeant had joined him and that he +had come back safe. + +“I suppose it means a battle at Jackson,” said Warner. “We're surely on +the move, and we're going to keep the Johnnies busy for quite a spell.” + +“Looks like it,” said Dick. + +Colonel Winchester came soon, and his face showed great relief when he +shook hands with Dick. + +“It was a dangerous errand, Dick, my lad,” he said, “but I felt that you +would succeed and you have. It was highly important that we gather all +our forces for a great stroke.” + +Dick resumed at once his old place in the Winchester regiment, with +Warner, Pennington and his other comrades around him. Refreshed by +abundant sleep and good food he was in the highest of spirits. They +were embarked upon a great adventure and he believed that it would be +successful. His confidence was shared by all those about him. Meanwhile +the army advanced in diverging columns upon the Mississippi capital. + +Jackson, on Pearl River, had suddenly assumed a vast importance in +Dick's mind, and yet it was but a tiny place, not more than three or +four thousand inhabitants. The South was almost wholly agricultural, +and cities, great in a political and military sense, were in reality but +towns. Richmond, itself the capital of the Confederacy, around which so +much centered, had only forty thousand people. + +The Winchester regiment was detached that afternoon and sent to join the +column under McPherson, which was expected to reach Jackson first. Dick +was mounted again, and he rode with Warner and Pennington on either +side of him. They speculated much on what they would find when they +approached Jackson. + +“If Joe Johnston is there,” said Warner, “I think we'll have a hard +fight. You'll remember that he did great work against us in Virginia, +until he was wounded.” + +“And they'll know, of course, just when to expect us and in what force,” + said Dick. “Slade will tell them that. He probably has a large body of +spies and scouts working under him. But I don't think he'll come inside +our camp again.” + +“Not likely since he's been recognized,” said Warner, thoughtfully. “But +I don't think General Grant is afraid of anything ahead. That's why he +made the separation from our own world so complete, and our men are +out cutting down the telegraph lines, so the Johnnies in Jackson can't +communicate with their own government either. It's important to us that +we take Jackson before Pemberton with his army can come up.” + +Warner had estimated the plan correctly. Grant, besides cutting +himself off from his own superiors at Washington, was also destroying +communication between the garrison of Jackson and Pemberton's army of +Vicksburg, which was not far away. The two united might beat him, but +he meant to defeat them separately, and then besiege Vicksburg. It was +a complicated plan, depending upon quickness, courage and continued +success. Yet the mind of Grant, though operating afterward on fields of +greater numbers, was never clearer or more vigorous. + +They went into camp again after dark, knowing that Jackson was but a +short distance away, and they expected to attack early in the morning. +Dick carried another dispatch to Sherman, who was only a little +more than two miles from them, and on his way back he joined Colonel +Winchester, who, with Warner, Pennington and a hundred infantry, had +come out for a scout. The dismounted men were chosen because they wished +to beat up a difficult piece of wooded country. + +They went directly toward Jackson, advancing very cautiously through the +forest, the mounted officers riding slowly. The night was hot and dark, +moon and stars obscured by drifting clouds. Pennington, who was an +expert on weather, announced that another storm was coming. + +“I can feel a dampness in the air,” he said. “I'm willing to risk my +reputation as a prophet and say that the dawn will come with rain.” + +“I hope it won't be a big rain,” said Colonel Winchester, “because if it +is it will surely delay our attack. Our supply of cartridges is small, +and we can't risk wetting them.” + +Pennington persisted that a storm was at hand. His father had taught +him, he said, always to observe the weather signs on the great Nebraska +plains. They were nearly always hoping for rain there, and he had +learned to smell it before it came. He could smell it now in the same +way here in Mississippi. + +His opinion did not waver, when the clouds floated away for a while, +disclosing a faint moon and a few stars. They were now on the banks of a +brook, flowing through the wood, and Colonel Winchester thought he saw +a movement in the forest beyond it. It was altogether likely that so +skillful a leader as Joe Johnston would have out bodies of scouts, and +he stopped, bidding his men to take cover. + +Dick sat on his horse by the colonel's side under the thick boughs of a +great tree, and studied the thickets before them. He, too, had noticed +a movement, and he was confident that the Southern sharpshooters were +there. At the command of the colonel all of the officers dismounted, +and orderlies took the horses to the rear. On foot they continued their +examination of the thickets, and the colonel sent for Sergeant Whitley, +who confirmed his opinion that the enemy was before them. At his +suggestion the Union force was spread out, lest it be flanked and +annihilated in the thickets. + +Just as the movement was completed rifles began to crack in front and on +both flanks, and the piercing yell of the South arose. + +It was impossible to tell the size of the force that assailed them, but +the Winchester men were veterans now, and they were not afraid. Standing +among the bushes or sheltered by the trees they held their fire until +they saw dusky figures in the thickets. + +It had all the aspects of an old Indian battle in the depths of the +great forest. Darkness, the ambush and the caution of sharpshooters were +there. Dick carried a rifle, but he did not use it. He merely watched +the pink beads of flame among the bushes, while he stayed by the side of +his colonel and observed the combat. + +It soon became apparent to him that it would have no definite result. +Each side was merely feeling out its foe that night, and would not force +the issue. Yet the Southern line approached and some bullets whistled +near him. He moved a little to one side, and watched for an enemy. It +was annoying to have bullets come so close, and since they were shooting +at him he might as well shoot at them. + +While he was absorbed in watching, the colonel moved in the other +direction, and Dick stood alone behind a bush. The fire in front had +increased somewhat, although at no time was it violent. Occasional shots +from his own side replied. The clouds that had drifted away were now +drifting back, and he believed that darkness alone would soon end the +combat. + +Then he saw a bush only a dozen yards in his front move a little, and a +face peered through its branches. There was yet enough light for him +to see that the face was youthful, eager and handsome. It was familiar, +too, and then with a shock he remembered. Woodville, the lad with whom +he had fought such a good fight, nature's weapons used, was before him. + +Dick raised his rifle. Young Woodville was an easy target. But the +motion was only a physical impulse. He knew in his heart that he had +no intention of shooting the young Southerner, and he did not feel the +slightest tinge of remorse because he evaded this part of a soldier's +work. + +Yet Woodville, seeing nobody and hearing nothing, would come on. Dick, +holding his rifle in the crook of his left arm, drew a pistol and fired +it over the lad's head. At the same moment he dropped almost flat upon +the ground. The bullet cut the leaves above Woodville and he sprang +back, startled. A half-dozen Southern skirmishers fired at the flash +of Dick's pistol, but he, too, lying on the ground, heard them cutting +leaves over his head. + +Dick saw the face of Woodville disappear from the bush, and then he +crept away, rejoining Colonel Winchester and his comrades. Five minutes +later the skirmish ceased by mutual consent, and each band fell back on +its own army, convinced that both were on the watch. + +They were to advance at four o'clock in the morning, but Pennington's +prediction came true. After midnight, flashes of lightning cut the sky +and the thunder rolled heavily. Then the rain came, not any fugitive +shower, but hard, cold and steady, promising to last many hours. + +It was still pouring when the advance began before dawn, but Grant's +plans were complete. He had drawn up his forces on the chessboard, +and they were converging closely upon Jackson. They must keep their +cartridges dry and advance at all costs. + +The Winchesters were in the van in a muddy road. Dick, Warner and +Pennington were in the saddle, and they were wet through and through. +The rain and dusk were so heavy that they could not see fifty feet, and +they shivered with cold. But their souls were eager and high, and they +were glad when the army toiled slowly forward to battle. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE LITTLE CAPITAL + + +Dick was bent down in his saddle, trying to protect himself a little +from the driving rain which beat in his eyes and soaked through his +clothing. Warner and Pennington beside him were in the same condition, +and he saw just before him the bent back of Colonel Winchester, with his +left arm raised as a shield for his face. Hoofs and wheels made a heavy, +sticky sound as they sank in the mud, and were then pulled out again. + +“Do you see any signs of daylight, Dick?” asked Pennington. + +“Not a sign. I see only a part of our regiment, trees on either side of +us bending before the wind, and rain, and mud, mud everywhere. I'll be +glad when it's over.” + +“So will I,” said Warner. “I wonder what kind of hotels they have in +Jackson. I'd like to have a bath, good room and a big breakfast.” + +“The Johnnies are holding breakfast for you,” said Pennington. “Their +first course is gunpowder, their second bullets, their third shells and +shrapnel, and their fourth bayonets.” + +“They'll have to serve a lot at every course,” said Dick, “because +General Grant is advancing with fifty thousand men, and so many need a +lot of satisfying.” + +The storm increased in violence. The rain, falling in a deluge, was +driven by a wind like a hurricane. The horses strove to turn their heads +from it, and confusion arose among the cavalry. The infantry mixed +in the mud swore heavily. Staff officers had the utmost difficulty in +keeping the regiments together. It was time for the sun, but it did not +appear. Everything was veiled in clouds and driving rain. + +Dick looked at his watch, and saw that it was seven o'clock. They had +intended to attack at this hour, but further advance was impossible +for the time, and, bending their heads, they sought to protect their +ammunition. Presently they started again and toiled along slowly and +painfully for more than two hours. Then, just as they saw the enemy +ahead of them, the storm seemed to reach the very zenith of its fury. + +Dick, in the vanguard, beheld earthworks, cannon and troops before +Jackson, but the storm still drove so hard that the Union forces could +not advance to the assault. + +“This is certainly a most unusual situation,” said Colonel Winchester, +with an effort at cheerfulness. “Here we are, ready to attack, and the +Southerners are ready to defend, but a storm holds us both fast in our +tracks. Our duty to protect our cartridges is even greater than our duty +to attack the enemy.” + +“The biggest rain must come to an end,” said Dick. + +But it was nearly noon before they could advance. Then, as the storm +decreased rapidly the trumpets sounded the charge, and horse, foot and +artillery, they pressed forward eagerly through the mud. + +The sun broke through the clouds, and Dick saw before them a wood, a +ravine full of thickets, and the road commanded by strong artillery. +The Northern skirmishers were already stealing forward through the wet +bushes and grass, and soon their rifles were crackling. But the Southern +sharpshooters in the thickets were in stronger force, and their rapid +and accurate fire drove back the Northern men. Then their artillery +opened and swept the road, while the Northern batteries were making +frantic efforts to get up through the deep, sticky mud. + +But the trumpets were still calling. The Winchester regiment and others, +eager for battle and victory, swept forward. Dick felt once more the +fierce thrill of combat, and, waving his revolver high above his head, +he shouted with the others as they rushed on. The stream of bullets from +the ravine thickened, and the cannon were crashing fast. But the Union +masses did not check their rush for an instant. Although many fell they +charged into the ravine, driving out the enemy, and pursued him on the +other side. + +But the Southern cannon, manned by daring gunners, still held the field +and, aided by the thick mud which held back charging feet, they repulsed +every attack. The Winchester regiment was forced to cover, and then Dick +heard the booming of cannon in another direction. He knew that Grant and +Sherman were coming up there, and he expected they would rush at once +into Jackson, but it was a long time before the distant thunder came any +nearer. + +Johnston, whose astuteness they feared, was proving himself worthy of +their opinion. Knowing that his forces were far too small to defend +Jackson, he had sent away the archives of the state and most of the +army. Only a small force and seventeen cannon were left to fight and +cover his retreat. But so bold and skillful were they that it was far +beyond noon before Grant and Sherman found that practically nothing was +in front of them. + +But where Dick and his comrades rode the fighting was severe for a +while. Then everything seemed to melt away before them. The fire of the +Southern cannon ceased suddenly, and Colonel Winchester exclaimed that +their works had been abandoned. They charged forward, seized the cannon, +and now rode without resistance into the capital of the state, from +which the President of the Confederacy hailed, though by birth a +Kentuckian. + +Dick and his comrades were among the first to enter the town, and not +until then did they know that Johnston and all but a few hundreds of his +army were gone. + +“We've got the shell only,” Dick said. + +“Still we've struck a blow by taking the capital of the state,” said +Colonel Winchester. + +Dick looked with much curiosity at the little city into which they were +riding as conquerors. It was too small and new to be imposing. Yet there +were some handsome houses, standing back on large lawns, and surrounded +by foliage. The doors and shutters of all of them were closed tightly. +Dick knew that their owners had gone away or were sitting, hearts full +of bitterness, in their sealed houses. + +The streets were deep in mud, and at the corners little knots of negroes +gathered and looked at them curiously. + +“They don't seem to welcome us as deliverers,” said Warner. + +“They don't yet know what to think of us,” said Dick. “There's the +Capitol ahead of us, and some of our troops are going into it.” + +“Others have gone into it already,” said Pennington. “Look!” + +They saw the flag of the Union break out above its dome, the beautiful +stars and stripes, waving gently in the light breeze. A spontaneous +cheer burst from the Union soldiers, and the bitter hearts in the sealed +houses grew more bitter. + +The army was now pouring in by every road and Colonel Winchester and his +staff sought quarters. They were on the verge of exhaustion. All their +clothing was wet and they were discolored with mud. They felt that they +were bound to have rest and cleanliness. + +The victorious troops were making their camp, wherever they could find +dry ground, and soon they were building the fires for cooking. But many +of the officers were assigned to the residences, and Colonel Winchester +and his staff were directed by the general to take quarters in a large +colonial house, standing on a broad lawn, amid the finest magnolias and +live oaks that Dick had ever seen. + +Remembering an earlier experience during the Shiloh campaign Colonel +Winchester and his young officers approached the house with some +reluctance. In ordinary times it must have been brilliant with life. Two +little fountains were playing on either side of the graveled walk that +led to the front door. After the old fashion, three or four marble +statues stood in the shrubbery. Everything indicated wealth. Probably +the town house of a great planter, reflected Dick. In Mississippi a man +sometimes owned as many as a thousand slaves, and lived like a prince. + +The house offered them no welcome. Its doors and windows were closed, +but Dick had seen thin smoke rising from a chimney in the rear. He +expected that they would have to force the door, but at the first knock +it was thrown open by a tall, thin woman of middle years. The look she +gave them was full of bitter hatred--Dick sometimes thought that +women could hate better than men--but her manner and bearing showed +distinction. He, as well as his comrades, took her to be the lady of the +house. + +“We ask your pardon, madame, for this intrusion,” said Colonel +Winchester, “but we are compelled to occupy your house a while. We +promise you as little trouble as possible.” + +“We ask no consideration of any kind from men who have come to despoil +our country and ruin its people,” she said icily. + +Colonel Winchester flushed. + +“But madame,” he protested, “we do not come to destroy.” + +“I do not care to argue with you about it,” she said in the same lofty +tone, “and also you need not address me as madame. I am Miss Woodville.” + +Dick started. + +“Does this house belong to Colonel John Woodville?” he asked. + +“It does not,” she replied crisply, “but it belongs to his elder +brother, Charles Woodville, who is also a colonel, and who is my father. +What do you know of Colonel John Woodville?” + +“I met his son once,” replied Dick briefly. + +She glanced at him sharply. Dick thought for a moment that he saw alarm +in her look, but he concluded that it was only anger. + +They stood confronting each other, the little group of officers and the +woman, and Colonel Winchester, embarrassed, but knowing that he must do +something, went forward and pushed back a door opening into the hall. +Dick automatically followed him, and then stepped back, startled. + +A roar like that of a lion met them. An old man, with a high, bald and +extremely red forehead lay in a huge bed by a window. It was a great +head, and eyes, set deep, blazed under thick, white lashes. His body was +covered to the chin. + +Dick saw that the man's anger was that of the caged wild beast, and +there was something splendid and terrible about it. + +“You infernal Yankees!” he cried, and his voice again rumbled like that +of a lion. + +“Colonel Charles Woodville, I presume?” said Colonel Winchester +politely. + +“Yes, Colonel Charles Woodville,” thundered the man, “fastened here +in bed by a bullet from one of your cursed vessels in the Mississippi, +while you rob and destroy!” + +And then he began to curse. He drew one hand from under the cover and +shook his clenched fist at them in a kind of rhythmic beat while the +oaths poured forth. To Dick it was not common swearing. There was +nothing coarse and vulgar about it. It was denunciation, malediction, +fulmination, anathema. It had a certain majesty and dignity. Its +richness and variety were unequaled, and it was hurled forth by a voice +deep, powerful and enduring. + +Dick listened with amazement and then admiration. He had never heard its +like, nor did he feel any offense. The daughter, too, stood by, +pursing her prim lips, and evidently approving. Colonel Winchester was +motionless like a statue, while the infuriated man shook his fist at him +and launched imprecations. But his face had turned white and Dick saw +that he was fiercely angry. + +When the old man ceased at last from exhaustion Colonel Winchester said +quietly: + +“If you had spoken to me in the proper manner we might have gone away +and found quarters elsewhere. But we intend to stay here and we will +repay your abuse with good manners.” + +Dick saw the daughter flush, but the old man said: + +“Then it will be the first time that good manners were ever brought from +the country north of the Mason and Dixon line.” + +Colonel Winchester flushed in his turn, but made no direct reply. + +“If you will assign us rooms, Miss Woodville,” he said, “we will go +to them, otherwise we'll find them for ourselves, which may be less +convenient for you. I repeat that we desire to give you as little +trouble as possible.” + +“Do so, Margaret,” interrupted Colonel Woodville, “because then I may +get rid of them all the sooner.” + +Colonel Winchester bowed and turned toward the door. Miss Woodville, +obedient to the command of her father, led the way. Dick was the last to +go out, and he said to the old lion who lay wounded in the bed: + +“Colonel Woodville, I've met your nephew, Victor.” + +He did not notice that the old man whitened and that the hand now lying +upon the cover clenched suddenly. + +“You have?” growled Colonel Woodville, “and how does it happen that you +and my nephew have anything in common?” + +“I could scarcely put it that way,” replied Dick, refusing to be +angered, “unless you call an encounter with fists something in common. +He and I had a great fight at his father's plantation of Bellevue.” + +“He might have been in a better business, taking part in a common brawl +with a common Yankee.” + +“But, sir, while I may be common, I'm not a Yankee. I was born and grew +up south of the Ohio River in Kentucky.” + +“Then you're a traitor. All you Kentuckians ought to be fighting with +us.” + +“Difference of opinion, but I hope your nephew is well.” + +The deep eyes under the thick white thatch glared in a manner that Dick +considered wholly unnecessary. But Colonel Woodville made no reply, +merely turning his face to the wall as if he were weary. + +Dick hurried into the hall, closing the door gently behind him. The +others, not missing him, were already some yards away, and he quickly +rejoined Pennington and Warner. The younger men would have been glad +to leave the house, but Colonel Winchester's blood was up, and he was +resolved to stay. The little party was eight in number, and they were +soon quartered in four rooms on the lower floor. Miss Woodville promptly +disappeared, and one of the camp cooks arrived with supplies, which he +took to the kitchen. + +Dick and Warner were in one of the rooms, and, removing their belts +and coats, they made themselves easy. It was a large bedroom with high +ceilings and wicker furniture. There were several good paintings on the +walls and a bookcase contained Walter Scott's novels and many of the +eighteenth century classics. + +“I think this must have been a guest chamber,” said Dick, “but for us +coming from the rain and mud it's a real palace.” + +“Then it's fulfilling its true function,” said Warner, “because it has +guests now. What a strange household! Did you ever see such a peppery +pair as that swearing old colonel and his acid daughter?” + +“I don't know that I blame them. I think, sometimes, George, that +you New Englanders are the most selfish of people. You're too truly +righteous. You're always denouncing the faults of others, but you never +see any of your own. Away back in the Revolution when Boston called, +the Southern provinces came to her help, but Boston and New England have +spent a large part of their time since then denouncing the South.” + +“What's struck you, Dick? Are you weakening in the good cause?” + +“Not for a moment. But suppose Mississippi troops walked into your +own father's house in Vermont, and, as conquerors, demanded food and +shelter! Would you rejoice over them, and ask them why they hadn't come +sooner?” + +“I suppose not, Dick. But, stop it, and come back to your normal +temperature. I won't quarrel with you.” + +“I won't give you a chance, George. I'm through. But remember that while +I'm red hot for the Union, I was born south of the Ohio River myself, +and I have lots of sympathy for the people against whom I'm fighting.” + +“For the matter of that, so've I, Dick, and I was born north of the +Ohio River. But I'm getting tremendously hungry. I hope that cook will +hurry.” + +They were called soon, and eight officers sat at the table. The cook +himself served them. Miss Woodville had vanished, and not a servant was +visible about the great house. Despite their hunger and the good quality +of the food the group felt constraint. The feeling that they were +intruders, in a sense brigands, was forced upon them. Dick was sure +that the old man with the great bald head was swearing fiercely and +incessantly under his breath. + +The dining-room was a large and splendid apartment, and the silver still +lay upon the great mahogany sideboard. The little city, now the camp +of an overwhelming army, had settled into silence, and the twilight was +coming. + +With the chill of unwelcome still upon them the officers said little. +As the twilight deepened Warner lighted several candles. The silver +glittered under the flame. Colonel Winchester presently ordered the cook +to take a plate of the most delicate food to Colonel Woodville. + +As the cook withdrew on his mission he left open the door of the +dining-room and they heard the sound of a voice, uplifted in a +thunderous roar. The cook hurried back, the untouched plate in his hand +and his face a little pale. + +“He cursed me, sir,” he said to Colonel Winchester. “I was never cursed +so before by anybody. He said he would not touch the food. He was sure +that it had been poisoned by the Yankees, and even if it were not he'd +rather die than accept anything from their hands.” + +Colonel Winchester laughed rather awkwardly. + +“At any rate, we've tendered our good offices,” he said. “I suppose his +daughter will attend to his wants, and we'll not expose ourselves to +further insults.” + +But the refusal had affected the spirits of them all, and as soon as +their hunger was satisfied they withdrew. The soldier who had acted as +cook was directed to put the dining-room back in order and then he might +sleep in a room near the kitchen. + +Dick and Warner returned to their own apartment. Neither had much to +say, and Warner, lying down on the bed, was soon fast asleep. Dick +sat by the window. The town was now almost lost in the obscurity. The +exhausted army slept, and the occasional glitter from the bayonet of a +sentinel was almost the only thing that told of its presence. + +Dick was troubled. In spite of will and reason, his conscience hurt +him. Theory was beautiful, but it was often shivered by practice. His +sympathies were strongly with the old colonel who had cursed him so +violently and the grim old maid who had given them only harsh words. +Besides, he had pleasant memories of Victor Woodville, and these were +his uncle and cousin. + +He sat for a long time at the window. The house was absolutely quiet, +and he was sure that everybody was asleep. There could be no doubt about +Warner, because he slumbered audibly. But Dick was still wide awake. +There was some tension of mind or muscle that kept sleep far from him. +So he remained at the window, casting up the events of the day and those +that might come. + +The evening was well advanced when he was quite sure that he heard a +light step in the hall. He would have paid little attention to it at an +ordinary time, but, in all that silence and desolation, it called +him like a drum-beat. Only a light step, and yet it filled him with +suspicion and alarm. He was in the heart of a great and victorious +Union army, but at the moment he felt that anything could happen in this +strange house. + +Slipping his pistol from his belt, he opened the door on noiseless +hinges and stepped into the hall. A figure was disappearing in its dim +space, but, as he saw clearly, it was that of a woman. He was sure that +it was Miss Woodville and he stepped forward. He had no intention +of following her, but his foot creaked on the floor, and, stopping +instantly, she faced about. Then he saw that she carried a tray of food. + +“Are we to have our house occupied and to be spied upon also?” she +asked. + +Dick flushed. Few people had ever spoken to him in such a manner, and it +was hard to remember that she was a woman. + +“I heard a footstep in the hall, and it was my duty to see who was +passing,” he said. + +“I have prepared food and I am taking it to my father. He would not +accept it from Yankee hands.” + +“Colonel Woodville sups late. I should think a wounded man would be +asleep at this hour, if he could.” + +She gave him a glance full of venom. + +“What does it matter?” she said. + +Dick refused to be insulted. + +“Let me take the tray for you,” he said, “at least to the door. Your +father need not know that my hands have touched it.” + +She shrank back and her eyes blazed. + +“Let us alone!” she exclaimed. “Go back to your room! Isn't it +sufficient that this house shelters you?” + +She seemed to Dick to show a heat and hate out of all proportion to the +occasion, but he did not repeat the offer. + +“I meant well,” he said, “but, since you do not care for my help, I'll +return to my room and go to sleep. Believe me, I'm sincere when I say I +hope your father will recover quickly from his wound.” + +“He will,” she replied briefly. + +Dick bowed with politeness and turned toward his own room. Nevertheless +his curiosity did not keep him from standing a moment or two in the dark +against the wall and looking back at the woman who bore the tray. +He drew a long breath of astonishment when he saw her pass Colonel +Woodville's door, and hurry forward now with footsteps that made no +sound. + +The suspicion which had lain deep in his mind sprang at once into life. +Keeping close to the wall, he followed swiftly and saw her disappear up +a stairway. There he let the pursuit end and returned thoughtfully to +his room. + +Dick was much troubled. An ethical question had presented itself to him. +He believed that he had divined everything. The solution had come to him +with such suddenness and force that he was as fully convinced as if he +had seen with his own eyes. Military duty demanded that he invade the +second floor of the Woodville house. But there were feelings of humanity +and mercy, moral issues not less powerful than military duty, and maybe +more so. + +He was pulled back and forth with great mental violence. He was sorry +that he had seen Miss Woodville with the tray. And then he wasn't. +Nevertheless, he stayed in his own room, and Warner, waking for a +moment, regarded him with wonder as he sat outlined against the window +which they had left unshuttered and opened to admit air. + +“What's the matter, Dick? Have you got a fever?” he asked. “Why haven't +you gone to bed?” + +“I'm going to do so right away. Don't bother yourself about me, George. +My nerves have been strained pretty hard, and I had to wait until they +were quiet until I could go to sleep.” + +“Don't have nerves,” said Warner, as he turned back on his side and +returned to slumber. + +Dick undressed and got into bed. It was the first time in many nights +that he had not slept in his clothes, and beds had been unknown for many +weeks. It was a luxury so penetrating and powerful that it affected +him like an opiate. Such questions as military and moral duty floated +swiftly away, and he slept the sleep of youth and a good heart. + +Breakfast was almost a repetition of supper. The army cook prepared and +served it, and the Woodvilles remained invisible. Colonel Winchester +informed the young officers that they would remain in Jackson two or +three days, and then great events might be expected. All felt sure +that he was predicting aright. Pemberton must be approaching with the +Vicksburg army. The wary and skillful Johnston had another army, and he +could not be far away. Moreover, this was the heart of the Confederacy +and other unknown forces might be gathering. + +They felt the greatness of the hour, Grant's daring stroke, and the +possibility that he might yet be surrounded and overwhelmed. Their minds +were attuned, too, to other and yet mightier deeds, but they were glad, +nevertheless, of a little rest. The Woodville house was a splendid +place, and in the morning they did not feel so much the chill of +embarrassment that had been created for them the night before. + +Dick went straight to the room of Colonel Woodville, opened the door +without knocking, and closed it behind him quickly but noiselessly. + +The colonel was propped up in his bed and a tray bearing light and +delicate food lay on a chair. His daughter stood beside the bed, +speechless with anger at this intrusion. Dick lifted his hand, and the +look upon his face checked one of the mightiest oaths that had ever +welled up from the throat of Colonel Charles Woodville, king of +swearers. + +“Stop!” said Dick in a voice not loud, but sharp with command. + +“Can't we at least have privacy in the room of an old and wounded man?” + asked Miss Woodville. + +“You can hereafter,” replied Dick quietly. “I shall not come again, but +I tell you now to get him out of the house to-night, unless he's too +badly hurt to be moved.” + +“Why should my father be taken away?” demanded Miss Woodville. + +“I'm not speaking of your father.” + +“Of whom, then?” + +Dick did not answer, but he met her gaze steadily, and her face fell. +Then he turned, walked out of the room without a word, and again closed +the door behind him. When he went out on the piazza he saw excitement +among his comrades. The moment for great action was coming even sooner +than Colonel Winchester had expected. + +“Johnston is communicating with Pemberton,” said Warner, “and he has +ordered Pemberton to unite with him. Then they will attack us. He sent +the same order by three messengers, but one of them was in reality a +spy of ours, and he came straight to General Grant with it. We're +forewarned, and the trap can't shut down on us, because General Grant +means to go at once for Pemberton.” + +Dick understood the situation, which was both critical and thrilling. +Grant was still in the heart of the Confederacy, and its forces were +converging fast upon him. But the grim and silent man, instead of merely +trying to escape, intended to strike a blow that would make escape +unnecessary. All the young officers saw the plan and their hearts +leaped. + +Dick, in the excitement of the day, forgot about the Woodville house +and its inmates. Troops were already marching out of Jackson to meet the +enemy, but the Winchester regiment would not leave until early the next +morning. They were to spend a second night, or at least a part of it, in +Colonel Woodville's house. + +It was the same group that ate supper there and the same army cook +served them. They did not go to the bedrooms afterward, but strolled +about, belted, expecting to receive the marching call at any moment. + +Dick went into the library, where a single candle burned, and while he +was there Miss Woodville appeared at the door and beckoned to him. She +had abated her severity of manner so much that he was astonished, but he +followed without a word. + +She saw that the hall was clear and then she led quickly into her +father's room. Colonel Woodville was propped up against the pillows, and +there was color in his face. + +“Young man,” he said, “come here. You can afford to obey me, although +I'm a prisoner, because I'm so much older than you are. You have a heart +and breeding, young sir, and I wish to shake your hand.” + +He thrust a large hand from the cover, and Dick shook it warmly. + +“I wouldn't have shaken it if you had been born north of the Ohio +River,” said Colonel Woodville. + +Dick laughed. + +“My chief purpose in having you brought here,” said Colonel Woodville, +“was to relate to you an incident, of which I heard once. Did I read +about it, or was it told to me, Margaret?” + +“I think, sir, that some one told you of it.” + +“Ah, well, it doesn't matter. A few words will tell it. In an old, +forgotten war a young soldier quartered in the house of his defeated +enemy--but defeated only for the time, remember--saw something which +made him believe that a wounded nephew of the house was hid in an upper +room. But he was generous and he did not search further. The second +night, while the young officer and his comrades were at supper, the +nephew, who was not hurt badly, was slipped out of the house and escaped +from the city in the darkness. It's not apropos of anything, and I don't +know why I'm relating it to you, but I suppose this terrible war we are +fighting is responsible for an old man's whim.” + +“I've found it very interesting, sir,” said Dick, “and I think it's +relevant, because it shows that even in war men may remain Christian +human beings.” + +“Perhaps you're right, and I trust, young sir, that you will not be +killed in this defeat to which you are surely marching.” + +Dick bowed to both, and left them to their fears and hopes. The glow was +still about his heart when he rode forth with the Winchester regiment +after midnight. But, owing to the need of horses for the regular +cavalry, it had become an infantry regiment once more. Only the officers +rode. + +At dawn they were with Grant approaching a ridge called Champion Hill. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. CHAMPION HILL + + +Dick on that momentous morning did not appreciate the full magnitude of +the event about to occur, nor did he until long afterward. He knew +it was of high importance, and yet it might have ranked as one of the +decisive battles of history. There were no such numbers as at Shiloh and +Chancellorsville, but the results were infinitely greater. + +Nor was it likely that such thoughts would float through the head of a +lad who had ridden far, and who at dawn was looking for an enemy. + +The scouts had already brought word that the Southerners were in strong +force, and that they occupied Champion Hill, the crest of which was +bare, but with sides dark with forests and thickets. They were riding at +present through forests themselves, and they felt that their ignorance +of the country might take them at any moment into an ambush. + +“We know what army we're going against, don't we?” asked Pennington. + +“Why, Pemberton's, of course,” replied Dick. + +“I'm glad of that. I'd rather fight him than Joe Johnston.” + +“They've been trying to unite, but we hear they haven't succeeded.” + +Pemberton, in truth, had been suffering from the most painful doubt. +Having failed to do what Johnston had expected of him, he had got +himself into a more dangerous position than ever. Then, after listening +to a divided council of his generals, he had undertaken a movement which +brought him within striking distance of Grant, while Johnston was yet +too far away to help him. + +Dick did not know how much fortune was favoring the daring that morning, +but he and his comrades were sanguine. They felt all the time the +strong hand over them. Like the soldiers, they had acquired the utmost +confidence in Grant. He might make mistakes, but he would not doubt and +hesitate and draw back. Where he led the enemy could not win anything +without having to fight hard for it. + +The early summer dawn had deepened, bright and hot, and the sun was now +clear of the trees, turning the green of the forests to gold. Coffee and +warm food were served to them during a momentary stop among the trees, +and then the Winchester regiment moved forward again toward Champion +Hill. + +Rifle shots were now heard ahead of them. They were scattered, but the +lads knew that the hostile skirmishers had come in contact. Presently +the reports increased and through the woods they saw puffs of smoke. +Trumpets to right and left were calling up the brigades. + +“Open up for the guns!” cried an aide, and a battery lumbered through, +the men swearing at their panting horses. But the Southern cannon were +already at work. From the bare crest of Champion Hill they were sending +shells which crashed in the ranks of the advancing foe. Two or three +of the Winchesters were hit, and a wounded horse, losing its rider, ran +screaming through the wood. + +The forest and thickets now grew so dense that the officers dismounted, +giving their horses to an orderly, and led on foot. The country before +them was most difficult. Besides the trees and brush it was seared with +ravines. A swarm of skirmishers in front whom they could not see now +poured bullets among them, and the shells, curving over the heads of +the ambushed sharpshooters, fell in the Union ranks. On either flank the +battle opened and swelled rapidly. + +“We may have got Pemberton trapped,” said Pennington, “but he's got so +many bristles that we can't reach in a hand and pull out our captive. My +God, Dick, are you killed?” + +He was pulling Dick to his feet and examining him anxiously. + +“I'm all right,” said Dick in a moment. “It was the wind of a big round +shot that knocked me down. Just now I'm thanking God it was the wind and +not the shot.” + +“I wish we could get through these thickets!” exclaimed Warner. “Our +comrades must be engaged much more heavily than we are. What an uproar!” + +The combat swelled to great proportions. The Southern army, being +compelled to fight, fought now with all its might. The crest of the long +hill blazed with fire. The men in gray used every advantage of position. +Cannon and rifles raked the woods and thickets, and at many points the +Union attack was driven back. The sun rose slowly and they still held +the hill, fighting with all the fire and valor characteristic of the +South. They were cheered at times by the expectation of victory, but the +stubborn Grant brought up his remaining forces and continually pressed +the battle. + +The Winchester regiment crossed a ravine and knelt among the thickets. +Its losses had not yet been heavy, as most of the cannon fire was +passing over their heads. Grape and canister were whistling among the +woods, and Dick was devoutly grateful that these deadly missiles were +going so high. Yet if they did not hurt they made one shiver, and it +was not worth while to recall that when he heard the sound the shot had +passed already. One shivered anyhow. + +As well as Dick could judge from the volume of sound the battle seemed +to be concentrated directly upon the hill. He knew that Grant expected +to make a general attack in full force, and he surmised that one of the +commanders under him was not pushing forward with the expected zeal. His +surmise was correct. A general with fifteen thousand men was standing +almost passive in front of a much smaller force, but other generals were +showing great fire and energy. + +The Winchester regiment contained many excellent riflemen and they were +so close now that they could use the weapons for which the Kentuckians +were famous. Firing deliberately, they began to cut gaps in the first +ranks of the defenders on the slope. Then they rose and with other +regiments pushed forward again. + +But they came to a road in the side of the hill defended powerfully by +infantry and artillery, and a heavy fire, killing and wounding many, was +poured upon them. They sought to cross the road and attack the defenders +with the bayonet, but they were driven back and their losses were so +heavy that they were compelled to take cover in the nearest thickets. + +The men, gasping with heat and exhaustion, threw themselves down, a +sleet of shells and bullets passing over their heads. Dick had a sense +of failure, but it lasted only a moment or two. From both left and right +came the fierce crash of battle, and he knew that, if they had been +driven back before the road, their comrades were maintaining the combat +elsewhere. + +“It's merely a delay. We pause to make a stronger attack,” said Colonel +Winchester, as if he were apologizing to himself. “Are you all right, +Dick?” + +“Unhurt, sir, and so are Warner and Pennington, who are lying here +beside me.” + +“Unhurt, but uneasy,” said Warner. “I don't like the way twigs and +leaves are raining down on me. It shows that if they were to depress +their fire they would be shearing limbs off of us instead of boughs off +the trees.” + +The sun was high and brilliant now, but it could not dispel the clouds +of smoke gathering in the thickets. It floated everywhere, and Dick felt +it stinging his mouth and throat. Murmurs began to run along the lines. +They did not like being held there. They wanted to charge again. They +were still confident of victory. + +Dick was sent toward another part of the army for orders, and he saw +that all along the hill the battle was raging fiercely. But Grant could +not yet hear the roar of guns which should indicate the advance of +McClernand and his fifteen thousand. The silent leader was filled with +anger, but he reserved the expression of it for a later time. + +Dick saw the fiery and impetuous Logan, noticeable for his long +coal-black hair, lead a headlong and successful charge, which carried +the Union troops higher up the hill. But another general was driven +back, losing cannon, although he retook them in a second and desperate +charge. Still no news from McClernand and his fifteen thousand! There +was silence where his guns ought to have been thundering, and Grant +burned with silent anger. + +It was noon, and a half-hour past. The Union plans, made with so much +care and judgment, and the movements begun with so much skill and +daring seemed to be going awry. Yet Grant with the tenacity, rather +than lightning intuition, that made him a great general, held on. His +lieutenants clung to their ground and prepared anew for attack. + +Dick hurried back to his own regiment, which was still lying in the +thickets, bearing an order for its advance in full strength. Colonel +Winchester, who was standing erect, walking among his men and +encouraging them, received it with joy. Word was speedily passed to all +that the time to win or lose had come. Above the cannon and rifles the +music of the calling trumpets sounded. The fire of both sides suddenly +doubled and tripled in volume. + +“Now, boys,” shouted Colonel Winchester, waving his sword, “up the hill +and beat 'em!” + +Uttering a deep-throated roar the Winchesters rushed forward, firing +as they charged. Dick was carried on the top wave of enthusiasm. He +discharged his pistol into the bank of fire and smoke in front of them +and shouted incessantly. He heard the bullets and every form of missile +from the cannon whining all about them. Leaves and twigs fell upon him. +Many men went down under the deadly fire, but the rush of the regiment +was not checked for an instant. + +They passed out of the thicket, swept across the road, and drove the +defenders up the hill. Along the whole line the Union army, fired with +the prospect of success, rushed to the attack. Grant threw every man +possible into the charge. + +The Southern army was borne back by the weight of its enemy. All of the +front lines were driven in and the divisions were cut apart. There +was lack of coordination among the generals, who were often unable to +communicate with one another, and Pemberton gave the order to retreat. +The battle was lost to the South, and with it the chance to crush Grant +between two forces. + +The Union army uttered a great shout of victory, and Grant urged forward +the pursuit. Bowen, one of the South's bravest generals, was the last to +give way. The Winchester regiment was a part of the force that followed +him, both fighting hard. Dick found himself with his comrades, wading +a creek, and they plunged into the woods and thickets which blazed with +the fire of South and North. A Confederate general was killed here, but +the brave Bowen still kept his division in order, and made the pursuit +pay a heavy cost for all its gain. + +Dick saw besides the Confederate column many irregulars in the woods, +skilled sharpshooters, who began to sting them on the flank and bring +down many a good soldier. He caught a glimpse of a man who was urging +on the riflemen and who seemed to be their leader. He recognized Slade, +and, without a moment's hesitation, fired at him with his pistol. But +the man was unhurt and Slade's return bullet clipped a lock of Dick's +hair. + +Then they lost each other in the smoke and turmoil of the battle, and, +despite the energy of the pursuit by the Union leaders, they could not +break up the command of Bowen. The valiant Southerner not only made good +his retreat, but broke down behind him the bridge over a deep river, +thus saving for a time the fragments of Pemberton's army. + +The Winchester regiment marched back to the battlefield, and Dick saw +that the victory had been overwhelming. Nearly a third of the Southern +army had been lost and thirty cannon were the trophies of Grant. Yet the +fighting had been desperate. The dead and wounded were so numerous that +the veteran soldiers who had been at Shiloh and Stone River called it +“The Hill of Death.” + +Dick saw Grant walking over the field and he wondered what his feelings +were. Although its full result was beyond him he knew, nevertheless, +that Champion Hill was a great victory. At one stroke of his sword Grant +had cut apart the circle of his foes. + +Dick came back from the pursuit with Colonel Winchester. He had lost +sight of Warner and Pennington in the turmoil, but he believed that they +would reappear unhurt. They had passed through so many battles now that +it did not occur to him that any of the three would be killed. They +might be wounded, of course, as they had been already, but fate would +play them no such scurvy trick as to slay them. + +“What will be the next step, Colonel?” asked Dick, as they stood +together upon the victorious hill. + +“Depends upon what Johnston and Pemberton do. Pemberton, I'm sure, will +retreat to Vicksburg, but Johnston, if he can prevent it, won't let his +army be shut up there. Still, they may not be able to communicate, and +if they should Pemberton may disobey the far abler Johnston and stay in +Vicksburg anyhow. At any rate, I think we're sure to march at once on +Vicksburg.” + +A figure approaching in the dusk greeted Dick with a shout of delight. +Another just behind repeated the shout with equal fervor. Warner and +Pennington had come, unharmed as he had expected, and they were exultant +over the victory. + +“Come over here,” said Warner to Dick. “Sergeant Whitley has cooked a +glorious supper and we're waiting for you.” + +Dick joined them eagerly, and the sergeant received them with his +benevolent smile. They were commissioned officers, and he gave them all +the respect due to rank, but in his mind they were only his boys, whom +he must watch and protect. + +While the fires sprang up about them and they ate and talked of the +victory, Washington was knowing its darkest moments. Lee had already +been marching thirteen days toward Gettysburg, and he seemed unbeatable. +Grant, who had won for the North about all the real success of which +it could yet boast, was lost somewhere in the Southern wilderness. The +messages seeking him ran to the end of the telegraph wires and no answer +came back. The click of the key could not reach him. Many a spirit, bold +at most times, despaired of the Union. + +But the old and hackneyed saying about the darkest hour just before the +dawn was never more true. The flame of success was already lighted in +the far South, and Lincoln was soon to receive the message, telling him +that Grant had not disappeared in the wilderness for nothing. Thereafter +he was to trust the silent and tenacious general through everything. + +They were up and away at dawn. Dick was glad enough to leave the hill, +on which many of the dead yet lay unburied, and he was eager for the new +field of conflict, which he was sure would be before Vicksburg. Warner +and Pennington were as sanguine as he. Grant was now inspiring in them +the confidence that Lee and Jackson inspired in their young officers. + +“How big is this city of Vicksburg?” asked Pennington. + +“Not big at all,” replied Warner. “There are no big cities in the South +except New Orleans, but it's big as a fortress. It's surrounded by +earthworks, Frank, from which the Johnnies can pot you any time.” + +“Well, at any rate, I'll be glad to see it--from a safe distance. I +wouldn't mind sitting down before a town. There's too much wet country +around here to suit me.” + +“It's likely that you'll have a chance to sit for a long time. We won't +take Vicksburg easily.” + +But the time for sitting down had not yet come. The confidence of the +soldiers in their leader was justified continually. He advanced rapidly +toward Vicksburg, and in pursuit of Pemberton's defeated men. The +victory at Champion Hill had been so complete that the Southern army +was broken into detached fragments, and the Southern generals were now +having the greatest difficulty in getting them together again. + +Grant, with his loyal subordinate, Sherman, continued to push upon the +enemy with the greatest vigor. Sherman had not believed in the success +of the campaign, had even filed his written protest, but when Grant +insisted he had cooperated with skill and energy. He and Grant stood +together on a hill looking toward the future field of conflict, and he +told Grant now that he expected continued success. + +It was the fortune of the young officers of the Winchester regiment +sitting near on their horses to see the two generals who were in such +earnest consultation, and who examined the whole circle of the country +so long and so carefully through powerful glasses. + +The effects of the victory deep in the South were growing hourly in +Dick's mind, and the two figures standing there on the hill were full +of significance to him. He had a premonition that they were the men more +than any others who would achieve the success of the Union, if it were +achieved at all. They had dismounted and stood side by side, the figure +of Grant short, thick and sturdy, that of Sherman, taller and more +slender. They spoke only at intervals, and few words then, but nothing +in the country about them escaped their attention. + +Dick had glasses of his own, and he, too, began to look. He saw a region +much wooded and cut by deep streams. Before them lay the sluggish waters +of Chickasaw Bayou, where Sherman had sustained a severe defeat at an +earlier time, and farther away flowed the deep, muddy Yazoo. + +“See the smoke, George, rising above that line of trees along the +river?” said Dick. + +“Yes, Dick,” replied Warner, “and I notice that the smoke rises in +puffs.” + +“It has a right to go up that way, because it's expelled violently from +the smoke-stacks of steamers. And those steamers are ours, George, our +warships. Our navy in this war hasn't much chance to do the spectacular, +but we can never give it enough credit.” + +“That's right, Dick. It keeps the enemy surrounded and cuts off his +supplies, while our army fights him on land. Whatever happens the waters +are ours.” + +“And the Mississippi has become a Union river, splitting apart the +Confederacy.” + +“Right you are, Dick, and we're already in touch with our fleet there. +The boats do more than fight for us. They're unloading supplies in vast +quantities from Chickasaw Bayou. We'll have good food, blankets, tents +to shelter us from the rain, and unlimited ammunition to batter the +enemy's works.” + +The investment of Vicksburg had been so rapid and complete that +Johnston, the man whom Grant had the most cause to fear, could not unite +with Pemberton, and he had retired toward Jackson, hoping to form a new +army. Only three days after Champion Hill Grant had drawn his semicircle +of steel around Vicksburg and its thirty thousand men, and the navy in +the rivers completed the dead line. + +Dick rode with Colonel Winchester and took the best view they could get +of Vicksburg, the little city which had suddenly become of such vast +military importance. + +Now and then on the long, lower course of the Mississippi, bluffs rise, +although at far intervals. Memphis stands on one group and hundreds +of miles south Vicksburg stands on another. The Vicksburg plateau runs +southward to the Big Bayou, which curves around them on the south and +east, and the eastern slope of the uplift has been cut and gulleyed by +many torrents. So strong has been the effect of the rushing water upon +the soft soil that these cuts have become deep winding ravines, often +with perpendicular banks. One of the ravines is ten miles long. Another +cuts the plateau itself for six miles, and a permanent stream flows +through it. + +The colonel and Dick saw everywhere rivers, brooks, bayous, hills, +marshes and thickets, the whole turned by the Southern engineers into +a vast and most difficult line of intrenchments. Grant now had forty +thousand men for the attack or siege, but he and his generals did +not yet know that most of the scattered Confederate army had gathered +together again, and was inside. They believed that Vicksburg was held by +fifteen thousand men at the utmost. + +“What do you think of it, Colonel?” asked Dick, as they sat horseback on +one of the highest hills. + +“It will be hard to take, despite the help of the navy. Did you ever see +another country cut up so much by nature and offering such natural help +to defenders?” + +“I've heard a lot of Vicksburg. I remember, Colonel, that, despite its +smallness, it is one of the great river towns of the South.” + +“So it is, Dick. I was here once, when I was a boy before the Mexican +war. Down on the bar, the low place between the bluffs and the river, +was the dueling ground, and it was also the place for sudden fights. It +and Natchez, I suppose, were rivals for the wild and violent life of the +great river.” + +“Well, sir, it has a bigger fight on its hands now than was ever dreamed +of by any of those men.” + +“I think you're right, Dick, but the general means to attack at once. We +may carry it by storm.” + +Dick looked again at the vast entanglement of creeks, bayous, ravines, +forests and thickets. Like other young officers, he had his opinion, but +he had the good sense to keep it to himself. He and the colonel rejoined +the regiment, and presently the trumpets were calling again for battle. +The men of Champion Hill, sanguine of success, marched straight upon +Vicksburg. All the officers of the Winchester regiment were dismounted, +as their portion of the line was too difficult for horses. + +Their advance, as at Champion Hill, was over ground wooded heavily and +they soon heard the reports of the rifles before them. Bullets began to +cut the leaves and twigs, carrying away the bushes, scarring the trees +and now and then taking human life. The Winchester men fired +whenever they saw an enemy, and with them it was largely an affair +of sharpshooters, but on both left and right the battle rolled more +heavily. The Southerners, behind their powerful fortifications at the +heads of the ravines and on the plateau, beat back every attack. + +Before long the trumpets sounded the recall and the short battle ceased. +Grant had discovered that he could not carry Vicksburg by a sudden +rush and he recoiled for a greater effort. He discovered, too, from the +resistance and the news brought later by his scouts that an army almost +as numerous as his own was in the town. + +The Winchester regiment made camp on a solid, dry piece of ground beyond +the range of the Southern works, and the men, veterans now, prepared +for their comfort. The comrades ate supper to the slow booming of great +guns, where the advanced cannon of either side engaged in desultory +duel. + +The distant reports did not disturb Dick. They were rather soothing. He +was glad enough to rest after so much exertion and so much danger and +excitement. + +“I feel as if I were an empty shell,” he said, “and I've got to wait +until nature comes along and fills up the shell again with a human +being.” + +“In my school in Vermont,” said Warner, “they'd call that a considerable +abuse of metaphor, but all metaphors are fair in war. Besides, it's just +the way I feel, too. Do you think, Dick, we'll settle down to a regular +siege?” + +“Knowing General Grant as we do, not from what he tells us, since he +hasn't taken Pennington and you and me into his confidence as he ought +to, but from our observation of his works, I should say that he would +soon attack again in full force.” + +“I agree with you, Knight of the Penetrating Mind, but meanwhile I'm +going to enjoy myself.” + +“What do you mean, George?” + +“A mail has come through by means of the river, and my good father and +mother--God bless 'em--have sent me what they knew I would value most, +something which is at once an intellectual exercise, an entertainment, +and a consolation in bereavement.” + +Dick and Pennington sat up. Warner's words were earnest and portentous. +Besides, they were very long, which indicated that he was not jesting. + +“Go ahead, George. Show us what it is!” said Dick eagerly. + +Warner drew from the inside pocket of his waist coat a worn volume which +he handled lovingly. + +“This,” he said, “is the algebra, with which I won the highest honors +in our academy. I have missed it many and many a time since I came into +this war. It is filled with the most beautiful problems, Dick, questions +which will take many a good man a whole night to solve. When I think of +the joyous hours I've spent over it some of the tenderest chords in my +nature are touched.” + +Pennington uttered a deep groan and buried his face in the grass. Then +he raised it again and said mournfully: + +“Let's make a solemn agreement, Dick, to watch over our poor comrade. +I always knew that something was wrong with his mind, although he means +well, and his heart is in the right place. As for me, as soon as I +finished my algebra I sold it, and took a solemn oath never to look +inside one again. That I call the finest proof of sanity anybody could +give. Oh, look at him, Dick! He's studying his blessed algebra and +doesn't hear a word I say!” + +Warner was buried deep in the pages of a plus b and x minus y, and Dick +and Pennington, rising solemnly, walked noiselessly from the presence +around to the other side of the little opening where they lay down +again. The bit of nonsense relieved them, but it was far from being +nonsense to Warner. His soul was alight. As he dived into the intricate +problems memories came with them. Lying there in the Southern thickets +in the close damp heat of summer he saw again his Vermont mountains with +their slopes deep in green and their crests covered with snow. The sharp +air of the northern winter blew down upon him, and he saw the clear +waters of the little rivers, cold as ice, foaming over the stones. That +air was sharp and vital, but, after a while, he came back to himself and +closed his book with a sigh. + +“Pardon me for inattention, boys,” he said, “but while I was enjoying +my algebra I was also thinking of old times back there in Vermont, when +nobody was shooting at anybody else.” + +Dick and Pennington walked solemnly back and sat down beside him again. + +“Returned to his right mind. Quite sane now,” said Pennington. “But +don't you think, Dick, we ought to take that exciting book away from +him? The mind of youth in its tender formative state can be inflamed +easily by light literature.” + +Warner smiled and put his beloved book in his pocket. + +“No, boys,” he said, “you won't take it away from me, but as soon +as this war is over I shall advance from it to studies of a somewhat +similar nature, but much higher in character, and so difficult that +solving them will afford a pleasure keener and more penetrating than +anything else I know.” + +“What is your greatest ambition, Warner?” asked Pennington. “Do you, +like all the rest of us, want to be President of the United States?” + +“Not for a moment. I've already been in training several years to be +president of Harvard University. What higher place could mortal ask? +None, because there is none to ask for.” + +“I can understand you, George,” said Dick. “My great-grandfather became +the finest scholar ever known in the West. There was something of the +poet in him too. He had a wonderful feeling for nature and the forest. +He had a remarkable chance for observation as he grew up on the border, +and was the close comrade in the long years of Indian fighting of Henry +Ware, who was the greatest governor of Kentucky. As I think I've +told you fellows, Harry Kenton, Governor Ware's great-grandson and my +comrade, is fighting on the other side.” + +“I knew of the great Dr. Cotter long before I met you, Dick,” replied +Warner. “I read his book on the Indians of the Northern Mississippi +Valley. Not merely their history and habits, but their legends, their +folk lore, and the wonderful poetic glow so rich and fine that he threw +over everything. There was something almost Homeric in his description +of the great young Wyandot chieftain Timmendiquas or White Lightning, +whom he acclaimed as the finest type of savage man the age had known.” + +“He and Henry Ware fought Timmendiquas for years, and after the great +peace they were friends throughout their long lives.” + +“And I've studied, too, his wonderful book on the Birds and Mammals +of North America,” continued Warner with growing enthusiasm. “What +marvelous stores of observation and memory! Ah, Dick, those were +exciting days, and a man had opportunities for real and vital +experiences!” + +Dick and Pennington laughed. + +“What about Vicksburg, old praiser of past times?” asked Frank. “Don't +you think we'll have some lively experiences trying to take it? And +wasn't there something real and vital about Bull Run and Shiloh and +Perryville and Stone River and all the rest? Don't you worry, George. +You're living in exciting times yourself.” + +“That's so,” said Warner calmly. “I had forgotten it for the moment. +We've been readers of history and now we're makers of it. It's +funny--and maybe it isn't funny--but the makers of history often +know little about what they're making. The people who come along long +afterward put them in their places and size up what they have done.” + +“They can give all the reasons they please why I won this war,” said +Pennington, “but even history-makers are entitled to a rest. Since +there's no order to the contrary I mean to stretch out and go to sleep. +Dick, you and George can discuss your problems all night.” + +But they went to sleep also. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. THE OPEN DOOR + + +“Dick,” said Colonel Winchester the next morning, “I think you are the +best scout and trailer among my young officers. Mr. Pennington, you are +probably the best on the plains, and I've no doubt, Warner, that you +would do well in the mountains, but for the hills, forests and rivers +I'll have to choose Dick. I've another errand for you, my boy. You're +to go on foot, and you're to take this dispatch to Admiral Porter, who +commands the iron-clads in the river near the city. Conceal it carefully +about you, but I anticipate no great danger for you, as Vicksburg is +pretty well surrounded by our forces.” + +The dispatch was written on thin, oiled paper. Dick hid it away in the +lining of his coat and departed upon another important mission, full +of pride that he should be chosen for it. He had all the passwords and +carried two good pistols in his belt. Rich in experience, he felt able +to care for himself, even should the peril be greater than Colonel +Winchester had expected. + +The sun was not far above the horizon but it was warm and brilliant, +and it lighted up the earth, throwing a golden glow over the plateau of +Vicksburg, the great maze of ravines and thickets and the many waters. + +He passed along the lines, walking rapidly southward, and saw more than +one officer of his acquaintance. Hertford's cavalry were in a field, and +the colonel himself sat on a portion of the rail fence that had enclosed +it. He hailed the lad pleasantly. + +“Into the forest again, Dick,” he said. + +“Not this time, sir,” Dick replied. “It's just a little trip, down the +river.” + +“Success to the trip and a speedy return.” + +Dick nodded and walked on. He was quite sure that his dispatch was an +order from Grant for Porter to come up the stream and join in a general +attack which everybody felt sure was planned for an early date. + +As he passed through the regiments and brigades he received much +good-humored chaff. The great war of America differed widely from the +great wars of Europe. The officers and men were more nearly on a plane +of equality. The vast majority of them had been volunteers in the +beginning and perhaps this feeling of comradeship made them fight all +the better. North and South were alike in it. + +“Which way, sonny?” called a voice from a group. “You don't find the +fighting down there. It's back toward Vicksburg.” + +Dick nodded and smiled. + +“Maybe he's out walking for exercise. These officers ride too much.” + +Dick walked on with a steady swinging step. He regarded the sunbrowned, +careless youths with the genuine affection of a brother. Many of them +were as young as he or younger, but they were now veterans of battle +and march. Napoleon's soldiers themselves could not have boasted of more +experience than they. + +He was coming to the last link in the steel chain, and the colonel of +a regiment, an old man, warned him to be careful as he approached the +river. + +“Southern sharpshooters are among the ravines and thickets,” he said. +“They fired on our lads about dawn and then escaped easily in the thick +cover.” + +“Thank you, sir,” said Dick, “I'll be on my guard.” Yet he did not feel +the presence of danger. Youth perhaps becomes more easily hardened in +war than middle age, or perhaps it thinks less of consequences. The +Union cannon, many of great weight and power, had begun already to +fire upon Vicksburg. Huge shells and shot were rained upon the city. +Pemberton had two hundred guns facing the river and the army, but to +spare his ammunition they made little reply. + +Dick looked back now and then. He saw flakes of fire on the northern +horizon, puffs of smoke and the curving shells. He felt that Vicksburg +was no pleasant place to be in just now, and yet it must be full of +civilians, many of them women and children. He was sorry for them. It +was Dick's nature to see both sides of a quarrel. He could never hate +the Southerners, because they saw one way and he another. + +It was a passing emotion. It was too fine a morning for youth to grieve. +At the distance the plumes of smoke made by the shells became decorative +rather than deadly. From a crest he saw upon the plateau of Vicksburg +and even discerned the dim outline of houses. Looking the other way, +he saw the smoke of the iron-clads down the river, and he also caught +glimpses of the Mississippi, gold in the morning sun over its vast +breadth. + +Then he entered the thickets, and, bearing in mind the kindly warning +of the old colonel, proceeded slowly and with extreme caution. The +Southerners knew every inch of the ground here and he knew none. He +came to a ravine and to his dismay found that a considerable stream was +flowing through it toward the bayou. It was yellow water, and he thought +he might find a tree, fallen across the stream, which would serve him as +a foot log, but a hunt of a few minutes disclosed none, and, hesitating +no longer, he prepared to wade. + +He put his belt with the pistols in it around his neck and stepped in +boldly. His feet sank in the mud. The water rose to his knees and then +to his waist. It was, in truth, deeper than he had expected--one could +never tell about these yellow, opaque streams. He took another step and +plunged into a hole up to his shoulders. + +Angry that he should be wet through and through, and with such muddy +water too, he crossed the stream. + +He looked down with dismay at his uniform. The sun would soon dry it, +but until he got a chance to clean it, it would remain discolored and +yellow, like the jeans clothes which the poorer farmers of the South +often wore. And yet the accident that he bemoaned, the bath in water +thick with mud, was to prove his salvation. + +Dick shook himself like a big dog, throwing off as much of the water as +he could. He had kept his pistols dry and he rebuckled his belt around +his waist. Then he returned to his errand. Among the thickets he saw but +little. Vicksburg, the Mississippi, and the Union camp disappeared. He +beheld only a soft soil, many bushes and scrub forest. After going a +little distance he was compelled to stop again and consider. It was +curious how one could lose direction in so small a space. + +He paused and listened, intending to regain his course through the sense +of hearing. From the north and east came the thunder of the siege guns. +It had grown heavier and was continuous now. Once more he was sorry for +Vicksburg, because the Union gunners were unsurpassed and he was sure +that bombs and shells were raining upon the devoted town. + +Now he knew that he must go west by south, and he made his way over +difficult country, crossing ravines, climbing hills, and picking his +path now and then through soft ground, the most exhausting labor of all. +The sun poured down upon him and his uniform dried fast. He had just +crossed one of the ravines and was climbing into the thicket beyond when +a voice asked: + +“See any of the Yanks in front?” + +Dick's heart stood still, and then all his presence of mind came +back. Not in vain had the kindly colonel warned him of the Southern +sharpshooters in the bush. + +“No,” he replied. “They seem to be farther up. One of our fellows told +me he saw a whole regiment of them off there to the right.” + +He plunged deeper into the bush and walked on as if he were among his +own comrades. He realized that his faded uniform with its dye of yellow +mud had caused him to be mistaken for one of Pemberton's men. His +accent, which was Kentuckian and therefore Southern, had helped him +also. He passed three or four other men, bent over, rifle in hand and +watching, and he nodded to them familiarly. In such a crisis he knew +that boldness and ease were his best cards, and he said to one of the +men, with a laugh: + +“You'll have to tell us Tennesseeans about all your bayous and creeks. +I've just fallen into one that had no right to be there.” + +“You Tennesseeans need a bath anyhow,” replied the man, chuckling. + +“We'd never choose a Mississippi stream for it,” said Dick in the +same vein, and passed on leaving the rifleman in high good humor. How +wonderfully these Southerners were like the Northerners! He noticed +presently a half-dozen other sharpshooters in the Confederate butternut, +prowling among the bushes, and through an opening he saw his own people +to the west, but too far away to be reached by anything but artillery. +The slow, deep music of the Northern guns came steadily to his ear, but +their fire was always turned toward Vicksburg. + +Dick knew that his position was extremely critical. Perhaps it was +growing more so all the while, but he was never cooler. A quiet lad, he +always rose wonderfully to an emergency. He was quite sure that he +was among Mississippi troops, and they could not possibly know all the +soldiers from the other states gathered for the defense of Vicksburg. He +did not differ from those around him in any respect, except that he did +not carry a rifle. + +He paused and looked back thoughtfully at the distant Union troops. + +“Can you tell me how they're posted?” he said to a tall, thin +middle-aged man who had a chew of tobacco in his cheek. “I carry +dispatches to General Pemberton, and the more information I can give him +the better.” + +“Yes, I kin tell you,” replied the man, somewhat flattered. “They're +posted everywhere. What, with their army and them boats of theirs in the +river, they've got a high fence around us, all staked and ridered.” + +“It doesn't take any more work to tear a fence down than it does to +build it up.” + +“I reckon you're right thar, stranger. But was you at Champion Hill?” + +“No, I missed that.” + +“Then it was a good thing for you that you did. I didn't set much store +by the Yanks when this war began. One good Southerner could whip five of +'em any time, our rip-roarin', fire-eatin' speech-makers said. I knowed +then, too, that they was right, but I was up thar in Kentucky a while, +an' after Donelson I reckoned that four was about as many as I wanted +to tackle all to oncet. Then thar was Shiloh, an' I kinder had a thought +that if three of 'em jumped on me at one time I'd hev my hands purty +full to lick 'em. Then come Corinth, an,' reasonin' with myself, I said +I wouldn't take on more'n two Yanks at the same time. An' now, since +I've been at Champion Hill, I know that the Yank is a pow'ful good +fighter, an' I reckon one to one jest about suits me, an' even then I'd +like to have a leetle advantage in the draw.” + +“I feel that way about it, too. The Yankees are going to make a heap +of trouble for us here. But I must be going. What's the best path into +Vicksburg?” + +“See that little openin' in the bushes. Follow it. Jest over the hill +you'll run into a passel of our fellers, but pay no 'tention to 'em. If +they ask you who you are an' whar you're boun' tell 'em to go straight +to blazes, while you go to Vicksburg.” + +“Thank you,” said Dick, “I like to meet an obliging and polite man like +you. It helps even in war.” + +“Don't mention it. When I wuz a little shaver my ma told me always to +mind my manners, an' when I didn't she whaled the life out of me. An', +do you know, stranger, she's just a leetle, withered old woman, but if +she could 'pear here right now I'd be willin' to set down right in these +bushes an' say, 'Ma, take up that stick over thar an' beat me across the +shoulders an' back with it as hard as you kin.' I'd feel good all over.” + +“I believe you,” said Dick, who thought of his own mother. + +He followed the indicated path until he was out of sight of everybody, +and then he plunged into the bushes and marsh toward the river. When he +was well hidden he stopped and considered. + +It was quite evident that he had wandered from the right road, but +it was no easy task to get back into it. There was an unconscious +Confederate cordon about him and he must pass through it somewhere. He +moved farther toward the river, but only went deeper into the swamp. + +He turned to the south and soon reached firm ground, but he heard +Confederate pickets talking in front of him. Then he caught glimpses of +two or three men watching among the trees, and he lay down in a clump of +bushes. He might pass them as he had passed the others, but he thought +it wiser not to take the risk. + +He was willing also to rest a little, as he had done a lot of hard +walking. His clothing was now dry, and the mud had dried upon it. + +He turned aside into one of the deep ravines and then into a smaller one +leading from it. The bushes were dense there and he lay down among them, +so completely hidden that he was invisible ten feet away. Here he still +heard the mutter of the guns, which came in a long, droning sound, and +occasionally a rifle cracked at some point closer by. The Union army +was still busy and he felt a few moments of despondency. His dispatch +undoubtedly was of great importance, and yet he was not able to deliver +it. It was highly probable that for precaution's sake other messengers +bore the same dispatch, but he was anxious to arrive with his +nevertheless, and he wanted, too, to arrive first. The last now seemed +impossible and the first improbable. + +The crackling fire came nearer. Owing to the lack of percussion caps, +Pemberton had ordered his men to use their rifles sparingly, but +evidently a considerable body of sharpshooters near Dick were attempting +a flanking movement of some kind, and meant to carry it out with +bullets. He was impatient to see, but prudence kept him in his covert, a +prudence that was soon justified, as presently he heard voices very near +him and then the sound of footsteps. + +He rose up a little and saw several hundred Confederate soldiers passing +on the slopes not more than a hundred yards away. They went south of +him, and he recognized with growing alarm that the wall across his way +was growing higher. When they were gone and he could no longer hear +their tread among the bushes he slipped from his hiding place and went +directly toward Vicksburg. Being within an iron ring he thought that +perhaps he would be safer somewhere near the center. He might make his +way without much trouble through the vast confused crowd in Vicksburg, +and then in the night go down the river's edge and to the fleet. + +It was a daring idea, so very daring that it appealed to the strain of +high adventure in the lad. He was encouraged, too, by his earlier and +easy success in passing among the Confederate soldiers. But in order not +to appear reckless and to satisfy his own conscience he tried once more +for the way to the south. But the soldiers entirely barred the path +there, and, being on some duty that required extreme vigilance, they +were likely to prove exacting. + +He advanced with a clear mind toward Vicksburg, picking his way among +the forests and ravines, but, after long walking over most difficult +ground, he saw before him extensive earthworks thronged with Southern +troops. When he turned westward the result was the same, and then it +became evident that there was no flaw in the iron ring. He could not go +through to Porter, he could not go back to his own army, but Vicksburg +invited him as a guest. + +He would make the trial at night. It was a long wait, but he dared not +risk it by day, and, going back into one of the ravines, he sought +a secluded and sheltered place. Threshing the bushes to drive away +possible snakes, he crawled into a clump and lay there. Resolved to be +patient in spite of everything, he did not stir, but listened to the far +throbbing of the cannon which poured an incessant storm of missiles upon +unhappy Vicksburg. + +The warmth and the heavy air in the ravine were relaxing. His brain grew +so dull and heavy that he fell asleep, and when he awoke the twilight +was coming. And yet he had lost nothing. He had gained rather. The time +had passed. His body had been strengthened and his nerves steadied while +he slept. + +The distant booming of the guns still came. He had expected it. That was +Grant. He had wrapped the coil of steel around Vicksburg and he would +never relax. Dick felt that there was no hope for the town, unless +Johnston outside could gather a powerful army and fight Grant on even +terms. But he considered it impossible, and there, too, was the great +artery of the river along which flowed men and supplies of every kind +for the Union. + +The Southern twilight turned swiftly into night and, coming from his +lair, Dick walked boldly toward the town. He had eaten nothing since +morning, but he had not noticed it, until this moment, when he began to +feel a little faintness. He resolved that Vicksburg should supply him. +It was curious how much help he expected of Vicksburg, a hostile town. + +He saw lights soon both to right and to left and he strengthened his +soul. He knew that he must be calm, but alert and quick with the right +answer. With his singular capacity for meeting a crisis he advanced into +the thick of danger with a smiling face, even as his great ancestor, +Paul Cotter, had often done. + +His calm was of short duration. There was a rushing sound, something +struck violently, and a tremendous explosion followed. Fire flashed +before Dick's eyes, pieces of red hot metal whistled past his head, +earth spattered him and he was thrown to the ground. + +He sprang up again, understanding all instantly. A shell from his own +army had burst near him, and he had been thrown down by the concussion. +But he had not been hurt, and in a few seconds his pulse beat steadily. + +He heard a shout of laughter as he stood, brushing the fresh dirt from +his clothing. He glanced up in some anger, but he saw at once that the +arrival of the shell had been most fortunate for his plan. To come near +annihilation by a Federal gun certainly invested him with a Confederate +character. + +It was a group of young soldiers who were laughing and their amusement +was entirely good-natured. They would have laughed the same way had the +harmless adventure befallen one of their own number. Dick judged that +they were from the Southwest. + +“Close call,” he said, smiling that attractive smile, which was visible +even in the twilight. + +“It was a friendly shell,” said one of the youths, “and it concluded +not to come too close to you. These Yankee shells are so loving that +sometimes they spray themselves in little pieces all over a fellow, like +a shower of rice over a bride at a wedding.” + +“How long do you think the Yankees will keep it up?” asked Dick, putting +indignation in his tone. “Haven't they any respect for the night?” + +“Not a bit. That fellow Grant is a pounder. They say he'll blow away the +whole plateau of Vicksburg if we don't drive him off.” + +“Well, we'll do it. You wait till old Joe Johnston comes up. Then we'll +shut him between the jaws of a vise and squeeze the life out of him.” + +“Hope so. Where've you been?” + +“Down below the town. I'm coming back with messages.” + +“So long. Good luck. Keep straight ahead, and you'll find all the +generals you want.” + +The lights increased and he went into a small tavern, where he bought +food and a cup of coffee, paying in gold. The tavern keeper asked no +questions, but his eyes gleamed at sight of the yellow coin. + +“Mighty little of this comes my way now,” he said frankly, “and our +own money is worth less and less every day. If things keep on the way +they're headed it'll take a bale of it as big as a bale of cotton to pay +for one good, square meal.” + +Dick laughed. + +“Not so bad as that,” he said. “You wait until we've given Grant a big +thrashing and have cleared their boats out of the river. Then you'll see +our money becoming real.” + +The man shook his head. + +“Seein' will be believin',” he said, “an' as I ain't seein' I ain't +believin'.” + +Dick with a friendly good night went out. Grant, the persistent, was +still at work. His cannon flared on the dark horizon and the shells +crashed in Vicksburg. Scarcely any portion of the town was safe. Now and +then a house was smashed in and often the shells found victims. + +The town was full of terror and confusion. Many of the rich planters had +come there with their families for refuge. Women and children hid from +the terrible fire, and the civilians already had begun to burrow. Caves +had been dug deep into the sides of the ravines and hundreds found in +them a rude but safe shelter. + +Dick now found that his plans were going wrong. He could wander about +almost at will and to any one to whom he spoke he still claimed to be +a Tennesseean, but he knew that it could not last forever. Sooner or +later, some officer would question him closely, and then his tale would +be too thin for truth. + +Unable to make a way toward the river, he returned to the slopes and +ravines, where they were digging the caves, and then fortune which had +been smiling upon him turned its face the other way. A small man in +butternut and an enormous felt hat passed near. He did not see Dick, +but his very presence gave the lad a shiver. He believed afterward that +before he saw him he had felt the proximity of Slade. + +The man, carrying a rifle, was hurrying toward the center of the town, +and Dick, after one long look, hurried at equal speed the other way. He +knew that Slade, if he saw him, would recognize him at once. Dusk and a +muddy uniform would not protect him. + +It was his idea now to go down through the ravines and make another +trial toward the South. He saw ahead of him a line of intrenchments, +which he was resolved to pass in some fashion, but the face of fortune +was still away from him. The unknown officers who at any time might ask +too many questions appeared. + +A captain, a sunbrowned, alert man, stopped him at the edge of the +bushes which clothed the slopes of the ravine. + +“Your regiment?” he asked sharply. + +“Tennessee regiment, sir,” replied Dick, afraid to mention any number, +since this officer might be a Tennesseean himself, and would want +further identification. But the man was not to be put off--Dick judged +from his uniform that he was a colonel--and demanded sharply his +regiment's number and his business. + +The lad mumbled something under his breath, hopeful that he would pass +on, but the officer stepped forward, looked at him closely and then +suddenly turned back the collar of his army jacket, disclosing a bit of +the under side yet blue. + +“Thunderation, a Yankee spy!” he exclaimed. + +Dick always believed that his life was due to a sudden and violent +impulse, or rather a convulsive jerk, because he had no time to think. +He threw off the officer's hand, dashed his fist into his face, and, +without waiting to see the effect, ran headlong among the bushes down +the side of the ravine. He heard a shouting behind him, the reports of +several shots, the rapid tread of feet, and he knew that the man-hunt +was on. + +He had all the instincts of the hunted to seek cover, and the night was +his friend. But few lights glimmered in that portion of Vicksburg, and +in many parts of the ravine the bushes were thick. He darted down the +slope at great speed, then turned and ran along its side, still keeping +well under cover. Where the shadows were darkest and the bushes thickest +he paused panting. + +He heard his pursuers calling to one another, and he also heard the +excited voices of people in the ravine. The civilians had been aroused +by the shots so close by and he thought the confusion would help him. He +stood in the deep shadow, his breath gradually growing easier, and then +he started down the ravine, coming to a little path that led along +the side of the slope. He noticed a dark opening, and as the voices of +pursuers were now coming nearer, he popped into it, trusting to blind +luck. + +Dick had thought it was a mere wash-out or deep recess, but at the third +step his foot struck upon a carpet and he saw ahead a dim light. He +paused, amazed, and then he remembered that he had heard about the +civilians digging caves for shelter from the shells and bombs. Evidently +some forethoughtful man had prepared his cave early. + +Uncertain what to do he did nothing, pressing his back against the earth +and listening. No sound came, and the dim light still flickering ahead +reassured him. + +The opening through which he had come was large, and admitted plenty +of fresh air. As he stood four or five feet from the entrance he saw +several soldiers hurrying along the path, and he knew they were hunting +for him. He realized then his fortune in finding this improvised +cave-house. After the soldiers passed he walked gently toward the light. +Apparently the regular occupants were gone away for the time, and he +might find a hiding place there until it was safe to go out. + +The passage was narrow, but the carpet was still under his feet, and +further in, the sides and roof of the earthen walls had been covered +with planks. The light grew brighter and he was quite sure that a room +of some size was just ahead. His curiosity became so great that it +smothered all apprehension, and he stepped boldly into the room, where +the lamp burned on a table. + +He would have stepped back as quickly, but a pair of great burning eyes +caught his and held them. A bed was standing against the board wall of +the cave, and in this bed lay an old man with a huge bald head, immense +white eyebrows and eyes of extraordinary intensity. + +Once more did Colonel Charles Woodville and Richard Mason stare into the +eyes of each other, and for a long time neither spoke. + +“I managed to escape from Jackson with my little family,” said the +colonel at length, “and I thought that in this, so to say, sylvan +retreat I might drop all undesirable acquaintances that I made there.” + +The whole scene was grotesque and wild to Dick. It was like a passage +out of the Arabian Nights, and an extraordinary spirit of recklessness +seized him. + +“I appreciate your words, sir,” he said, “and I can understand your +feelings. I have felt myself that it was never wise to go where one +might not be welcome, and yet chance plays us such tricks that neither +your wish nor mine is granted.” + +The old man then raised his head a little higher on the pillow. A spark +leaped from the burning eyes. + +“A lad of spirit,” he said. “I would not withhold praise where praise +is due. I recall meeting some one who resembled you very much. Perhaps a +brother of yours, eh?” + +“No, he was not my brother.” + +“Well, it does not matter and we will not pursue the subject. How does +it happen that you have come into this hillside castle of mine?” + +Young Mason saw a flicker of amusement in the eyes of the old man. He +was aware that in his muddy uniform he made no imposing figure, but +his spirit was as high as ever, and the touch of recklessness was still +there. + +“I saw some men coming down the path,” he replied; “men with whom I do +not care to associate, and I turned aside to avoid them. I beheld +the open door and stepped within, but I did not know the chamber was +occupied, and it was far from my purpose to intrude upon you or any one. +I trust, sir, that you will believe me.” + +The lad took off his cap and bowed. His face was now revealed more +clearly, and it was a fine one, splendidly molded, intellectual, and +with noble blue eyes. After all, despite the mud and stains, he made a +graceful figure as he stood there, so obviously confident of himself, +but respectful. + +The spark leaped again from the eyes of Colonel Woodville, and, +remembering something, there was a slight warmth about the heart which +lately had been so cold and bitter. + +“I do not blame you,” he said. “A lad, one in his formative years, +cannot be too careful about his associates. Doubtless you were justified +in taking advantage of the open door. But now that you are here may I +ask you what you purpose next to do?” + +“I admit, sir, that the question is natural,” replied Dick, suiting his +tone and manner to those of the old man. “I have scarcely had time yet +to form a purpose, but, since the danger of contamination of which we +spoke still exists, it occurs to me that perhaps I might stay here a +while. Is there some nook or a cover in which I might rest? I hope I do +not trespass too much upon your hospitality.” + +Colonel Woodville pondered. His great white eyebrows were drawn together +and, for a moment or two, he gazed down the beak of his nose. + +“I confess,” he said, “that the appeal to hospitality moves me. I am +stirred somewhat, too, by pleasant recollections of the lad who looked +like you. But wait, my daughter is coming. We will confer with her. +Margaret is a most capable woman.” + +Dick heard a light step in the passage and he wheeled quickly. Miss +Woodville was before him, a plain, elderly figure in a plain black +dress, with a basket on her arm. The basket contained a fowl and some +eggs which she had just bought at a great price. When she saw Dick her +hand flew to her throat, but when the pulse ceased to beat so hard it +came away and she looked at him fixedly. Then a slow smile like the dawn +spread over the severe, worn face. + +“Come in, Margaret, and put down your basket,” said the colonel in a +genial tone. “Meanwhile bid welcome to our unexpected guest, a young man +of spirit and quality with whom I was holding converse before you came. +He does not wish to go out to-night, because there are many violent men +abroad, and he would avoid them.” + +Then he turned to Dick, and asked in a tone, sharp and commanding: + +“I have your word, young sir, that your unexpected visit to our city was +not of a secret nature; that is, it was not of a lawless character?” + +“An accident, sir, an accident pure and simple. I answer you on my +honor. I have seen nothing and I shall not seek to see anything which I +should not see.” + +“Margaret,” continued the colonel, and now his tone became deferential +as behooved a gentleman speaking to a lady, “shall we ask him to share +our simple quarters to-night?” + +The lad slowly turned his gaze to the face of the woman. He felt with +all the power of intuition that his fate rested on her decision. But she +was a woman. And she was, too, a true daughter of her father. A kindred +spark leaped up in her own soul, and she met Dick's gaze. She noted +his fearless poise, and she saw the gallant spirit in his eye. Then she +turned to her father. + +“I think you wish him to stay, sir,” she said, “and the wish seems right +to me. Our narrow quarters limit our hospitality in quality, but not +in intent. We can offer him nothing but the little alcove behind the +blanket.” + +She inclined her head toward the blanket, which Dick had not noticed +before. It hung near the bed and, wishing to cause this household little +trouble, he said: + +“Then I assume that you will shelter me for the night, and, if I may, I +will go at once to my room.” + +Colonel Woodville lowered his head upon the pillow and laughed softly. + +“A lad of spirit. A lad of spirit, I repeat,” he said. “No, Margaret, +you and I could not have turned him from our earthen roof.” + +Dick bowed to Miss Woodville, and that little ghost of a tender smile +flitted about her thin lips. Then he lifted the blanket, stepped into +the dark, and let the curtain fall behind him. + +He stood for a space until his eyes, used to the dusk, could see dimly. +It was a tiny room evidently used as a place of storage for clothing and +bedding, but there was space enough for him to lie down, if he bent his +knees a little. + +The strain upon both muscle and nerve had been very great, and now came +collapse. Removing his shoes and outer clothing he dropped upon a +roll of bedding and closed his eyes. But he was grateful, deeply and +lastingly grateful. The bread that he had cast upon the waters was +returning to him fourfold. + +He heard low voices beyond the blanket, and he did not doubt that they +were those of Colonel Woodville and his daughter. The woman in plain +black, with the basket on her arm, had seemed a pathetic figure to him. +He could not blame them for feeling such intense bitterness. What were +the causes of the war to people who had been driven from a luxurious +home to a hole in the side of a ravine? + +He slept, and when he woke it seemed to be only a moment later, but he +knew from the slender edge of light appearing where the blanket just +failed to touch the floor that morning had come. He moved gently lest +he disturb his host in the larger room without, and then he heard the +distant thunder, which he knew was the booming of Grant's great guns. +And so the night had not stopped them! All through the hours that he +slept the cannon had rained steel and death on Vicksburg. Then came a +great explosion telling him that a shell had burst somewhere near. It +was followed by the voice of Colonel Woodville raised in high, indignant +tones: + +“Can't they let a gentleman sleep? Must they wake him with one of their +infernal shells?” + +He heard a slight rustling sound and he knew that it was the great bald +head moving impatiently on the pillows. Inferring that it was early, he +would have gone back to sleep himself, but slumber would not come. He +remained a while, thoughtful, for his future lay very heavy upon him, +and then he heard the sound of several voices beyond the blanket. + +He listened closely, trying to number and distinguish them. There were +three and two belonged to Colonel Woodville and his daughter. The third +repelled and puzzled him. It seemed to have in it a faint quality of the +fox. It was not loud, and yet that light, snarling, sinister note was +evident. + +The sensitive, attuned mind can be easily affected by a voice, and the +menace of the unknown beyond the blanket deepened. Dick felt a curious +prickling at the roots of his hair. He listened intently, but he could +not understand anything that was spoken, and then he drew himself +forward with great caution. + +They must be talking about something of importance, because the voices +were earnest, and sometimes all three spoke at once. He reached a slow +hand toward the blanket. The danger would be great, but he must see. + +He drew back the blanket slightly, a quarter of an inch, maybe, and +looked within the room. Then he saw the owner of the sinister voice, and +he felt that he might have known from the first. + +Slade, standing before Colonel Woodville's bed, his hat in his hand, was +talking eagerly. + + + + +CHAPTER X. THE GREAT ASSAULT + + +The light from the door that was always open illumined the room. The +rising sun must have struck full upon it, because it was almost as +bright as day there. Slade was in his butternut uniform, and his rifle +leaned against the wall. Now that he had made the slight opening Dick +could understand their words. + +“There are spies within Vicksburg, sir,” said Slade. “Colonel Dustin +detected one last night, but in the darkness he escaped down this +ravine. The alarm was spread and he could not have got outside our +lines. I must catch him. It will be a credit to me to do so. I was under +your command, and, although not in active service owing to your wound, +your word will go far. I want you to get me an order to search every +house or place in which he could hide.” + +“Not too much zeal, my worthy Slade. Talleyrand said that, but you never +heard of him. Excessive suspicion is not a good thing. It was your chief +fault as an overseer, although I willingly pay tribute to your energy +and attention to detail. This business of hunting spies is greatly +overdone. The fate of Vicksburg will be settled by the cannon and the +rifles.” + +“But, sir, they can do us great harm.” + +“Listen to that, my good Slade.” + +The deep booming note of the distant cannon entered the cave. + +“That is the sound of Grant's guns. He can fight better with those +weapons than with spies.” + +But Slade persisted, and Colonel Woodville, with an occasional word +from his daughter, fenced with him, always using a light bantering tone, +while the lad who lay so near listened, his pulses beating hard in his +temples and throat. + +“Your vigilance is to be commended, my good Slade,” Dick heard Colonel +Woodville say, “but to-day at least I cannot secure such a commission +for you from General Pemberton. We hear that Grant is massing his troops +for a grand attack, and there is little time to thresh up all our own +quarters for spies. We must think more of our battle line. To-morrow we +may have a plan. Come back to me then, and we will talk further on these +matters.” + +“But think, sir, what a day may cost us!” + +“You show impatience, not to say haste, Slade, and little is ever +achieved by thoughtless haste. The enemy is closing in upon us, and it +must be our chief effort to break his iron ring. Ah, here is my nephew! +He may give us further news on these grave matters.” + +Dick saw the entrance darken for a moment, then lighten again, and +that gallant youth, Victor Woodville, with whom he had fought so good a +fight, stood in the room. He was still pale and he carried his left arm +in a sling, but it was evident that his recovery from his wound had been +rapid. Dick saw the stern face of the old colonel brighten a bit, while +the tender smile curved again about the thin lips of the spinster. + +Young Woodville gave a warm greeting to his uncle and elderly cousin, +and nodded to Slade. Dick believed from his gesture that he did not like +the guerilla leader, or at least he hoped so. + +“Victor,” said the colonel, “what word do you bring?” + +“Grant is advancing his batteries, and they seem to be massing for +attack. It will surely come in a day or two.” + +“As I thought. Then we shall need all our energies for immediate battle. +And now, Mr. Slade, as I said before, I will see you again to-morrow +about the matter of which we were speaking. I am old, wounded, and I +grow weary. I would rest.” + +Slade rose to go. He was not a pleasant sight. His clothes were soiled +and stained, and his face was covered with ragged beard. The eyes were +full of venom and malice. + +“Good day, Colonel Woodville,” he said, “but I feel that I must bring +the matter up again. As a scout and leader of irregulars for the +Confederacy. I must be active in order to cope with the enemy's own +scouts and spies. I shall return early to-morrow morning.” + +Colonel Woodville waved his hand and Slade, bowing, withdrew. + +“Why was he so persistent, Uncle Charles?” asked Victor. “He seemed to +have some underlying motive.” + +“He always has such a motive, Victor. He is a man who suspects everybody +because he knows everybody has a right to suspect him. He may even have +been suspecting me, his old, and, I fear, too generous employer. He has +a mania about a spy hidden somewhere in Vicksburg.” + +Young Victor Woodville laughed gayly. + +“What folly,” he said, “for your old overseer, a man of Northern origin +to boot, to suspect you, of all men, of helping a Yankee in any way. +Why, Uncle Charles, everybody knows that you'd annihilate 'em if you +could, and that you were making good progress with the task until you +got that wound.” + +Colonel Woodville drew his great, white eyebrows together in his +characteristic way. + +“I admit, Victor, that I'm the prince of Yankee haters,” he said. +“They've ruined me, and if they succeed they'll ruin our state and the +whole South, too. We've fled for refuge to a hole in the ground, and yet +they come thundering at the door of so poor an abode. Listen!” + +They heard plainly the far rumble of the cannon. The intensity of the +fire increased with the growing day. Shells and bombs were falling +rapidly on Vicksburg. The face of Colonel Woodville darkened and the +eyes under the white thatch burned. + +“Nevertheless, Victor,” he said, “hate the Yankees as I do, and I hate +them with all my heart and soul, there are some things a gentleman +cannot do.” + +“What for instance, Uncle?” + +“He cannot break faith. He cannot do evil to those who have done good to +him. He must repay benefits with benefits. He cannot permit the burden +of obligation to remain upon him. Go to the door, Victor, and see if any +one is lurking there.” + +Young Woodville went to the entrance and returned with word that no one +was near. + +“Victor,” resumed Colonel Woodville, “this man Slade, who was so +preposterously wrong, this common overseer from the hostile section +which seeks with force to put us down, this miserable fellow who had +the presumption to suspect me, lying here with a wound, received in the +defense of the Confederacy, was nevertheless right.” + +Victor stared, not understanding, and Colonel Woodville raised himself a +little higher on his pillows. + +“Since when,” he asked of all the world, “has a Woodville refused to +pay his debts? Since when has a Woodville refused asylum to one who +protected him and his in the hour of danger? Margaret, lift the blanket +and invite our young friend in.” + +Dick was on his feet in an instant, and came into the chamber, uttering +thanks to the man who, in spite of so much bitterness against his cause, +could yet shelter him. + +Young Woodville exclaimed in surprise. + +“The Yankee with whom I fought at Bellevue!” he said. + +“And the one who ignored your presence at Jackson,” said Miss Woodville. + +The two lads shook hands. + +“And now,” said Colonel Woodville, his old sharpness returning, +“we shall be on even terms, young sir. Your uniform bears a faint +resemblance to that of your own army, and Slade, cunning and cruel, may +have had you shot as a spy. You would be taken within our lines and this +is no time for long examinations.” + +“I know how much I owe you, sir,” said Dick, “and I know how much danger +my presence here brings upon you. I will leave as soon as the ravine is +clear. The gathering of the troops for battle will give me a chance.” + +“You will do nothing of the kind. Having begun the task we will carry it +through. Our cave home rambles. There is a little apartment belonging +to Victor, in which you may put yourself in shape. I advise you to lie +quiet here for a day or two, and then if I am still able to put my hand +on you I may turn you over with full explanations to the authorities.” + +Dick noted the significance of the words, “if I am still able to put my +hand on you,” but he merely spoke of his gratitude and went with young +Woodville into the little apartment. It was on the right side of the +hall, and a round shutterless hole opened into the ravine, admitting +light and air. The “window,” which was not more than a foot in diameter +faced toward the east and gave a view of earthworks, and the region +beyond, where the Union army stood. + +The room itself contained but little, a cot, some blankets, clothing, +and articles of the toilet. + +“Mason,” said Woodville, “make yourself as comfortable as you can here. +I did not know until I escaped from Jackson that it was you who ignored +my presence there. You seem in some manner to have won the good opinion +of my uncle, and, in any event, he could not bear to remain in debt to a +Yankee. If you're careful you're safe here for the day, although you may +be lonesome. I must go at once to our lines. Cousin Margaret will bring +you something to eat.” + +They shook hands again. + +“I can't do much fighting,” said Woodville, “owing to this wounded arm +of mine, but I can carry messages, and the line is so long many are to +be taken.” + +He went out and Miss Woodville came soon with food on a tray. Dick +suspected that they could ill spare it, but he must eat and he feared to +offer pay. It embarrassed him, too, that she should wait upon him, but, +in their situation, it was absolutely necessary that she do so, even +were there a servant somewhere, which he doubted. But she left the tray, +and when she returned for it an hour later she had only a few words to +say. + +Dick stood at the round hole that served as a window. There were +bushes about it, and, at that point, the cliff seemed to be almost +perpendicular. He was safe from observation and he looked over a +vast expanse of country. The morning was dazzlingly clear, and he saw +sections of the Confederate earthworks with their men and guns, and far +beyond them other earthworks and other guns, which he knew were those of +his own people. + +While he stood there alone, free from the tension that had lasted +while Slade was present, he realized the great volume of fire that the +Northern cannon were pouring without ceasing upon Vicksburg. The deep +rumble was continually in his ears, and at times his imagination made +the earth shake. He saw two shells burst in the air, and a shattering +explosion told that a third struck near by. To the eastward smoke was +always drifting. The Southern cannon seldom replied. + +He resolved to attempt escape during the coming night. It hurt him to +bring danger upon the Woodvilles and he wished, too, to fulfill his +mission. Others, beyond question, would reach the fleet with the +message, but he wished to reach it also. + +Yet nothing new occurred during all the long day. Miss Woodville brought +him more food at noon, but scarcely spoke. Then he returned to the hole +in the cliff, and remained there until twilight. Young Woodville +came, and he gathered from his manner that there had been no important +movement of the armies, that all as yet was preparation. But he inferred +that the storm was coming, and he told Victor that he meant to leave +that night. + +He was opposed vehemently. The line of Southern sentinels watched +everywhere. Slade was most vigilant. He might come at any time into the +ravine. No, he must wait. The next night, perhaps, but in any event he +must remain a while. + +Nor did he depart the next night either. Instead, two or three days +passed, and he was still in the house dug in the hillside, a guest and +yet a captive. The bombardment had gone on, his food was still brought +to him by Miss Woodville, and once or twice Victor came, but Dick, as he +was in honor bound, asked him no question about the armies. + +The waiting, the loneliness and the suspense were terrible to one so +young, and so ambitious. And yet he had fared better than he had a right +to expect, a fact, however, that did not relieve his situation. + +Another night came, and he went to sleep in his lonely cell in the wall, +but he was awakened while it was yet intensely dark by a cannonade far +surpassing in violence any that had gone before. He rushed to the hole, +but he could see nothing in the ravine. Yet the whole plateau seemed to +shake with the violence of the concussions and the crash of exploding +shells. + +The fire came from all sides, from the river as well as the land. The +boom of the huge mortars on the boats there sounded above everything. +Dick knew absolutely now that the message he was to carry had been +delivered by somebody else. + +He heard under the continued thunder of the guns sharp commands, and the +tread of many troops moving. He knew that the Southern forces were going +into position, and he felt himself that the tremendous fire was the +prelude to a great attack. His excitement grew. He strained his eyes, +but he could see nothing in the dark ravine, or out there where the +cannon roared, save the rapid, red flashes under the dim horizon. He had +his watch and he had kept it running. Now he was able to make out that +it was only three o'clock in the morning. A long time until day and +he must wait until then to know what such a furious convulsion would +achieve. + +The slow time passed, and there was no decrease of the fire. Once or +twice he came away from the window and listened at the entrance to his +little room, but he could hear nothing stirring in the larger chamber. +Yet it was incredible that Colonel Woodville and his daughter should not +be awake. They would certainly be listening with an anxiety and suspense +not less than his. + +Dawn came after painful ages, and slowly the region out there where the +Union army lay rose into the light. But it was a red dawn, a dawn in +flame and smoke. Scores of guns crashed in front, and behind the heavy +booming of the mortars on the boats formed the overnote of the storm. + +The opening was not large, but it afforded the lad a good view, and he +thrust his head out as far as he could, every nerve in him leaping at +the deep roar of the cannonade. He had no doubt that the assault was +about to be made. He was wild with eagerness to see it, and it was a +cruel hurt to his spirit that he was held there, and could not take a +part in it. + +He thought of rushing from the place, and of seeking a way through the +lines to his own army, but a little reflection showed him that it would +be folly. He must merely be a witness, while Colonel Winchester, Warner, +Pennington, the sergeant, Colonel Hertford, all whom he knew and the +tens of thousands whom he did not know, fought the battle. + +A tremendous sound, distant and steady, would not blot out much smaller +sounds nearby, and now he heard noises in the larger chamber. The voice +of Colonel Woodville was raised in sharp command. + +“Lift me up!” he said, “I must see! Must I lie here, eating my soul out, +when a great battle is going on! Help me up, I say! Wound or no wound, I +will go to the door!” + +Then the voice of Miss Woodville attempting to soothe was heard, but +the colonel broke forth more furiously than ever, not at her, but at his +unhappy fate. + +Dick, spurred by impulse, left his alcove and entered the room. + +“Sir,” he said respectfully to Colonel Woodville, “you are eager to see, +and so am I. May I help you?” + +Colonel Woodville turned a red eye upon him. + +“Young man,” he said, “you have shown before a sense of fitness, and +your appearance now is most welcome. You shall help me to the door, +and I will lean upon you. Together we will see what is going to happen, +although I wish for one result, and you for another. No, Margaret, it +is not worth while to protest any further. My young Yankee and I will +manage it very well between us.” + +Miss Woodville stepped aside and smiled wanly. + +“I think it is best, Miss Woodville,” Dick said in a low tone. + +“Perhaps,” she replied. + +Colonel Woodville impatiently threw off the cover. He wore a long purple +dressing gown, and his wound was in the leg, but it was partly healed. +Dick helped him out of the bed and then supported him with his arm under +his shoulder. Within that singular abode the roar of the guns was a +steady and sinister mutter, but beneath it now appeared another note. + +Colonel Woodville had begun to swear. It was not the torrent of loud +imprecation that Dick had heard in Jackson, but subdued, and all the +more fierce because it was so like the ferocious whine of a powerful and +hurt wild animal. Swearing was common enough among the older men of the +South, even among the educated, but Colonel Woodville now surpassed them +all. + +Dick heard oaths, ripe and rich, entirely new to him, and he heard the +old ones in new arrangements and with new inflections. And yet there was +no blasphemy about it. It seemed a part of time and place, and, what was +more, it seemed natural coming from the lips of the old colonel. + +They reached the door, the cut in the side of the ravine, and at once a +wide portion of the battlefield sprang into the light, while the roar +of the guns was redoubled. Dick would have stepped back now, but Colonel +Woodville's hand rested on his shoulder and his support was needed. + +“My glasses, Margaret!” said the colonel. “I must see! I will see! If +I am but an old hound, lying here while the pack is in full cry, I will +nevertheless see the chase! And even if I am an old hound I could run +with the best of them if that infernal Yankee bullet had not taken me in +the leg!” + +Miss Woodville brought him the glasses, a powerful pair, and he glued +them instantly to his eyes. Dick saw only the field of battle, dark +lines and blurs, the red flare of cannon and rifle fire, and towers and +banks of smoke, but the colonel saw individual human beings, and, with +his trained military eye, he knew what the movements meant. Dick felt +the hand upon his shoulder trembling with excitement. He was excited +himself. Miss Woodville stood just behind them, and a faint tinge of +color appeared in her pale face. + +“The Yankees are getting ready to charge,” said the colonel. “At the +point we see they will not yet rush forward. They will, of course, wait +for a preconcerted signal, and then their whole army will attack at +once. But the woods and ravines are filled with their skirmishers, +trying to clear the way. I can see them in hundreds and hundreds, and +their rifles make sheets of flame. All the time the cannon are firing +over their heads. Heavens, what a bombardment! I've never before +listened to its like!” + +“What are our troops doing, father?” asked Miss Woodville. + +“Very little yet, and they should do little. Pemberton is showing more +judgment than I expected of him. The defense should hold its fire until +the enemy is well within range and that's what we're doing!” + +The colonel leaned a little more heavily upon him, but Dick steadied +himself. The old man still kept the glasses to his eyes, and swept them +back and forth in as wide an arc as their position permitted. The hills +shook with the thunder of the cannon, and the brilliant sun, piercing +through the smoke, lighted up the vast battle line. + +“The attack of the skirmishers grows hotter,” said the old man. “The +thickets blaze with the fire of their rifles. Heavy masses of infantry +are moving forward. Now they stop and lie on their arms. They are +awaiting the word from other parts of the field, and it shows with +certainty that a grand attack is coming. Two batteries of eight guns +each have come nearer. I did not think it possible for the fire of their +cannon to increase, but it has done so. Young sir, would you care to +look through the glasses?” + +“I believe not, Colonel. I will trust to the naked eye and your report.” + +It was an odd feeling that made Dick decline the glasses. If he looked +he must tell to the others what he saw, and he wished to show neither +exultation nor depression. The colonel, the duty of courtesy discharged, +resumed his own position of witness and herald. + +“The columns of infantry are getting up again,” he said. “I see a man in +what I take to be a general's uniform riding along their front. He +must be making a speech. No doubt he knows the desperate nature of +the attack, and would inspire them. Now he is gone and other officers, +colonels and majors are moving about.” + +“What are the skirmishers doing, Colonel?” + +“Their fire is not so hot. They must be drawing back. They have made +the prelude, and the importance of their role has passed. The masses +of infantry are drawing together again. Now I see men on horseback with +trumpets to their lips. Yes, the charge is coming. Ah-h! That burnt +them!” + +There was a terrific crash much nearer, and Dick knew that it was the +Southern batteries opening fire. The shoulder upon which the colonel's +hand rested shook a little, but it was from excitement. He said nothing +and Colonel Woodville continued: + +“The smoke is so heavy I can't see what damage was done! Now it has +cleared away! There are gaps in the Yankee lines, but the men have +closed up, and they come on at the double quick with their cannon still +firing over their heads!” + +In his excitement he took his hand off Dick's shoulder and leaned +forward a little farther, supporting himself now against the earthen +wall. Dick stood just behind him, shielded from the sight of any one +who might be passing in the ravine, although there was little danger now +from searchers with a great battle going on. Meanwhile he watched the +combat with an eagerness fully equal to that of the old colonel. + +The mighty crash of cannon and rifles together continued, but for a +little while the smoke banked up in front so densely that the whole +combat was hidden from them. Then a wind slowly rolled the smoke away. +The figures of the men began to appear like shadowy tracery, and then +emerged, distinct and separate from the haze. + +“They are nearer now,” said the Colonel. “I can plainly see their long +lines moving and their light guns coming with them. But our batteries +are raking them horribly. Their men are falling by the scores and +hundreds.” + +Miss Woodville uttered a deep sigh and turned her face away. But she +looked again in a few moments. The terrible spell was upon her, too. + +Dick's nerves were quivering. His heart was with the assailants and +theirs with the assailed, but he would not speak aloud against the hopes +of Colonel Woodville and his daughter, since he was in their house, such +as it was, and, in a measure, under their protection. + +“Their charge is splendid,” continued the colonel, “and I hope Pemberton +has made full use of the ground for defense! He will need all the help +he can get! Oh, to be out of the battle on such a day! The smoke is in +the way again and I can see nothing. Now it has passed and the enemy is +still advancing, but our fire grows hotter and hotter! The shells and +the grape and the canister and the bullets are smashing through them. +They cannot live under it! They must go back!” + +Nevertheless the blue lines came steadily toward the Southern +earthworks. Dick saw officers, some ahorse, and some afoot, rushing +about and encouraging the men, and he saw many fall and lie still while +the regiments passed on. + +“They are in the nearer thickets,” cried the colonel, “and now they're +climbing the slopes! Ah, you riflemen, your target is there!” + +The Northern army was so near now that the Southern rifle fire was +beating upon it like a storm. Never flinching, the men of the west and +northwest hurled themselves upon the powerful fortified positions. Some +reached shelves of the plateau almost at the mouths of the guns and hung +there, their comrades falling dead or dying around them, but now the +rebel yell began to swell along the vast line, and reached the ears of +those in the ravine. + +“The omen of victory!” exclaimed the colonel exultantly. “Our brave lads +feel that they're about to triumph! Grant can't break through our line! +Why doesn't he call off his men? It's slaughter!” + +Dick's heart sank. He knew that the colonel's words were true. The +Southern army, posted in its defenses, was breaking the ring of steel +that sought to crush it to death. Groups of men in blue who had seized +ground in the very front of the defenses either died there or were +gradually driven back. The inner ring along its front of miles thundered +incessantly on the outer ring, and repelled every attempt to crush it. + +“They yield,” said the colonel, after a long time. “The Northern fire +has sunk at many points, and there! and there! they're retreating! The +attack has failed and the South has won a victory!” + +“But Grant will come again,” said Dick, speaking his opinion for the +first time. + +“No doubt of it,” said Colonel Woodville, “but likely he will come to +the same fate.” + +He spoke wholly without animosity. The battle now died fast. The men +in gray had been invincible. Their cannon and rifles had made an +impenetrable barrier of fire, and Grant, despite the valor of his +troops, had been forced to draw off. Many thousands had fallen and the +Southern generals were exultant. Johnston would come up, and Grant, +having such heavy losses, would be unable to withstand the united +Confederate armies. + +But Grant, as Colonel Woodville foresaw, had no idea of retreating. +Fresh troops were pouring down the great river for him, and while he +would not again attempt to storm Vicksburg, the ring of steel around it +would be made so broad and strong that Pemberton could not get out nor +could Johnston get in. + +When the last cannon shot echoed over the far hills Colonel Woodville +turned away from the door of his hillside home. + +“I must ask your shoulder again, young sir,” he said to Dick. “What I +have seen rejoices me greatly, but I do not say it to taunt you. In +war if one wins the other must lose, and bear in mind that you are the +invader.” + +“May I help you back to your bed, sir?” asked Dick. + +“You may. You are a good young man. I'm glad I saved you from that +scoundrel, Slade. As the score between us is even I wish that you were +out of Vicksburg and with your own people.” + +“I was thinking, too, sir, that I ought to go. I may take a quick +departure.” + +“Then if you do go I wish you a speedy and safe journey, but I tell you +to beware of one, Slade, who has a malicious heart and a long memory.” + +Dick withdrew to his own cell, as he called it, and he passed bitter +hours there. The repulse had struck him a hard blow. Was it possible +that Grant could not win? And if he could not win what terrible risks +he would run in the heart of the Confederacy, with perhaps two armies to +fight! He felt that only the Mississippi, that life-line connecting him +with the North, could save him. + +But as dusk came gradually in the ravine he resolved that he would go. +His supper, as usual, was brought to him by Miss Woodville. She was as +taciturn as ever, speaking scarcely a half-dozen words. When he asked +her if Victor had gone through the battle unharmed she merely nodded, +and presently he was alone again, with the dusk deepening in the great +gully. + +Dick was confident that nobody but Colonel Woodville, his daughter, and +himself were in the cave-home. It was but a small place, and new callous +places on her hands indicated that she was doing the cooking and all +other work. His resolve to risk everything and go was strengthened. + +He waited patiently until the full night had come and only the usual +sounds of an army in camp arose. Then he made ready. He had surrendered +his holster and pistols to Colonel Woodville, and so he must issue forth +unarmed, but it could not be helped. He had several ten dollar gold +pieces in his pocket, and he put one of them on the tiny table in his +cell. He knew that it would be most welcome, and he could not calculate +how many hundreds in Confederacy currency it was worth. He was glad that +he could repay a little at least. + +Then he stepped lightly toward the larger chamber in which Colonel +Woodville lay. The usual candle was burning on the table near his bed, +but the great bald head lay motionless on the pillow, and the heavy +white eyebrows drooped over closed lids. Sound asleep! Dick was glad +of it. The colonel, with his strong loyalty to the South, might seek +to hold him, at least as his personal prisoner, and now the trouble was +avoided. + +He moved gently across the floor, and then passed toward the open door. +How good that puff of fresh air and freedom felt on his face! He did not +know that Colonel Woodville raised his head on the pillow, glanced after +him, and then let his head sink back and his eyes close again. A low +sigh came between the colonel's lips, and it would have been difficult +to say whether it was relief or regret. + +Dick stepped into the narrow path cut in the side of the ravine and +inhaled more draughts of the fresh air. How sweet and strong it was! How +it filled one's lungs and brought with it life, courage and confidence! +One had to live in a hole in a hill before he could appreciate fully the +blessed winds that blew about the world. He knew that the path ran +in front of other hollows dug in the earth, and he felt sorry for the +people who were compelled to burrow in them. He felt sorry, in truth, +for all Vicksburg, because now that he was outside his fears for Grant +disappeared, and he knew that he must win. + +While he remained in the path a deep boom came from the direction of the +Union army and a huge shell burst over the town. It was followed in a +moment by another and then by many others. While the besieged rejoiced +in victory the besiegers had begun anew the terrible bombardment, +sending a warning that the iron ring still held. + +Dick paused no longer, but ran rapidly along the path until he emerged +upon the open plateau and proceeded toward the center of the town. He +judged that in the hours following a great battle, while there was yet +much confusion, he would find his best chance. + +He had reckoned rightly. There was a great passing to and fro in +Vicksburg, but its lights were dim. Oil and candles alike were scarce, +and there was little but the moon's rays to disclose a town to the eye. +The rejoicings over the victory had brought more people than usual into +the streets, but the same exultation made them unsuspicious, and Dick +glided among them in the dusk, almost without fear. + +He had concluded that “the longest way around was the shortest way +through,” and he directed his steps toward the river. He had formed a +clear plan at last, and he believed that it would succeed. Twisting and +turning, always keeping in the shadows, he made good progress, descended +the bluff, and at last stood behind the ruins of an old warehouse near +the stream. + +Southern batteries were not far away from him and he heard the men +talking. Then, strengthening his resolution, he came from behind the +ruins, flung himself almost flat on the ground, and crawled toward the +river, pushing in front of him a board, which some Northern gun had shot +from the warehouse. + +He knew that his task was difficult and dangerous, though in the last +resort he could rush to the water and spring in. But he was almost +at the edge before any sentinel saw the black shadow passing over the +ground. + +A hail came, and Dick flattened himself against the ground and lay +perfectly still. Evidently the sentinel was satisfied that his fancy had +been making merry with him, as he did not look further at the shadow, +and Dick, after waiting two or three minutes, resumed his slow creeping. + +He reached the edge, shoved the board into it, and dropped gently into +the water beside it, submerged to the head. Then, pushing his support +before him, he struck out for the middle of the stream. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. THE TAKING OF VICKSBURG + + +Dick was a fine swimmer, he had a good stout plank, and the waters of +the river were warm. He felt that the chief dangers were passed, and +that the muddy Mississippi would now bear him safely to the blockading +fleet below. He gave the plank another shove, sending it farther out +into the stream, and then raised himself up until his elbows rested upon +it. He could thus float gently with a little propulsion from his legs to +the place where he wanted to go. + +He saw lights along the bluff and the bar below, and then, with a sudden +shoot of alarm he noticed a dim shadow move slowly from the shore. It +was a long boat, holding a dozen rowers, and several men armed with +rifles, and it was coming toward him. He did not know whether it was +merely an ordinary patrol, or whether they had seen the darker blot on +the stream that he and the plank made, but in any event the result would +be the same. + +He slipped his arm off the plank and sank in the stream to the chin. +Then, propelling it gently and without any splashing of the water, he +continued to move down the stream. He was hopeful that the riflemen +would mistake him and his plank for one of those stumps or logs which +the Mississippi carries so often on its bosom. + +The head of the boat turned from him a little, and he felt sure now that +he would drift away unnoticed, but one of the soldiers suddenly raised +his rifle and fired. Dick heard the bullet clip the water close beside +him, and he swam as hard as he could for a few moments. Then he +settled again into quiet, as he saw the boat was not coming toward him. +Doubtless the man had merely fired the shot to satisfy himself that it +was really a log, and if Dick allowed it to float naturally he would be +convinced. + +It was a tremendous trial of nerves to run the gantlet in this way, but +as it was that or nothing he exerted all his will upon his body, and let +himself float slowly, sunk again to the mouth and with his head thrown +back, so it would present only a few inches above the surface. + +The boat turned, and seemed once upon the point of coming toward him. He +could hear the creaking of the oars and the men talking, but they turned +again suddenly and rowed up the stream. Again, his fate had hung on a +chance impulse. He drifted slowly on until the town and the bluffs sank +in the darkness. Then he drew himself upon his plank and swam, doubling +his speed. He knew that some of the Union gunboats lay not far below, +and, when he rounded a curve, he saw a light in the stream, but near the +shore. + +He approached cautiously, knowing that the men on the vessel would be on +guard against secret attack, and presently he discerned the outlines +of a sidewheel steamer, converted into a warship and bearing guns. He +dropped down by the side of his plank until he was quite close, and +then, raising himself upon it again, he shouted with all his voice: +“Ship ahoy!” + +He did not know whether that was the customary method of hailing on the +Mississippi, but it was a memory from his nautical reading, and so he +shouted a second and yet a third time at the top of his voice: “Ship +ahoy!” Figures bearing rifles appeared at the side, and a rough voice +demanded in language highly unparliamentary who was there and what he, +she or it wanted. + +Dick was in a genial mood. He had escaped with an ease that surprised +him, and the warmth of the water in which he was immersed had saved him +from cramp or chill. The spirit of recklessness seized him again. He +threw himself astride his plank, and called out: + +“A detachment of the army of the United States escaped from captivity in +Vicksburg, and wishing to rejoin it. It's infantry, not marines, and it +needs land.” + +“Then advance infantry and give the countersign.” + +“Grant and Victory,” replied Dick in a loud, clear voice. + +A laugh came from the steamer, and the rough voice said again: + +“Let the detachment advance again, and holding up its hands, show +itself.” + +Dick paddled closer and, steadying himself as well as he could, threw +up his hands. The light of a ship's lantern was thrown directly on his +face, and the same voice ordered men to take a small boat and get him. + +When Dick stepped upon the deck of the steamer, water streaming from +his clothes, several men looked at him curiously. One in a dingy blue +uniform he believed to be the owner of the rough voice. But his face was +not rough. + +“Who are you?” asked the man. + +“Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's regiment in the army +of General Grant, sent several days ago with a message to the fleet, but +driven by Confederate scouts and skirmishers into Vicksburg, where he +lay hidden, seeking a chance of escape.” + +“And he found it to-night, coming down the river like a big catfish.” + +“He did, sir. He could find no other way, and he arrived on the useful +board which is now floating away on the current.” + +“What proof have you that you are what you say.” + +“That I saw you before you saw me and hailed you.” + +“It's not enough.” + +“Then here is the message that I was to have delivered to the commander +of the fleet. It's pretty wet, but I think you can make it out.” + +He drew the dispatch from the inside pocket of his waistcoat. It was +soaked through, but when they turned the ship's lantern upon it the +captain could make out its tenor and the names. Doubt could exist no +longer and he clapped his hands heartily upon the lad's shoulder. + +“Come into the cabin and have something to eat and dry clothes,” he +said. “This is the converted steamer Union, and I'm its commander, +Captain William Hays. I judge that you've had an extraordinary time.” + +“I have, captain, and the hardest of it all was when I saw our army +repulsed to-day.” + +“It was bad and the wounded are still lying on the field, but it doesn't +mean that Vicksburg will have a single moment of rest. Listen to that, +will you, lieutenant?” + +The far boom of a cannon came, and Dick knew that its shell would break +over the unhappy town. But he had grown so used to the cannonade that +it made little impression upon him, and, shrugging his shoulders, he +descended the gangway with the captain. + +Clothing that would fit him well enough was found, and once more he was +dry and warm. Hot coffee and good food were brought him, and while he +ate and drank Captain Hays asked him many questions. What was the rebel +strength in Vicksburg? Were they exultant over their victory of the day? +Did they think they could hold out? What food supply did they have? + +Dick answered all the questions openly and frankly as far as he could. +He really knew little or nothing about those of importance, and, as for +himself, he merely said that he had hid in a cave, many of which had +been dug in Vicksburg. He did not mention Colonel Woodville or his +daughter. + +“Now,” said Captain Hays, when he finished his supper, “you can have +a bunk. Yes, lieutenant, you must take it. I could put you ashore +to-night, but it's not worth while. Get a good night's sleep, and we'll +see to-morrow.” + +Dick knew that he was right, and, quelling his impatience, he lay down +in one of the bunks and slept until morning. + +Then, after a solid breakfast, he went ashore with the good wishes of +Captain Hays, and, a few hours later, he was with the Union army and his +own regiment. Again he was welcomed as one dead and his own heart was +full of rejoicing because all of his friends were alive. Warner alone +had been wounded, a bullet cutting into his shoulder, but not hurting +him much. He wore a bandage, his face had a becoming pallor, and +Pennington charged that he was making the most of it. + +“But it was an awful day,” said Warner, “and there's a lot of gloom +in the camp. Still, we're not moving away and the reinforcements are +coming.” + +Dick explained to Colonel Winchester why he had failed in his mission, +and the colonel promised to report in turn to the commander that the +hand of God had intervened. Dick's conscience was now at rest, and he +resumed at once his duties with the regiment. + +Many days passed. While Grant did not make any other attack upon +Vicksburg his circle of steel grew tighter, and the rain of shells and +bombs upon the devoted town never ceased. Reinforcements poured forward. +His army rose to nearly eighty thousand men, and Johnston, hovering +near, gathering together what men he could, did not dare to strike. Dick +was reminded more than once of Caesar's famous siege of Alesia, about +which he had read not so long ago in Dr. Russell's academy at Pendleton. + +There were long, long days of intrenching, skirmishing and idleness. May +turned into June, and still the steel coil enclosed Vicksburg. Here the +Union men were hopeful, but the news from the East was bad. Not much +filtered through, and none of it struck a happy note. Lee, with +his invincible legions, was still sweeping northward. Doubtless the +Confederate hosts now trod the soil of a free State, and Dick and his +comrades feared in their very souls that Lee was marching to another +great victory. + +“I wish I could hear from Harry Kenton,” said Dick to Warner. “I'd like +to know whether he passed through Chancellorsville safely.” + +“Don't you worry about him,” said Warner. “That rebel cousin of yours +has luck. He also has skill. Let x equal luck and y skill. Now x plus y +equals the combination of luck and skill, which is safety. That +proves to me mathematically that he is unharmed and that he is riding +northward--to defeat, I hope.” + +“We've got to win here,” said Dick. “If we don't, I'm thinking the +cause of the Union will be more than doubtful. We don't seem to have the +generals in the East that we have in the West. Our leaders hang on here +and they don't overestimate the enemy.” + +“That's so,” said Pennington. “Now, I wonder what 'Pap' Thomas is +doing.” + +“He's somewhere in Tennessee, I suppose, watching Bragg,” said Dick. +“That's a man I like, and, I think, after this affair here is over, we +may go back to his command. If we do succeed in taking Vicksburg, +it seems likely to me that the heavy fighting will be up there in +Tennessee, where Bragg's army is.” + +“Do you know if your uncle, Colonel Kenton, is in Vicksburg?” + +“I don't think so. In fact, I'm sure he isn't. His regiment is with +Bragg. Well, George, what does your algebra tell us?” + +Warner had taken out his little volume again and was studying it +intently. But he raised his head long enough to reply. + +“I have just achieved the solution of a very important mathematical +problem,” he answered in precise tones. “An army of about thirty-five +thousand men occupies a town located on a river. It is besieged by +another army of about seventy-five thousand men flushed with victory. +The besiegers occupy the river with a strong fleet. They are also led +by a general who has shown skill and extraordinary tenacity, while the +commander of the besieged has not shown much of either quality and must +feel great discouragement.” + +“But you're only stating the side of the besieged.” + +“Don't interrupt. It's impolite. I mean to be thoroughly fair. Now +come the factors favoring the besieged. The assailing army, despite its +superior numbers, is far in the enemy's country. It may be attacked at +any time by another army outside, small, but led by a very able general. +Now, you have both sides presented to you, but I have already arrived at +the determining factor. What would you say it is, Dick?” + +“I don't know.” + +“You haven't used your reasoning powers. Remember that the man who not +merely thinks, but who thinks hard and continuously always wins. It's +very simple. The answer is in four letters, f-o-o-d, food. As we know +positively, Pemberton was able to provision Vicksburg for five or +six weeks. We can't break in and he can't break out. When his food +is exhausted, as it soon will be, he'll have to give up. The siege of +Vicksburg is over. I know everything, except the exact date.” + +Dick was inclined to believe that Warner was right, but he forgot about +his prediction, because a mail came down the river that afternoon, and +he received a letter from his mother, his beautiful young mother, who +often seemed just like an elder sister. + +She was in Pendleton, she wrote, staying comfortably in their home. The +town was occupied by three companies of veteran Union troops who behaved +well. They were always glad to have a garrison of good soldiers whether +Federal or Confederate--sometimes it was one and sometimes the other. +But she thought the present Union force would remain quite a while, as +she did not look for the reappearance of the Southern army in Kentucky. +But if the town were left without troops she would go back to her +relatives in the Bluegrass, as Bill Skelly's band to the eastward in +the mountains was raiding and plundering and had become a great menace. +Guerillas were increasing in numbers in those doubtful regions. + +“The regular troops will have to deal with those fellows later on,” said +Dick. + +“Dr. Russell has had a letter from Harry Kenton,” continued Mrs. Mason. +“It was written from some point near the Pennsylvania line, and, while +Harry did not say so in his letter, I know that General Lee is expecting +a great victory in the North. Harry was not hurt at Chancellorsville, +but he says he does not see how he escaped, the fire of the cannon and +rifles being more awful than any that he had ever seen before. He was +present when General Jackson was mortally wounded, and he seems to have +been deeply affected by it. He writes that the Confederacy could better +have lost a hundred thousand men.” + +There was more in the letter, but it was strictly personal to Dick, and +it closed with her heartfelt prayer that God, who had led him safely so +far, would lead him safely through all. + +After reading it several times he put it in a hidden pocket. Soldiers +did not receive many letters and they always treasured them. Ah, his +dear, beautiful young mother! How could anyone ever harm her! Yet the +thought of Skelly and his outlaws made him uneasy. He hoped that the +Union garrison would remain in Pendleton permanently. + +His mind was soon compelled to turn back to the siege. They were digging +trenches and creeping closer and closer. Warner had made no mistake +in his mathematics. The army and the people in Vicksburg had begun to +suffer from a lack of food. They were down to half rations. They had +neither tea nor coffee, and medicines were exhausted. Many and many a +time they looked forth from their hills and prayed for Johnston, but he +could not come. Always the Union flag floated before them, and the ring +of steel so strong and broad was contracting inch by inch. + +The Northern engineers ran mines under the Confederate works. They used +every device of ingenious minds to push the siege. Spies brought word +that all food would soon be gone in Vicksburg, and Grant, grim of +purpose, took another hitch in the steel belt about the hopeless town. +The hostile earthworks and trenches were now so near that the men could +hear one another talking. Sometimes in a lull of the firing they +would come out and exchange tobacco or news. It was impossible for the +officers to prevent it, and they really did not seek to do so, as the +men fought just as well when they returned to their works. + +June now drew to a close and the great heats of July were at hand. Dick +was convinced that the defense of Vicksburg was drawing to a like close. +They had proof that some of the irregulars in Vicksburg had escaped +through the lines and he was convinced that Slade would be among them. +They were the rats and Vicksburg was the sinking ship. + +They heard that Johnston had gathered together twenty-five thousand men +and was at last marching to the relief of the town. Dick believed that +Grant must have laughed one of his grimmest laughs. They knew that +Johnston's men were worn and half-starved, and had been harassed by +other Union troops. Johnston was skillful, but he would only be a lean +and hungry wolf attacking a grizzly bear. He was sure that all danger +from him had passed. + +Now, as they closed in the Northern guns increased their fire. It seemed +to Dick that they could have blown away the whole plateau of Vicksburg +by this time. The storm of shells raked the town, and he was glad that +the people had been able to dig caves for refuge. Colonel Woodville must +be doing some of his greatest swearing now. Dick thought of him with +sympathy and friendliness. + +“I don't think it can last much longer, Mr. Mason,” said Sergeant Daniel +Whitley on the morning of the second of July. “Their guns don't answer +ours often and it means that they're out of ammunition, or almost. +Besides, you can stand shells and bullets easier than lack of food. +'Pears to me I can nearly feel 'em crumpling up before us.” + +Trumpets blew the next morning. All the firing ceased suddenly and the +three lads saw a Southern general with several officers of lower rank, +riding forward under a white flag. It was Bowen, who came out to meet +Grant. + +Dick drew a deep, long breath. He knew that this was the end. So did his +comrades. A cheer started and swept part of the way along the lines, but +the officers quickly stopped it. + +“Vicksburg is ours,” said Dick. + +“Looks like it,” said Warner. + +But Grant told Bowen that he would treat only with Pemberton, and after +delays General Pemberton came out. General Grant went forward to meet +him. The two stood alone under a tree within seventy yards of the +Confederate lines and talked. + +Chance or fortune presented a startling coincidence. Almost at the very +moment that Grant and Pemberton met under the tree Pickett's men were +rising to their feet and preparing for the immortal but fatal charge at +Gettysburg. While the cannon had ceased suddenly at Vicksburg they were +thundering from many score mouths at Gettysburg. Fortune was launching +two thunderbolts upon the Confederacy at the same moment. They were to +strike upon fields a thousand miles apart, and the double blow was to be +mortal. + +But Dick knew nothing of Gettysburg then, nor was he to know anything +until days afterward. He certainly had no thought of the East while he +watched the two generals under the tree. Dick's comrades were with him, +but so intense was their curiosity that none of them spoke. Thousands +of men were gazing with the same eagerness, and the Southern earthworks +were covered with the defenders. + +It was one of the most dramatic scenes in Dick's life, the two men under +the tree, and the tens of thousands who watched. Nobody moved. It seemed +that they scarcely breathed. After the continuous roar of firing the +sudden silence was oppressive, and Dick felt the blood pounding in his +ears. + +The heat was close and heavy. Black clouds were floating up in the west, +and lightning glimmered now and then on the horizon. Although the storm +threatened no one noticed. All eyes were still for Grant and Pemberton. +After a while each returned to his own command, and there was an +armistice until the next day, when the full surrender was made, and +Grant and his officers rode into Vicksburg. At the same time Lee was +gathering his men for the retreat into the South from the stricken field +of Gettysburg. It was the Fourth of July, the eighty-seventh anniversary +of the Declaration of Independence, and no one could have possibly +conceived a more striking celebration. + +As soon as Dick was free for a little space he hurried to the ravine, +and, as before, found there the open door. He passed in without +hesitation. + +The light as of old filtered into the room, and Colonel Woodville lay +just as before in bed with his great bald head upon the pillow. Miss +Woodville sat beside the bed, reading aloud from Addison. Dick's step +was light, but the colonel heard him and held up a finger. The lad +paused until Miss Woodville, finishing a long sentence, closed the +book. Then the colonel, raising a little the great white thatch of his +eyebrows, said: + +“Young sir, you have returned again, and, personally, you are welcome, +but I do not conceive how you can stand the company you keep. My +daughter informs me that the Yankees are in Vicksburg, and I have no +reason to doubt the statement.” + +He paused, and Dick said: + +“Yes, Colonel, it's true.” + +“I suppose we must endure it. I should have gone myself and have offered +my sword to General Grant, but this confounded leg of mine is still +weak.” + +“At least, sir, we come with something besides arms. May I bring you +rations?” + +“You are generous, young man, and my daughter and I appreciate the +obvious nature of your errand here. Speaking for both of us, a little +food will not be unwelcome.” + +“Tell me first, what has become of your nephew. Has he escaped from the +city?” + +“He slipped out nearly a week ago, and will join his father's regiment +in Bragg's command. That scoundrel, Slade, is gone too. Since the city +had to be surrendered I would gladly have made you a present of Slade, +but it's out of my power now.” + +Dick soon returned with ample food for them and helped them later, when +they moved to quarters outside in the shell-torn city. Dick saw that +they were comfortable, and then his mind turned toward Tennessee. +Detachments from Grant's army were to be sent to that of Rosecrans, who +was now heavily threatened by Bragg, and the Winchester regiment, which +really belonged with him, was sure to go. + +The order to march soon came, and it was welcome. The regiment, or +rather what was left of it, promptly embarked upon one of the river +steamers and started northward. + +As they stood on the deck and looked down at the yellow waters in which +Dick had swum on his trusty plank Warner said: + +“I've news of importance. It arrived in a telegram to General Grant, and +I heard it just as we were coming on board.” + +“What is it?” asked Dick. + +“General Lee was defeated in a great battle at a little place called +Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, and has retreated into Virginia.” + +“Gettysburg and Vicksburg!” exclaimed Dick. “The wheel has turned nearly +'round. The Confederacy is doomed now.” + +“I think so, too,” said Warner. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. AN AFFAIR OF THE MOUNTAINS + + +Although they were on board one of the fastest steamers in the Union +service, Dick and his comrades had a long journey by river. But it +was not unpleasant. They enjoyed the rest and ease after the weeks of +fighting and service in the trenches before Vicksburg. The absence of +war and the roar of cannon and rifles was like a happy dream between +days of fighting. As they went northward on the great river it almost +seemed as if peace had returned. + +Warner studied his algebra and two other books of mathematics which he +was lucky enough to find on board. Pennington slept a great deal of the +time. + +“I learned it on the plains from the Indians,” he said. “When they don't +have anything to do they sleep and gather strength for the hour of need. +I think the time is coming soon when they won't let me sleep at all, and +then I can draw on the great supply I have in stock.” + +“Likely enough it's near,” said Dick dreamily. “They say Bragg has a +great army now, and you know that, while Rosecrans is slow he's pretty +sure. Thomas and McCook and the others are with him, too. I expect to +see 'Pap' Thomas again. He's a general to my liking.” + +“And to mine, too,” said Pennington, “but we can talk about him later +on, because I'm going to sleep again inside of a minute.” + +Dick was not averse to silence, as he, too, was half asleep; that is, he +was in a dreamy stage, and he was at peace with the world and his fellow +men. From under drooping eyelids he was vaguely watching the low shores +of the Mississippi, and the great mass of yellow waters moving onward +from the far vague forests of the North in their journey of four +thousand miles to the gulf. + +Like all boys of the great valley, Dick always felt the romance and +spell of the Mississippi. It was to him and them one of the greatest +facts in the natural world, the grave of De Soto, the stream on which +their fathers and forefathers had explored and traded and fought since +their beginnings. Now it was fulfilling its titanic role again, and the +Union fleets upon its bosom were splitting the Confederacy asunder. + +He, too, fell asleep before long. Warner glanced at his comrades who +slept so well on a hard bench, and his look was rather envious. He +returned his beloved algebra to his pocket, leaned back on the bench +also, and, although he had not believed it possible, slept also inside +of five minutes. Colonel Winchester passing smiled sympathetically, but +his glance lingered longest on Dick. + +After days on the water the regiment disembarked, marched more days +across the country, joining other regiments on the way, and reached +the rear guard of the army of Rosecrans, which was already marching +southward in the direction of Chattanooga to meet that of Bragg. They +advanced now over the Cumberland mountains through a country wild +and thinly inhabited. The summer was waning, but it was cool on the +mountains and in the passes, nor was it so dry as the year before, when +they fought that terrible battle at Perryville in Kentucky. + +Dick was glad to be again in the high country, the land of firm soil and +of many clear, rushing streams. Heart and lungs expanded, when he looked +upon the long ridges, clothed in deep forest, and breathed the pure air +that blew down from their summits. Yet his dream of peace was over. +As they advanced through the forests and passes they were harassed +incessantly by sharpshooters on the slopes, who melted away before them, +but who returned on the very heels of the vain pursuit to vex them again +with bullets. + +They heard soon that the most daring of these bands was led by a man +named Slade, and Dick's pulse took a jump. He felt in a curious sort of +way that this man Slade was still following him. It seemed more than a +decree of chance that their fates should be intertwined. He hoped that +Slade would never hear how he had been hidden in that hole in the ravine +with the Woodvilles. Trouble could come of it for gallant young Victor +Woodville, and even for his uncle. He was sure that Victor was now with +Bragg and they might meet face to face again. + +As they rode through a defile and came into a wide valley they saw +before them an extensive Union camp, and they were overjoyed to learn +that it was the division of Thomas, the general to whom they were to +report. Dick had once received the personal thanks of Thomas, and +the grave, able man inspired him with immense respect, mingled with +affection. + +He stood before Thomas in his tent that evening, Colonel Winchester +having yielded to his request to take him with him when he reported the +arrival of his regiment. Thomas, usually so taciturn, delighted the soul +of the lad by remembering him at once. + +“It was you, Lieutenant Mason, who came to me there in the Kentucky +mountains with the dispatches,” he said, “and you were also with us at +Perryville and Stone River.” + +“I was, sir,” said Dick, flushing with pride. + +“And you were with General Grant at the taking of Vicksburg! It was a +great exploit, and it has lifted us up mightily. But I'm glad to have +you back along with Colonel Winchester and the rest of his brave lads. +I think you'll see action before long, action perhaps on a greater scale +than any witnessed hitherto in the West.” + +Dick saluted and withdrew. He knew that a young lieutenant must not stay +too long in the presence of a commanding general and he quickly rejoined +Warner and Pennington. + +“How's the old man?” asked Pennington, with the familiarity of youth, +which was not disrespectful in the absence of the “old man.” + +“'Pap' Thomas is looking well,” replied Dick. “I fancy that his +digestion was never better. He did not act in a belligerent way, but I +think he's hunting for a fight.” + +“Since you and Warner and I have arrived he can begin it.” + +“I think it's coming,” said Dick earnestly. “Often you can feel when +things are moving to some end, and I'm sure that we'll measure strength +again with Bragg before the autumn has gone far.” + +The valley in which the camp lay was green and beautiful, and a deep, +clear little river from the mountains, ran rushing, through it. The +three lads lay on their blankets near the bank and listened to the +musical sweep of the stream. Pennington suddenly sprang up and hailed: + +“Hey, Ohio, is that you? Come here!” + +A tall youth emerged from the dusk and looked at them inquiringly. + +“Ohio,” said Pennington, “don't you remember your friends?” + +The long, lean lad looked again, and then he was enthusiastically +shaking hands with each in turn. + +“Remember you!” he exclaimed. “Of course I do. If it hadn't been so dark +I'd have seen you and called to you first. I'm glad you're alive. It's +a lot to live in these times. I tried to find out about you fellows but +couldn't. We came in a detachment ahead of you. But if you'll invite me, +I'll stay awhile with you and talk.” + +They offered him a blanket and he stretched out upon it, turning his +eyes up to the sky, in which the stars were now coming. + +“What are you thinking about, Ohio?” asked Dick. + +“I'm thinking how fast I'm growing old. Two years and a half in the war, +but it's twenty-five years in fact. I hadn't finished school when I left +home and here I am, a veteran of more battles than any soldiers have +fought since the days of old Bonaparte. If I happen to live through +this war, which I mean to do, I wonder how I'll ever settle down at home +again. Father will say to me: 'Get the plough and break up the five-acre +field for corn,' and me, maybe a veteran of a dozen pitched battles in +every one of which anywhere from one hundred thousand to two hundred +thousand men have been engaged, not to mention fifty or a hundred +smaller battles and four or five hundred skirmishes. + +“When the flies begin to buzz around me I'll think they make a mighty +poor noise compared with the roar of three or four hundred big cannon +and a hundred thousand rifles that I've listened to so often. If a +yellow jacket should sting me, I'd say what a little thing it is, +compared with the piece of shrapnel that hit me at some battle not yet +fought. Maybe I'd find things so quiet I just couldn't stand it. Wars +are mighty unsettling.” + +“I'm thinking,” said Dick, “that before this war is over all of us will +get enough of it to last a lifetime. We've got the edge on 'em now, +since Vicksburg and Gettysburg, but the Graybacks are not yet beaten by +a long shot. We've heard how Lee drew off from Gettysburg carrying all +his guns and supplies, and even with Gettysburg we haven't been doing so +well in the East as we have in the West. You know that, Ohio?” + +“Of course, I do. But I think the Johnnies have made their high-water +mark. Great work our army did down there at Vicksburg, and we'll have +the chance to do just as well against Bragg. We'll defeat him, of +course. Now, Mason, notice that light flickering on the mountain up +there!” + +He pointed to the crest of a ridge two or three miles away, where Dick +saw a point of flame appearing and reappearing, and answered by another +point farther down, which flickered in the same manner. + +“Signals of some kind, I suppose,” replied Dick, “but I don't know who +makes them or what they mean.” + +“I don't know what they mean, either,” said Ohio; “but I can guess +pretty well who's making them. That's Slade.” + +“Slade!” said Dick. + +“Yes, you seem to have heard of him?” + +“So I have, and I've seen him, also. I heard, too, that he was up here +making things unhappy for our side. He was in Vicksburg, although you +may not have heard of him there, but he got out before the surrender. A +cunning fellow. A sort of land pirate.” + +“He's all of that. Since we've been coming through the mountains he and +his band have picked off a lot of our men. Those signals must mean that +they're preparing for another raid. I shouldn't like to be a half-mile +from our lines to-night.” + +“Why can't we smoke him out, Ohio?” + +“Because when we're half way up the slope he and his men are gone on the +other side. Besides, they can rake us with bullets from ambush, while +we're climbing up the ridge. And when we get there, they're gone. It's +these mountains that give the irregulars their chance. See, two lights +are winking at each other now!” + +“How far apart would you say they are, Ohio?” + +“A mile, maybe, but one is much higher than the other up the mountain. +The lower light, doubtless, is signaling information about us to the +higher. I see your colonel and our colonel talking together. Maybe we're +going to set a trap. It would be a good thing if we could clean out +those fellows.” + +“I'm thinking that your guess is a good one,” said Dick, as he rose to +his feet, “because Colonel Winchester is beckoning to me now.” + +“And there's a call for me, too,” said Ohio, rising. “Talk of a thing +and it happens. We're surely going for those lights.” + +They had reckoned right. General Thomas, when he saw the signals, +had summoned some of his best officers and they had talked together +earnestly. The general had not said much before, but the incessant +sharpshooting from the bushes and slopes as they marched southward had +caused him intense annoyance, and, if continued, he knew that it would +hurt the spirit of the troops. + +“We shall try to trap Slade's band to-night,” said Colonel Winchester to +Dick and the other young officers who gathered around him. “We think he +has three or four hundred men and my regiment can deal with that number. +We will defile to the right without noise and make our way up the +mountain. An Ohio regiment, which can also deal with Slade if it catches +him, will defile to the left. Maybe we can trap these irregulars between +us. Sergeant Whitley will guide my force.” + +The sergeant stepped forward, proud of the honor and trust. Dick, +looking at him in the moonlight, said to himself for the hundredth time +that he was a magnificent specimen of American manhood, thick, powerful, +intelligent, respectful to his superior officers, who often knew less +than he did, a veteran from whom woods, hills, and plains hid few +secrets. He thought it a good thing that the sergeant was to be their +guide, because he would lead them into no ambush. + +As Dick turned away for departure Ohio said to him: + +“We'll meet on the mountain side, and I hope we'll catch our game, but +don't you fellows fire into us in the dark.” + +Dick promised and his regiment marched away toward the slope. All were +on foot, of course, and they had received strict instructions to make no +noise. They turned northward, left the camp behind them, and were soon +hidden in the dark. + +Dick was at the head of the column with Colonel Winchester and the +sergeant. Warner and Pennington were further back. The darkness was +heavy in the shadow of the slope and among the bushes, but, looking +backward, Dick clearly saw the camp of General Thomas with its thousands +of men and dozens of fires. Figures passed and repassed before the +flames, and the fused noises of a great camp came from the valley. + +Dick took only a glance or two. His whole attention now was for the +sergeant, who was looking here and there and sniffing the air, like a +great hound seeking the trail. The soldier had melted into the scout, +and Colonel Winchester, knowing him so well, had, in effect, turned the +regiment over to him. + +Dick and other young officers were sent back through the column to see +that they marched without noise. It was not difficult to enforce the +orders, as the men were filled with the ardor of the hunt, and would do +everything to insure its success. When Dick came back to the head of the +column he merely heard the tread of feet and the rustling of uniforms +against the bushes behind them. + +The sergeant led on with unerring skill and instinct. They were rising +fast on the slope, and the great forest received and hid them as if they +were its wild children returned to their home. The foliage was so dense +that Dick caught only flitting glimpses of the camp below, although many +fires were yet burning there. + +The wisdom of putting the regiment into the hands of the sergeant +was now shown. Rising to the trust, he called up all his reserves of +wilderness lore. He listened attentively to the voice of every night +bird, because it might not be real, but instead the imitation call of +man to man. He searched in every opening under the moonlight for traces +of footsteps, which he alone could have seen, and, when at last he found +them, Dick, despite the dusk, saw his figure expand and his eyes flash. +He had been kneeling down examining the imprints and when he arose the +colonel asked: + +“What is it, Whitley?” + +“Men have passed here, sir, and, as they couldn't have been ours, they +were the enemy. The tracks lead south on the slope, and they must have +been going that way to join Slade's command.” + +“Then you think, Sergeant, we should follow this trail?” + +“Undoubtedly, sir, but we must look out for an ambush. These men know +the mountains thoroughly, and if we were to walk into their trap they +might cut us to pieces.” + +“Then we won't walk into it. Lead on, Sergeant. If the enemy is near, I +know that you will find him in time.” + +The sergeant's brown face flushed with pride, but he followed on the +trail without a word and behind him came the whole regiment, implicit +in its trust, and winding without noise like a great coiling serpent +through the forest. + +Dick was a woodsman himself, and he kept close to the sergeant, watching +his methods, and seeking also what he could find. While they lost the +trail now and then, he saw the sergeant recover it in the openings. He +noted, too, that it was increasing in size. Little trails were flowing +into the big one like brooks into a river, and the main course was +uniformly south, but bearing slightly upward on the slope. + +The sergeant stopped at the melancholy cry of an owl, apparently three +or four hundred yards ahead. Both he and Dick raised their heads and +listened for the answer, which they felt sure was ready. The long, +sinister hoot in reply came from a point considerably farther away, but +at about the same height on the slope. + +“They have two forces, sir,” said the sergeant to Colonel Winchester, +“and I think they're about to unite.” + +“As a wilderness fighter, what would you suggest, Sergeant?” + +“To wait here a little and lie hidden in the brush. We're rightly afraid +of an ambush if we go on, then why not make the same danger theirs? I +think it likely that the other force is coming this way. Anyway, we can +tell in a minute or two, 'cause them owls are sure to hoot again. If I'm +right, we can catch 'em napping.” + +“An excellent idea, Sergeant. Ah! there are the signals you predicted!” + +The owl hooted again from the same point directly in front, and then +came the reply of the other, now nearer. The sergeant drew a deep breath +of satisfaction. + +“Yes, sir, I was right,” he said. “Their meeting place is straight in +front. Will you let me slip forward a little through the brush and see?” + +“Go ahead, Sergeant. We need all the information we can get, but don't +walk into any trap yourself, leaving us here without eyes or ears.” + +“Never fear, sir. I won't be caught.” + +Then he disappeared with a suddenness that made the colonel and Dick +gasp. He was with them, and then he was not. But he returned in ten +minutes, and, although Dick could not see it in his face, he was +triumphant. + +“There's a glade not more'n four hundred yards ahead,” he whispered to +the colonel, “and about a hundred and fifty men, armed with long rifles, +are lying down in it waiting for a second force, which I judge from the +cry of the owl will be there inside of five minutes.” + +“Then,” said Colonel Winchester, breathing fast, “we'll wait ten minutes +and attack. It would be a great stroke to wipe out Slade's band. I'm +sorry for those Ohio fellows, but the luck's ours to-night, or I should +say that the sergeant's skill as a trailer has given us the chance.” + +It was soon known along the black, winding line that the enemy was at +hand, and the men were eager to attack, but they were ordered to have +patience for a little while. Their leader wished to destroy Slade's +whole force at one stroke. + +Colonel Winchester took out his watch and held it before him in the +faint moonlight. He would not move until the ten minutes exactly had +passed. Then he closed the watch and gave the signal, but stationed +officers along the line to see that the men made as little noise as +possible. The long black column moved again through the forest and Dick, +full of excitement was at its head with the colonel and the sergeant. + +They reached a slope, crept up it, and then spread out, as they knew +that the valley and the enemy were within rifle shot. Dick, glancing +through the bushes, saw the glitter of steel and caught the murmur of +voices. He knew that their presence was not yet suspected, and he did +not like the idea of firing from ambush upon anybody, but there was no +occasion for testing his scruples, as the advance of so many men created +noise sufficient to reach the alert ears in the glade. + +“Up, men! The enemy!” he heard a voice shout. Colonel Winchester at the +same moment ordered his men to fire and charge with the bayonet. + +A terrible volley was poured into the valley, and it seemed to Dick that +half of Slade's force went down, but as they rushed forward to finish +the task they met a fire that caused many of the Union soldiers to drop. +Slade was evidently a man of ability. Dick saw him springing about and +blowing a little silver whistle, which he knew was a call to rally. + +But the surprise was too sudden and great. The irregulars, fighting +hard, were driven out of the valley and into the woods on the upper side +of the glade. Sheltered in the underbrush, they might have made a +good defense there, but a sudden tremendous cheer arose, and they were +charged in the flank by the Ohio regiment, coming up on the run. + +Spurred by emulation the Winchester men also rushed into the underbrush, +and those of Slade's men who had not fallen quickly threw down their +arms. But they did not catch the leader, nor did they know what had +become of him, until Dick caught sight of a little, weazened figure +under an enormous wide-brimmed hat running with three or four others +along the mountain-side. + +“Slade! Slade!” he cried, pointing, and instantly a score, Dick and the +sergeant among them, were hotfoot after the fugitives. Several shots +were fired, but none hit, and the chase lengthened out. + +Sergeant Whitley exclaimed to Dick: + +“We catch the pack, but if we don't catch the leader there'll be another +pack soon.” + +“Right you are! We must have that little man under the big hat!” + +Dick heard panting breaths, and Warner and Pennington drew up by his +side. + +“Slade's about to escape!” exclaimed Dick. “We must get him!” + +“I'm running my best,” said Warner. “Look out!” Slade suddenly faced +about and fired a heavy pistol. Dick had dropped down at Warner's +warning cry and the bullet sang over his head. The sergeant fired in +return, but the light was too faint, and Slade and the three who were +with him ran on unharmed. + +The pursuit, conducted with such vigor, soon led to the top of the +mountain, and they began the descent of the far side. Several more shots +were fired, but they did no damage, and neither side was able to gain. +Two of the fugitives turned aside into the woods, but the pursuit kept +straight after Slade, and his remaining companion, a slender, youthful +figure. + +“I think we'll get 'em,” panted the sergeant. As he spoke one of the +little mountain rivers so numerous in that region came into view. It was +narrow, but deep, and without hesitating an instant the fugitives sprang +into it and shot down the stream, swimming with all their strength, and +helped by the powerful current. + +Slade was in advance, and he was already disappearing in the shadows on +the far bank, but his comrade, he of the slender figure, was still in +the moonlight, which fell across his face for a moment. A soldier raised +his rifle to fire, but Dick stumbled and fell against him and the bullet +went high in the air. + +The moment had been long enough for Dick to recognize Victor Woodville. +He did not know how he happened to be with Slade, but he did not intend +that he should be shot there in the water, and his impulse was quick +enough to save Victor's life. In another moment the young Mississippian +was gone also in the shadows, and although several of the Union men swam +the river they could discover no trace of either. + +“I'm sorry,” said the sergeant as they walked back to the other side of +the mountain, “that they got away.” + +“Yes,” said Dick, “it was too bad that Slade escaped.” + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. THE RIVER OF DEATH + + +Dick knew that he had saved young Woodville's life, but his conscience +was quite dear. If he had the same chance he would do it over again, but +he was sorry they had not caught Slade. He felt no hostility toward the +regular soldiers of the Confederacy, but he knew there were guerillas on +their side, as well as his own, who would stop at nothing. He remembered +Skelly, who, claiming to be a Union partisan, nevertheless robbed and +even killed those of either party whenever he felt it safe to do so. +Slade was his Southern complement, and he would surely get together a +new force as venomous as the old. + +But Colonel Winchester and the commander of the Ohio regiment were full +of pride in their exploit, as they had a right to be. They had destroyed +a swarm of wasps which had been buzzing and stinging almost beyond +endurance, and they were still prouder when they received the thanks of +General Thomas. + +The corps moved forward the next day, and soon the whole army was united +under Rosecrans. It was a powerful force, about ninety thousand men, the +staunch fighters of the West, veterans of great battles and victories, +and to the young officers it appeared invincible. Their feeling that it +was marching to another triumph was confirmed by the news that Bragg was +retreating. + +Yet the two armies were so close to each other that the Northern +vanguard skirmished with the Southern rearguard as they passed through +the mountains. At one point in a gap of the Cumberland Mountains the +Southerners made a sharp resistance, but they were quickly driven from +their position and the Union mass rolled slowly on. Exultation among the +troops increased. + +“We'll drive Bragg away down into the South against Grant,” said Ohio to +Dick, “and we'll crush him between the two arms of the vise. That will +finish everything in the West.” + +While Dick was exultant, too, he had certain reservations. He had seen +a like confidence carried to disaster in the East, although it did not +seem possible that the result here could be similar. + +“I don't think they'll keep on retreating forever, Ohio,” he said. “All +our supplies are coming from Nashville, and we are getting farther away +from our base every day.” + +But Ohio laughed. + +“Our chief task is to catch Bragg,” he said. “They said he was going +to occupy Chattanooga and wait for us. He's been in Chattanooga, but he +didn't wait for us there. He's left it already and gone on, anxious to +reach the Gulf before winter, I suppose.” + +The Union army in its turn entered Chattanooga, a little town of which +Dick had seldom heard before, although he greatly admired its situation. +The country about it was bold and romantic. It stood in a sharp curve +of the great river, the Tennessee. Not far away was the lofty uplift of +Lookout Mountain, a half-mile high, and there were long ridges between +which creeks or little rivers flowed down to the Tennessee. + +One of these streams was the Chickamauga, which in the language of the +Cherokee Indians who had once owned this region means “the river of +death.” Why they called it so no one knew, but the name was soon to have +a terrible fitness. Chattanooga itself meant in the Cherokee tongue “the +hawk's nest,” and anybody could see the aptness of the term. + +While Lookout Mountain was the loftiest summit, some of the other ridges +rose almost as high, through the gaps of which the Northern army must +pass if it continued the pursuit of Bragg. + +September had now come and the winds were growing crisper in the high +country. The feel of autumn was in the air, and the coolness made the +marching brisker. The division to which Dick belonged was advancing +slowly. He often saw Thomas, and his admiration for the grave, silent +man grew. It was said that Thomas was slow, but that he never made +mistakes. Now the rumor was spreading that he had warned Rosecrans to be +cautious, that Bragg had a powerful army and when he reached favorable +positions, would certainly turn and fight. + +Not many were impressed by these reports. They merely said it was “Pap” + Thomas' way of looking at the dark side of things first. Hadn't they +driven Bragg through the Cumberland Mountains and out of Chattanooga, +and now they would soon be on his heels deep down in Georgia. But Dick, +noticing Colonel Winchester's serious face, surmised that he at least +shared the opinion of his chief. And when the lad looked up at the great +coils and ridges he felt that, in truth, they might go too far. If the +Northern men were veterans, so were the Southern, and neither had taken +much change of the other at Shiloh, Perryville and Stone River. + +The Winchester regiment was thrown forward as the vanguard of the +infantry, and the face of the colonel grew more serious than ever, when +the best scouts rode in with reports that the Southern retreat was now +very slow. There was news, too, that Slade had a new band much larger +than before, and they formed a rear guard of skirmishers which made +every moment of a Northern scout's life a moment of danger. The +Winchester regiment itself was often fired upon from ambush, and there +were vacant places in the ranks. + +Dick did not know whether it was his own intuition or the influence that +flowed from the opinions of Thomas and Winchester, but much of his high +exultation was abated. He regarded the lofty ridges and the deep gaps +with apprehension. It was a difficult country and the Southern leaders +must know that the Northern army was extended over a long line, with +Thomas holding the left. + +His premonitions had ample cause. Bragg as he fell back slowly had +gathered new forces. Rosecrans did not yet know it, but the army before +him was the most powerful that the South ever assembled in the West. +Polk and Cleburne and Breckinridge and Forrest and Fighting Joe Wheeler +and a whole long roll of famous Southern generals were there. Nor had +the vigilant eyes of the Confederacy in the East failed to note the +situation. + +Just as the armies were coming into touch a division of the Army of +Northern Virginia was passing by train over the mountains. It was led +by a thick-bearded, powerful man, no less a general than the renowned +Longstreet, sent to help Bragg. The veterans of the Army of Northern +Virginia would swell Bragg's ranks, and the great army, turning a +sanguine face northward, was eager for Rosecrans to come on. The +Southern force would number more than ninety thousand men, more numerous +than ever before or afterward in the West. + +It was now late in September, the eve of the eighteenth, and Dick +and his comrades lay near the little creek with the rhythmical name, +Chickamauga. It was the very night that a portion of the Army of +Northern Virginia had arrived in Bragg's camp. The preceding days had +been full of detached fighting, and the night had come heavy with omens +and presages. The least intelligent knew now that Bragg had stopped, but +they did not know that Longstreet was to be with him. + +Dick and his comrades sat by a smothered fire, and the vast tangle of +mountains and passes, of valleys and streams looked sinister to them. +There had been skirmishing throughout the day, and as the darkness +closed down they still heard occasional rifle shots on the slopes and +ridges. + +“Don't these mountains make you think of your native Vermont, George?” + asked Dick. + +“In a way, yes,” replied Warner, “but my hills are not bristling with +steel as these are.” + +“No, you New Englanders are fortunate. The war will never be carried on +on your soil. You shed your blood, but, after all, the states that are +trodden under foot by the armies suffer most.” + +“There are lights winking on the mountains again,” said Pennington. + +“Let 'em wink,” said Dick. “Their signals can't amount to much now. We +know that Bragg is before us, and a great battle can't be delayed long. +Fellows, I'm not so sure about the result.” + +“Come! Come, Dick!” said Warner. “It's not often you're downhearted. +What's struck you?” + +“Nothing, George, but, between you and me and the gate post, I wish that +our old 'Pap' Thomas commanded all the army, instead of the left merely. +I've learned a few things to-day. The enemy is spreading out, trying to +enfold us on both wings.” + +“What of it?” + +“It means that they are sanguine of victory, and they want to stand +between us and Chattanooga, so they can cut off our retreat, after we're +beaten, as they think we surely will be. But their main force is not +far from us now, so a scout told me. It's massed heavily along the right +bank of the Chickamauga.” + +“And if there's a battle to-morrow we're likely to receive the first +attack?” + +“Could it come any better than at the place where Thomas stands?” + +They sat long by the fire and Dick could not rest. Shiloh, his capture, +and his knowledge of the secret Southern advance, of which he could give +no warning, came back to him with uncommon vividness. He knew that +no such surprise could occur here, but they seemed to be lost in the +wilderness. The mountains and forests oppressed him. + +“Well, Dick,” said Warner, “we're posted strongly. We've rows of +sentinels as thick as hedges, and I've the colonel's permission to go to +sleep. I'll be slumbering in ten minutes, and I'd advise you to do the +same.” + +He lay on a blanket and soon slept. Pennington followed him to +slumberland, but Dick lingered. He saw lights still flashing on the +mountains, and he heard now and then reports from the rifles of the +skirmishers, who yet sought each other despite the darkness. But he +yielded at last and he, too, slept until the dawn, which should bring +nearly two hundred thousand men face to face in mortal combat. + +Dick was awake early. The September morning came, crisp and clear, the +sun showing red gleams over the mountains. He heard already the sound of +distant rifle shots in front, and, through his glasses, he saw far away +faint puffs of smoke. But it was a familiar sound in this mighty war, +and he found himself singularly calm. He never knew how he was going to +feel on the eve of battle. Sometimes the constriction at his heart was +painful, and sometimes its beat was smooth and regular. + +All the officers of the Winchester regiment were dismounted owing to the +rough nature of the country in which they were stationed. They held the +most uneven part of the center, where thickets and ravines were many. +Hot food and coffee were served to them, and new warmth and courage +flowed through their bodies. + +The distant fire increased, and, standing on a hillock, Dick looked +long through his glasses. A faint haze which had hung in the south was +clearing away. The rays of the sun were intensely bright. The brown +of autumn glowed like gold, and the red splashes here and there burned +scarlet. He saw pink dots appearing on a long line and he knew that the +skirmishers were active and wary. + +“There can be no doubt of the advance!” he said to Warner. “A strong +body of our cavalry disclosed their forward movement, and there are +the skirmishers signaling that Bragg is near. Wonderful fellows, those +sharpshooters! They're the eyes of the army. We stand in mass and fight +together, but every one of them individually takes his life in his own +hands. The firing is coming nearer. I think we'll be attacked first.” + +After a little pause Warner said: + +“I'm sorry our line is extended so much. What if they should cut through +and get behind us?” + +“They'll never do it while General Thomas is here. I believe they called +him 'Old Slow Top' at West Point, but if he's slow in advance he's still +slower in retreat. I'd rather have him commanding us just now than any +other general in the world.” + +“I think you're right, and here he comes! Listen to the cheering!” + +General Thomas rode slowly along his line, inspecting the position +of every regiment and making some changes. He showed no trace of +excitement. The face was calm and the heavy jaw was set firmly. If Grant +was a bulldog Thomas was another. The men knew him. They had seen him +stand like a rock before, and the thrill of confidence and courage which +help so much to win ran through them all. + +Dick saw the general speak to Colonel Winchester and then ride on and +out of sight. All the men in the regiment were lying down, but the +officers walked back and forth in front of the line. It was the especial +pride of the younger ones to appear unconcerned, and some were able to +make a brave pretense. + +But all the while the battle was rolling nearer. It was no longer an +affair of scouting parties. The skirmishers were driven in on either +side and the mighty Southern advance was coming forward in full battle +array. Shells began to shriek and fall among the Northern masses, and +the fire of cannon and rifles mingled in a sinister crash. But the Union +regiments, although not yet replying, remained steady, although the +shower of steel that was beginning to beat upon them found many a mark. +Vast columns of smoke pierced by fire rose in front. + +It seemed to Dick's vivid fancy that the earth was shaking with the +tread of the advancing brigades and the thunder of their artillery. +But he was still able to preserve his air of indifference, although his +heart was now beating hard and fast. Now and then when the smoke eddied +or the banks of it broke apart he raised his glasses and with their +powerful vision saw the long and deep Southern columns advancing, the +field batteries in the intervals pouring a storm of death. + +It was a sinister and terrible sight. The South presented here an army +outnumbering its force at Shiloh two to one, and they were veterans +now, led by veteran commanders. Moreover, they had Longstreet and his +matchless fighters from Lee's army to bear them up. + +“What do you see, Dick?” asked Pennington, his voice distinctly audible +through the steady roar. + +“Johnnies! Johnnies! Johnnies! Thousands and thousands of them and then +many thousands more. They're going to strike full upon us here!” + +“Let 'em come. We're taking root, growing deep into the ground and old +'Pap' Thomas has grown deepest of us all! It'll be impossible to move +us!” + +“I hope so. There go our own cannon, too, and it's a welcome sound! +I can see the gaps smashed in their ranks by our fire, and ah, I see, +too--” + +He stopped short in amazed surprise, and Pennington in wonder asked: + +“What is it you see, Dick?” + +“There's a heavy cavalry force on their flank, and I caught a glimpse +of a man on a great horse leading it. I know him. He's Colonel George +Kenton, father of Harry Kenton, that cousin of mine, of whom I've spoken +to you so often.” + +“And here he comes charging you! But it's happened hundreds and hundreds +of times in this war that relatives have come face to face in battle, +and it'll happen hundreds of times more. Are they within rifle shot, +Dick?” + +“Not yet, but they soon will be.” + +He slung the glasses back over his shoulder. The eye alone was +sufficient now to watch the charging columns. All the artillery on both +sides was coming into action, and the ripping crash of so many cannon +became so great that the officers could no longer hear one another +unless they shouted. The gorges and hills caught up the sound and gave +it back in increased volume. + +Dick heard a new note in the thunder. It was made by the swift beat +of hoofs, thousands of them, and the hair on his neck prickled at the +roots. Forrest and the wild cavalry of the South were charging on their +flanks. He felt a sudden horror lest he be trampled under the hoofs of +horses. By some curious twist of the mind his dread of such a fate was +far more acute at that moment than his fear of shells and bullets. + +Colonel Winchester, shouting imperiously, ordered him and all the +other young officers to step back now and lie down. Dick obeyed, and he +crouched by the side of Warner and Pennington. The great bank of +fire and smoke was rolling nearer and yet nearer, and the cannon were +fighting one another with all the speed and power of the gunners. Off on +the flank the ominous tread of Southern horsemen was coming fast. + +Bullets began now to rain among them. The regiment would have been swept +away bodily had the men not been lying down. But their time to wait and +hold their fire was at an end. The colonel gave the word, and a sheet of +light leaped from the mouths of their rifles. A vast gap appeared in the +Southern line before them, but in a minute or two it closed up, and +the Southern masses came on again, as menacing as ever. Again Dick's +regiment poured its shattering fire upon the Southern columns and their +front lines were blown away. Colonel Winchester at once wheeled his men +into a new position to meet the mass of Forrest's cavalry rushing down +upon their flank. He was just in time to help other troops, not in +numbers enough to withstand the shock. + +There were few moments in the lives of these lads as terrifying as those +when they turned to face the fierce Forrest, the uneducated mountaineer +who had intuitively mastered Napoleon's chief maxim of war, to pour the +greatest force upon the enemy's weakest point. + +The hurricane sweeping down upon them sent a chill to their hearts. Dick +saw a long line of foaming mouths, the lips drawn back from the cruel +white teeth, and manes flying wildly. Above them rose the faces of the +riders, their own eyes bloodshot, their sabers held aloft for the deadly +sweep. And the thunder of galloping hoofs was more menacing than that of +the cannon. + +Dick looked around him and saw faces turning pale. His own might be +whiter than any of theirs for all he knew, but he shouted with the other +officers: + +“Steady! Steady! Now pour it into 'em!” + +It was well that most of the men in the regiment had become +sharpshooters, and that despite the thumping of their hearts, they were +able to stand firm. Their sleet of bullets emptied a hundred saddles, +and slipping in the cartridges they fired again at close range. The +cavalry charge seemed to stop dead in its tracks, and in an instant a +scene of terrible confusion occurred. Wounded horses screaming in pain +rushed wildly back upon their own comrades or through the ranks of the +foe. Injured men, shot from their saddles, were seeking to crawl out of +the way. Whirling eddies of smoke alternately hid and disclosed enemies, +and from both left and right came the continuous and deafening crash of +infantry in battle. + +But Forrest's men paused only a moment or two. A great mass of them +galloped out of the smoke, over the bodies of their dead comrades and +directly into the Winchester regiment, shouting and slashing with their +great sabers. It was well for the men that their leader had so wisely +chosen ground rough and covered with bushes. Using every inch of +protection, they fired at horses and riders and thrust at them with +their bayonets. + +The battle became wild and confused, a turmoil of mingled horse and +foot, of firing and shouting and of glittering swords and bayonets. A +man on a huge horse made a great sweep at Dick's head with a red saber. +The boy dropped to his knees, and felt the broad blade whistle where his +head had been. + +The swordsman was borne on by the impetus of his horse, and Dick caught +one horrified glimpse of his face. It was Colonel Kenton, but Dick knew +that he did not know, nor did he ever know. It was never in the lad's +heart to tell his uncle how near he had come unwittingly to shearing off +the head of his own nephew. + +The charge of the cavalrymen carried them clear through the Winchester +regiment, but a regiment coming up to the relief drove them back, and +the great mass turning aside a little attacked anew and elsewhere. A +few moments of rest were permitted Dick and his comrades, although the +mighty battle wheeled and thundered all about them. + +But their regiment was a melancholy sight. A third of its numbers were +killed or wounded. The ground was torn and trampled, as if it had been +swept by a hurricane of wind and red rain. Dick had one slight wound +on his shoulder and another on his arm, but he did not feel them. +Pennington and Warner both had scratches, but the colonel was unharmed. + +“My God,” exclaimed Warner, “how did we happen to survive it!” + +“I live to boast that I've been ridden over by old Forrest himself,” + said Pennington. + +“How do you know it was Forrest?” + +“Because his horse was eight feet high and his sword was ten feet long. +He slashed at me with it a hundred times. I counted the strokes.” + +Then Pennington stopped and laughed hysterically, Dick seized him by the +arm and shook him roughly. + +“Stop it, Frank! Stop it!” he cried. “You're yourself, and you're all +right!” + +Pennington shook his body, brushed his hands over his eyes and said: + +“Thanks, Dick, old man; you've brought me back to myself.” + +“Get ready!” exclaimed Warner. “The cavalry have sheered off, but the +infantry are coming, a million strong! I can hear their tread shaking +the earth!” + +The broken regiment reloaded, drew its lines together and faced the +enemy anew. It seemed to their bloodshot eyes that the whole Southern +army was bearing down upon them. The Southern generals, skillful and +daring, were resolved to break through the Northern left, and the attack +attained all the violence of a convulsion. + +The great Southern line, blazing with fire and steel, advanced, never +stopping for a moment, while the fire of their cannon beat incessantly +upon the devoted brigades. It was well for the Northern army, well for +the Union that here was the Rock of Chickamauga. Amid all the terrible +uproar and the yet more terrible danger, Thomas never lost his courage +and presence of mind for a moment. Dick saw him more than once, and he +knew how he doubly and triply earned the famous name which that day and +the next were to give him. + +But the weight was so tremendous that they began to give ground. They +went back slowly, but they went back. Dick felt as if the whole weight +were pressing upon his own chest, and when he tried to shout no words +would come. + +Back they went, inch by inch, leaving the ground covered with their +dead. Dick was conscious only of a vast roar and shouting and the +continuous blaze of cannon and rifles in his very face. But he +understood the immensity of the crisis. By a huge victory in the West +the Confederacy would redress the loss of Gettysburg in the East. And +now it seemed that they were gaining it. For the first and only time in +the war they had the larger numbers in a great battle, and the ground +was of their own choosing. + +Elated over success gained and greater success hoped, the Southern +leaders poured their troops continually upon Thomas. If they could break +that wing, cut it off in fact, and rush in at the gap, they would be +between Rosecrans and Chattanooga and the Northern army would be doomed. +They made gigantic efforts. The cavalry charged again and again. Huge +masses of infantry hurled themselves upon the brigades of Thomas, and +every gun that could be brought into action poured shot and shell into +his lines. + +Many of the young as well as the old officers in Thomas' corps felt the +terrible nature of the crisis. Dick knew despite the hideous turmoil +that Thomas was the chief target of the Southern army. He divined that +the fortunes of the Union were swinging in the balance there among those +Tennessee hills and valleys. If Thomas were shattered the turn of Grant +farther south would come next. Vicksburg would have been won in vain and +the Union would be broken in the West. + +Order and cohesion were lost among many of the regiments, but the men +stood firm. The superb, democratic soldier fought for himself and he, +too, understood the crisis. They re-formed without orders and fought +continuously against overwhelming might. Ground and guns were lost, +but they made their enemy pay high for everything, and the slow retreat +never became a panic. + +“We're going back,” shouted Warner in Dick's ear. “Yes, we're going +back, but we'll come forward again. They'll never crush the old man.” + +Yet the pressure upon them never ceased. Bragg and his staff had the +right idea. Had anyone but Thomas stood before them they would have +shattered the Union left long since, but his slow, calm mind rose to its +greatest heights in the greatest danger. He understood everything and +he was resolved that his wing should not be broken. Wherever the line +seemed weakest he thrust in a veteran regiment, and he went quickly back +and forth, observing with a measuring eye every shift and change of the +battle. + +The Winchester regiment in its new position was still among the gullies +and bushes, and they were thankful for such shelter. Although veterans +now, most were lads, and they did not scorn to take cover whenever they +could. For a little while they did not reply to the enemy's fire, but +lay waiting and seeking to get back the breath which seemed to be driven +from their bodies by the very violence of the concussion. Shrapnel, +grape and canister whistled incessantly over their heads, and on either +flank the thunder of the battle swelled rapidly. + +The Southern attack was spreading along the whole front, and it was made +with unexampled vigor. It even excelled the fiery rush at Stone River, +and the generals on both sides were largely the same that had fought the +earlier great battle. Polk, the bishop-general, still led one wing for +the South, Buckner massed Kentuckians who faced Kentuckians on the other +side, and Longstreet and Hill were to play their great part for the +South. Resolved to win a victory, the veteran generals spared nothing, +and the little Chickamauga, so singularly named by the Indians “the +river of death,” was running red. + +Dick crouched lower as the storm of shells swept over him. Despite all +his experience impulse made him bow his head while the whistling death +passed by. He felt a little shame that he, an officer, should seek +protection, but when he stole a look he saw that all the others, Colonel +Winchester included, were doing the same. Sergeant Whitley had sunk down +the lowest of them all, and, catching Dick's glance, he said in clear, +low tones audible under the storm: + +“Pardon me for saying it to you, an officer, Mr. Mason, but it's +our business not to get killed when it's not needed, so we can save +ourselves to be killed when it is needed.” + +“I suppose you're right, Sergeant. At any rate I'm glad enough to keep +under cover, but do you see anything in those woods over there? We're on +the extreme left flank here, and maybe they're trying to overlap us.” + +“I think I do. Men with rifles are in there. I'll speak to the colonel.” + +He crawled to Colonel Winchester, who was crouched a dozen feet away, +and pointed to the wood, or rather thicket of scrub. But Dick meanwhile +saw increasing numbers of men there. They were beyond the line of battle +and were not obscured by the clouds of smoke. As he stared he saw a +weazened figure under an enormous, broad-brimmed hat, and, although he +could not discern the face at the distance, he knew that it was Slade, +come with a new and perhaps larger body of riflemen to burn away the +extreme left flank of the Union force. + +As the colonel and the sergeant crawled back Dick told them what he had +seen, and they recognized at once the imminence of the danger. Colonel +Winchester looked at the great columns of fire and smoke in front of +him. He did not know when the main attack would sweep down upon them +again, but he took his resolution at once. + +He ordered his men to wheel about, and, using Slade's own tactics, to +creep forward with their rifles. Most of his men were sharpshooters and +he felt that they would be a match for those whom the guerrilla led. +Sergeant Whitley kept by his side, and out of a vast experience in +border warfare advised him. + +Dick, Warner and Pennington armed themselves with rifles of the fallen, +and they felt fierce thrills of joy as they crept forward. Burning with +the battle fever, and enraged against this man Slade, Dick put all his +soul in the man-hunt. He merely hoped that Victor Woodville was not +there. He would fire willingly at any of the rest. + +Before they had gone far Slade and his riflemen began to fire. Bullets +pattered all about them, clipping twigs and leaves and striking sparks +from stones. + +Had the fire been unexpected it would have done deadly damage, but all +of the Winchesters, as they liked to call themselves, had kept under +cover, and were advancing Indian fashion. And now a consuming rage +seized them all. They felt as if an advantage had been taken of them. +While they were fighting a great battle in front a sly foe sought to +ambush them. They did not hate the Southern army which charged directly +upon them, but they did hate this band of sharpshooters which had +come creeping through the woods to pick them off, and they hated them +collectively and individually. + +It was Dick's single and fierce desire at that moment to catch sight +of Slade, whom he would shoot without hesitation if the chance came. +He looked for him continually as he crept from bush to bush, and he +withheld his fire until fortune might bring into his view the flaps of +that enormous hat. The whole vast battle of Chickamauga passed from his +mind. He was concentrated, heart and soul, upon this affair of outposts +in the thickets. + +Men around him were firing, and the bullets in return were knocking up +the leaves about him, but Dick's finger did not yet press the trigger. +The great hat was still hidden from view, but he heard Slade's whistle +calling to his men. Sergeant Whitley was by the lad's side, and he +glanced at him now and then. The wise sergeant read the youth's face, +and he knew that he was upon a quest, a deadly one. + +“Is it Slade you're looking for, Mr. Mason?” he asked. + +“Yes, I want him!” + +“Well, if we see him, and you miss him, I think I'll take a shot at him +myself.” + +But Slade, crafty and cunning, kept himself well hidden. The two bands +fighting this Indian combat, while the great battle raged so near them, +were now very near to each other, but as they had both thickets and a +rocky outcrop for refuge, they fought from hiding. Nevertheless many +fell. Dick, the ferocity of the man-hunt continuing to burn his brain, +sought everywhere for Slade. Often he heard his silver whistle directing +his troop, but the man himself remained invisible. In his eagerness the +lad rose too high, but the sergeant pulled him down in time, a bullet +whistling a second later through the air where his head had been. + +“Careful, Mr. Mason! Careful!” said Sergeant Whitley. “It won't do you +much good for one of his men to get you while you are trying to get +him!” + +Dick became more cautious. At last he caught a glimpse of the great hat +that he could not mistake, and, aiming very carefully, he fired. Then he +uttered an angry cry. He had missed, and when the sergeant was ready to +pull the trigger also Slade was gone. + +Now, the colonel called to his men, and rising they charged into the +wood. It was evidently no part of Slade's plan to risk destruction as he +blew a long high call on his whistle, and then he and all his men save +the dead melted away like shadows. The Winchesters stood among the +trees, gasping and staunching their wounds, but victorious. + +Now they had only a few moments for rest. Bugles called and they rushed +back to their old position just as the Southern cavalry, sabers circling +aloft swept down upon them again. They went once more through that +terrible turmoil of fire and flashing steel, and a second time the +Winchesters were victorious. But they could have stood no more, and +Thomas watching everything hurried to their relief a regiment, which +formed up before them to give them breathing time. + +The young soldiers threw themselves panting upon the ground, and were +assailed by a burning thirst. The canteens were soon emptied, and still +their lips and throats were parched. Exhausted by their tremendous +exertions, many of them sank into a stupor, although the battle was at +its zenith and the earth shook with the crash of the heavy batteries. + +“General Thomas has had news that we're driven in elsewhere,” said Dick. + +“And we've yielded ground here, too,” said Warner. + +“But so slowly that it's been only a glacial movement. We've made 'em +pay such a high price that I think old 'Pap' can boast he has held his +ground.” + +Dick did not know it then nor did the general himself, but 'Pap' Thomas +could boast of far more than having held his ground. His long and +stubborn resistance, his skill in moving his troops from point to point +at the right time, his coolness and judgment in weighing and measuring +everything right, in all the vast turmoil, confusion and uncertainty of +a great battle, had saved the Northern army from destruction. + +Now, as the Winchester men lay gasping behind the fresh regiment, +Thomas, who continually passed along the line of battle, came among +them. He was a soldier's soldier, a soldier's general, and he spoke +encouraging words, most of which they could not hear amid the roar of +the battle, but his calm face told their import, and fresh courage came +into their hearts. + +The news spread gradually that Thomas only was holding fast, but now his +men instead of being discouraged were filled with pride. It was they and +they alone whom the Southerners could not overwhelm, and Thomas and his +generals inspired them with the belief that they were invincible. Charge +after charge broke against them. More ground was yielded, but at the +same immense price, and the corps, sullen, indomitable, maintained its +order, always presenting a front to the foe, blazing with death. + +Thomas stood all day, while the Southern masses, flushed by victory +everywhere else, pressed harder. Terrible reports of defeat and +destruction came to him continually, but he did not flinch. He turned +the same calm face to everything, and said to the generals that whatever +happened they would keep their own front unbroken. + +The day closed with the men of Thomas still grim and defiant. The dead +lay in heaps along their front, but as the darkness settled down on the +unfinished battle they meant to fight with equal valor and tenacity on +the morrow. The first day had favored the South, had favored it largely, +but on the Union left hope still flamed high. + +Darkness swept over the sanguinary field. A cold wind of autumn blew off +the hills and mountains, and the men shivered as they lay on the ground, +but Thomas allowed no fires to be lighted. Food was brought in the +darkness, and those who could find them wrapped themselves in blankets. +Between the two armies lay the hecatombs of dead and the thousands of +wounded. + +Dick, his comrades and the rest of the regiment sat together in a +little open space behind a thicket. It was to be their position for +the fighting next day. Thomas, passing by, had merely given them an +approving look, and then had gone on to re-form his lines elsewhere. +Dick knew that all through the night he would be conferring with his +commander, Rosecrans, McCook and the others, and he knew, too, that +many of the Union soldiers would be at work, fortifying, throwing up +earthworks, and cutting down trees for abattis. He heard already the +ring of the axes. + +But the Winchester men rested for the present. Nature had made their own +position strong with a low hill, and a thicket in front. They lay upon +the ground, sheltering themselves from the cold wind, which cut through +bodies relaxed and almost bloodless after such vast physical exertions +and excitement so tremendous. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + + +Dick, after eating the cold food which was served to him, sank into a +state which was neither sleep nor stupor. It was a mystic region between +the conscious and the unconscious, in which all things were out of +proportion, and some abnormal. + +He saw before him a vast stretch of dead blackness which he knew +nevertheless was peopled by armed hosts ready to spring upon them at +dawn. The darkness and silence were more oppressive than sound and +light, even made by foes, would have been. It numbed him to think there +was so little of stirring life, where nearly two hundred thousand men +had fought. + +Then a voice arose that made him shiver. But it was only the cold wind +from the mountains whistling a dirge. Nevertheless it seemed human to +Dick. It was at once a lament and a rebuke. He edged over a little and +touched Warner. + +“Is that you, Dick?” asked the Vermonter. + +“What's left of me. I've one or two wounds, mere scratches, George, but +I feel all pumped out. I'm like one of those empty wine-skins that you +read about, empty, all dried up, and ready to be thrown away.” + +“Something of the same feeling myself, Dick. I'm empty and dried up, +too, but I'm not ready to be thrown away. Nor are you. We'll fill up in +the night. Our hearts will pump all our veins full of blood again, +and we'll be ready to go out in the morning, and try once more to get +killed.” + +“I don't see how you and Pennington and I, all three of us, came out of +it alive to-day.” + +“That question is bothering me, too, Dick. A million bullets were fired +at each of us, not to count thousands of pieces of shell, shrapnel, +canister, grape, and slashes of swords. Take any ratio of percentage +you please and something should have got us. According to every rule of +algebra, not more than one of us three should be alive now. Yet here we +are.” + +“Maybe your algebra is wrong?” + +“Impossible. Algebra is the most exact of all sciences. It does not +admit of error. Both by algebra and by the immutable law of averages at +least two of us are dead.” + +“But we don't know which two.” + +“That's true. Nevertheless it's certain that those two, whoever they may +be, are here on borrowed time. What do your wounds amount to, Dick?” + +“Nothing, I had forgotten 'em. I've lost a little blood, but what does +it amount to on a day like this, when blood is shed in rivers?” + +“That's true. My own skin has been broken, but just barely, four times +by bullets. I've a notion that those bullets were coming straight for +some vital part of me, but seeing who it was, and knowing that such a +noble character ought not to be slain, they turned aside as quickly as +possible, but not so quickly that they could avoid grazing my skin.” + +Dick and Pennington laughed. Warner's fooling amused them and relieved +the painful tension of their minds. + +“But, George,” said Pennington, “suppose one of the bullets failed to +turn aside and killed you. What could we say then for you?” + +“That it was a silly, ignorant bullet not knowing whence it came, or +where it was going. Ah, there's light in the darkness! Look across the +hill and see that shining flame!” + +Dick rose and then the three walked to the brow of the hill, where +Colonel Winchester stood, using his glasses as well as he could in the +dusk. + +“It's the pine forest on fire in places,” he said. “The shells did it, +and it's been burning for some time, spreading until it has now come +into our own sight.” + +But they were detached fires, and they did not fuse into a general mass +at any time. Clumps of trees burnt steadily like vast torches and sent +up high flames. Bands of men from either side worked silently, removing +as many of the wounded as they could. It was a spontaneous movement, as +happened so often in this war, and Dick and his comrades took a part in +it. + +North and South met in friendliness in the darkness or by the light of +the burning pines, and talked freely as they lifted up their wounded. +Dick asked often about Colonel Kenton, meeting at last some Kentuckians, +who told him that the colonel had gone through the day without a wound, +and was with Buckner. Then Dick asked if any Mississippians were along +the line. + +“What do you want with 'em?” asked a long, lank man with a bilious +yellow face. + +“I've got a friend among 'em. Woodville is his name, and he's about my +own age.” + +“I've heard of the Woodvilles. Big an' rich family in Missip. 'Roun' +Vicksburg and Jackson mostly. I'm from the Yazoo valley myself, an' if +I hear of the young fellow I'll send him down this way. But I can't stay +out long, 'cause it'll soon be time for me to have my chill. Comes every +other night reg'lar. But I'll be all right for battle to-morrow, when +we lick you Yankees out of the other boot, having licked you out of one +to-day.” + +“All right, old Yazoo,” laughed Dick. “Go on and have your chill, but if +you see Woodville tell him Mason is waiting down here by the wood.” + +“I'll shorely do it, if the chill don't git me fust,” said the yellow +Mississippian as he strolled away, and Dick knew that he would keep his +word. + +The lad lingered at the spot where he had met the man, hoping that by +some lucky chance Woodville might come, and fortune gave him his wish. A +slender figure emerged from the dark, and a voice called softly: + +“Is that you, Mason?” + +“Nobody else,” replied Dick gladly, stepping forward and offering his +hand, which young Woodville shook warmly. “I was hoping that I might +meet you, and I see, too, that you can't be hurt much, if at all.” + +“I haven't been touched. It's my lucky day, I suppose.” + +“Where's your uncle? I hope he's in some safe place, recovering from his +wound.” + +Victor Woodville laughed softly. + +“Uncle Charles is recovering from his wound perhaps faster than you +hope,” he said, “but he's not in a safe place. Far from it.” + +“I don't understand.” + +“His wound is so much better that he can walk, though with a hop, and +he's right here in the thick of this battle, leading his own Mississippi +regiment. His horse was killed under him early this morning, and he's +fought all day on foot, swearing in the strange and melodious fashion +that you know. It's hop! swear! hop! swear! in beautiful alternation!” + +“Good old colonel!” + +“That's what he is, and he's also one of the bravest men that ever +lived, if he is my uncle. His regiment did prodigies to-day and they'll +do greater prodigies to-morrow. The Woodvilles are well represented +here. My father is present, leading his regiment, and there are a dozen +Woodville cousins of mine whom you've never met.” + +“And I hope I won't meet 'em on this field. What about your aunt?” + +“She's well, and in a safe place.” + +“I'm glad of that. Now, tell me, Victor, how did you happen to be +with Slade on that raid? Of course it's no business of mine, but I was +surprised.” + +“I don't mind answering. I suppose it was a taste for adventure, and a +desire to serve our cause. After I got up the bank and climbed into the +bushes, I looked back, and I think, Mason, that you may have saved me +from a bullet. I don't know, but I think so.” + +Dick said nothing, but despite the dusk Woodville read the truth in his +eyes. + +“I shan't forget,” said the young Mississippian as he moved away. + +Dick turned back to his own group. They had noticed him talking to +the lad in gray, but they paid no attention, nor thought it anything +unusual. It was common enough in the great battles of the American civil +war, most of which lasted more than one day, for the opposing soldiers +to become friendly in the nights between. + +“I think, sir,” said Sergeant Whitley, “that we won't be able to get any +more of our wounded to-night. Now, pardon me for saying it, Lieutenant, +but we ought to have some rest, because when day comes there's going +to be the most awful attack you ever saw. Some of our spies say that +Longstreet and the last of the Virginians did not come until night or +nearly night and that Longstreet himself will lead the attack on us.” + +“Do you think, Sergeant, that it will be made first on our own corps?” + +“I don't know, Mr. Mason. We've stood firmest, and them rebel generals +are no fools. They'll crash in where we've shown the most weakness.” + +The sergeant walked on, carrying the corner of a litter. Warner, who had +stood by, whispered to Dick: + +“There goes a general, but he'll never have the title. He's got a +general's head on his shoulders, and he thinks and talks like a general, +but he hasn't any education, and men with much poorer brains go past +him. Let it be a lesson to you, Dick, my son. After this war, go to +school, and learn something.” + +“Good advice, George, and I'll take it,” laughed Dick. “But he isn't so +badly off. I wonder if those fires in the pine forest are going to burn +all night?” + +“Several of 'em will. The big one on our left will be blazing when +day comes, and I'm glad of it since no wounded are now in its way. The +night's cold. That's a sharp and searching wind, and the sight of flames +makes one feel warm even if they are far away.” + +It would not be long until day now, and the axes ceased to ring in the +forest. A long and formidable line of abattis had been made, but the men +were compelled to seek some rest. Despite the cold they suffered from a +burning thirst, and they could reach no water, not even the red +stream of the Chickamauga. Dick suffered like the rest, but he was +philosophical. + +“I fancy that after sunrise we won't have time to think about water,” he +said. + +But Dick was not destined to sleep. He lay down for a while, and he saw +hundreds of others around him lying motionless as if dead. Warner and +Pennington were among them, but he could not close his own eyes. His +brain was still hot and excited, and to calm himself if possible he +walked along the slope until he saw a faint light in the valley behind +it. A tall figure, which he recognized as that of Colonel Winchester, +was going toward the light. + +Dick, being on such good terms with his colonel, would have followed +him, but when he came to the edge of the glade he drew back. General +Thomas was sitting on the huge, upthrust root of an oak, and he was +writing dispatches by the light of a flickering candle held by an aide. +Officers of high rank, one of whom Dick recognized as the young general, +Garfield, stood around him. Colonel Winchester joined the group, and +stood waiting in silence to receive orders, too, Dick supposed. + +The lad withdrew hastily, but driven by an overmastering curiosity, +and knowing that he was doing no harm, he turned back and watched for a +little space beside a bush. + +The flame of the candle wavered under the wind, and sometimes the light +shone full upon the face of Thomas. It was the same face that Dick had +first beheld when he carried the dispatches to him in Kentucky. He was +calm, inscrutable at this, the most desperate crisis the Union cause +ever knew in the west. Dick could not see that his hand trembled a +particle as he wrote, although lieutenant and general alike knew that +they would soon be attacked by a superior force, flushed with all the +high enthusiasm of victory. And lieutenant and general alike also knew +that their supreme commander, Rosecrans, was no genius like Lee or +Jackson, who could set numbers at naught, and choose time and place to +suit themselves. Only stubborn courage to fight and die could avail. + +But Dick drew courage from the strong, thick figure sitting there so +impassively and apparently impervious to alarm. When he quit writing +and began to give verbal orders, he spoke in even tones, in which no +one could detect a trace of excitement. When the name, “The Rock of +Chickamauga,” became general, Dick remembered that night and knew how +well it was deserved. + +Thomas gave his last order and his generals went to their commands. Dick +slipped back to his regiment, and lay down, but again could not sleep. + +He waited in painful anxiety for the day. He had never before been +in such a highly nervous state, not at Shiloh, nor Stone River, nor +anywhere else. In those battles the chances were with the Union, but +here they were against it. He recognized that once more, save for +Thomas, the North had been outgeneraled. The army of Rosecrans had +marched from Chattanooga directly upon the positions chosen by Bragg, +where he was awaiting them with superior numbers. And the Confederate +government in the East had been quick enough to seize the opportunity +and quick enough to send the stalwart fighter, Longstreet, and his corps +to help close down the trap. + +He wondered with many a painful throbbing of the heart what the dawn +would bring, and, unable to keep still any longer, he rose and went to +the brow of the low hill, behind which they lay. Colonel Winchester was +there walking through the scrub and trying to pick out something in +the opposing forest with his glasses. The cold wind still blew from +the mountains, and there were three high but distant torches, where the +clumps of pines still burned. + +“Restless, Dick?” said the Colonel. “Well, so am I.” + +“We have cause to be so, sir.” + +“So we have, my lad. We thought the danger to the Union had passed with +Vicksburg and Gettysburg, but the day so soon to come may shatter all +our hopes. They must have a hundred thousand men out there, and they've +chosen time and place. What's more, they've succeeded so far. I don't +hesitate to talk to you in this way, Dick, but you mustn't repeat what I +say.” + +“I shouldn't dream of doing so, sir.” + +“I know you would not, but General Thomas apprehends a tremendous and +terrible attack. Whatever happens, we have not long to wait for it. I +think I feel the touch of the dawn in the wind.” + +“It's coming, sir. I can see a faint tinge of gray in that cleft between +the hills toward the east.” + +“You have a good eye, Dick. I see it now, too. It's growing and +turning to the color of silver. But I think we'll have time to get our +breakfasts. General Thomas does not believe the first attack will be +made upon our wing.” + +The wind was freshening, as if it brought the dawn upon its edge. +The night had been uncommonly cold for the time of the year in that +latitude, and there was no sun yet to give warmth. But the men of Thomas +were being awakened, and, as no fires were allowed, cold food was served +to them. + +“What's happened, Dick, while I was asleep?” asked Pennington. + +“Nothing. The two armies are ready, and I think to-day will decide it.” + +“I hope so. Two days are enough for any battle.” + +Pennington's tone was jocular, but his words were not. His face was +grave as he regarded the opposing forest. He had the feeling of youth +that others might be killed, but not he. Nevertheless he was already +mourning many a good comrade who would be lost before the night came +again. + +“There are the wasps!” said Warner, bending a listening ear. “You can +always hear them as they begin to sting. I wonder if skirmishers ever +sleep?” + +The shots were on the right, but they came from points far away. In +front of them the forest and hills were silent. + +“It's just as General Thomas thought,” said Dick. “The main volume of +their attack will be on our right and center. They know that Thomas +stands here and that he's a mighty rock, hard to move. They expect to +shatter all the rest of the line, and then whirl and annihilate us.” + +“Let 'em come!” exclaimed Warner, with heightening color. “Who's +afraid?” + +The dawn was spreading. The heavy mists that hung over the Chickamauga +floated away. All the east was silver, and the darkness rolled back like +a blanket. The west became silver in its turn, and the sun burned red +fire in the east. The wind still blew fresh and cool off the mountains. +The faint sound of trumpets came from far points on the Southern line. +The crackling fire of the skirmishers increased. + +“It's a wait for us,” said Colonel Winchester, standing amid his +youthful staff. “I can see them advancing in great columns against our +right and center. Now their artillery opens!” + +Dick put up his glasses and he, too, saw the mighty Southern army +advancing. Their guns were already clearing the way for the advance, +and the valleys echoed with the great concussion. Longstreet and Hill, +anxious to show what the veterans of the East could do, were pouring +them forward alive with all the fire and courage that had distinguished +them in the Army of Northern Virginia. + +The battle swelled fast. It seemed to the waiting veterans of Thomas +that it had burst forth suddenly like a volcano. They saw the vast +clouds of smoke gather again off there where their comrades stood, and, +knowing the immense weight about to be hurled upon them, they feared for +those men who had fought so often by their side. + +Yet Thomas had been confident that the first attack would be made upon +his own part of the line, that Bragg with an overwhelming force would +seek to roll up his left. Nor had he reckoned wrong. The lingering of +the bishop-general, Polk, over a late breakfast saved him from the first +shock, and upset the plans of the Southern commander, who had given him +strict orders to advance. + +Dawn was long past, and to Bragg's great astonishment Polk had not +moved. It seems incredible that the fate of great events can turn upon +such trifles, and yet one wonders what would have happened had not Polk +eaten breakfast so late the morning of the second day of Chickamauga. +But when he did advance he attacked with the energy and vigor of +those great churchmen of the Middle Ages, who were at once princes and +warriors, leading their hosts to battle. + +Portions of the men of Thomas were now coming into the combat, but the +Winchesters were not yet engaged. They were lying down just behind the +crest of their low hill and many murmurs were running through the ranks. +It was the hardest of all things to wait, while shells now and then +struck among them. They saw to their right the vast volume of fire and +smoke, while the roaring of the cannon and rifles was like the continued +sweep of a storm. + +The youthful soldier may be nervous and excited, or he may be calm. This +was one of Dick's calm moments, and, while he watched and listened and +tried to measure all that he saw and heard, he noted that the crash of +the battle was moving slowly backward. He knew then that the Southern +advance was succeeding, succeeding so far at least. He was quite sure +now that the attack upon Thomas would be made soon and that it would +come with the greatest violence. + +He rose and rejoined Colonel Winchester again, and the two looked with +awe at the gigantic combat, raging in a vast canopy of smoke, rent +continuously by flashes of fire. Dick observed that the colonel was +depressed and he knew the reason. + +“Our men are being driven back,” he said. + +“So they are,” said the colonel, “and I fear that there is confusion +among them, too.” + +“But we'll hold fast here as we did yesterday!” + +“I hope so. Yes, I know so, Dick. I've seen General Thomas twice this +morning, and I know that this corps will never be routed. He's made up +his mind to hold on or die. He's the Rock of Chickamauga.” + +It was a name that Dick was to hear often afterward, and he repeated +under his breath: “The Rock of Chickamauga! The Rock of Chickamauga!” It +rolled resoundingly off the tongue, and he liked it. + +Then came a beat of hoofs and a cavalry regiment galloped into open +ground beside them. It was Colonel Hertford's, numbering about three +hundred men, some of whom were wounded. Their leader was excited, and, +springing to the ground, he ran to Colonel Winchester. The two talked in +quick, short sentences. + +“Colonel,” exclaimed Hertford, “we've just had a sharp brush with that +demon, Forrest, and we've left some good men back there. But I've come +both to help and to warn you. We're being driven back everywhere else, +and now they're gathering an immense mass of troops for a gigantic +attack on Thomas!” + +Dick heard and his breath came fast. Colonel Hertford would bring +no false news, and he could see with his own eyes that the storm was +curving toward them. The two men hurried to Thomas, but in a few minutes +returned. Colonel Hertford sprang into the saddle and formed his cavalry +on the flank as a screen against the dreaded sweep of Forrest. + +There was a lull for a moment in the tremendous uproar, and, Colonel +Winchester walking back and forth before his men, spoke to them briefly. +He was erect, pale and handsome, and his words came without a quiver. +Dick had never admired him more. + +“Men,” he said, “you have never been beaten in battle, but your greatest +test is now at hand. Within a few minutes you will be attacked by a +force outnumbering you more than two to one. But these are the odds we +love. We would not have them less. I tell you, speaking as a man to men +who understand and fear not, that the fate of the day may rest with you. +Many gallant comrades of ours have gone already to the far shore, and +if we must go, too, to-day, let our journey be not less gallant than +theirs. We can die but once, and if we must die, let us die here where +we can serve our country most.” + +His manner was quiet, but his words were thrilling, and the men of the +regiment, springing to their feet, uttered a deep, full-throated cheer. +Then sinking down again at the motion of his hand, they turned their +faces to the enemy. The time had come. + +The vast Southern front rushed from the wood, and the gray horsemen of +Forrest, careless of death, swept down. It was a terrifying sight, +that army coming on amid the thunder and lightning of battle, tens of +thousands of rifle muzzles, tens of thousands of fierce brown faces +showing through the smoke, and the tremendous battle yell of the South +swelling over everything. + +Dick felt a quiver, and then his body stiffened, as if it were about to +receive a physical shock. The whole regiment fired as one man, and a gap +appeared in the charging Southern column. Hertford and his horse +charged upon the hostile cavalry, and all the brigades of Thomas met the +Southern attack with a fire so heavy and deadly that the army of Bragg +reeled back. + +Then ensued the most tremendous scene through which Dick had yet passed. +The Southern army came again. Bragg, Breckinridge, Buckner, Longstreet, +Hill, Cleburne and the others urged on the attacks. They had been +victors everywhere else and they knew that they must drive back Thomas +or the triumph would not be complete. They struck and spared not, least +of all their own men. They poured them, Kentuckians, Tennesseeans, +Georgians, Mississippians and all the rest upon Thomas without regard to +life. + +Kentuckians on the opposing sides met once again face to face. Dick did +not know it then, but a regiment drawn from neighboring counties charged +the Winchesters thrice and left their dead almost at his feet. He had +little time to notice or measure anything amid the awful din and the +continued shock of battle in which thousands of men were falling. + +The clouds of smoke enveloped them at times, and at other times floated +away. New clumps of pines, set on fire by the shells, burned brightly +like torches, lighting the way to death. Smoke, thick with the odors of +burned gunpowder clogged eye, nose and throat. Dick and the lads around +him gasped for breath, but they fired so fast into the dense Southern +masses that their rifle barrels grew hot to the touch. + +The South was making her supreme effort. Her western sons were +performing prodigies of valor, and Longstreet and the Virginians were +fighting with all the courage that had distinguished them in the East. + +But however violent the charge, and however tremendous the fire of +cannon and rifles, the Rock of Chickamauga merely sank deeper in the +soil, and nothing could drive him from his base. The Union dead heaped +up, regiments were shattered by the Southern fire, but Thomas, calm, +and, inspiring courage as on the day before, passed here and there, +strengthening the weak points, and sending many great guns to the crest +of Missionary Ridge, whence they swept the front of the enemy with a +devastating fire. + +The hail of death from the heights enabled the infantry and cavalry +below to gather breath and strength for the new attacks of the enemy. +They knew, too, that their cannon were now giving them more help than +before, and defiant cheers swept along the line in answer to the mighty +battle cry of the South. The Rock of Chickamauga had not moved a foot. + +Dick caught gleams of the sun through the smoky canopy, but he did not +know how far the day had advanced. He seemed to have been in battle +many hours, but in such moments one had little knowledge of time. He was +aware that the battle had been lost in the center and on the right, but +he had sublime faith in Thomas. The left would stand, and while it stood +the South could win but a barren triumph. + +The peril was imminent and deadly. A strong Southern force, having cut +through another portion of the line, was endeavoring to take Thomas +on the flank. Rosecrans, seeing the danger and almost in despair, sent +Thomas orders which his stern lieutenant fortunately could not obey. The +rock did not move. + +Bragg, an able leader, increased the attack upon Thomas. His generals +gathered around him, and seconded his efforts. Their view was better +than that of the Union commanders, and they knew it was vital to them +to move the rock from their path. Brigades, already victorious on other +parts of the field, came up, and were hurled, shouting their triumphant +battle cry against Thomas, only to be hurled back again. + +The resolution of the defenders increased with their success. A sort of +fever seized upon them all. Death had become a little thing, or it was +forgotten. The blood in their veins was fire, and, transported out of +themselves, they rained shells and bullets upon men whom in their calm +moments they did not hate at all. + +Dick's regiment had suffered with the rest, but Pennington and Warner +and the colonel were alive, and he caught a few glimpses of Hertford +with his gallant horsemen beating back every attack upon their flank. +But nothing stood out with sharp precision. The whole was a huge turmoil +of fire, smoke, confusion and death. The weight upon them seemed at +last to become overwhelming. In spite of courage the most heroic, and +dreadful losses, the right of Thomas was driven back, his center was +compelled to wheel about, but his left where the Winchester regiment +stood with others held on. Thomas himself was there among them, still +cool and impassive in face of threatened ruin. + +About twenty thousand men were around Thomas, and they alone stood +between the Union army and destruction. At all other points it had been +not only defeated, but routed. Vast masses of fugitives were fleeing +toward Chattanooga. Rosecrans himself withdrew, and, now wholly in +despair, telegraphed at four o'clock in the afternoon to Washington: “My +army has been whipped and routed.” + +But Thomas was neither routed nor whipped. Many of the brave generals +elsewhere refused to flee with the troops, but gathering as many +soldiers as possible joined Thomas. Among them was young Sheridan, +destined to so great a fame, who brought almost all his own division and +stood beside the Rock of Chickamauga, refusing to yield any further to +the terrible pressure. + +The line of Thomas' army was now almost a semicircle. Polk was leading +violent attacks upon his left and center. Longstreet, used to victory, +was upon his right and behind him, and the veterans from the Army of +Northern Virginia had never fought better. + +Dick saw the enemy all around him, and he began to lose hope. How could +they stand against such numbers? And if they tried to retreat there was +Longstreet to cut off the way. He bumped against Sergeant Whitley in the +smoke and gasped out: + +“We're done for, Sergeant! We're done for!” + +“No, we're not!” shouted the sergeant, firing into the advancing mass. +“We'll beat 'em back. They can't run over us!” + +The sergeant, usually so cool, was a little mad. He was wounded in the +head, and the blood had run down over his face, dyeing it scarlet. His +brain was hot as with fire, and he hurled epithets at the enemy. His +life on the plains came back to him, and, for the time, he was like a +hurt Sioux chief who defies his foes. He called them names. He dared +them to come on. He mocked them. He told them how they had attacked +in vain all day long. He counted the number of their repulses and then +exaggerated them. He reminded them it was yet a long time until dark, +and asked them why they hesitated, why they did not come forward and +meet the death that was ready for them. + +Dick gazed at him in astonishment. He heard many of his words through +the roar of the guns, and he saw his ensanguined face, through which +his eyes burned like two red-hot coals. Was this the quiet and kindly +Sergeant Whitley whom he had known so long? No, it was a raging tiger. +Still waters run deep, and, enveloped, at last, with the fury of battle +the sergeant welcomed wounds, death or anything else it might bring. + +He shouted and fired his rifle again. Then he fell like a log. Dick +rushed to him at once, but he saw that he had only fainted from loss of +blood. He bound up the sergeant's head as best he could, and, easing him +against a bank, returned to the battle front. + +A shout suddenly arose. Officers had seen through their glasses a column +of dust rising far behind them. It was so vast that it could only be +made by a great body of marching troops. But who were the men that were +making it? In all the frightful din and excitement of the battle the +question ran through the army of Thomas. If fresh enemies were coming +upon their rear they were lost! If friends there was yet hope! + +But they could not watch the tower of dust long. The enemy in front gave +them no chance. Polk was still beating upon them, and Longstreet, +having seized a ridge, was pouring an increased fire from his advanced +position. + +“If that cloud of dust encloses gray uniforms we're lost!” shouted +Warner in Dick's ear. + +“But it mustn't enclose 'em,” Dick shouted back. “Fate wouldn't play us +such an awful trick! We can't lose, after having done and suffered so +much!” + +Fate would not say which. They could not send men to see, but as they +fought they watched the cloud coming nearer and nearer, and Dick, +whose lips had been moving for some time, realized suddenly that he was +praying. “O God, save us! save us!” he was saying over and over. “Send +the help to us who need it so sorely. Make us strong, O God, to meet our +enemies!” + +He and all his comrades wore masks of dust and burned gunpowder, often +stained with scarlet. Their clothing was torn by bullets and reddened +by dripping wounds. When they shouted to one another their voices came +strained and husky from painful throats. Half the time they were blinded +by the smoke and blaze of the firing. The crash did not seem so loud to +them now, because they were partly deafened for the time by a cannonade +of such violence and length. + +Dick looked back once more at the great cloud of dust which was now much +nearer, but there was nothing yet to indicate what it bore within, the +bayonets of the North or those of the South. His anxiety became almost +intolerable. + +Thomas himself stood at that moment entirely alone in a clump of trees +on the elevation called Horseshoe Ridge, watching the battle, seeing the +enemy in overpowering numbers on both his flanks and even in his +rear. Apparently everything was lost. Taciturn, he never described his +feelings then, but in his soul he must have admired the magnificent +courage with which his troops stood around him, and repelled the +desperate assaults of a foe resolved to win. Although his face +grew grimmer and his teeth set hard, he, too, must have watched the +approaching cloud of dust with the most terrible anxiety. If it bore +enemies in its bosom, then in very truth everything would be lost. + +Down a road some miles from the battlefield a force of eight thousand +men had been left as a reserve for one of the armies. They had long +heard the terrific cannonade which was sending shattering echoes through +the mountains, and both their chief and his second in command were eager +to rush to the titanic combat. They could not obtain orders from their +commander, but, at last, they marched swiftly to the field, all the +eight thousand on fire with zeal to do their part. + +It was the eight thousand who were making the great cloud of dust, +and, as they came nearer and nearer, the suspense of Thomas' shattered +brigades grew more terrible. Dick, reckless of shell and bullets, tried +to pierce the cloud with his eyes. He caught a glimpse of a flag and +uttered a wild shout of joy. It was the stars and stripes. The eight +thousand were eight thousand of the North! He danced up and down on the +stump, and shouted at the top of his voice: + +“They're our own men! Help is here! Help is here!” + +A vast shout of relief rose from Thomas' army as the eight thousand +still coming swiftly joined them. Granger was their leader, but +Steedman, his lieutenant, galloped at once to Thomas, who still stood in +the clump of trees, and asked him what he wanted him to do. The general, +calm and taciturn as ever, pointed toward a long hill that flamed with +the enemy's guns, and said three words: + +“Take that ridge!” + +Steedman galloped back and the eight thousand charged at once. The +battle in front sank a little, as if the others wished to watch the new +combat. Dick had been dragged down from the stump by Warner, but the two +stood erect with Pennington, their eyes turned toward the ridge. Colonel +Winchester was near them, his attention fixed upon the same place. + +The eight thousand firing their rifles and supported by artillery +charged at a great pace. The whole ridge blazed with fire, and the +dead and wounded went down in sheaves. But Dick could not see that they +faltered. Hoarse shouts came again from his dry and blackened lips: + +“They will take it! they will take it! Look how they face the guns!” he +was crying. + +“So they will!” said Warner. “See what a splendid charge! Now they're +hidden! What a column of smoke! It floats aside, and, look, our men are +still going on! Nothing can stop them! They must have lost thousands, +but they reach the slope, and as sure as there's a sun in the heavens +they're going up it!” + +That tremendous cheer burst again from the beleaguered Union army. +Granger and Steedman, with their fresh troops, were rushing up the +slopes of the formidable ridge, and though three thousand of the eight +thousand fell, they took it, hurling back the advancing columns of the +South, and securing the rear of Thomas. + +Then the Winchester men and others about them went wild with joy. They +leaped, they danced, they sang, until they were commanded to make ready +for a new attack. Rosecrans in Chattanooga, with the most of his army +there also in wild confusion, had sent word to Thomas to retire, to +which Thomas had replied tersely: “It will ruin the army to withdraw it +now; this position must be held till night.” + +And he made good his resolve. The Southern masses attacked once more +with frightful violence, and once more Thomas withstood them. The field +was now darkening in the twilight, and, having saved the Union army +from rout and wreck, Thomas, impervious to attack, fell back slowly to +Chattanooga. + +The greatest battle of the West, one of the most desperate ever fought, +came to a close. Thirty-five thousand men, killed or wounded, had fallen +upon the field. The South had won a great but barren victory. She had +not been able to reap the fruits of so much skill and courage, because +Thomas and his men, like the Spartans at Thermopylae, had stood in the +way. Never had a man more thoroughly earned the title of honor that he +bore throughout the rest of his life, “The Rock of Chickamauga.” + +Chickamauga, though, was a sinister word to the North. Gettysburg and +Vicksburg had stemmed the high tide of the Confederacy, and many had +thought the end in sight. But the news from “The River of Death” told +them that the road to crowning success was still long and terrible. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. BESIDE THE BROOK + + +When the slow retreat began Dick looked for the sergeant. But a stalwart +figure, a red bandage around the head, rose up and confronted him. It +was Sergeant Whitley himself, a little unsteady yet on his feet, but +soon to be as good as ever. + +“Thank you for looking for me, Mr. Mason,” he said, “but I came to, some +time ago. I guess the bullet found my skull too hard, 'cause it just ran +'roun' it, and came out on the other side. I won't even be scarred, as +my hair covers up the place.” + +“Can you walk all right?” asked Dick, overjoyed to find the sergeant was +not hurt badly. + +“Of course I can, Mr. Mason, an' I'm proud to have been with General +Thomas in such a battle. I didn't think human bein's could do what our +men have done.” + +“Nor did I. It was impossible, but we've done it all the same.” + +Colonel Winchester rejoiced no less than the lads over the sergeant's +escape. All the officers of the regiment liked him, and they had an +infinite respect for his wisdom, particularly when danger was running +high. They were glad for his own sake that he was alive, and they were +glad to have him with them as they retreated into Chattanooga, because +the night still had its perils. + +The moon, though clouded, was out as they withdrew slowly. On their +flanks there was still firing, as strong detachments skirmished with one +another, but the Winchester men as yet paid little attention to it. They +said grimly to one another that two days in the infernal regions were +enough for one time. They looked back at the vast battlefield and the +clumps of pines burning now like funeral torches, and shuddered. + +The retreat of Thomas was harried incessantly. Longstreet and Forrest +were eager to push the attack that night and the next day and make the +victory complete. They and men of less rank dreamed of a triumph which +should restore the fortunes of the Confederacy to the full, but Bragg +was cautious. He did not wish to incur the uttermost risk, and the roll +of his vast losses might well give him pause also. + +Nevertheless Southern infantry and cavalry hung on the flanks and rear +of the withdrawing Union force. The cloudy moon gave sufficient light +for the sharpshooters, whose rifles flashed continuously. The lighter +field guns moved from the forests and bushes, and the troops of Thomas +were compelled to turn again and again to fight them off. + +The Winchester regiment was on the extreme flank, where the men were +exposed to the fiercest attacks, but fortunately the thickets and hills +gave them much shelter. At times they lay down and returned the fire +of the enemy until they beat him off. Then they would rise and march on +again. + +All the officers had lost their horses, and Colonel Winchester strode +at the head of his men. Just behind were Dick, Pennington and some other +members of his staff. The rest had fallen. Further back was Sergeant +Whitley, his head in a red bandage, but all his faculties returned. +In this dire emergency he was taking upon himself the duties of a +commissioned officer, and there was none to disobey him. Once more was +the wise veteran showing himself a very bulwark of strength. + +Despite the coolness of the night, they had all suffered on the second +day of the battle from a burning thirst. And now after their immense +exertions it grew fiercer than ever. Dick's throat and mouth were +parched, and he felt as if he were breathing fire. He felt that he must +have water or die. All the men around him were panting, and he knew they +were suffering the same torture. + +“This country ought to be full of brooks and creeks,” he said to +Pennington. “If I see water I mean to make a dash for it, Johnnies or no +Johnnies. I'm perfectly willing to risk my life for a drink.” + +“So am I,” said Warner, who overheard him, “and so are all who are left +in this regiment. If they see the flash of water nothing can hold them +back, not even Bragg's whole army. How those skirmishers hang on to us! +Whizz-z! there went their bullets right over our head!” + +The Winchesters turned, delivered a heavy volley into a thicket, whence +the bullets had come, and marched on, looking eagerly now for water. +They began to talk about it. They spoke of the cool brooks, “branches” + they called them, that they had known at home, and they told how, when +they found one, they would first drink of it, and then lie down in its +bed and let its water flow over them. + +But Dick's thirst could not wholly take his mind from the tremendous +scenes accompanying that sullen and defiant retreat. Hills and mountains +were in deepest gloom, save when the signal lights of the Southern +armies flashed back and forth. The clouded moon touched everything +nearer by with somber gray. The fire of cannon rolled through the forest +and gorges with redoubled echoes. + +A shout suddenly came from the head of the Winchester column. + +“Water! Water!” they cried. A young boy had caught a glimpse of silver +through some bushes, and he knew that it was made by the swift current +of a brook. In an instant the regiment broke into a run for the water. +Colonel Winchester could not have stopped them if he had tried, and he +did not try. He knew how great was their need. + +“We're off!” cried Pennington. + +“I see it! The water!” shouted Dick. + +“I do, too!” exclaimed Warner, “and it's the most beautiful water that +ever flowed!” + +But they stopped in their rush and dropped down in the thickets. +Sergeant Whitley had given the warning shout, and fortunately most of a +volley from a point about a hundred yards beyond the stream swept over +their heads. A few men were wounded, and they not badly. + +Dick crawled to the head of the column. The sergeant was already there, +whispering to Colonel Winchester. + +“They've taken to cover, too, sir,” said the sergeant. + +“How many do you suppose they are?” asked the colonel. + +“Not more than we are, sir.” + +“They run a great risk when they attack us in this manner.” + +“Maybe, sir,” said Dick, “they, too, were coming for the water.” + +Colonel Winchester looked at Sergeant Whitley. + +“I'm of the opinion, sir,” said the sergeant, “that Mr. Mason is right.” + +“I think so, too,” said Colonel Winchester. “It's a pity that men should +kill each other over a drink of water when there's enough for all. Has +any man a handkerchief?” + +“Here, sir,” said Warner; “it's ragged and not very clean, but I hope it +will do.” + +The Colonel raised the handkerchief on the point of his sword and gave +a hail. The bulk of the two armies had passed on, and now there was +silence in the woods as the two little forces confronted each other +across the stream. + +Dick saw a tall form in Confederate gray rise up from the bushes on the +other side of the brook. + +“Are you wanting to surrender?” the man called in a long, soft drawl. + +“Not by any means. We want a drink of water, and we're just bound to +have it.” + +“You don't want it any more than we do, and you're not any more bound to +have it than we are.” + +The colonel hesitated a moment, and then, influenced by a generous +impulse, said: + +“If you won't fire, we won't.” + +The tall, elderly Southerner, evidently a colonel, also said: + +“It's a fair proposition, sir. My men have been working so hard the last +two days licking you Yanks that they're plum' burnt up with thirst.” + +“I don't admit the licking, although it's obvious that you've gained +the advantage so far, but is it agreed that we shall have a truce for a +quarter of an hour?” + +“It is, sir; the truce of the water, and may we drink well! Come on, +boys!” + +Colonel Winchester gave a similar order to his men, and each side rose +from the thickets, and made a rush for the brook. It was a beautiful +little stream, the most beautiful in the world just then to Dick and his +friends. Clear and cold, the color of silver in the moonlight, it rushed +down from the mountains. On one side knelt the men in blue, and on the +other the men in gray, and the pure water was like the elixir of heaven +to their parched and burning throats. + +Dick drank long, and then as he raised his face from the stream he saw +opposite him a tall, lean youth, evidently from the far South, Louisiana +perhaps, a lad with a tanned face and a wide mouth stretched in a +friendly grin. + +“Tastes good, doesn't it, Yank?” he said. + +“Yes, it does, Reb,” replied Dick. “I felt that I was drying up and just +crumbling away like old dead wood. As soon as the gallon that I've drunk +has percolated thoroughly through my system I intend to hoist aboard +another gallon.” + +“I don't know what percolate means, but I reckon it has something to +do with travelin' about through your system. I think I need a couple of +gallons myself. Say, will you give a fair answer to a fair question?” + +“Yes, go ahead.” + +“Don't you Yanks feel powerful bad over the thrashing we've given you?” + +“Not so bad. Besides I wouldn't call it a thrashing. It's just a +temporary advantage. And you wait. We'll take it away from you.” + +“I don't know about that, but I can't argue with you now. I'm due for my +second gallon.” + +“So am I.” + +Each bent down and drank again a long, life-giving draught from the +rushing stream. For a distance of a hundred yards or more heads black, +brown and sometimes yellow were bent over the brook. Far off, both +to east and west, the cannon thundered in the darkness, but with the +drinkers it was a peaceful interlude of a quarter of an hour. Such +moments often occurred in this war when the men on both sides were blood +brethren. + +Colonel Winchester stood up, and the grizzled Confederate colonel stood +up on the other side of the stream, facing him. Their hands rose in a +simultaneous salute of respect. + +“Sir,” said Colonel Winchester, “I'm happy to have met you in this +manner.” + +“Sir,” said the Southern colonel ornately, “we are happy to have drunk +from the same stream with such brave foes, and now, sir, I propose as +we retire that neither regiment shall fire a shot within the next five +minutes.” + +“Agreed,” said Colonel Winchester, and then as the colonels gave the +signals the two regiments withdrew beyond their respective thickets. +The truce of the water was over, but these foes did not meet again that +night. + +The regiment had left a great proportion of its numbers dead upon the +field. Half the others were wounded more or less, but the slightly +wounded marched on with the unhurt. Many of them were now barely +conscious. They were either asleep upon their feet or in a daze. +Nevertheless they soon rejoined the main command. + +Dick, having his pride as an officer, sought to keep himself active and +alert. He passed among the lads of his own age, and encouraged them. He +told them how the older men were already speaking of the wonders they +had done, and presently he saw Thomas himself riding along with the +young general, Garfield, who had been with him throughout the afternoon. +All the Winchester men saw their commander, and, worn as they were, they +stopped and gave a mighty cheer. Thomas was moved. Under the cloudy moon +Dick saw him show emotion for the first time. He took off his hat. + +“Gentlemen, comrades,” he said, “we have lost the battle of Chickamauga, +but if all our regiments fight as you fought to-day the war is won.” + +Another cheer, enthusiastic and spontaneous, burst from the regiment, +and Thomas rode on. Dick had never heard him make another speech so +long. + +When they reached the little town of Chattanooga within its mountains +they began to realize the full grandeur of their exploit. The remainder +of the army of Rosecrans was almost a mob, and brave as he undoubtedly +was he was soon removed to another field, leaving Thomas in supreme +command until Grant should come. + +Dick had no rest until the next night, when tents were set for the +battered remains of the Winchester regiment. He, Warner, Pennington +and three others were assigned to one of the larger tents. He had been +without sleep for two days and two nights, and the tremendous tension +that had kept him up so long was relaxing fast. He felt that he must +sleep or die. Yet they talked together a little before they stretched +themselves upon their blankets. + +“Do you think Bragg will attack us in Chattanooga, Dick?” asked +Pennington. + +“I don't. Our position here is too strong, and, as he was the assailant, +his losses must be something awful. Moreover, the rivers are always ours +and reinforcements will soon pour in to us. I think that General Thomas +saved the Union. What have you to say, George?” + +“Just about what you are saying, Dick. We've been beaten, but not enough +to suit the Johnnies. They have on their side present victory. We have +on ours present but not total defeat. You might say they have x, while +we have x + y. Wait until I look into my algebra, and I can find further +mathematical and beautiful propositions proving my contention beyond the +shadow of a doubt.” + +He took out his algebra and opened it. A bullet fell from the leaves +into his lap. Warner picked it up and examined it carefully. Then he +looked at the book. + +“It went half way through,” he said in tones of genuine solemnity. “If +it had gone all the way it would have pierced my heart and I could never +have known how this war is going to end. It has saved my life, and I +shall always keep it over my heart until we go back home.” + +Dick was asleep the next minute, and they did not wake him for twelve +hours. When he came from the tent he stood blinking in the sun, and a +tall lean youth hailed him with a joyous shout: + +“Why, it's Mason--Mason of Kentucky!” exclaimed the lad, extending a +hardened hand. “I'm glad you're alive. How are those friends of yours, +Warner and Pennington?” + +“Well, save for scratches, Ohio. They're about somewhere.” + +They shook hands again, hunted up the others, and celebrated their +escape from death. + +Dick learned later that all the Woodvilles were still alive and that +Colonel Kenton, although wounded, was recovering fast. Slade, with +troublesome raids, soon gave evidence of his own continued existence. + +Then, as they expected, reinforcements poured in. Grant came, and Dick +and his comrades took part in the fight at Missionary Ridge and the +battle “above the clouds” on Lookout Mountain. He witnessed great +triumphs and he had a share in them. + +He saw Bragg's army broken up, and he rejoiced with the others when the +news came that Grant for his brilliant successes had been made commander +of all the armies of the Union, and would go east to match himself +against the mighty Lee. The Winchester regiment would go with him +and Dick, Warner, Pennington and Sergeant Whitley, who was entirely +recovered, talked of it gravely: + +“We've been in the East before,” said Pennington, “but we won't be under +any doubting general now.” + +“I fancy it will be the death grapple,” said Warner. + +“And the continent will shake with it,” said Dick. + +The three, as if by the same impulse, turned and faced the distant East, +where the shades were already gathering over the Wilderness. + + + + +Appendix: Transcription notes: + +This etext was transcribed from a volume of the 14th printing. + + +The following modifications were applied while transcribing the printed +book to etext: + + Chapter 1 + Page 30, para 1, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 2 + Page 39, para 1, add missing close-quotes + Page 48, para 4, change “its” to “it's” + + Chapter 3 + Page 72, para 1, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 8 + Page 174, para 2, add a badly-needed comma + Page 182, para 3, change “replied Pennington” to “replied Warner” + Page 185, para 5, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 10 + Page 216, para 2, move a badly-misplaced comma + Page 217, para 5, add a badly-needed comma + + Chapter 12 + Page 258, para 2, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 14 + Page 297, para 1, fixed typo “Mississipians” + + + Chapter 15 + Page 320, para 2, remove an extra comma + + + + Limitations imposed by converting to plain ASCII: + + - The word “cooperated” in chapter 8 was presented in the printed + book with an accented “o” + - In chapter 11, “Caesar” was presented with the “ae” ligature + - In chapter 11, the ship's name “Union” was presented in italics + - In chapter 14, “Thermopylae” was presented with the “ae” ligature + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Rock of Chickamauga, by Joseph A. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/9745-0.zip b/9745-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0466289 --- /dev/null +++ b/9745-0.zip diff --git a/9745-h.zip b/9745-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7b5aff8 --- /dev/null +++ b/9745-h.zip diff --git a/9745-h/9745-h.htm b/9745-h/9745-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c5f0b7c --- /dev/null +++ b/9745-h/9745-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12011 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Rock of Chickamauga, by Joseph A. Altsheler + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's The Rock of Chickamauga, by Joseph A. Altsheler + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rock of Chickamauga + +Author: Joseph A. Altsheler + +Release Date: June 16, 2009 [EBook #9745] +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA *** + + + + +Produced by Ken Reeder, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + </h1> + <h2> + A STORY OF THE WESTERN CRISIS + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Joseph A. Altsheler + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_FORE" id="link2H_FORE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + FOREWORD + </h2> + <p> + “The Rock of Chickamauga,” presenting a critical phase of the great + struggle in the west, is the sixth volume in the series, dealing with the + Civil War, of which its predecessors have been “The Guns of Bull Run,” + “The Guns of Shiloh,” “The Scouts of Stonewall,” “The Sword of Antietam” + and “The Star of Gettysburg.” Dick Mason who fights on the Northern side, + is the hero of this romance, and his friends reappear also. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VOLUMES IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + THE GUNS OF BULL RUN. + THE GUNS OF SHILOH. + THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL. + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM. + THE STAR OF GETTYSBURG. + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA. + THE SHADES OF THE WILDERNESS. + THE TREE OF APPOMATTOX. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + HARRY KENTON, A Lad Who Fights on the Southern Side. + DICK MASON, Cousin of Harry Kenton, Who Fights on the Northern Side. + COLONEL GEORGE KENTON, Father of Harry Kenton. + MRS. MASON, Mother of Dick Mason. + JULIANA, Mrs. Mason's Devoted Colored Servant. + COLONEL ARTHUR WINCHESTER, Dick Mason's Regimental Commander. + COLONEL LEONIDAS TALBOT, Commander of the Invincibles, + a Southern Regiment. + LIEUTENANT COLONEL HECTOR ST. HILAIRE, Second in Command of the + Invincibles. + ALAN HERTFORD, A Northern Cavalry Leader. + PHILIP SHERBURNE, A Southern Cavalry Leader. + WILLIAM J. SHEPARD, A Northern Spy. + DANIEL WHITLEY, A Northern Sergeant and Veteran of the Plains. + GEORGE WARNER, A Vermont Youth Who Loves Mathematics. + FRANK PENNINGTON, A Nebraska Youth, Friend of Dick Mason. + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, A Native of Charleston, Friend of Harry Kenton. + TOM LANGDON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + GEORGE DALTON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + BILL SKELLY, Mountaineer and Guerrilla. + TOM SLADE, A Guerrilla Chief. + SAM JARVIS, The Singing Mountaineer. + IKE SIMMONS, Jarvis' Nephew. + AUNT “SUSE,” A Centenarian and Prophetess. + BILL PETTY, A Mountaineer and Guide. + JULIEN DE LANGEAIS, A Musician and Soldier from Louisiana. + JOHN CARRINGTON, Famous Northern Artillery Officer. + DR. RUSSELL, Principal of the Pendleton School. + ARTHUR TRAVERS, A Lawyer. + JAMES BERTRAND, A Messenger from the South. + JOHN NEWCOMB, A Pennsylvania Colonel. + JOHN MARKHAM, A Northern Officer. + JOHN WATSON, A Northern Contractor. + WILLIAM CURTIS, A Southern Merchant and Blockade Runner. + MRS. CURTIS, Wife of William Curtis. + HENRIETTA CARDEN, A Seamstress in Richmond. + DICK JONES, A North Carolina Mountaineer. + VICTOR WOODVILLE, A Young Mississippi Officer. + JOHN WOODVILLE, Father of Victor Woodville. + CHARLES WOODVILLE, Uncle of Victor Woodville. + COLONEL BEDFORD, A Northern Officer. + CHARLES GORDON, A Southern Staff Officer. + JOHN LANHAM, An Editor. + JUDGE KENDRICK, A Lawyer. + MR. CULVER, A State Senator. + MR. BRACKEN, A Tobacco Grower. + ARTHUR WHITRIDGE, A State Senator. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + HISTORICAL CHARACTERS + + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. + JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Southern Confederacy. + JUDAH P. BENJAMIN, Member of the Confederate Cabinet. + U. S. GRANT, Northern Commander. + ROBERT E. LEE, Southern Commander. + STONEWALL JACKSON, Southern General. + PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, Northern General. + GEORGE H. THOMAS, “The Rock of Chickamauga.” + ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Southern General. + A. P. HILL, Southern General. + W. S. HANCOCK, Northern General. + GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Northern General. + AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Northern General. + TURNER ASHBY, Southern Cavalry Leader. + J. E. B. STUART, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOSEPH HOOKER, Northern General. + RICHARD S. EWELL, Southern General. + JUBAL EARLY, Southern General. + WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, Northern General. + SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, Southern General. + LEONIDAS POLK, Southern General and Bishop. + BRAXTON BRAGG, Southern General. + NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOHN MORGAN, Southern Cavalry Leader. + GEORGE J. MEADE, Northern General. + DON CARLOS BUELL, Northern General. + W. T. SHERMAN, Northern General. + JAMES LONGSTREET, Southern General. + P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Southern General. + WILLIAM L. YANCEY, Alabama Orator. + JAMES A. GARFIELD, Northern General, afterwards President of + the United States. + + And many others +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IMPORTANT BATTLES DESCRIBED IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + BULL RUN + KERNSTOWN + CROSS KEYS + WINCHESTER + PORT REPUBLIC + THE SEVEN DAYS + MILL SPRING + FORT DONELSON + SHILOH + PERRYVILLE + STONE RIVER + THE SECOND MANASSAS + ANTIETAM + FREDERICKSBURG + CHANCELLORSVILLE + GETTYSBURG + CHAMPION HILL + VICKSBURG + CHICKAMAUGA + MISSIONARY RIDGE + THE WILDERNESS + SPOTTSYLVANIA + COLD HARBOR + FISHER'S HILL + CEDAR CREEK + APPOMATTOX +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_FORE"> FOREWORD </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0002"> <big><b>THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA</b></big> </a><br /> + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> AT + BELLEVUE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> FORREST + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> GRANT + MOVES <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> DICK'S + MISSION <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> HUNTED + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> A BOLD + ATTACK <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> THE + LITTLE CAPITAL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> CHAMPION + HILL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> THE + OPEN DOOR <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> THE + GREAT ASSAULT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> THE + TAKING OF VICKSBURG <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. + </a> AN AFFAIR OF THE MOUNTAINS <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> THE + RIVER OF DEATH <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> THE + ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> BESIDE + THE BROOK <br /><br /><br /> <a href="#link2H_APPE"> Appendix: + Transcription notes: </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. AT BELLEVUE + </h2> + <p> + “You have the keenest eyes in the troop. Can you see anything ahead?” + asked Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing living, sir,” replied Dick Mason, as he swept his powerful + glasses in a half-curve. “There are hills on the right and in the center, + covered with thick, green forest, and on the left, where the land lies + low, the forest is thick and green too, although I think I catch a flash + of water in it.” + </p> + <p> + “That should be the little river of which our map tells. And you, Warner, + what do your eyes tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “The same tale they tell to Dick, sir. It looks to me like a wilderness.” + </p> + <p> + “And so it is. It's a low-lying region of vast forests and thickets, of + slow deep rivers and creeks, and of lagoons and bayous. If Northern troops + want to be ambushed they couldn't come to a finer place for it. Forrest + and five thousand of his wild riders might hide within rifle shot of us in + this endless mass of vegetation. And so, my lads, it behooves us to be + cautious with a very great caution. You will recall how we got cut up by + Forrest in the Shiloh time.” + </p> + <p> + “I do, sir,” said Dick and he shuddered as he recalled those terrible + moments. “This is Mississippi, isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester took a small map from his pocket, and, unfolding it, + examined it with minute care. + </p> + <p> + “If this is right, and I'm sure it is,” he replied, “we're far down in + Mississippi in the sunken regions that border the sluggish tributaries of + the Father of Waters. The vegetation is magnificent, but for a home give + me higher ground, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “Me too, sir,” said Warner. “The finest state in this Union is Vermont. I + like to live on firm soil, even if it isn't so fertile, and I like to see + the clear, pure water running everywhere, brooks and rivers.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll admit that Vermont is a good state for two months in the year,” said + Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Why not the other ten?” + </p> + <p> + “Because then it's frozen up, solid and hard, so I've heard.” + </p> + <p> + The other boys laughed and kept up their chaff, but Colonel Winchester + rode soberly ahead. Behind him trailed the Winchester regiment, now + reorganized and mounted. Fresh troops had come from Kentucky, and + fragments of old regiments practically destroyed at Perryville and Stone + River had been joined to it. + </p> + <p> + It was a splendid body of men, but of those who had gone to Shiloh only + about two hundred remained. The great conflicts of the West, and the minor + battles had accounted for the others. But it was perhaps one of the + reliefs of the Civil War that it gave the lads who fought it little time + to think of those who fell. Four years crowded with battles, great and + small, sieges and marches absorbed their whole attention. + </p> + <p> + Now two men, the dreaded Forrest and fierce little Joe Wheeler, occupied + the minds of Winchester and his officers. It was impossible to keep track + of these wild horsemen here in their own section. They had a habit of + appearing two or three hundred miles from the place at which they were + expected. + </p> + <p> + But the young lieutenants while they watched too for their redoubtable + foes had an eye also for the country. It was a new kind of region for all + of them. The feet of their horses sank deep in the soft black soil, and + there was often a sound of many splashings as the regiment rode across a + wide, muddy brook. + </p> + <p> + Dick noted with interest the magnolias and the live oaks, and the great + stalks of the sunflower. Here in this Southern state, which bathed its + feet in the warm waters of the Gulf, spring was already far along, + although snows still lingered in the North. + </p> + <p> + The vegetation was extravagant in its luxuriance and splendor. The + enormous forest was broken by openings like prairies, and in every one of + them the grass grew thick and tall, interspersed with sunflowers and + blossoming wild plants. Through the woods ran vast networks of vines, and + birds of brilliant plumage chattered in the trees. Twice, deer sprang up + before them and raced away in the forest. It was the wilderness almost as + De Soto had traversed it nearly four centuries before, and it had a + majesty which in its wildness was not without its sinister note. + </p> + <p> + They approached a creek, deeper and wider than usual, flowing in slow, + yellow coils, and, as they descended into the marsh that enclosed its + waters, there was a sharp crackling sound, followed quickly by another and + then by many others. The reports did not cease, and, although blood was + shed freely, no man fell from his horse, nor was any wounded mortally. But + the assault was vicious and it was pushed home with the utmost courage and + tenacity, although many of the assailants fell never to rise again. Cries + of pain and anger, and imprecations arose from the stricken regiment. + </p> + <p> + “Slap! Slap!” + </p> + <p> + “Bang! Bang!” + </p> + <p> + “Ouch! He's got his bayonet in my cheek!” + </p> + <p> + “Heavens, that struck me like a minie ball! And it came, whistling and + shrieking, too, just like one!” + </p> + <p> + “Phew, how they sting! and my neck is bleeding in three places!” + </p> + <p> + “By thunder, Bill, I hit that fellow, fair and square! He'll never trouble + an honest Yankee soldier again!” + </p> + <p> + The fierce buzzing increased all around them and Colonel Winchester + shouted to his trumpeter: + </p> + <p> + “Blow the charge at once!” + </p> + <p> + The man, full willing, put the trumpet to his lips and blew loud and long. + The whole regiment went across the creek at a gallop—the water + flying in yellow showers—and did not stop until, emerging from the + marsh, they reached the crest of a low hill a mile beyond. Here, stung, + bleeding and completely defeated by the enemy they stopped for repairs. An + occasional angry buzz showed that they were not yet safe from the + skirmishers, but their attack seemed a light matter after the full assault + of the determined foe. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose we're all wounded,” said Dick as he wiped a bleeding cheek. “At + least as far as I can see they're hurt. The last fellow who got his + bayonet in my face turned his weapon around and around and sang merrily at + every revolution.” + </p> + <p> + “We were afraid of being ambushed by Forrest,” said Warner, speaking from + a swollen countenance. “Instead we struck something worse; we rode + straight into an ambush of ten billion high-powered mosquitoes, every one + tipped with fire. Have we got enemies like these to fight all the way down + here?” + </p> + <p> + “They sting the rebels, too,” said Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but they like newcomers best, the unacclimated. When we rode down + into that swamp I could hear them shouting, to one another: 'That fat + fellow is mine, I saw him first! I've marked the rosy-cheeked boy for + mine. Keep away the rest of you fellows!' I feel as if I'd been through a + battle. No more marshes for me.” + </p> + <p> + Some of the provident produced bottles of oil of pennyroyal. Sergeant + Daniel Whitley, who rode a giant bay horse, was one of the most foreseeing + in this respect, and, after the boys had used his soothing liniment + freely, the fiery torment left by the mosquito's sting passed away. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant seemed to have grown bigger and broader than ever. His + shoulders were about to swell through his faded blue coat, and the hand + resting easily on the rein had the grip and power of a bear's paw. His + rugged face had been tanned by the sun of the far south to the color of an + Indian's. He was formidable to a foe, and yet no gentler heart beat than + that under his old blue uniform. Secretly he regarded the young + lieutenants, his superiors in military rank and education, as brave + children, and often he cared for them where his knowledge and skill were + greater than theirs or even than that of colonels and generals. + </p> + <p> + “God bless you, Sergeant,” said Dick, “you don't look like an angel, but + you are one—that is, of the double-fisted, fighting type.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant merely smiled and replaced the bottle carefully in his + pocket, knowing that they would have good use for it again. + </p> + <p> + The regiment after salving its wounds resumed its watchful march. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know where we're going?” Pennington asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “I think we're likely if we live long enough to land in the end before + Vicksburg, the great Southern fortress, but as I gather it we mean to + curve and curl and twist about a lot before then. Grant, they say, intends + to close in on Vicksburg, while Rosecrans farther north is watching Bragg + at Chattanooga. We're a flying column, gathering up information, and ready + for anything.” + </p> + <p> + “It's funny,” said Warner thoughtfully, “that we've already got so far + south in the western field. We can't be more than two or three hundred + miles from the Gulf. Besides, we've already taken New Orleans, the biggest + city of the South, and our fleet is coming up the river to meet us. Yet in + the East we don't seem to make any progress at all. We lose great battles + there and Fredericksburg they say was just a slaughter of our men. How do + you make it out, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “I've thought of several reasons for it. Our generals in the West are + better than our generals in the East, or their generals in the East are + better than their generals in the West. And then there are the rivers. In + the East they mostly run eastward between the two armies, and they are no + help to us, but a hindrance rather. Here in the West the rivers, and they + are many and great, mostly run southward, the way we want to go, and they + bring our gunboats on their bosoms. Excuse my poetry, but it's what I + mean.” + </p> + <p> + “You must be right. I think that all the reasons you give apply together. + But our command of the water has surely been a tremendous help. And then + we've got to remember, Dick, that there was never a navy like ours. It + goes everywhere and it does everything. Why, if Admiral Farragut should + tell one of those gunboats to steam across the Mississippi bottoms it + would turn its saucy nose, steer right out of the water into the mud, and + blow up with all hands aboard before it quit trying.” + </p> + <p> + “You two fellows talk too much,” said Pennington. “You won't let President + Lincoln and Grant and Halleck manage the war, but you want to run it + yourselves.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to run anything just now, Frank,” rejoined Dick. “What I'm + thinking about most is rest and something to eat. I'd like to get rid, + too, of about ten pounds of Mississippi mud that I'm carrying.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I can catch a glint of white pillars through those trees. It means + the 'big house' of a plantation, and you'll probably find somewhere back + of it the long rows of cabins, inhabited by the dark people, whom we've + come to raise to the level of their masters, if not above them. I can see + right now the joyous welcome we'll receive from the owners of the big + house. They'll be standing on the great piazza, waving Union flags and + shouting to us that they have ready cooling drinks and luxurious food for + us all.” + </p> + <p> + “It's hardly a joke to me. Whatever the cause of the war, it's the + bitterness of death for these people to be overrun. Besides, I remember + the words of that old fellow in the blacksmith shop before we fought the + battle of Stone River. He said that even if they were beaten they'd still + be there holding the land and running things.” + </p> + <p> + “That's true,” said Warner. “I've been wondering how this war would end, + and now I'm wondering what will happen after it does end. But here we are + at the gate. What big grounds! These great planters certainly had space!” + </p> + <p> + “And what silence!” said Dick. “It's uncanny, George. A place like this + must have had a thousand slaves, and I don't see any of them rushing + forward to welcome their liberators.” + </p> + <p> + “Probably contraband, gone long ago to Ben Butler at New Orleans. I don't + believe there's a soul here.” + </p> + <p> + “Remember that lone house in Tennessee where a slip of a girl brought + Forrest down on us and had us cut pretty nearly to pieces.” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't forget it.” + </p> + <p> + Nor could Colonel Winchester. The house, large and low, stood in grounds + covering an area of several acres, enclosed by a paling fence, now sagging + in many places. Great stone posts stood on either side of the gateway, but + the gate was opened, and it, too, sagged. + </p> + <p> + The grounds had evidently been magnificent, both with flowers and forest + trees. Already many of the flowers were blooming in great luxuriance and + brilliancy, but the walks and borders were untrimmed. The house was of + wood, painted white with green shutters, and as they drew nearer they + appreciated its great size, although it was only two stories in height. A + hundred persons could have slept there, and twice as many could have found + shade in the wide piazzas which stretched the full length of the four + sides. + </p> + <p> + But all the doors and shutters were closed and no smoke rose from any + chimney. They caught a glimpse of the cabins for the slaves, on lower + ground some distance behind the great house. The whole regiment reined up + as they approached the carriage entrance, and, although they were eight + hundred strong, there was plenty of room without putting a single hoof + upon a flower. + </p> + <p> + It was a great place. That leaped to the eye, but it was not marked upon + Colonel Winchester's map, nor had he heard of it. + </p> + <p> + “It's a grand house,” he said to his aides, “and it's a pity that it + should go to ruin after the slaves are freed, as they certainly will be.” + </p> + <p> + “But it was built upon slave labor,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “So it was, and so were many of the most famous buildings in the world. + But here, I'm not going to get into an argument about such questions with + young men under my command. Besides, I'm fighting to destroy slavery, not + to study its history. Sergeant Whitley, you're an experienced trailer: do + you see any signs that troops have passed here?” + </p> + <p> + “None at all, sir. Down near the gate where the drive is out of repair I + noticed wheel tracks, but they were several days old. The freshest of them + were light, as if made by buggies. I judge, sir, that it was the family, + the last to leave.” + </p> + <p> + “And the wagons containing their valuables had gone on ahead?” + </p> + <p> + “It would seem so, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester sighed. + </p> + <p> + “An invader is always feared and hated,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “But we do come as enemies,” said Dick, “and this feeling toward us can't + be helped.” + </p> + <p> + “That's true. No matter what we do we'll never make any friends here in + one of the Gulf states, the very core of Southern feeling. Dick, take a + squad of men and enter the house. Pennington, you and Warner go with him.” + </p> + <p> + Dick sprang down instantly, chose Sergeant Whitley first and with the + others entered the great portico. The front door was locked but it was + easy enough to force it with a gun butt, and they went in, but not before + Dick had noticed over the door in large letters the name, “Bellevue.” So + this was Bellevue, one of the great cotton plantations of Mississippi. He + now vaguely remembered that he had once heard his uncle, Colonel Kenton, + speak of having stopped a week here. But he could not recall the name of + the owner. Strong for the Union as he was Dick was glad that the family + had gone before the Northern cavalry came. + </p> + <p> + The house was on a splendid scale inside also, but all the rugs and + curtains were gone. As they entered the great parlor Dick saw a large + piece of paper, and he flushed as he read written upon it in tall letters: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + TO THE YANKEE RAIDERS: + YOU NEED NOT LOOK FOR THE SILVER. + IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO VICKSBURG. +</pre> + <p> + “Look at that!” he said indignantly to Warner. “See how they taunt us!” + </p> + <p> + But Warner laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe some of our men at New Orleans have laid us open to such a stab,” + he said. Then he added whimsically: + </p> + <p> + “We'll go to Vicksburg with Grant, Dick, and get that silver yet.” + </p> + <p> + “The writing's fresh,” said Sergeant Whitley, who also looked at the + notification. “The paper hasn't begun to twist and curl yet. It's not been + posted up there many hours.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester entered at that moment and the notice was handed to + him. He, too, flushed a little when he read it, but the next instant he + laughed. Dick then called his attention to the apparent fact that it had + been put there recently. + </p> + <p> + “May I speak a word, Colonel,” said Warner, who had been thinking so hard + that there was a line the full length of his forehead. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, George, a dozen if you like. Go ahead. What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “The sergeant, who has had much experience as a trailer, told us that the + tracks made by the buggy wheels were several days old. The slaves probably + had been sent southward before that time. Now some one who saw our advance + has come back, and, whoever it was, he was thoroughly familiar with the + house. He couldn't have been a servant. Servants don't leave taunts of + that kind. It must have been somebody who felt our coming deeply, and if + it had been an elderly man he would have waited for action, he wouldn't + have used saucy words. So, sir, I think it must have been a boy. Just like + Pennington there, for instance.” + </p> + <p> + “Good, George, go on with your reasonings.” + </p> + <p> + “As surely, sir, as z plus y equals the total of the two, the one who put + up the placard was a son of the owner. He alone would feel deeply enough + to take so great a risk. The conditions absolutely demand that the owner + has such a son and that he has done it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, George. I think you're right, and this youth in giving way to + a natural burst of anger, although he did not mean to do so, has posted up + for us a warning. A lad of his spirit would go in search of Forrest, and + we cannot forget our experience with that general in Tennessee. Now, boys, + we'll make ready for the night, which is not far away.” + </p> + <p> + The house was built for a Southern climate, although Dick had learned that + it could be cold enough in Central Mississippi in midwinter. But it was + spring now and they opened all the doors and windows, letting the pleasant + air rush through the musty house. + </p> + <p> + “It may rain,” said Colonel Winchester, “and the officers will sleep + inside. The men will spread their blankets on the piazzas, and the horses + will be tethered in the grounds. I hate to see the flowers and grass + trodden down, but nature will restore them.” + </p> + <p> + Some of the soldiers gathered wood from heaps nearby and fires were + kindled in the kitchen, and also on the hearths in the slave quarters. + Colonel Winchester had been truly called the father of his regiment. He + was invariably particular about its health and comfort, and, as he always + led it in person in battle, there was no finer body of men in the Union + service. + </p> + <p> + Now he meant for his men to have coffee, and warm food after this long and + trying ride and soon savory odors arose, although the cooking was not + begun until after dark, lest the smoke carry a signal to a lurking enemy. + The cavalrymen cut the thick grass which grew everywhere, and fed it to + their horses, eight hundred massive jaws munching in content. The beasts + stirred but little after their long ride and now and then one uttered a + satisfied groan. + </p> + <p> + The officers drank their coffee and ate their food on the eastern piazza, + which overlooked a sharp dip toward a creek three or four hundred yards + away. The night had rushed down suddenly after the fashion of the far + South, and from the creek they heard faintly the hoarse frogs calling. + Beyond the grounds a close ring of sentinels watched, because Colonel + Winchester had no mind to be surprised again by Forrest or by Fighting Joe + Wheeler or anybody else. + </p> + <p> + The night was thick and dark and moist with clouds. Dick, despite the + peace that seemed to hang over everything, was oppressed. The desolate + house, even more than the sight of the field after the battle was over, + brought home to him the meaning of war. It was not alone the death of men + but the uprooting of a country for their children and their children's + children as well. Then his mind traveled back to his uncle, Colonel + Kenton, and suddenly he smote his knee. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Dick,” asked Colonel Winchester, who sat only two or three + yards away. + </p> + <p> + “Now I remember, sir. When I was only seven or eight years old I heard my + uncle tell of stopping, as I told you, at a great plantation in + Mississippi called Bellevue, but I couldn't recall the name of its owner. + I know him now.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the name, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Woodville, John Woodville. He was a member of the Mississippi Senate, and + he was probably the richest man in the State.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I have heard the name. He is a Confederate colonel now, with + Pemberton's army. No doubt we'll have to fight him later on.” + </p> + <p> + “Meanwhile, we're using his house.” + </p> + <p> + “Fortune of war. But all war is in a sense unfair, because it's usually a + question of the greater force. At any rate, Dick, we won't harm Colonel + Woodville's home.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet in the end, sir, a lot of these great old country places will go, and + what will take their place? You and I, coming from a border state, know + that the colored race is not made up of Uncle Toms.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Dick, we haven't won yet, and until we do we won't bother ourselves + about the aftermath of war. I'm glad we found so large a place as this. At + the last moment I sent part of the men to the cabins, but at least three + or four hundred must lie here on the piazzas. And most of them are already + asleep. It's lucky they have roofs. Look how the clouds are gathering!” + </p> + <p> + As much more room had been made upon the piazzas by the assignment of men + to the cabins, Colonel Winchester and some of his officers also rested + there. Dick, lying between the two blankets which he always carried in a + roll tied to his saddle, was very comfortable now, with his head on his + knapsack. The night had turned cooler, and, save when faint and far + lightning quivered, it was heavy and dark with clouds. But the young + lieutenants, hardened by two years of war and life in the open, felt snug + and cosy on the broad, sheltered piazza. It was not often they found such + good quarters, and Dick, like Colonel Winchester, was truly thankful that + they had reached Bellevue before the coming storm. + </p> + <p> + It was evident now that the night was going to be wild. The lightning grew + brighter and came nearer, cutting fiercely across the southern sky. The + ominous rumble of thunder, which reminded Dick so much of the mutter of + distant battle, came from the horizon on which the lightning was flashing. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester, Pennington and Warner had gone to sleep, but Dick was + wakeful. He had again that feeling of pity for the people who had been + compelled to flee from such a house, and who might lose it forever. It + seemed to him that all the men, save himself and the sentinels, were + asleep, sleeping with the soundness and indifference to surroundings shown + by men who took their sleep when they could. + </p> + <p> + The horses stamped and moved uneasily beneath the threat of the advancing + storm, but the men slept heavily on. + </p> + <p> + Dick knew that the sentinels were awake and watchful. They had a wholesome + dread of Forrest and Wheeler, those wild riders of the South. Some of them + had been present at that terrible surprise in Tennessee, and they were not + likely to be careless when they were sure that Forrest might be near, but + he remained uneasy nevertheless, and, although he closed his eyes and + sought a soft place for his head on the saddle, sleep did not come. + </p> + <p> + He was sure that his apprehension did not come from any fear of an attack + by Forrest or Wheeler. It was deeper-seated. The inherited sense that + belonged to his great grandfather, who had lived his life in the + wilderness, was warning him. It was not superstition. It seemed to Dick + merely the palpable result of an inheritance that had gone into the blood. + His famous great-grandfather, Paul Cotter, and his famous friend, Henry + Ware, had lived so much and so long among dangers that the very air + indicated to them when they were at hand. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked down the long piazza, so long that the men at either end of it + were hidden by darkness. The tall trees in the grounds were nodding before + the wind, and the lightning flashed incessantly in the southwest. The + thunder was not loud, but it kept up a continuous muttering and rumbling. + The rain was coming in fitful gusts, but he knew that it would soon drive + hard and for a long time. + </p> + <p> + Everybody within Dick's area of vision was sound asleep, except himself. + Colonel Winchester lay with his head on his arm and his slumber was so + deep that he was like one dead. Warner had not stirred a particle in the + last half-hour. Dick was angry at himself because he could not sleep. Let + the storm burst! It might drive on the wide roof of the piazza and the + steady beating sound would make his sleep all the sounder and sweeter. He + recalled, as millions of American lads have done, the days when he lay in + his bed just under the roof and heard hail and sleet drive against it, + merely to make him feel all the snugger in the bed with his covers drawn + around him. + </p> + <p> + The fitful gusts of rain ceased, and then it came with a steady pour and + roar, driving directly down, thus leaving the men on the outer edges of + the piazzas untouched and dry. Still, Dick did not sleep, and at last he + arose and walked softly into the house. Here the sense of danger grew + stronger. He was reminded again of his early boyhood, when some one + blindfolded was told to find a given object, and the others called “hot” + when he was near or “cold” when he was away. He was feeling hot now. That + inherited sense, the magnetic feeling out of the past, was warning him. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt sure that some one not of their regiment was in the building. He + neither saw nor heard the least sign of a presence, but he was absolutely + certain that he was not alone within Bellevue. Since the lightning had + ceased it was pitchy dark inside. There was a wide hall running through + the building, with windows above the exits, but he saw nothing through + them save the driving rain and the dim outline of the threshing trees. + </p> + <p> + He turned into one of the side rooms, and then he paused and pushed + himself against the wall. He was sure now that he heard a soft footstep. + The darkness was so intense that it could be felt like a mist. He waited + but he did not hear it again, and then he began to make his way around the + wall, stepping as lightly as he could. + </p> + <p> + He had gone through most of the rooms at their arrival and he still + retained a clear idea of the interior of the house. He knew that there was + another door on the far side of the chamber in which he stood, and he + meant to follow the wall until he reached it. Some one had been in the + room with him and Dick believed that he was leaving by the far door. + </p> + <p> + While he heard no further footsteps he felt a sudden light draught on his + face and he knew that the door had been opened and shut. He might go to + Colonel Winchester and tell him that a lurking spy or somebody of that + character was in the house, but what good would it do? A spy at such a + time and in such a place could not harm them, and the whole regiment would + be disturbed for nothing. He would follow the chase alone. + </p> + <p> + He found the door and passed into the next room. Its windows opened upon + the southern piazza and two or three shutters were thrown back. A faint + light entered and Dick saw that no one was there but himself. He could + discern the dim figures of the soldiers sleeping on the piazza and beyond + a cluster of the small pines grown on lawns. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt that he had lost the trail for the time, but he did not intend + to give it up. Doubtless the intruder was some one who knew the house and + who was also aware of his presence inside. He also felt that he would not + be fired upon, because the stranger himself would not wish to bring the + soldiers down upon him. So, with a hand upon his pistol butt, he opened + the side door and followed once more into the darkness. + </p> + <p> + The ghostly chase went on for a full half-hour, Dick having nothing to + serve him save an occasional light footfall. There was one period of more + than half an hour when he lost the fugitive entirely. He wandered up to + the second floor and then back again. There, in a room that had been the + library, he caught a glimpse of the man. But the figure was so shadowy + that he could tell nothing about him. + </p> + <p> + “Halt!” cried Dick, snatching out his pistol. But when he leveled it there + was nothing to aim at. The figure had melted away, or rather it had + flitted through another door. Dick followed, chagrined. The stranger + seemed to be playing with him. Obviously, it was some one thoroughly + acquainted with the house, and that brought to Dick's mind the thought + that he himself, instead of the other man, was the stranger there. + </p> + <p> + He came at last to a passage which led to the kitchen, a great room, + because many people were often guests at Bellevue, and here he stopped + short, while his heart suddenly beat hard. A distinct odor coming from + different points suddenly assailed his nostrils. He had smelled it too + often in the last two years to be mistaken. It was smoke, and Bellevue had + been set on fire in several places. + </p> + <p> + He inhaled it once or twice and then he saw again the shadowy figure + flitting down to the passage and to a small door that, unnoticed by the + soldiers, opened on the kitchen garden in the rear of the house. + </p> + <p> + Dick never acted more promptly. Instantly he fired his pistol into the + ceiling, the report roaring in the confined spaces of the house, and then + shouting with all his might: “Fire! Fire! Fire!” as he dashed down the + passage he ran through the little door, which the intruder had left open, + and pursued him in the darkness and rain into the garden. There was a + flash ahead of him and a bullet whistled past his ear, but he merely + increased his speed and raced in the direction of the flash. As he ran he + heard behind him a tremendous uproar, the voices and tread of hundreds of + soldiers, awakened suddenly, and he knew that they would rush through + Bellevue in search of the fires. + </p> + <p> + But it was Dick's impulse to capture the daring intruder who would destroy + the house over their heads. Built of wood, it would burn so fast, once the + torches were set, that the rain would have little effect upon the leaping + flames, unless measures were taken at once, which he knew that the + regiment would do, under such a capable man as Colonel Winchester. + Meanwhile he was hot in pursuit. + </p> + <p> + The trail which was not that of footsteps, but of a shadowy figure, ran + between tall and close rows of grapevines so high on wooden framework that + they hid any one who passed. The suspicion that Dick had held at first was + confirmed. This was no stranger, no intruder. He knew every inch of both + house and grounds, and, after having set the house on fire, he had + selected the only line of retreat, but a safe one, through the thick and + lofty vegetation of the garden, which ran down to the edge of the ravine + in the rear, where he could slip quietly under the fence, drop through the + thick grass into the ravine unseen by the pickets, and escape at his + leisure in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + Dick was so sure of his theory that he strained every effort to overtake + the figure which was flitting before him like a ghost. In his eagerness he + had forgotten to shout any alarm about the pickets, but it would have been + of no avail, as most of them, under the impulse of alarm, had rushed + forward to help extinguish the fires. + </p> + <p> + He saw the fugitive reach the end of the garden, drop almost flat, and + then slip under a broken place in the palings. At an ordinary time he + would have stopped there, but all the instincts of the hunter were + aroused. It was still raining, and he was already soaked. Wet branches and + leaves struck him in the face as he passed, but his energy and eagerness + were undimmed. + </p> + <p> + He, too, dropped at the hole under the broken palings and slid forward + face foremost. The wet grass was as slippery as ice, and after he passed + through the hole Dick kept going. Moreover, his speed increased. He had + not realized that the garden went to the very edge of the ravine, and he + was shooting down a steep slope to the depth of thirty feet. He grasped + instinctively at weeds and grass as he made his downward plunge and + fetched up easily at the bottom. + </p> + <p> + He sprang to his feet and saw the shadowy fugitive running down the + ravine. In an instant he followed headlong, tripped once or twice on the + wet grass, but was up every time like lightning, and once more in swift + pursuit. The fugitive turned once, raised his pistol and pulled the + trigger again, evidently forgetful that it was empty. When the hammer + snapped on the trigger he uttered a low cry of anger and hurled the + useless weapon into the grass. Then he whirled around and faced Dick, who + was coming on, eager and panting. + </p> + <p> + Dick's own pistol was empty and he did not carry his small sword. He + stopped abruptly when the other turned, and, in the dim light and rain, he + saw that his opponent was a young man or rather youth of about his own + size and age. When he saw the lad cast the pistol aside Dick, moved by + some chivalrous impulse, dropped his own in the grass. + </p> + <p> + Then the two stared at each other. They were far beyond the line of the + pickets, and as they stood in the deep ravine there was no chance that any + one would either see or hear them. As Dick gazed intently, the face and + figure of his antagonist shaped themselves more distinctly in the dim + light. He beheld before him a tall youth, extremely well built, fair of + face, his brown hair slightly long. He wore rain-soaked civilian's garb. + </p> + <p> + He saw that the youth was panting like himself, but it was not wholly the + result of flight. His face expressed savage anger and indignation. + </p> + <p> + “You dirty Yankee!” he said. + </p> + <p> + Dick started. No one had ever before addressed him with such venom. + </p> + <p> + “If by Yankee you mean loyalty to the Union then I'm one,” he said, “and + I'm proud of it. What's more I'm willing to tell who I am. My name is + Richard Mason. I'm from Kentucky, and I'm a lieutenant in the regiment of + Colonel Arthur Winchester, which occupies the building behind us.” + </p> + <p> + “From Kentucky and consorting with Yankees! A lot of you are doing it, and + you ought to be on our side! We hate you for it more than we do the real + Yankees!” + </p> + <p> + “It's our right to choose, and we've chosen. And now, since you're talking + so much about right and wrong, who may you be, Mr. Firebug?” + </p> + <p> + Even in the dark Dick saw his opponent's face flush, and his eyes flash + with deadly hostility. + </p> + <p> + “My name is Victor Woodville,” he replied, “and my father is Colonel John + Woodville, C.S.A. He is the owner of the house in which your infamous + Yankee regiment is encamped.” + </p> + <p> + “And which you have tried to burn?” + </p> + <p> + “I'd rather see it burn than shelter Yankees. You'd burn it anyway later + on. Grant's troops have already begun to use the torch.” + </p> + <p> + “At any rate you'll go before our colonel. He'll want to ask you a lot of + questions.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not going before your colonel.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, you are.” + </p> + <p> + “Who's going to take me?” + </p> + <p> + “I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Then come on and do it.” + </p> + <p> + Dick advanced warily. Both had regained their breath and strength now. + Dick with two years of active service in the army had the size and muscles + of a man. But so had his opponent. Each measured the other, and they were + formidable antagonists, well matched. + </p> + <p> + Dick had learned boxing at the Pendleton Academy, and, as he approached + slowly, looking straight into the eyes of his enemy, he suddenly shot his + right straight for Woodville's chin. The Mississippian, as light on his + feet as a leopard, leaped away and countered with his left, a blow so + quick and hard that Dick, although he threw his head to one side, caught a + part of its force just above his ear. But, guarding himself, he sprang + back, while Woodville faced him, laughing lightly. + </p> + <p> + Dick shook his head a little and the singing departed. Just above his ear + he felt a great soreness, but he was cool now. Moreover, he was losing his + anger. + </p> + <p> + “First blow for you,” he said. “I see that you know how to use your + fists.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope to prove it.” + </p> + <p> + Woodville, stepping lightly on his toes and feinting with his left, caught + Dick on his cheek bone with his right. Then he sought to spring away, but + Dick, although staggered, swung heavily and struck Woodville on the + forehead. The Mississippian went down full length on the slippery grass + but jumped to his feet in an instant. Blood was flowing from his forehead, + whence it ran down his nose and fell to the earth, drop by drop. Dick + himself was bleeding from the cut on his cheek bone. + </p> + <p> + The two faced each other, cool, smiling, but resolute enemies. + </p> + <p> + “First knockdown for you,” said Woodville, “but I mean that the second + shall be mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Go in and try.” + </p> + <p> + But Woodville drew back a little, and as Dick followed, looking for an + opening he was caught again a heavy clip on the side of the head. He saw + stars and was not able to return the blow, but he sprang back and + protected himself once more with his full guard, while he regained his + balance and strength. + </p> + <p> + “Am I a firebug?” asked Woodville tauntingly. + </p> + <p> + Dick considered. This youth interested him. There was no denying that + Woodville had great cause for anger, when he found his father's house + occupied by a regiment of the enemy. He considered it defilement. The + right or wrong of the war had nothing to do with it. It was to him a + matter of emotion. + </p> + <p> + “I'll take back the epithet 'firebug,'” he said, “but I must stick to my + purpose of carrying you to Colonel Winchester.” + </p> + <p> + “Always provided you can: Look out for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + The Mississippian, who was wonderfully agile, suddenly danced in—on + his toes it seemed to Dick—and landed savagely on his opponent's + left ear. Then he was away so quickly and lightly that Dick's return + merely cut the air. + </p> + <p> + The Kentuckian felt the blood dripping from another point. His ear, + moreover, was very sore and began to swell rapidly. One less enduring + would have given up, but he had a splendid frame, toughened by incessant + hardship. And, above all, enclosed within that frame was a lion heart. He + shook his head slightly, because a buzzing was going on there, but in a + moment or two it stopped. + </p> + <p> + “Are you satisfied?” asked young Woodville. + </p> + <p> + “You remember what Paul Jones said: 'I've just begun to fight.'” + </p> + <p> + “Was it Paul Jones? Well, I suppose it was. Anyhow, if you feel that way + about it, so do I. Then come on again, Mr. Richard Mason.” + </p> + <p> + Dick's blood was up. The half-minute or so of talk had enabled him to + regain his breath. Although he felt that incessant pain and swelling in + his left ear, his resolution to win was unshaken. Pride was now added to + his other motives. + </p> + <p> + He took a step forward, feinted, parried skillfully, and then stepped + back. Woodville, always agile as a panther, followed him and swung for the + chin, but Dick, swerving slightly to one side, landed with great force on + Woodville's jaw. The young Mississippian fell, but, while Dick stood + looking at him, he sprang to his feet and faced his foe defiantly. The + blood was running down his cheek and dyeing the whole side of his face. + But Dick saw the spirit in his eye and knew that he was far from + conquered. + </p> + <p> + Woodville smiled and threw back his long hair from his face. + </p> + <p> + “A good one for you. You shook me up,” he admitted, “but I don't see any + sign of your ability to carry me to that Yankee colonel, as you boasted + you would do.” + </p> + <p> + “But I'm going to do it.” + </p> + <p> + The rain increased and washed the blood from both their faces. It was dark + within the ravine, but they had been face to face so long that they could + read the eyes of each other. Those of Woodville like those of Dick ceased + to express great anger. In the mind of each was growing a respect for his + antagonist. The will to conquer remained, but not the desire to hate. + </p> + <p> + “If you're going to do it, then why don't you?” said Woodville. + </p> + <p> + Dick moved slowly forward, still watching the eyes of the Mississippian. + He believed now that Woodville, agile and alert though he might be, had + not fully recovered his strength. There was terrific steam in that last + punch and the head of the man who had received it might well be buzzing + yet. + </p> + <p> + Dick then moved in with confidence, but a lightning blow crashed through + his guard, caught him on the chin and sent him to earth. He rose, though + still half-stunned, and saw that the confident, taunting look had returned + to Woodville's face. Fortunate now for Dick that the pure blood of great + woods rangers flowed in his veins, and that he had inherited from them too + an iron frame. His chin was cut and he had seen a thousand stars. But his + eyes cleared and steadily he faced his foe. + </p> + <p> + “Do I go with you to your colonel?” asked Woodville, ironically. + </p> + <p> + “You do,” replied Dick firmly. + </p> + <p> + He looked his enemy steadily in the eye again, and he felt a great sense + of triumph. After such severe punishment he was stronger than ever and he + knew it. + </p> + <p> + Therefore he must win. He struck heavily, straight for the angle of + Woodville's chin. The Mississippian evaded the blow and flashed in with + his left. But Dick, who was learning to be very wary, dodged it and came + back so swiftly that Woodville was caught and beaten to his knees. + </p> + <p> + But the son of the house of Bellevue was still so agile that he was able + to recover his feet and spring away. Dick saw, however, that he was + panting heavily. The blow had taken a considerable part of his remaining + strength. He also saw that his antagonist was regarding him with a curious + eye. + </p> + <p> + “You fight well, Yank,” said Woodville, “although I ought not to call you + Yank, but rather a traitor, as you're a Kentuckian. Still, I've put my + marks on you. You're bleeding a lot and you'd be a sight if it weren't for + this cleansing rain.” + </p> + <p> + “I've been putting the map of Kentucky on your own face. You don't look as + much like Mississippi as you did. You'll take notice too that you didn't + burn the house. If you'll glance up the side of this ravine you'll see + just a little dying smoke. Eight hundred soldiers put it out in short + order.” + </p> + <p> + Woodville's face flushed, and his eyes for the first time since the + beginning of the encounter shone with an angry gleam. But the wrathful + fire quickly died. + </p> + <p> + “On the whole, I'm not sorry,” he said. “It was an impulse that made me do + it. Our army will come and drive you away, and our house will be our own + again.” + </p> + <p> + “That's putting it fairly. What's the use of burning such a fine place as + Bellevue? Still, we want you. Our colonel has many questions to ask you.” + </p> + <p> + “You can't take me.” + </p> + <p> + Dick judged that the crucial moment had now come. Woodville was breathing + much more heavily than he was, and seemed to be near exhaustion. Dick + darted boldly in, received a swinging right and left on either jaw that + cut his cheeks and made the blood flow. But he sent his right to + Woodville's chin and the young Mississippian without a sound dropped to + the ground, lying relaxed and flat upon his back, his white face, streaked + with red, upturned to the rain. + </p> + <p> + He was so still that Dick was seized with fear lest he had killed him. He + liked this boy who had fought him so well and, grasping him by both + shoulders, he shook him hard. But when he loosed him Woodville fell back + flat and inert. + </p> + <p> + Dick heard the waters of a brook trickling down the ravine, and, snatching + off his cap, he ran to it. He filled the cap and returned just in time to + see Woodville leap lightly to his feet and disappear with the speed of a + deer among the bushes. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. FORREST + </h2> + <p> + Dick dashed after the fugitive, but he had disappeared utterly, and the + dense bushes impeded the pursuer. He was hot and angry that he had been + deluded so cleverly, but then came the consolation that, after all, he had + won in the fistic encounter with an antagonist worthy of anybody. And + after this came a second thought that caused him to halt abruptly. + </p> + <p> + He and Woodville had fought it out fairly. Their fists had printed upon + the faces of each other the stamp of a mutual liking. Why should he strive + to take young Woodville before Colonel Winchester? Nothing was to be + gained by it, and, as the Mississippian was in civilian's garb, he might + incur the punishment of a spy. He realized in a flash that, since he had + vindicated his own prowess, he was glad of Woodville's escape. + </p> + <p> + He turned and walked thoughtfully back up the ravine. Very little noise + came from the house and the thin spires of smoke had disappeared. He knew + now that the fires had been put out with ease, thanks to his quick + warning. Before starting he had recovered both his own pistol and + Woodville's, and he was particularly glad to find the latter because it + would be proof of his story, if proof were needed. The rain had not ceased + nor had the heavy darkness lifted, but the looming shadow of the big house + was sufficient guide. He found the place where he had slipped down the + bank and the torn bushes and grass showed that he had made a fine trail. + He pulled himself back up by the bushes and reentered the garden, where he + was halted at once by two watchful sentries. + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's staff,” he said, + “returning from the pursuit of a fugitive.” + </p> + <p> + The men knew him and they said promptly: + </p> + <p> + “Pass Lieutenant Mason.” + </p> + <p> + But despite the dark they stared at him very curiously, and when he walked + on toward the piazza one of them muttered to the other: + </p> + <p> + “I guess he must have overtook that fugitive he was chasin'.” + </p> + <p> + Dick walked up the steps upon the piazza, where some one had lighted a + small lamp, near which stood Colonel Winchester and his staff. + </p> + <p> + “Here's Dick!” exclaimed Warner in a tone of great relief. + </p> + <p> + “And we thought we had lost him,” said Colonel Winchester, gladness + showing in his voice. Then he added: “My God, Dick, what have you been + doing to yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, what kind of a transformation is this?” added a major. “You've + certainly come back with a face very different from the one with which you + left us!” + </p> + <p> + Dick turned fiery red. He suddenly became conscious that he had a left ear + of enormous size, purple and swollen, that his left eye was closing fast, + that the blood was dripping from cuts on either cheek, that the blood had + flowed down the middle of his forehead and had formed a little stalactite + on the end of his nose, that his chin had been gashed in five places by a + strong fist, and that he had contributed his share to the bloodshed of the + war. + </p> + <p> + “If I didn't know these were modern times,” said Warner, “I'd say that he + had just emerged from a sanguinary encounter bare-handed in the Roman + arena with a leopard.” + </p> + <p> + Dick glared at him. + </p> + <p> + “It was you who gave the alarm of fire, was it not?” asked Colonel + Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir. I saw the man who set the fires and I pursued him through the + garden and into the ravine that runs behind it.” + </p> + <p> + “Your appearance indicates that you overtook him.” + </p> + <p> + Dick flushed again. + </p> + <p> + “I did, sir,” he replied. “I know I'm no beauty at present, but neither is + he.” + </p> + <p> + “It looks as if it had been a matter of fists?” + </p> + <p> + “It was, sir. Both of us fired our pistols, but missed. Then we threw our + weapons to one side and clashed. It was a hard and long fight, sir. He hit + like a pile driver, and he was as active as a deer. But I was lucky enough + to knock him out at last.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why does your face look like a huge piece of pickled beef?” asked + the incorrigible Warner mischievously. + </p> + <p> + “You wait and I'll make yours look the same!” retorted Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Shut up,” said Colonel Winchester. “If I catch you two fighting I may + have you both shot as an example.” + </p> + <p> + Dick and Warner grinned good-naturedly at each other. They knew that + Colonel Winchester did not dream of carrying out such a threat, and they + knew also that they had no intention of fighting. + </p> + <p> + “And after you knocked him out what happened?” asked the colonel. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked sheepish. + </p> + <p> + “He lay so still I was afraid he was dead,” he replied. “I ran down to a + brook, filled my cap with water, and returned with it in the hope of + reviving him. I got there just in time to see him vanishing in the bushes. + Pursuit was hopeless.” + </p> + <p> + “He was clever,” said the Colonel. “Have you any idea who he was?” + </p> + <p> + “He told me. He was Victor Woodville, the son of Colonel John Woodville, + C.S.A., the owner of this house.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Colonel Winchester, and then after a moment's thought he added: + “It's just as well he escaped. I should not have known what to do with + him. But we have you, Dick, to thank for giving the alarm. Now, go inside + and change to some dry clothes, if you have any in your baggage, and if + not dry yourself before a fire they're going to build in the kitchen.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you pardon me for speaking of something, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. Go ahead.” + </p> + <p> + “I think the appearance of young Woodville here indicates the nearness of + Forrest or some other strong cavalry force.” + </p> + <p> + “You're right, Dick, my officers and I are agreed upon it. I have doubled + the watch, but now get yourself to that fire and then to sleep.” + </p> + <p> + Dick obeyed gladly enough. The night had turned raw and chill, and the + cold water dripped from his clothes as he walked. But first he produced + Woodville's pistol and handed it to Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “There's my antagonist's pistol, sir,” he said. “You'll see his initials + on it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, here they are,” said Colonel Winchester: “'V.W., C.S.A.' It's a fine + weapon, but it's yours, Dick, as you captured it.” + </p> + <p> + Dick took it and went to the kitchen, where the big fire had just begun to + blaze. He was lucky enough to be the possessor of an extra uniform, and + before he changed into it—they slept with their clothes on—he + roasted himself before those glorious coals. Then, as he was putting on + the fresh uniform, Warner and Pennington appeared. + </p> + <p> + “What would you recommend as best for the patient, Doctor,” said Warner + gravely to Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “I think such a distinguished surgeon as you will agree with me that his + wounds should first be washed and bathed thoroughly in cold water.” + </p> + <p> + “And after that a plentiful application of soothing liniment.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Doctor. That is the best we can do with the simple medicines we + have, but it especially behooves us to reduce the size of that left ear, + or some of the boys will say that we have a case of elephantiasis on our + hands.” + </p> + <p> + “While you're reducing the size of it you might also reduce the pain in + it,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “We will,” said Pennington; “we've got some fine horse liniment here. I + brought it all the way from Nebraska with me, and if it's good for horses + it ought to be good for prize fighters, too. That was surely a hefty chap + who fought you. If you didn't have his pistol as proof I'd say that he + gave you a durned good licking. Isn't this a pretty cut down the right + cheek bone, George?” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly, but nothing can take away the glory of that left ear. Why, + if Dick could only work his ears he could fan himself with it beautifully. + When I meet that Woodville boy I'm going to congratulate him. He was + certainly handy with his fists.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on, fellows,” said Dick, good-naturedly. “In a week I won't have a + wound or a sign of a scar. Then I'll remember what you've said to me and + I'll lick you both, one after the other.” + </p> + <p> + “Patient is growing delirious, don't you think so, Doctor?” said Warner to + Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Beyond a doubt. Violent talk is always proof of it. Better put him to + bed. Spread his two blankets before the fire, and he can sleep there, + while every particle of cold and stiffness is being roasted out of him.” + </p> + <p> + “You boys are very good to me,” said Dick gratefully. + </p> + <p> + “It's done merely in the hope that your gratitude will keep you from + giving us the licking you promised,” said Pennington. + </p> + <p> + Then they left him and Dick slept soundly until he was awakened the next + day by Warner. The fire was out, the rain had ceased long since and the + sun was shining brilliantly. + </p> + <p> + “Hop up, Dick,” said Warner briskly. “Breakfast's ready. Owing to your + wound we let you sleep until the last moment. Come now, take the foaming + coffee and the luscious bacon, and we'll be off, leaving Bellevue again to + its masters, if they will come and claim it.” + </p> + <p> + “Has anything happened in the night?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing since you ran your face against a pile driver, but Sergeant + Daniel Whitley, who reads the signs of earth and air and wood and water, + thinks that something is going to happen.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it Forrest?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't know, but it's somebody or something. As soon as we can eat our + luxurious breakfasts we mean to mount and ride hard toward Grant. We're + scouts, but according to Whitley the scouts are scouted, and this is a bad + country to be trapped in.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was so strong and his blood was so pure that he felt his wounds but + little now. The cuts and bruises were healing fast and he ate with a keen + appetite. He heard then of the signs that Whitley had seen. He had found + two broad trails, one three miles from the house, and the other about four + miles. Each indicated the passage of several hundred men, but he had no + way of knowing whether they belonged to the same force. They were bound to + be Confederate cavalry as Colonel Winchester's regiment was known to be + the only Union force in that section. + </p> + <p> + Dick knew their position to be dangerous. Colonel Winchester had done his + duty in discovering that Forrest and Wheeler were raiding through + Mississippi, and that a heavy force was gathering in the rear of Grant, + who intended the siege of Vicksburg. It behooved him now to reach Grant as + soon as he could with his news. + </p> + <p> + Refreshed and watchful, the regiment rode away from Bellevue. Dick looked + back at the broad roof and the great piazzas, and then he thought of young + Woodville with a certain sympathy. They had fought a good fight against + each other, and he hoped they would meet after the war and be friends. + </p> + <p> + It was about an hour after sunrise, and the day was bright and warm. The + beads of water that stood on every leaf and blade of grass were drying + fast, and the air, despite its warmth, was pure and bracing. Dick, as he + looked at the eight hundred men, tanned, experienced and thoroughly armed, + under capable leaders, felt that they were a match for any roving Southern + force. + </p> + <p> + “Just let Forrest come on,” he said. “I know that the Colonel is aching to + get back at him for that surprise in Tennessee, and I believe we could + whip him.” + </p> + <p> + “You're showing great spirit for a man who was beaten up in the prize ring + as you were last night. I thought you'd want to rest for a few days.” + </p> + <p> + “Drop it, George. I did get some pretty severe cuts and bruises, but I was + lucky enough to have the services of two very skillful and devoted young + physicians. Their treatment was so fine that I'm all right to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “Unless I miss my guess, we'll need the services of doctors again before + night comes. No mountains are here, but this is a great country for + ambush. It's mostly in forest, and even in the open the grass is already + very tall. Besides, there are so many streams, bayous, and ponds. Notice + how far out on the flanks the skirmishers and scouts are riding, and + others ride just as far ahead.” + </p> + <p> + Two miles from Bellevue and they came to a small hill, covered with + forest, from the protection of which the officers examined the country + long and minutely, while their men remained hidden among the deep foliaged + trees. Dick had glasses of his own which he put to his eyes, bringing + nearer the wilderness, broken here and there by open spaces that indicated + cotton fields. Yet the forest was so dense and there was so much of it + that a great force might easily be hidden within its depths only a mile + away. + </p> + <p> + “Have we any information at all about Forrest's strength?” whispered + Pennington to Dick. + </p> + <p> + “His full force isn't down here. It is believed he has not more than a + thousand or twelve hundred men. But he and his officers know the country + thoroughly, and of course the inhabitants, being in full sympathy with + them, will give them all the information they need. The news of every + movement of ours has been carried straight to the rebel general.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet the country seems to have no people at all. We come to but few + houses, and those few are deserted.” + </p> + <p> + “So they are. What was that? Did you see it, Frank?” + </p> + <p> + “What was what?” + </p> + <p> + “I forgot that you are not using glasses. I caught a momentary glitter in + the woods. I think it was a sunbeam passing through the leaves and + striking upon the polished barrel of a rifle. Ah! there it is again! And + Colonel Winchester has seen it too.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel and his senior officers were now gazing intently at the point + in the wood where Dick had twice seen the gleam, and, keener-eyed than + they, he continued to search the leafy screen through his own glasses. + Soon he saw bayonets, rifles, horses and men advancing swiftly, and then + came two of their own scouts galloping. + </p> + <p> + “The enemy is advancing!” they cried. “It's Forrest!” + </p> + <p> + A thrill shot through Dick. The name of Forrest was redoubtable, but he + knew that every man in the regiment was glad to meet him again. He glanced + at Colonel Winchester and saw that his face had flushed. He knew that the + colonel was more than gratified at this chance. + </p> + <p> + “We'll make our stand here,” said Colonel Winchester. “The hill runs to + the right, and, as you see over there, it is covered with forest without + undergrowth. Thus we can secure protection, and at the same time be able + to maneuver, mounted.” + </p> + <p> + The regiment was posted rapidly in two long lines, the second to fire + between the intervals of the first. They carried carbines and heavy + cavalry sabers, and they were the best mounted regiment in the Northern + service. + </p> + <p> + Yet these men, brave and skillful as they were, were bound to feel + trepidation, although they did not show it. They were far in the Southern + forest, cut off from their army, and Forrest, in addition to his own + cavalry, might have brought with him fresh reserves of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Dick, Warner, and Pennington, as usual, remained close to their colonel, + and Sergeant Daniel Whitley was not far away. But Colonel Winchester + presently rode along the double line of his veterans, and he spoke to them + quietly but with emphasis and conviction: + </p> + <p> + “My lads,” he said, “you see Forrest's men coming through the woods to + attack us. Forrest is the greatest cavalry leader the South has, west of + the Alleghanies. Some of you were with me when we were surprised and cut + up by him in Tennessee. But you will not be surprised by him now, nor will + you be cut up by him. All of you have become great riders, a match for + Forrest's own, and as I look upon your faces here I know that there is no + fear in a single heart. You have served under Grant, and you have served + under Thomas. They are two generals who always set their faces toward the + front and never turn them toward the rear. You will this day prove + yourselves worthy of Grant and Thomas.” + </p> + <p> + They were about to cheer, but he checked it with the simple gesture of a + raised hand. Then they did a thing that only a beloved leader could + inspire. Every man in the regiment, resting his carbine across the pommel + of his saddle, drew his heavy cavalry saber and made it whirl in coils of + glittering light about his head. + </p> + <p> + The great pulse in Dick's throat leaped as he saw. The long double line + seemed to give back a double flash of flame. Not a word was said, and then + eight hundred sabers rattled together as they were dropped back into their + scabbards. Colonel Winchester's face flushed deeply at the splendid + salute, but he did not speak either. He took off his cap and swept it in a + wide curve to all his men. Then he turned his face toward the enemy. + </p> + <p> + The Southern trumpet was singing in the forest, and the force of Forrest, + about twelve hundred strong, was emerging into view. Dick, through his + glasses, saw and recognized the famous leader, a powerful, bearded man, + riding a great bay horse. He had heard many descriptions of him and he + knew him instinctively. He also recognized the fact that the Winchester + regiment had before it the most desperate work any men could do, if it + beat off Forrest when he came in his own country with superior numbers. + </p> + <p> + Neither side had artillery, not even the light guns that could be carried + horse- or muleback. It must be left to carbine and saber. Colonel + Winchester carefully watched his formidable foe, trying to divine every + trick and expedient that he might use. He had a memory to avenge. He had + news to carry to Grant, and Forrest must not keep him from carrying it. + Moreover, his regiment and he would gain great prestige if they could beat + off Forrest. There would be glory for the whole Union cavalry if they + drove back the Southern attack. Dick saw the glitter of his colonel's eye + and the sharp compression of his lips. + </p> + <p> + But the men of Forrest, although nearly within rifle shot, did not charge. + Their bugle sang again, but Dick did not know what the tune meant. Then + they melted away into the deep forest on their flank, and some of the + troop thought they had gone, daunted by the firm front of their foe. + </p> + <p> + But Dick knew better. Forrest would never retreat before an inferior + force, and he was full of wiles and stratagems. Dick felt like a primitive + man who knew that he was being stalked by a saber-toothed tiger through + the dense forest. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester beckoned to Sergeant Whitley. “Pick a half-dozen + sharp-eyed men,” he said, “and ride into those woods. You're experienced + in this kind of war, Whitley, and before you go tell me what you think.” + </p> + <p> + “General Forrest, sir, besides fighting as a white man fights, fights like + an Indian, too; that is, he uses an Indian's cunning, which is always + meant for ambush and surprise. He isn't dreaming of going away. They're + coming back through the thick woods.” + </p> + <p> + “So I think. But let me know as soon as you can.” + </p> + <p> + Ten minutes after the sergeant had ridden forward with his comrades they + heard the sound of rapid rifle shots, and then they saw the little band + galloping back. + </p> + <p> + “They're coming, sir,” reported the sergeant. “Forrest has dismounted + several hundred of his men, and they are creeping forward from tree to + tree with their rifles, while the others hold their horses in the rear.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it's an Indian fight for the present,” said Colonel Winchester. + “We'll do the same.” + </p> + <p> + He rapidly changed his lines of battle. The entire front rank was + dismounted, while those behind held their horses. The four hundred in + front, spreading out in as long a line as possible in order to protect + their flanks, took shelter behind the trees and awaited the onset. + </p> + <p> + The attack was not long in coming. The Southern sharpshooters, creeping + from tree to tree, began to fire. Scores of rifles cracked and Dick, from + a convenient place behind a tree, saw the spouts of flame appearing along + a line of four or five hundred yards. Bullets whizzed about him, and, + knowing that he would not be needed at present for any message, he hugged + the friendly bark more tightly. + </p> + <p> + “It's lucky we have plenty of trees,” said a voice from the shelter of the + tree next to him. “We have at least one for every officer and man.” + </p> + <p> + It was Warner who spoke and he was quite cheerful. Like Colonel + Winchester, he seemed to look forward to the combat with a certain joy, + and he added: + </p> + <p> + “You'll take notice, Dick, old man, that we've not been surprised. Forrest + hasn't galloped over us as he did before. He's taking the trouble to make + the approach with protected riflemen. Now what is the sergeant up to?” + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Whitley, after whispering a little with Colonel Winchester, had + stolen off toward the right with fifty picked riflemen. When they reached + the verge of the open space that lay between the two sides they threw + themselves down in the thick, tall grass. Neither Dick nor Warner could + see them now. They beheld only the stems of the grass waving as if under a + gentle wind. But Dick knew that the rippling movement marked the passage + of the riflemen. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the attack in their front was growing hotter. At least six or + seven hundred sharpshooters were sending a fire which would have + annihilated them if it had not been for the trees. As it was, fragments of + bark, twigs, and leaves showered about them. The whistling of the bullets + and their chugging as they struck the trees made a continuous sinister + note. + </p> + <p> + The Union men were not silent under this fire. Their own rifles were + replying fast, but Colonel Winchester continually urged them to take aim, + and, while death and wounds were inflicted on the Union ranks, the + Southern were suffering in the same manner. + </p> + <p> + Dick turned his eyes toward the right flank, where the fifty picked + riflemen, Sergeant Whitley at their head, were crawling through the tall + grass. He knew that they were making toward a little corner of the forest, + thrust farther forward than the rest, and presently when the rippling in + the grass ceased he was sure that they had reached it. Then the fifty + rifles cracked together and the Southern flank was swept by fifty + well-aimed bullets. Lying in their covert, Whitley's men reloaded their + breech-loading rifles and again sent in a deadly fire. + </p> + <p> + The main Northern force redoubled its efforts at the same time. The men in + blue sent in swarms of whistling bullets and Dick saw the front line of + the South retreating. + </p> + <p> + “We're rousing the wolves from their lairs,” explained Pennington + exultantly as he sprang from his tree, just in time for a bullet to send + his hat flying from his head. Fortunately, it clipped only a lock of hair, + but he received in a good spirit Warner's admonishing words: + </p> + <p> + “Don't go wild, Frank. We've merely repelled the present attack. You don't + think that Forrest with superior forces is going to let us alone, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't,” replied Pennington, “and don't you get behind that tree. + It's mine, and I'm coming back to it. I've earned it. I held it against + all kinds of bullets. Look at the scars made on each side of it by rebel + lead.” + </p> + <p> + The firing now died. Whitley's flank movement had proved wholly + successful, and Colonel Winchester reinforced him in the little forest + peninsula with fifty more picked men, where they lay well hidden, a + formidable force for any assailant. + </p> + <p> + The silence now became complete, save for the stamping of the impatient + horses and the drone of insects in the woods and grass. Dick, lying on his + stomach and using his glasses, could see nothing in the forest before + them. It was to him in all its aspects an Indian battle, and he believed + in spite of what Warner had said that the enemy had retired permanently. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester and all the officers rose to their feet presently and + walked among the trees. No bullets came to tell them that they were rash + and then the senior officers held a conference, while all the men + remounted, save a dozen or so who would ride no more. But the colonel did + not abate one whit of his craft or caution. + </p> + <p> + They resumed the march toward Grant, but they avoided every field or open + space. They would make curves and lose time in order to keep in the dense + wood, but, as Dick knew, Colonel Winchester still suspected that Forrest + was hovering somewhere on his flank, covered by the great forest and + awaiting a favorable opportunity to attack. + </p> + <p> + They approached one of the deep and narrow streams that ultimately find + their way to the Mississippi. It had only one ford, and the scouts + galloping back informed them that the farther shore was held by a powerful + force of cavalry. + </p> + <p> + “It's Forrest,” said Colonel Winchester with quiet conviction. “Knowing + every path of the woods, they've gone ahead of us, and they mean to cut us + off from Grant. Nevertheless we'll make a way.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke firmly, but the junior officers of the staff did not exactly see + how they were going to force a ford defended by a larger number of cavalry + under the redoubtable Forrest. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't think Forrest would let us alone, and he hasn't,” said + Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “No, he hasn't,” said Warner, “and it seems that he's checkmated us, too. + Why, that river is swollen by the rains so much that it's a hard job to + cross it if no enemy were on the other side. But you'll note, also, that + the enemy, having got to the other side, can't come back again in our face + to attack us.” + </p> + <p> + “But we want to go on and they don't,” said Dick. “They're satisfied with + the enforced status quo, and we're not. Am I right, Professor?” + </p> + <p> + “You certainly are,” replied Warner. “Now, our colonel is puzzled, as you + can tell by his looks, and so would I be, despite my great natural + military talents.” + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment fell back into the woods, leaving the two forces + out of rifle shot of each other. Sentinels were posted by both commanders + not far from the river and the rest, dismounting, took their ease, save + the officers, who again went into close conference. + </p> + <p> + Afterward they sat among the trees and waited. It was low ground, with the + earth yet soaked from the heavy rain of the night before, and the heat + grew heavy and intense. The insects began to drone again, and once more + mosquitoes made life miserable. But the soldiers did not complain. It was + noon now, and they ate food from their knapsacks. Two springs of clear + water were found a little distance from the river and all drank there. + Then they went back to their weary waiting. + </p> + <p> + On the other side of the river they could see the dismounted troopers, + playing cards, sleeping or currying their horses. They seemed to be in no + hurry at all. Colonel Winchester sent divisions of scouts up and down the + stream, and, both returning after a while, reported that the river was not + fordable anywhere. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester sat down under a tree and smoked his pipe. The longer + he smoked the more corrugated his brow became. He looked angrily at the + ford, but it would be folly to attempt a passage there, and, containing + himself as best he could, he waited while the long afternoon waned. His + men at least would get a good rest. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his comrades, selecting the dryest place they could find, spread + their blankets and lay down. Protecting their faces from the mosquitoes + with green leaves, they sank into a deep quiet. Dick even drowsed for a + while. He could not think of a way out of the trap, and he was glad it was + the duty of older men like Colonel Winchester and the majors and captains + to save them. + </p> + <p> + The heat of the day increased with the coming of afternoon, and Dick's + eyelids grew heavier. He had become so thoroughly hardened to march and + battle that the presence of the enemy on the other side of a river did not + disturb him. What was the use of bothering about the rebels as long as + they did not wish to fire upon one? + </p> + <p> + His eyes closed for a few minutes, and then his dreaming mind traversed + space with incredible rapidity. He was back in Pendleton, sitting on the + portico with his mother, watching the flowers on the lawn nod in the + gentle wind. His cousin Harry Kenton saluted him with a halloo and came + bounding toward the porch, and the halloo caused Dick to awake and sit up. + He rubbed his eyes violently and looked around a little bit ashamed. But + two captains older than himself were sound asleep with their backs against + trees. + </p> + <p> + Dick stood up and shook himself violently. Whatever others might do he + must not allow himself to relax so much. He saw that the sun was slowly + descending and that the full heat of the afternoon was passing. Colonel + Winchester had withdrawn somewhat among the trees and he beckoned to him. + Sergeant Whitley was standing beside the colonel. + </p> + <p> + “Dick,” said Colonel Winchester, “colored men have brought us news that + Colonel Grierson of our army, with a strong raiding force of nearly two + thousand cavalry is less than a day's march away and on the same side of + this river that we are. We have received the news from three separate + sources and it must be true. Probably Forrest's men know it, too, but + expect Grierson to pass on, wholly ignorant that we're here. I have chosen + you and Sergeant Whitley to bring Grierson to our relief. The horses are + ready. Now go, and God speed you. The sergeant will tell you what we know + as you ride.” + </p> + <p> + Dick sprang at once into the saddle, and with a brief good-bye he and the + sergeant were soon in the forest riding toward the southeast. Dick was + alive and energetic again. All that laziness of mind and body was gone. He + rode on a great ride and every sense was alert. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” he said, “just about what the news is.” + </p> + <p> + “Three men,” replied the sergeant, “came in at different times with tales, + but the three tales agree. Grierson has made a great raid, even further + down than we have gone. He has more than double our numbers, and if we can + unite with him it's likely that we can turn Forrest into the pursued + instead of the pursuer. They say we can hit his trail about twenty-five + miles from here, and if that's so we'll bring him up to the ford by noon + to-morrow. Doesn't it look promising to you, Lieutenant Mason?” + </p> + <p> + “It does look promising, Sergeant Whitley, if we don't happen to be taken + by the Johnnies who infest this region. Besides, you'll have to guide + through the dark to-night. You're trained to that sort of thing.” + </p> + <p> + “You can see pretty well in the dark yourself, sir; and since our way lies + almost wholly through forest I see no reason why we should be captured.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so, sergeant. I'm just as much of an optimist as you are. You keep + the course, and I'm with you to the finish.” + </p> + <p> + They rode rather fast at first as the sun had not yet set, picking their + way through the woods, and soon left their comrades out of sight. The + twilight now came fast, adding a mournful and somber red to the vast + expanse of wilderness. The simile of an Indian fight returned to Dick with + increased force. This was not like any battle with white men in the open + fields. It was a combat of raiders who advanced secretly under cover of + the vast wilderness. + </p> + <p> + The twilight died with the rapidity of the South, and the darkness, thick + at the early hours, passed over the curve of the earth. For a time Dick + and the sergeant could not see many yards in front and they rode very + slowly. After a while, as the sky lightened somewhat and their eyes also + grew keen, they made better speed. Then they struck a path through the + woods leading in the right direction, and they broke into a trot. + </p> + <p> + The earth was so soft that their horses' feet gave back but little sound, + and both were confident they would not meet any enemy in the night at + least. + </p> + <p> + “Straight southeast,” said the sergeant, “and we're bound to strike + Grierson's tracks. After that we'd be blind if we couldn't follow the + trail made by nearly two thousand horsemen.” + </p> + <p> + The path still led in the direction they wished and they rode on silently + for hours. Once they saw a farmhouse set back in the woods, and they were + in fear lest dogs come out and bark alarm, but there was no sound and they + soon left it far behind. + </p> + <p> + They passed many streams, some of which were up to their saddle girths, + and then they entered a road which was often so deep in mud that they were + compelled to turn into the woods on the side. But no human being had + interfered with their journey, and their hopes rose to the zenith. + </p> + <p> + They came, finally, into an open region of cotton fields, and the sergeant + now began to watch closely for the great trail they hoped to find. A force + as large as Grierson's would not attempt a passage through the woods, but + would seek some broad road and Sergeant Whitley expected to find it long + before morning. + </p> + <p> + It was now an hour after midnight and they reckoned that they had come + about the right distance. There was a good moon and plenty of stars and + the sergeant gave himself only a half-hour to find the trail. + </p> + <p> + “There's bound to be a wide road somewhere among these fields, the kind we + call a county road.” + </p> + <p> + “It's over there beyond that rail fence,” said Dick. They urged their + horses into a trot, and soon found that Dick was right. A road of red clay + soft from the rains stretched before them. + </p> + <p> + “A man doesn't have to look twice here for a trail. See,” said the + sergeant. + </p> + <p> + The road from side to side was plowed deep with the hoofs of horses, every + footprint pointing northward. + </p> + <p> + “Grierson's cavalry,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “I take it that it can't be anything else. There is certainly in these + parts no rebel force of cavalry large enough to make this trail.” + </p> + <p> + “How old would you say these tracks are?” + </p> + <p> + “Hard to tell, but they can't have been made many hours ago. We'll press + forward, lieutenant, and we can save time going through the fields on the + edge of the road.” + </p> + <p> + Although they had to take down fences they made good speed and just as the + sun was rising they saw the light of a low campfire among some trees, + lining either bank of a small creek. They approached warily, until they + saw the faded blue uniforms. Then they galloped forward, shouting that + they were friends, and in a few minutes were in the presence of Grierson + himself. + </p> + <p> + He had been making a great raid, but he was eager now for the opportunity + to strike at Forrest. He must give his horses a short rest, and then Dick + and the sergeant should guide him at speed to the ford where the opposing + forces stood. + </p> + <p> + “It's twenty-five miles, you tell me?” said Grierson to Dick. + </p> + <p> + “As nearly as I can calculate, sir. It's through swampy country, but I + think we ought to be there in three or four hours.” + </p> + <p> + “Then lead the way,” said Grierson. “Like your colonel, I'll be glad to + have a try at Forrest.” + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Whitley rode in advance. A lumberman first and then a soldier of + the plains, he had noted even in the darkness every landmark and he could + lead the way back infallibly. But he warned Grierson that such a man as + Forrest would be likely to have out scouts, even if they had to swim the + river. It was likely that they could not get nearer by three or four miles + to Colonel Winchester without being seen. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Grierson, who had the spirit of a Stuart or a Forrest, “we'll + ride straight on, brushing these watchers out of our way, and if by any + chance their whole force should cross, we'll just meet and fight it.” + </p> + <p> + “The little river is falling fast,” said the sergeant. “It's likely that + it'll be fordable almost anywhere by noon.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Grierson, “it'll be all the easier for us to get at the + enemy.” + </p> + <p> + Dick, just behind Grierson, heard these words and he liked them. Here was + a spirit like Colonel Winchester's own, or like that of the great Southern + cavalry leaders. The Southerners were born on horseback, but the Northern + men were acquiring the same trick of hard riding. Dick glanced back at the + long column. Armed with carbine and saber the men were riding their + trained horses like Comanches. Eager and resolute it was a formidable + force, and his heart swelled with pride and anticipation. He believed that + they were going to give Forrest all he wanted and maybe a little more. + </p> + <p> + Up rose the sun. Hot beams poured over forest and field, but the + cavalrymen still rode fast, the scent of battle in their nostrils. Dick + knew that these Southern streams, flooded by torrents of rain, rose fast + and also fell fast. + </p> + <p> + “How much further now, sergeant?” asked Grierson, as they turned from a + path into the deep woods. + </p> + <p> + “Not more than three miles, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “And they know we're coming. Listen to that!” + </p> + <p> + Several rifles cracked among the trees and bullets whizzed by them. + Forrest's skirmishers and scouts were on the south side of the stream. As + they had foreseen, the river had sunk so much that it was fordable now at + many points. Dick was devoutly grateful that they had found Grierson. + Otherwise the Winchester regiment would have been flanked, and its + destruction would have followed. + </p> + <p> + Skirmishers were detached from Grierson's command and drove off the + Southern riflemen. Dick heard the rattling fire of their rifles in the + deep wood, but he seldom saw a figure. Then he heard another fire, heavy + and continuous, in their front, coming quite clearly on a breeze that blew + toward them. + </p> + <p> + “Your whole regiment is engaged,” exclaimed Grierson. “Forrest must have + forded the river elsewhere!” + </p> + <p> + He turned and shook aloft his saber. + </p> + <p> + “Forward, lads!” he shouted. “Gallant men of our own army will be + overwhelmed unless we get up in time!” + </p> + <p> + The whole force broke into a gallop through the woods, the fire in their + front rapidly growing heavier. In ten minutes they would be there, but + rifles suddenly blazed from the forest on their flank and many saddles + were emptied. Nothing upsets like surprise, and for a few moments the + whole command was in disorder. It was evident that Forrest was attacking + Winchester with only a part of his force, while he formed an ambush for + Grierson. + </p> + <p> + But the Northern cavalrymen had not learned in vain through disaster and + experience. Grierson quickly restored order and drew his men back into the + forest. As the enemy followed the Northern carbines began to flash fast. + The troopers in gray were unable to flank them or drive them back. + Grierson, sure of his superior numbers, pushed on toward Winchester, while + fighting off the foe at the same time. + </p> + <p> + Dick and the sergeant kept in the van, and presently they came within + sight of Colonel Winchester's men, who, dismounted, were holding off as + best they could the overwhelming attack of Forrest. The Southern leader, + after sending the majority of his men to a new crossing lower down had + forced the ford before the Winchester regiment, and would have crushed it + if it had not been for the opportune arrival of Grierson. + </p> + <p> + But a tremendous cheer arose as the Northern cavalry leader, who was + already proving his greatness, charged into the battle with his grim + troopers. The men in blue were now more numerous, and, fighting with the + resolve to win or die, they gradually forced back Forrest. Dick began to + foresee a victory won over the great Southern cavalryman. + </p> + <p> + But the astute Forrest, seeing that the odds were now heavily against him, + ordered a retreat. The trumpets sang the recall and suddenly the Southern + horsemen, carrying their dead with them, vanished in the forest, where the + Northern cavalry, fearful of ambushes and new forces, did not dare to + pursue. + </p> + <p> + But Winchester and Grierson were shaking hands, and Winchester thanked the + other in brief but emphatic words. + </p> + <p> + “Say no more, colonel,” exclaimed Grierson. “We're all trying to serve our + common country. You'd help me just the same if we had the chance, and I + think you'll find the road clear to Grant. While the siege of Vicksburg + was determined on long ago, as you know, I believe that he is now moving + toward Grand Gulf. You know he has to deal with the armies of Johnston and + Pemberton.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll find him,” said Winchester. + </p> + <p> + A quarter of an hour later his regiment was galloping toward Grant, while + Grierson's command rode eastward to deal with other forces of the + Confederacy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. GRANT MOVES + </h2> + <p> + The Winchester regiment had not suffered greatly. A dozen men who had + fallen were given speedy burial, and all the wounded were taken away on + horseback by their friends. Dick rejoiced greatly at their escape from + Forrest, and the daring and skill of Grierson. He felt anew that he was in + stronger hands in the West than he had been in the East. In the East + things seemed to go wrong nearly always, and the West they seemed to go + right nearly always. It could not be chance continued so long. He believed + in his soul that it was Grant, the heroic Thomas, and the great fighting + powers of the western men, used to all the roughness of life out-of-doors + and on the border. + </p> + <p> + They turned their course toward the Mississippi and that afternoon they + met a Union scout who told them that Grant, now in the very heart of the + far South, was gathering his forces for a daring attack upon Grand Gulf, a + Confederate fortress on the Mississippi. In the North and at Washington + his venture was regarded with alarm. There was a telegram to him to stop, + but it was sent too late. He had disappeared in the Southern wilderness. + </p> + <p> + But Dick understood. He had both knowledge and intuition. Colonel + Winchester on his long and daring scout had learned that the Confederate + forces in the South were scattered and their leaders in doubt. Grant, + taking a daring offensive and hiding his movements, had put them on the + defensive, and there were so many points to defend that they did not know + which to choose. Joe Johnston, just recovered from his wound at Fair Oaks + the year before, and a general of the first rank, was coming, but he was + not yet here. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Pemberton held the chief command, but he seemed to lack energy + and decision. There were forces under other generals scattered along the + river, including eight thousand commanded by Bowen, who held Grand Gulf, + but concert of action did not exist among them. + </p> + <p> + This knowledge was not Dick's alone. It extended to every man in the + regiment, and when the colonel urged them to greater speed they responded + gladly. + </p> + <p> + “If we don't ride faster,” he said, “we won't be up in time for the taking + of Grand Gulf.” + </p> + <p> + No greater spur was needed and the Winchester regiment went forward as + fast as horses could carry them. + </p> + <p> + “I take it that Grant means to scoop in the Johnnies in detail,” said + Warner. + </p> + <p> + “It seems so,” said Pennington. “This is a big country down here, and we + can fight one Confederate army while another is mired up a hundred miles + away. + </p> + <p> + “That's General Grant's plan. He doesn't look like any hero of romance, + but he acts like one. He plunges into the middle of the enemy, and if he + gets licked he's up and at 'em again right away.” + </p> + <p> + Night closed in, and they stopped at an abandoned plantation—it + seemed to Dick that the houses were abandoned everywhere—where they + spent the night. The troopers would have willingly pushed on through the + darkness, but the horses were so near exhaustion that another hour or two + would have broken them down permanently. Moreover, Colonel Winchester did + not feel much apprehension of an attack now. Forrest had certainly turned + in another direction, and they were too close to the Union lines to be + attacked by any other foe. + </p> + <p> + The house on this plantation was not by any means so large and fine as + Bellevue, but, like the other, it had broad piazzas all about it, and + Dick, in view of his strenuous experience, was allowed to take his saddle + as a pillow and his blankets and go to sleep soon after dark in a + comfortable place against the wall. + </p> + <p> + Never was slumber quicker or sweeter. There was not an unhealthy tissue in + his body, and most of his nerves had disappeared in a life amid battles, + scoutings, and marchings. He slept heavily all through the night, inhaling + new strength and vitality with every breath of the crisp, fresh air. There + was no interruption this time, and early in the morning the regiment was + up and away. + </p> + <p> + They descended now into lower grounds near the Mississippi. All around + them was a vast and luxuriant vegetation, cut by sluggish streams and + bayous. But the same desolation reigned everywhere. The people had fled + before the advance of the armies. Late in the afternoon they saw pickets + in blue, then the Mississippi, and a little later they rode into a Union + camp. + </p> + <p> + “Dick,” said Colonel Winchester, “I shall want you to go with the senior + officers and myself to report to General Grant on the other side of the + Mississippi. You rode on that mission to Grierson and he may want to ask + you questions.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was glad to go with them. He was eager to see once more the man who + had taken Henry and Donelson and who had hung on at Shiloh until Buell + came. The general's tent was in a grove on a bit of high ground, and he + was sitting before it on a little camp stool, smoking a short cigar, and + gazing reflectively in the direction of Grand Gulf. + </p> + <p> + He greeted the three officers quietly but with warmth and then he listened + to Colonel Winchester's detailed account of what he had seen and learned + in his raid toward Jackson. It was a long narrative, showing how the + Southern forces were scattered, and, as he listened, Grant's face began to + show satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + But he seldom interrupted. + </p> + <p> + “And you think they have no large force at Jackson?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I'm quite sure of it,” replied Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + Grant chewed his cigar a little while and then said: + </p> + <p> + “Grierson is doing well. It was an achievement for you and him to beat off + Forrest. It will raise the prestige of our cavalry, which needs it. I + believe it was you, Lieutenant Mason, who brought Grierson.” + </p> + <p> + “It was chiefly, sir, a sergeant named Whitley. I rode with him and + outranked him, but he is a veteran of the plains, and it was he who did + the real work.” + </p> + <p> + The general's stern features were lightened by a smile. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you give the sergeant credit,” he said. “Not many officers would + do it.” + </p> + <p> + He listened a while longer and then the three were permitted to withdraw + to their regiment, which was posted back of Grand Gulf, and which had + quickly become a part of an army flushed with victory and eager for + further action. + </p> + <p> + Before sunset Dick, Warner, and Pennington looked at Grand Gulf, a little + village standing on high cliffs overlooking the Mississippi, just below + the point where the dark stream known as the Big Black River empties into + the Father of Waters. Around the crown of the heights was a ring of + batteries and lower down, enclosing the town, was another ring. + </p> + <p> + Far off on the Mississippi the three saw puffing black smoke marking the + presence of a Union fleet, which never for one instant in the whole course + of the war relaxed its grip of steel upon the Confederacy. Dick's heart + thrilled at the sight of the brave ships. He felt then, as most of us have + felt since, that whatever happened the American navy would never fail. + </p> + <p> + “I hear the ships are going to bombard,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “I heard so, too,” said Pennington, “and I heard also that they will have + to do it under the most difficult circumstances. The water in front of + Grand Gulf is so deep that the ships can't anchor. It has a swift current, + too, making at that point more than six knots an hour. There are powerful + eddies, too, and the batteries crowning the cliffs are so high that the + cannon of the gunboats will have trouble in reaching them.” + </p> + <p> + “Still, Mr. Pessimist,” said Dick, “remember what the gunboats did at Fort + Henry. You'll find the same kind of men here.” + </p> + <p> + “I wasn't trying to discourage you. I was merely telling the worst first. + We're going to win. We nearly always win here in the West, but it seems to + me the country is against us now. This doesn't look much like the plains, + Dick, with its big, deep rivers, its high bluffs along the banks, and its + miles and miles of swamp or wet lowlands. How wide would you say the + Mississippi is here?” + </p> + <p> + “Somewhere between a mile and a mile and a half.” + </p> + <p> + “And they say it's two or three hundred feet deep. Look at the steamers, + boys. How many are there?” + </p> + <p> + “I count seven pyramids of smoke,” said Warner, “four in one group and + three in another. All the pyramids are becoming a little faint as the + twilight is advancing. Dick, you call me a cold mathematical person, but + this vast river flowing in its deep channel, the dark bluffs up there, and + the vast forests would make me feel mighty lonely if you fellows were not + here. It's a long way to Vermont.” + </p> + <p> + “Fifteen hundred or maybe two thousand miles,” said Dick, “but look how + fast the dark is coming. I was wrong in saying it's coming. It just drops + down. The smoke of the steamers has melted into the night, and you don't + see them any more. The surface of the river has turned black as ink, the + bluffs of Grand Gulf have gone, and we've turned back three or four + hundred years.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by going back three or four hundred years?” asked + Warner, looking curiously at Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Why, don't you see them out there?” + </p> + <p> + “See them out there? See what?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, the queer little ships with the high sides and prows! On my soul, + George, they're the caravels of Spain! Look, they're stopping! Now they + lower something in black over the side of the first caravel. I see a man + in a black robe like a priest, holding a cross in his hand and standing at + the ship's edge saying something. I think he's praying, boys. Now sailors + cut the ropes that hold the dark object. It falls into the river and + disappears. It's the burial of De Soto in the Father of Waters which he + discovered!” + </p> + <p> + “Dick, you're dreaming,” exclaimed Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know, but once there was a Chinaman who dreamed that he was a + lily. When he woke up he didn't know whether he was a Chinaman who had + dreamed he was a lily or a lily now dreaming he was a Chinaman.” + </p> + <p> + “I like that story, Dick, but you've got too much imagination. The tale of + the death and burial of De Soto has always been so vivid to you that you + just stood there and re-created the scene for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course that's it,” said Pennington, “but why can't a fellow create + things with his mind, when things that don't exist jump right up before + his eyes? I've often seen the mirage, generally about dark, far out on the + western plains. I've seen a beautiful lake and green gardens where there + was nothing but the brown swells rolling on.” + </p> + <p> + “I concede all you say,” said Dick readily. “I have flashes sometimes, and + so does Harry Kenton and others I know.” + </p> + <p> + “Flashes! What do you mean?” asked Warner. + </p> + <p> + “Why, a sort of lightning stroke out of the past. Something that lasts + only a second, but in which you have a share. Boys, one day I saw myself a + Carthaginian soldier following Hannibal over the Alps.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe,” said Pennington, “we have lived other lives on this earth, and + sometimes a faint glimpse of them comes to us. It's just a guess.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” said Warner, “and we'd better be getting back to the + regiment. Grand Gulf defended by Bowen and eight thousand good men is + really enough for us. I think we're going to see some lively fighting + here.” + </p> + <p> + The heavy boom of a cannon from the upper circle of batteries swept over + the vast sheet of water flowing so swiftly toward the Gulf. The sound came + back in dying echoes, and then there was complete silence among besieged + and besiegers. + </p> + <p> + The Winchesters had found a good solid place, a little hill among the + marshes, and they were encamped there with their horses. Dick had no + messages to carry, but he remained awake, while his comrades slept + soundly. He had slept so much the night before that he had no desire for + sleep now. + </p> + <p> + From his position he could see the Confederate bluffs and a few lights + moving there, but otherwise the two armies were under a blanket of + darkness. He again felt deeply the sense of isolation and loneliness, not + for himself alone, but for the whole army. Grant had certainly shown + supreme daring in pushing far into the South, and the government at + Washington had cause for alarm lest he be reckless. If there were any + strong hand to draw together the forces of the Confederacy they could + surely crush him. But he had already learned in this war that those who + struck swift and hard were sure to win. That was Stonewall Jackson's way, + and it seemed to be Grant's way, too. + </p> + <p> + Still unable to sleep, he walked to a better position, where he could see + the shimmering dark of the river and the misty heights with their two + circles of cannon. A tall figure standing there turned at his tread and he + recognized Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “Uneasy at our position, Dick?” said the colonel, fathoming his mind at + once. + </p> + <p> + “A little, sir, but I think General Grant will pull us through.” + </p> + <p> + “He will, Dick, and he'll take this fort, too. Grant's the hammer we've + been looking for. Look at his record. He's had backsets, but in the end + he's succeeded in everything he's tried. The Confederate government and + leaders have made a mess of their affairs in the West and Southwest, and + General Grant is taking full advantage of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Do we attack in the morning, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “We do, Dick, though not by land. Porter, with his seven gunboats, is + going to open on the fort, but it will be a hazardous undertaking.” + </p> + <p> + “Because of the nature of the river, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “That's it. They can't anchor, and with full steam up, caught in all the + violent eddies that the river makes rounding the point, they'll have to + fire as best they can.” + </p> + <p> + “But the gunboats did great work at Fort Henry, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “So they did, Dick, and we've come a long way South since then, which + means that we're making progress and a lot of it here in the West. Well, + we'll see to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + They walked back to their own camp and sleep came to Dick at last. But he + awoke early and found that the thrill of expectation was running through + the whole army. Their position did not yet enable them to attack on land, + but far out on the river they saw the gunboats moving. Porter, the + commander, divided them into two groups. Four of the gunboats were to + attack the lower circle of batteries and three were to pour their fire + upon the upper ring. + </p> + <p> + Dick by day even more than by night recognized the difficulty of the task. + Before them flowed the vast swift current of the Mississippi, gleaming now + in the sunshine, and beyond were the frowning bluffs, crested and ringed + with cannon. Grant had with him twenty thousand men and his seven + gunboats, and Bowen, eight thousand troops. But if the affair lasted long + other Southern armies would surely come. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his comrades had little to do but watch and thousands watched + with them. When the sun was fully risen the seven boats steamed out in two + groups, four farther down the river in order to attack the lower + batteries, while the other three up the stream would launch their fire + against those on the summit. + </p> + <p> + He watched the crest of the cliffs. He saw plainly through his glasses the + muzzles of cannon and men moving about the batteries. Then there was a + sudden blaze of fire and column of smoke and a shell struck in the water + near one of the gunboats. The boat replied and its comrades also sent shot + and shell toward the frowning summit. Then the batteries, both lower and + upper, replied with full vigor and all the cliffs were wrapped in fire and + smoke. + </p> + <p> + The boats steamed in closer and closer, pouring an incessant fire from + their heavy guns, and both rings of batteries on the cliffs responded. The + water of the river spouted up in innumerable little geysers and now and + then a boat was struck. Over both cliffs and river a great cloud of smoke + lowered. It grew so dense that Dick and his comrades, watching with + eagerness, were unable to tell much of what was happening. + </p> + <p> + Yet as the smoke lifted or was shot through with the blaze of cannon fire + they saw that their prophecies were coming true. The boats in water too + deep for anchorage were caught in the powerful eddies and their captains + had to show their best seamanship while they steamed back and forth. + </p> + <p> + The battle between ship and shore went on for a long time. It seemed at + last to the watching Union soldiers that the fire from the lower line of + batteries was diminishing. + </p> + <p> + “We're making some way,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “It looks like it,” said Dick. “Their lower batteries are not so well + protected as the upper.” + </p> + <p> + “If we were only over there, helping with our own guns.” + </p> + <p> + “But there's a big river in between, and we've got to leave it to the + boats for to-day, anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + “Look again at those lower batteries. Their fire is certainly decreasing. + I can see it die down.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and now it's stopped entirely. The boats have done good work!” + </p> + <p> + A tremendous cheer burst from the troops on the west shore as they saw how + much their gallant little gunboats had achieved. Every gun in the lower + batteries was silent now, but the top of the cliffs was still alive with + flame. The batteries there were far from silent. Instead their fire was + increasing in volume and power. + </p> + <p> + The four gunboats that had silenced the lower batteries now moved up to + the aid of their comrades, and the seven made a united effort, steaming + forward in a sort of half-moon, and raining shot and shell upon the + summits. But the guns there, well-sheltered and having every advantage + over rocking steamers, maintained an accurate and deadly fire. The decks + of the gunboats were swept more than once. Many men were killed or + wounded. Heavy shot crashed through their sides, and Dick expected every + instant to see some one of them sunk by a huge exploding shell. + </p> + <p> + “They can't win! They can't win!” he exclaimed. “They'd better draw off + before they're sunk!” + </p> + <p> + “So they had,” said Warner sadly. “Boats are at a disadvantage fighting + batteries. The old darky was right when he preferred a train wreck to a + boat wreck, 'ef the train's smashed, thar you are on the solid ground, but + ef the boat blows up, whar is you?' That's sense. The boats are retiring! + It's sad, but it's sense. A boat that steams away will live to fight + another day.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was dejected. He fancied he could hear the cheering of their foes at + what looked like a Union defeat, but he recalled that Grant, the bulldog, + led them. He would never think of retiring, and he was sure to be ready + with some new attempt. + </p> + <p> + The gunboats drew off to the far western shore and lay there, puffing + smoke defiantly. Their fight with the batteries had lasted five hours and + they had suffered severely. It seemed strange to Dick that none of them + had been sunk, and in fact it was strange. All had been hit many times, + and one had been pierced by nearly fifty shot or shell. Their killed or + wounded were numerous, but their commanders and crews were still resolute, + and ready to go into action whenever General Grant wished. + </p> + <p> + “Spunky little fellows,” said Pennington. “We don't have many boats out + where I live, but I must hand a bunch of laurel to the navy every time.” + </p> + <p> + “And you can bind wreaths around the hair of those navy fellows, too,” + said Warner, “and sing songs in their honor whether they win or lose.” + </p> + <p> + “Now I wonder what's next,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + To their surprise the gunboats opened fire again just before sundown, and + the batteries replied fiercely. Rolling clouds of smoke mingled with the + advancing twilight, and the great guns from either side flashed through + the coming darkness. Then from a stray word or two dropped by Colonel + Winchester Dick surmised the reason of this new and rather distant + cannonade. + </p> + <p> + He knew that General Grant had transports up the river above Grand Gulf, + and he believed that they were now coming down the stream under cover of + the bombardment and the darkness. He confided his belief to Warner, who + agreed with him. Presently they saw new coils of smoke in the darkness and + knew they were right. The transports, steaming swiftly, were soon beyond + the range of the batteries, and then the gun boats, drawing off, dropped + down the river with them. + </p> + <p> + Long before the boats reached a point level with Grant's camp the army was + being formed in line for embarkation on the gunboats and transports. The + horses were to be placed on one or two of the transports and the men + filled all the other vessels. + </p> + <p> + “You can't down Grant,” said Pennington. “A failure with him merely means + that he's going to try again.” + </p> + <p> + “But don't forget the navy and the Father of Waters,” said Dick, as their + transports swung from the shore upon the dark surface of the river. “The + mighty rivers help us. Look how we went up the Cumberland and the + Tennessee and now we've harnessed a flowing ocean for our service.” + </p> + <p> + “Getting poetical, Dick,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “I feel it and so do you. You can't see the bluffs any more. There's + nothing in sight, but the lights of the steamers and the transports. We + must be somewhere near the middle of the stream, because I can't make out + either shore.” + </p> + <p> + There were two regiments aboard the transport, the Winchester and one from + Ohio, which had fought by their side at both Perryville and Stone River. + Usually these boys chattered much, but now they were silent, permeated by + the same feelings that had overwhelmed Dick. In the darkness—all + lights were concealed as much as possible—with both banks of the + vast river hidden from them, they felt that they were in very truth afloat + upon a flowing ocean. + </p> + <p> + They knew little about their journey, except that they were destined for + the eastern shore, the same upon which Grand Gulf stood, but they did not + worry about this lack of knowledge. They were willing to trust to Grant, + and most of them were already asleep, upon the decks, in the cabins, or in + any place in which a human body could secure a position. + </p> + <p> + Dick did not sleep. The feeling of mystery and might made by the + tremendous river remained longer in his sensitive and imaginative nature. + His mind, too, looked backward. He knew that the great grandfathers of + Harry Kenton and himself, the famous Henry Ware and the famous Paul + Cotter, had passed up and down this monarch of streams. He knew of their + adventures. How often had he and his cousin, who now, alas! was on the + other side, listened to the stories of those mighty days as they were + handed from father to son! Those lads had floated in little boats and he + was on a steamer, but it seemed to him that the river with its mighty + depths took no account of either, steamer or canoe being all the same to + its vast volume of water. + </p> + <p> + He was standing by the rail looking over, when happening to glance back he + saw by the ship's lantern what he thought was a familiar face. A second + glance and he was sure. He remembered that fair-haired Ohio lad, and, + smiling, he said: + </p> + <p> + “You're one of those Ohio boys who, marching southward from its mouth in + the Ohio, drank the tributary river dry clear to its source, the mightiest + achievement in quenching thirst the world has ever known. You're the boy, + too, who told about it.” + </p> + <p> + The youth moved forward, gazed at him and said: + </p> + <p> + “Now I remember you, too. You're Dick Mason of the Winchester regiment. I + heard the Winchesters were on board, but I haven't had time to look + around. It was hot when we drank up the river, but it was hotter that + afternoon at Perryville. God! what a battle! And again at Stone River, + when the Johnnies surprised us and took us in flank. It was you + Kentuckians then who saved us.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as you would have saved us, if it had been the other way.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so. But, Mason, we left a lot of the boys behind. A big crowd + stopped forever at Perryville, and a bigger at Stone River.” + </p> + <p> + “And we left many of ours, too. I suppose we'll land soon, won't we, and + then take these Grand Gulf forts with troops.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that's the ticket, but I hear, Mason, it's hard to find a landing on + the east side. The banks are low there and the river spreads out to a vast + distance. After the boats go as far as they can we'll have to get off in + water up to our waists and wade through treacherous floods.” + </p> + <p> + The question of landing was worrying Grant at that time and worrying him + terribly. The water spread far out over the sunken lands and he might have + to drop down the river many miles before he could find a landing on solid + ground, a fact which would scatter his army along a long line, and expose + it to defeat by the Southern land forces. But his anxieties were relieved + early in the morning when a colored man taken aboard from a canoe told him + of a bayou not five miles below Grand Gulf up which his gunboats and + transports could go and find a landing for the troops on solid ground. + </p> + <p> + Dick was asleep when the boats entered the bayou, but he was soon awakened + by the noise of landing. It was then that most of the Winchester and of + the Ohio regiment discovered that they were comrades, thrown together + again by the chances of war, and there was a mighty welcome and shaking of + hands. But it did not interfere with the rapidity of the landing. The + Winchester regiment was promptly ordered forward and, advancing on solid + ground, took a little village without firing a shot. + </p> + <p> + All that day troops came up and Grant's army, after having gone away from + Grand Gulf in darkness, was coming back to it in daylight. + </p> + <p> + “They say that Pemberton at Vicksburg could gather together fifty thousand + men and strike us, while we've only twenty thousand here,” said + Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “But he isn't going to do it,” said Warner. “How do I know? No, I'm not a + prophet nor the son of a prophet. There's nothing mysterious about it. + This man Grant who leads us knows the value of time. He makes up his mind + fast and he acts fast. The Confederate commander doesn't do either. So + Grant is bound to win. Let z equal resolution and y equal speed and we + have z plus y which equals resolution and speed, that is victory.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope it will work out that way,” said Dick, “but war isn't altogether + mathematics.” + </p> + <p> + “Not altogether, but that beautiful study plays a great part in every + campaign. People are apt to abuse mathematics, when they don't know what + they're talking about. The science of mathematics is the very basis of + music, divine melody, heaven's harmony.” + </p> + <p> + “You needn't tell me,” said Pennington, “that a plus b and z minus y lie + at the basis of 'Home, Sweet Home' and the 'Star Spangled Banner.' I + accept a lot of your tales because you come from an old state like + Vermont, but there's a limit, George.” + </p> + <p> + Warner looked at him pityingly. + </p> + <p> + “Frank,” he said, “I'm not arguing with you. I'm telling you. Haven't you + known me long enough to accept whatever I say as a fact, and to accept it + at once and without question? Not to do so is an insult to me and to the + truth. Now say over slowly with me: 'The basis of music is mathematics.'” + </p> + <p> + They said slowly together: + </p> + <p> + “The basis of music is mathematics.” + </p> + <p> + “Now I accept your apologies,” said Warner loftily. + </p> + <p> + Pennington laughed. + </p> + <p> + “You're a queer fellow, George,” he said. “When this war is over and I + receive my general's uniform I'm coming up into the Vermont mountains and + look your people over. Will it be safe?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, if you learn to read and write by then, and don't come wearing + your buffalo robe. We're strong on education and manners.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, George,” said Pennington in the same light tone, “I could read when + I was two years old, and, as for writing, I wrote a lot of text-books for + the Vermont schools before I came to the war.” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up, you two,” said Dick. “Don't you know that this is a war and not + a talking match?” + </p> + <p> + “It's not a war just now, or at least there are a few moments between + battles,” retorted Warner, “and the best way I can use them is in + instructing our ignorant young friend from Nebraska.” + </p> + <p> + Their conversation was interrupted by Colonel Winchester, who ordered the + regiment to move to a new point. General Grant had decided to attack a + little town called Port Gibson, which commanded the various approaches to + Grand Gulf. If he could take that he might shut up Bowen and his force in + Grand Gulf. On the other hand, if he failed he might be shut in himself by + Confederate armies gathering from Jackson, Vicksburg, and elsewhere. The + region, moreover, was complicated for both armies by the mighty + Mississippi and the Big Black River, itself a large stream, and there were + deep and often unfordable bayous. + </p> + <p> + But Grant showed great qualities, and Dick, who was experienced enough now + to see and know, admired him more than ever. He pushed forward with the + utmost resolution and courage. His vanguard, led by McClernand, and + including the Winchester regiment, seized solid ground near Port Gibson, + but found themselves confronted by a formidable Southern force. Bowen, who + commanded in Grand Gulf, was brave and able. Seeing the Union army + marching toward his rear, and knowing that if Grant took it he would be + surrounded, both on land and water, by a force outnumbering his nearly + three to one, he marched out at once and took station two miles in front + of Port Gibson. + </p> + <p> + Dick was by the side of Colonel Winchester as he rode forward. The faint + echo of shots from the skirmishers far in front showed that they had + roused up an enemy. Glasses were put in use at once. + </p> + <p> + “The Confederates are before us,” said Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “So they are, and we're going to have hard fighting,” said a major. “Look + what a position!” + </p> + <p> + Dick said nothing, but he was using his glasses, too. He saw before him + rough ground, thickly sown with underbrush. There was also a deep ravine + or rather marsh choked with vines, bushes, reeds, and trees that like a + watery soil. The narrow road divided and went around either end of the + long work, where the two divisions united again on a ridge, on which Bowen + had placed his fine troops and artillery. + </p> + <p> + “I don't see their men yet, except a few skirmishers,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “No, but we'll find them in some good place beyond it,” replied Colonel + Winchester, divining Bowen's plan. + </p> + <p> + It was night when the army in two divisions, one turning to the right and + the other to the left, began the circuit of the great marshy ravine. Dick + noticed that the troops who had struggled so long in mud and water were + eager. Here, west of the Alleghanies, the men in blue were always + expecting to win. + </p> + <p> + The sky was sown with stars, casting a filmy light over the marching + columns. Dick was with the troops passing to the right, and he observed + again their springy and eager tread. + </p> + <p> + Nor was the night without a lively note. Skirmishers, eager riflemen + prowling among the bushes, fired often at one another, and now and then a + Union cannon sent a shell screaming into some thick clump of forest, lest + a foe be lurking there for ambush. + </p> + <p> + The reports of the rifles and cannon kept every one alert and watchful. + Early in the night while it was yet clear Dick often saw the flashes from + the firing, but, as the morning hours approached, heavy mists began to + rise from that region of damp earth and great waters. He shivered more + than once, and on the advice of Sergeant Whitley wrapped his cavalry cloak + about him. + </p> + <p> + “Chills and fever,” said the sergeant sententiously. “So much water and + marsh it's hard to escape it. The sooner we fight the better.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that's what General Grant thinks already,” said Dick; “so I suppose + he doesn't need chills and fever to drive him on. All the same, Sergeant, + I'll wrap up as you say.” + </p> + <p> + All the men in the Winchester regiment were soon doing the same. The mists + of the Mississippi, the Big Black and the bayous were raw and cold, + although it would be hot later on. But the period of coldness did not last + long. Soon the low sun showed in the east and the warm daylight came. In + the new light they saw the Confederate forces strongly posted on the ridge + where the halves of the road rejoined. As the Union column came into view + a cannon boomed and a shell burst in the road so near that dirt was thrown + upon them as it exploded and one man was wounded. At the same time the + column on the left under Osterhaus appeared, having performed its + semicircle about the marsh, and the whole Union army, weary of body but + eager of soul, pressed forward. The Winchester regiment and the Ohio + regiment beside it charged hotly, but were received with a fire of great + volume and accuracy that swept them from the road. Another battery on + their far left also raked them with a cross fire, and so terrible was + their reception that they were compelled to abandon some of their own + cannon and seek shelter. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment, except the officers, were not mounted in this + march, as Grant would not wait for their horses, which were on another + transport. The very fact saved from death many who would have made a more + shining target. Dick's own horse was killed at the first fire, and as he + leaped clear to escape he went down to his waist in a marsh, another fact + which saved his life a second time as the new volleys swept over his head. + The horses of other officers also were killed, and the remainder, finding + themselves such conspicuous targets, sprang to the ground. The frightened + animals, tearing the reins from their hands, raced through the thickets or + fell into the marsh. + </p> + <p> + All the time Dick heard the shells and bullets shrieking and whining over + his head. But, regaining his courage and presence of mind, he slowly + pulled himself out of the marsh, taking shelter behind a huge cypress that + grew at its very edge. As he dashed the mud out of his eyes he heard a + voice saying: + </p> + <p> + “Don't push! There's room enough here for the three of us. In fact, + there's room enough behind the big trees for all the officers.” + </p> + <p> + It was Warner who was speaking with such grim irony, and Pennington by his + side was hugging the tree. Shells and shot shrieked over their heads and + countless bullets hummed about them. The soldiers also had taken shelter + behind the trees, and Warner's jest about the officers was a jest only. + Nevertheless the Southern fire was great in volume and accuracy. Bowen was + an able commander with excellent men, and from his position that covered + the meeting of the roads he swept both Union columns with a continuous + hail of death. + </p> + <p> + “We must get out of this somehow,” said Dick. “If we're held here in these + swamps and thickets any longer the Johnnies can shoot us down at their + leisure.” + </p> + <p> + “But we won't be held!” exclaimed Pennington. “Look! One of our brigades + is through, and it's charging the enemy on the right!” + </p> + <p> + It was Hovey who had forced his way through a thicket, supposed to be + impenetrable, and who now, with a full brigade behind him, was rushing + upon Bowen's flank. Then, while the Southern defense was diverted to this + new attack, the Winchester and the Ohio regiment attacked in front, + shouting with triumph. + </p> + <p> + Hovey's rush was overpowering. He drove in the Southern flank, taking four + cannon and hundreds of prisoners, but the dauntless Confederate commander, + withdrawing his men in perfect order, retreated to a second ridge, where + he took up a stronger position than the first. + </p> + <p> + Resolute and dangerous, the men in gray turned their faces anew to the + enemy and sent back a withering fire that burned away the front ranks of + the Union army. Osterhaus, in spite of every effort, was driven back, and + the Winchesters and their Ohio friends were compelled to give ground too. + It seemed that the utmost of human effort and defiance of death could not + force the narrow passage. + </p> + <p> + But a new man, a host in himself, came upon the field. Grant, who had been + on foot for two days, endeavoring to get his army through the thickets and + morasses, heard the booming of the cannon and he knew that the vanguards + had clashed. He borrowed a cavalry horse and, galloping toward the sound + of the guns, reached the field at mid-morning. Grant was not impressive in + either figure or manner, but the soldiers had learned to believe in him as + they always believe in one who leads them to victory. + </p> + <p> + A tremendous shout greeted his coming and the men, snatching off their + hats and caps, waved them aloft. Grant took no notice but rapidly disposed + his troops for a new and heavier battle. Dick felt the strong and sure + hand over them. The Union fire grew in might and rapidity. McPherson + arrived with two brigades to help Osterhaus, and the strengthened division + was able to send a brigade across a ravine, where it passed further around + Bowen's flank and assailed him with fury. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt that their own division under McClernand was also making + progress. Although many men were falling they pressed slowly forward, and + Grant brought up help for them too. For a long time the struggle was + carried on. It was one of the little battles of the war, but its results + were important and few were fought with more courage and resolution. + Bowen, with only eight thousand against twenty thousand, held fast + throughout all the long hot hours of the afternoon. Grant, owing to the + nature of the field, was unable to get all his numbers into battle at + once. + </p> + <p> + But when the twilight began to show Dick believed that victory was at + hand. They had not yet driven Bowen out, but they were pressing him so + close and hard, and Grant was securing so many new positions of advantage, + that the Southern leader could not make another such fight against + superior numbers in the morning. + </p> + <p> + Twilight turned into night and Bowen and his men, who had shown so much + heroism, retreated in the dark, leaving six guns and many prisoners as + trophies of the victors. + </p> + <p> + It was night when the battle ceased. Cannon and rifles flashed at fitful + intervals, warning skirmishers to keep away, but after a while they too + ceased and the Union army, exhausted by the long march of the night before + and the battle of the day, threw itself panting upon the ground. The + officers posted the sentinels in triple force, but let the remainder of + the men rest. + </p> + <p> + As Dick lay down in the long grass two or three bullets dropped from his + clothes and he became conscious, too, that a bullet had grazed his + shoulder. But these trifles did not disturb him. It was so sweet to rest! + Nothing could be more heavenly than merely to lie there in the long, soft + grass and gaze up at the luminous sky, into which the stars now stole to + twinkle down at him peacefully. + </p> + <p> + “Don't go to sleep, Dick,” said a voice near him. “I admit the temptation + is strong. I feel it myself, but General Grant may have to send you and me + forward to-night to win another battle.” + </p> + <p> + “George, I'm glad to hear your preachy voice over there. Hurt any?” + </p> + <p> + “No. A million cannon balls brushed my right cheek and another million + brushed my left cheek, but they didn't touch me. They scared me to death, + but in the last few minutes I've begun to come back to life. In a quarter + of an hour I'll be just as much alive as I ever was.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know anything of Pennington?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. The rascal is lying about six feet beyond me, sound asleep. In spite + of all I could do he wouldn't stay awake. I've punched him all over to see + if he was wounded, but as he didn't groan at a single punch, he's all + right.” + </p> + <p> + “That being the case, I'm going to follow Pennington's example. You may + lecture me as much as you please, George, but you'll lecture only the + night, because I'll be far away from here in a land of sweet dreams.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, if you're going to do it, I will too. You'll hear my snore + before I hear yours.” + </p> + <p> + Both sank in a few minutes into a deep slumber, and when they awoke the + next morning they found that Bowen had abandoned Port Gibson and had + retreated into Grand Gulf again. There was great elation among the lads + and Dick began to feel that the position of the Union army in the far + South was strengthened immeasurably. He heard that Sherman, who had stood + so staunchly at Shiloh, was on his way to join Grant. Their united forces + would press the siege of Grand Gulf and would also turn to strike at any + foe who might approach from the rear. + </p> + <p> + Never since the war began had Dick felt so elated as he did that morning. + When he saw the short, thick-set figure of Grant riding by he believed + that the Union, in the West at least, had found its man at last. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. DICK'S MISSION + </h2> + <p> + The night came down warm and heavy. Spring was far advanced in that + Southern region, and foliage and grass were already rich and heavy. Dick, + from his dozing position beside a camp fire, saw a great mass of tall + grass and green bushes beyond which lay the deep waters of a still creek + or bayou. The air, although thick and close, conduced to rest and the + peace that reigned after the battle was soothing to his soul. + </p> + <p> + His friends, the two lads, who were knitted to him by so many hardships + and dangers shared, were sound asleep, and he could see their tanned faces + when the light of the flickering fires fell upon them. Good old Warner! + Good old Pennington! The comradeship of war knitted youth together with + ties that never could be broken. + </p> + <p> + He moved into an easier position. He lay upon the soft turf and he had + doubled his blanket under his head as a pillow. At first the droning + noises of camp or preparation had come from afar, but soon they ceased and + now the frogs down by the sluggish waters began to croak. + </p> + <p> + It was a musical sound, one that he had heard often in his native state, + and, singularly enough, the lad drew encouragement from it. “Be of good + cheer! Be of good cheer! Trust in the future! Trust in the future!” said + all those voices down among the swamps and reeds. And then Dick said to + himself: “I will trust and I will have hope!” He remembered his last + glimpse of Grant's short, strong figure and the confidence that this man + inspired in him. He, with tens of thousands of others, Abraham Lincoln at + their head, had been looking for a man, they had looked long and in vain + for such a man, but Dick was beginning to believe that they had found him + at last. + </p> + <p> + It would take much of a man to stand before the genius of Lee, but it + might be Grant. Dick's faith in the star of his country, shattered so + often for the moment, began to rise that night and never sank again. + </p> + <p> + He fell asleep to the homely music of the frogs among the reeds, and slept + without stir until nearly dawn. + </p> + <p> + Just as the first strip of gray showed in the east Colonel Winchester + walked toward the spot where Dick and his comrades lay. The colonel had + not slept that night. His fine face was worn and thin, but the blue eyes + were alight with strength and energy. He had just left a conference of + high officers, and he came upon a mission. He reached the three lads, and + looked down at them with a sort of pity. He knew that it was his duty to + awake them at once and send them upon a perilous errand, but they were so + young, and they had already been through so much that he hesitated. + </p> + <p> + He put his hand upon Dick's shoulder and shook him. But it took more than + one shake to awaken the lad, and it was fully a minute before he opened + his eyes and sat up. Dick conscious but partly and rubbing his sleepy + eyes, asked: + </p> + <p> + “What is it? Are we to go into battle again? Yes, sir! Yes, sir! I'm + ready!” + </p> + <p> + “Not that, Dick, but I've orders for you.” + </p> + <p> + Dick now awoke completely and saw that it was Colonel Winchester. He + sprang to his feet and saluted. + </p> + <p> + “We'll wake up Warner and Pennington next,” said the colonel, “because + they go also on the kind of duty to which you're assigned.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad of that,” said Dick warmly. + </p> + <p> + Warner and Pennington were aroused with difficulty, but, as soon as they + realized that Colonel Winchester was before them and that they were + selected for a grave duty, they became at once keen and alert. + </p> + <p> + “Lads,” said the colonel briefly, “you've all felt that we're now led by a + great commander. But energy and daring on the part of a leader demand + energy and daring on the part of his men. General Grant is about to + undertake a great enterprise, one that demands the concentration of his + troops. I want you, Warner, to go to General Sherman with this dispatch, + and here is one for you, Pennington, to take to General Banks.” + </p> + <p> + He paused a moment and Dick asked: + </p> + <p> + “Am I to be left out?” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester smiled. + </p> + <p> + He liked this eagerness on the part of his boys, and yet there was sadness + in his smile, too. Young lieutenants who rode forth on errands often + failed to come back. + </p> + <p> + “You're included, Dick,” he said, “and I think that yours is the most + perilous mission of them all. Pennington, you and Warner can be making + ready and I'll tell Dick what he's to do.” + </p> + <p> + The Vermonter and the Nebraskan hurried away and Colonel Winchester, + taking Dick by the arm, walked with him beyond the circle of firelight. + </p> + <p> + “Dick,” he said gently, “they asked me to choose the one in my command + whom I thought most fit for this duty to be done, and I've selected you, + although I'm sending you into a great peril.” + </p> + <p> + Dick flushed with pride at the trust. Youth blinded him at present to its + perils. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir,” he said simply. + </p> + <p> + “You will recall Major Hertford, who was with us in Kentucky before the + Shiloh days?” + </p> + <p> + “I could not forget him, sir. One of our most gallant officers.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak truly. He is one of our bravest, and also one of our ablest. I + speak of him as Major Hertford, but he has lately been promoted to the + rank of colonel, and he is operating toward the East with a large body of + cavalry, partly in conjunction with Grierson, who saved us at the ford.” + </p> + <p> + “And you want me to reach him, sir!” + </p> + <p> + “You've divined it. He is near Jackson, the capital of this state, and, + incidentally, you're to discover as much as you can about Jackson and the + Confederate dispositions in that direction. We wish Hertford to join + General Grant's advance, which will presently move toward Jackson, and we + rely upon you to find him.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do it, if he's to be found at all,” said Dick fervently. + </p> + <p> + “I knew it, but, Dick, you're to go in your uniform. I'll not have you + executed as a spy in case you're taken. Nor are you to carry any written + message to Colonel Hertford. He knows you well, and he'll accept your word + at once as truth. Now, this is a ride that will call for woodcraft as well + as soldiership.” + </p> + <p> + “I start at once, do I not, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “You do. Warner and Pennington are ready now, and your own horse is + waiting for you. Here is a small map which I have reason to believe is + accurate, at least fairly so, although few of our men know much of this + country. But use it, lad, as best you can.” + </p> + <p> + It was a sheet of thick fibrous paper about six inches square and, after a + hasty glance at it, Dick folded it up carefully and put it in his pocket. + Warner and Pennington appeared then, mounted and armed and ready to tell + him good-bye. He and Colonel Winchester watched them a moment or two as + they rode away, and then an orderly appeared with Dick's own horse, a fine + bay, saddled, bridled, saddlebags filled with food, pistols in holsters, + and a breech-loading rifle strapped to the saddle. + </p> + <p> + “I've made your equipment the best I could,” said Colonel Winchester, “and + after you start, lad, you must use your own judgment.” + </p> + <p> + He wrung the hand of the boy, for whom his affection was genuine and deep, + and Dick sprang into the saddle. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, colonel,” he said, “I thank you for this trust, and I won't + fail.” + </p> + <p> + It was not a boast. It was courage speaking from the heart of youth and, + as Dick rode out of the camp on his good horse, he considered himself + equal to any task. He felt an enormous pride because he was chosen for + such an important and perilous mission, and he summoned every faculty to + meet its hardships and dangers. + </p> + <p> + He had the password, and the sentinels wished him good luck. So did the + men who were gathering firewood. One, a small, weazened fellow, gave him + an envious look. + </p> + <p> + “Wish I was going riding with you,” he said. “It's fine in the woods now.” + </p> + <p> + Dick laughed through sheer exuberance of spirits. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe it is and maybe it isn't,” he said. “Perhaps the forest is filled + with rebel sharpshooters.” + </p> + <p> + “If you ride toward Jackson you're likely to strike Confederate bands.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't say where I'm going, but you may be certain I'll keep a watch + for those bands wherever I may be.” + </p> + <p> + The little man was uncommonly strong nevertheless, as he carried on his + shoulder a heavy log which he threw down by one of the fires, but Dick, + absorbed in his journey, forgot the desire of the soldier to be riding + through the forest too. + </p> + <p> + He soon left the camp behind. He looked back at it only once, and beheld + the luminous glow of the campfires. Then the forest shut it out and he + rode on through a region almost abandoned by its people owing to the + converging armies. He did not yet look at his map, because he knew that he + would soon come into the main road to Jackson. It would be sufficient to + determine his course then. + </p> + <p> + Dick was not familiar with the farther South, which was a very different + region from his own Kentucky. His home was a region of firm land, hills + and clear streams, but here the ground lay low, the soil was soft and the + waters dark and sluggish. But his instincts as a woodsman were fortified + by much youthful training, and he felt that he could find the way. + </p> + <p> + It gave him now great joy to leave the army and ride away through the deep + woods. He was tired of battle and the sight of wounds and death. The + noises of the camp were painful to his ear, and in the forest he found + peace. + </p> + <p> + He was absolutely alone in his world, and glad of it. The woods were in + all the depth and richness of a Southern spring. Vast masses of green + foliage billowed away to right and left. Great festoons of moss hung from + the oaks, and trailing vines wrapped many of the trees almost to their + tops. Wild flowers, pink, yellow and blue, unknown by name to Dick, + bloomed in the open spaces. + </p> + <p> + The air of early morning was crisp with the breath of life. He had come + upon a low ridge of hard ground, away from the vast current and low, + sodden shores of the Mississippi. Here was a clean atmosphere, and the + forest, the forest everywhere. A mockingbird, perched on a bough almost + over his head, began to pour forth his liquid song, and from another far + away came the same song like an echo. Dick looked up but he could not see + the bird among the branches. Nevertheless he waved his hand toward the + place from which the melody came and gave a little trill in reply. Then he + said aloud: + </p> + <p> + “It's a happy omen that you give me. I march away to the sound of innocent + music.” + </p> + <p> + Then he increased his speed a little and rode without stopping until he + came to the main road to Jackson. There he examined his map upon which + were marked many rivers, creeks, lagoons and bayous, with extensive shaded + areas meaning forests. In the southeastern corner of the map was Jackson, + close to which he meant to go. + </p> + <p> + He rode on at a fair pace, keeping an extremely careful watch ahead and on + either side of the road. He meant to turn aside soon into the woods, but + for the present he thought himself safe in the road—it was not + likely that Southern raiders would come so near to the Union camp. + </p> + <p> + His feeling of peace deepened. He was so far away now that no warlike + sound could reach him. Instead the song of the mockingbird pursued him. + Dick, full of youth and life, began to whistle the tune with the songster, + and his horse perhaps soothed too by the rhythm broke into the gentle pace + which is so easy for the rider. + </p> + <p> + It was early dawn, and the west was not yet wholly light. The east was + full of gold, but the silver lingered on the opposite horizon, and the hot + sun of Mississippi did not yet shed its rays over the earth. Instead, a + cool breeze blew on Dick's face, and the quick blood was still leaping in + his veins. The road dipped down and he came to a brook, which was clear + despite its proximity to the mighty yellow trench of the Mississippi. + </p> + <p> + He let his horse drink freely, and, while he drank, he surveyed the + country as well as he could. On his left he saw through a fringe of woods + a field of young corn and showing dimly beyond it a small house. Unbroken + forest stretched away on his right, but in field as well as forest there + was no sign of a human being. + </p> + <p> + He studied his map again, noting the great number of water courses, which + in the spring season were likely to be at the flood, and, for the first + time, he realized the extreme difficulty of his mission. Mississippi was + in the very heart of the Confederacy. He could not expect any sympathetic + farmers to help him or show him the way. More likely as he advanced toward + Jackson he would find the country swarming with the friends of the + Confederacy, and to pass through them would demand the last resource of + skill and courage. Perhaps it would have been wiser had he put on citizens + clothes and taken his chances as a spy! He did not know that Colonel + Winchester would have ordered the disguise had the one who rode on this + most perilous mission been any other than he. + </p> + <p> + The realization brought with it extreme caution. Growing up in a country + which was still mainly in forest, not differing much from its primitive + condition, save for the absence of Indians and big game, he had learned to + be at home in the woods, and now he turned from the path, riding among the + trees. + </p> + <p> + He kept a course some distance from the road, where he was sheltered by + the deep foliage and could yet see what was passing along the main artery + of travel. The ground at times was spongy, making traveling hard, and + twice his horse swam deep creeks. He would have turned into the road at + these points but the bridges were broken down and he had no other choice. + </p> + <p> + The morning waned, and the coolness departed. The sun hung overhead, + blazing hot, and the air in the forest grew dense and heavy. He would have + been glad to turn back into the road, in the hope of finding a breeze in + the open space, but caution still kept him in the forest. He soon saw two + men in brown jeans riding mules, farmers perhaps, but carrying rifles on + their shoulders, and, drawing his horse behind a big tree, he waited until + they passed. + </p> + <p> + They rode on unseeing and he resumed his journey, to stop an hour later + and eat cold food, while he permitted his horse to graze in an opening. He + had seen only three houses, one a large colonial mansion, with the smoke + rising from several chimneys, and the others small log structures + inhabited by poor farmers, but nobody was at work in the fields. + </p> + <p> + When he resumed the journey he was thankful that he had kept to the woods + as a body of Confederate cavalry, coming out of a path from the north, + turned into the main road and advanced at a good pace toward Jackson. They + seemed to be in good spirits, as he could hear them talking and laughing, + but he was glad when they were out of sight as these Southerners had keen + eyes and a pair of them might have discerned him in the brush. + </p> + <p> + He went deeper into the woods and made another long study of his map. It + seemed to him now that he knew every hill and lagoon and road and path, + and he resolved to ride a straight course through the forest. There was a + point, distinctly marked north of Jackson, where he was to find Hertford + if he arrived in time, or to wait for him if he got there ahead of time, + and he believed that with the aid of the map he could reach it through the + woods. + </p> + <p> + He rode now by the sun and he saw neither path nor fields. He was in the + deep wilderness once more. The mockingbirds sang around him again and + through the rifts in the leaves he saw the sailing hawks seeking their + prey. Three huge owls sitting in a row on a bough slept undisturbed while + he passed. He took it as an omen that the wilderness was deserted, and his + confidence was strong. + </p> + <p> + But the firm ground ceased and he rode through a region of swamps. The + hoofs of his horse splashed through mud and water. Now and then a snake + drew away its slimy length and Dick shuddered. He could not help it. + Snakes, even the harmless, always gave him shivers. + </p> + <p> + The wilderness now had an evil beauty. The vegetation was almost tropical + in its luxuriance, but Dick liked better the tender green of his more + northern state. Great beds of sunflowers nodded in the light breeze. Vast + masses of vines and creepers pulled down the trees, and on many of the + vines deep red roses were blooming. Then came areas of solemn live oaks + and gloomy cypresses, where no mockingbirds were singing. + </p> + <p> + He rode for half a mile along a deep lagoon or bayou, he did not know + which, and saw hawks swoop down and draw fish from its dark surface. The + whole scene was ugly and cruel, and he was glad when he left it and + entered the woods again. Once he thought he heard the mellow voice of a + negro singing, but that was the only sound, save the flitting of small + wild animals through the undergrowth. + </p> + <p> + He came, mid-afternoon, to a river, which he made his horse swim boldly + and then entered forest that seemed more dense than ever. But the ground + here was firmer and he was glad of a chance to rest both himself and his + mount. He dismounted, tethered the horse and stretched his own limbs, + weary from riding. + </p> + <p> + It was a pretty little glade, surrounded by high forest, fitted for rest + and peace, but his horse reared suddenly and tried to break loose. There + was a heavy crashing in the undergrowth and a deer, wild with alarm, + darting within a dozen feet of Dick, disappeared in the forest, running + madly. + </p> + <p> + He knew there were many deer in the Mississippi woods, but he was + observant and the flight aroused his attention. His first thought that he + and his horse had scared the deer could not be true, because it had come + from a point directly behind and had rushed past them. Then its alarm must + have been caused by some other human being near by in the forest or by a + panther. His theory inclined to the human being. + </p> + <p> + Dick was troubled. The more he thought of the incident the less he liked + it. He made no effort to hide from himself the dangers that surrounded him + in the land of the enemy, and remounting he rode briskly forward. As the + ground was firm and the forest was free enough from undergrowth to permit + of speed he finally broke into a gallop which he maintained for a + half-hour. + </p> + <p> + He struck marsh again and was a long time in passing through it. But when + he was a half-mile on the other side he drew into a dense cluster of + bushes and waited. He could not get the flight of the deer out of his + mind, and knowing that it was well in the wilderness to obey premonitions + he watched more closely. + </p> + <p> + Dick sat on his horse behind the bush a full five minutes, and presently + he became conscious that his heart was pounding heavily. He exerted his + will and called himself foolish, but in vain. The flight of the deer + persisted in his mind. It was a warning that somebody else was in the + woods not far behind him, and, while he waited, he saw a shadow among the + trees. + </p> + <p> + It was only a shadow, but it was like the figure of a man. A single + glimpse and he was gone. The stranger, whoever he was, had darted back in + the undergrowth. Dick waited another five minutes, but the shadow did not + reappear. He felt a measure of relief because all doubts were gone now. He + was sure that he was followed, but by whom? + </p> + <p> + He knew that his danger had increased manifold. Some Southern scout or + skirmisher had discovered his presence and, in such a quest, the trailer + had the advantage of the trailed. Yet he did not hesitate. He knew his + general direction and, shifting the pistols from the saddle-holsters to + his belt he again urged his horse forward. + </p> + <p> + When they came to good ground he walked, leading his mount, as the animal + was much exhausted by the effort the marshes needed. But whenever the + undergrowth grew dense he stopped to look and listen. He did not see the + shadow and he heard nothing save the ordinary sounds of the woods, but + either instinct or imagination told him that the stranger still followed. + </p> + <p> + The sun was far down the westward slope, but it was still very hot in the + woods. There was no breeze. Not a leaf, nor a blade of grass stirred. Dick + heard his heart still pounding. The unseen pursuit—he had no doubt + it was there—was becoming a terrible strain upon his nerves. The + perspiration ran down his face, and he sought with angry eyes for a sight + of the fellow who presumed to hang upon his tracks. + </p> + <p> + He began to wonder what he would do when the night came. There would be no + rest, no sleep for him, even in the darkness. Twice he curved from his + course and hid in the undergrowth to see his pursuer come up, but there + was nothing. Then he reasoned with himself. He had not really seen the + flitting figure of a man. It was merely the effect of an alarmed + imagination, and he told himself to ride straight on, looking ahead, not + back. But reason again yielded to instinct and he curved once more into + the deep forest, where the tangle of vines and undergrowth also was so + thick that it would take a keen eye to find him. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked back along the path which he had come and he was confident + that he saw some of the tall bushes shake a little. It could not be wind, + because the air was absolutely still, and soon he was convinced that his + instinct had been right all the time. Fancy had played him no trick and + the shadow that he had seen was a human figure. + </p> + <p> + He felt with all the force of conviction that he was in great danger, but + he did not know what to do. So he did nothing, but sat quietly on his + horse among the bushes. The heat was intense there and innumerable flies, + gnats, and mosquitoes assailed him. The mosquitoes were so fierce that + they drew blood from his face a half-dozen times. + </p> + <p> + Alone in the heat of the deep marshy wilderness he felt fear more than in + battle. Danger threatened here in a mysterious, invisible fashion and he + could only wait. + </p> + <p> + He saw a bush move again, but much nearer, and then came the crack of a + rifle. If his horse, alarmed perhaps, had not thrown up his head suddenly, + and received the bullet himself the lad's career would have ended there. + </p> + <p> + The horse made a convulsive leap, then staggered for a few seconds, giving + his rider time to spring clear, and fell among the bushes. Dick dropped + down behind him and quickly unstrapped the rifle from the saddle, meaning + to use the animal's body as a breastwork against renewed attack. + </p> + <p> + His fear, the kind of fear that the bravest feel, had been driven away by + rage. The killing of his innocent horse, although the bullet was intended + for him, angered him as much as if he had received a wound himself. The + spirit of his ancestor, the shrewd and wary Indian fighter, descended upon + him again, and, lying upon his stomach behind the horse, with the rifle + ready he was anxious for the attack to come. + </p> + <p> + Dick was firmly convinced that he had but a single enemy. Otherwise he + would have been attacked in force earlier, and more than one shot would + have been fired. But the report of the rifle was succeeded by deep + silence. The forest was absolutely still, not a breath of wind stirring. + His enemy remained invisible, but the besieged youth was confident that he + was lying quiet, awaiting another chance. Dick, still hot with anger, + would wait too. + </p> + <p> + But other enemies were far more reckless than the hidden marksman. The + swarm of gnats, flies, and mosquitoes assailed him again and he could have + cried out in pain. His only consolation lay in the fact that the other man + might be suffering just as much. + </p> + <p> + He was aware that his enemy might try a circling movement in order to + reach him on the flank or from behind, but he believed that his ear would + be keen enough to detect him if he came near. Moreover he lay in a slight + dip with the body of the horse in front of him, and it would require an + uncommon sharpshooter to reach him with a bullet. If he could only stand + those terrible mosquitoes an hour he felt that he might get away, because + then the night would be at hand. + </p> + <p> + He saw with immense relief that the sun was already very low. The heat, + gathered in the woods, was at its worst, and over his head the mosquitoes + buzzed and buzzed incessantly. It seemed to him a horrible sort of irony + that he might presently be forced from his shelter by mosquitoes and be + killed in flight to another refuge. + </p> + <p> + But he was endowed with great patience and tenacity and he clung to his + shelter, relying rather upon ear than eye to note the approach of an + enemy. Meanwhile the sun sank down to the rim of the wood, and the + twilight thickened rapidly in the east. Then a shot was fired from the + point from which the first had come. Dick heard the bullet singing over + his head, but it gave him satisfaction because he was able to locate his + enemy. + </p> + <p> + He sought no return fire, but lay in the dip, wary and patient. The sun + sank beyond the rim, the western sky flamed blood red for a few moments, + and then the Southern night swept down so suddenly that it seemed to come + with violence. Dick believed that his escape was now at hand, but he still + showed an infinite patience. + </p> + <p> + He did not stir from his place until the night was almost black, and then, + carrying his weapons and the saddlebag of provisions, he crept among the + thickets. + </p> + <p> + When he stood up he found himself stiff from lying long in a cramped + position. His face burned from the bites of the mosquitoes, which still + hung in swarms about him, and he felt dizzy. + </p> + <p> + But Dick remembered his mission, and his resolve to perform it was not + shaken a particle. He had lost his horse, but he could walk. Perhaps his + chance of success would be greater on foot in such a dangerous country. + </p> + <p> + He advanced now with extreme caution, feeling the way carefully and + testing the ground before he put his foot down solidly. Still trusting to + his ears he stopped now and then, and listened for some sound from his + enemy in pursuit. But nothing came, and soon he became quite sure that he + had shaken him off. He was merely a dot in the wilderness in the dark, + and, feeling secure now, he pressed forward with more speed. + </p> + <p> + He was hoping to get to a piece of firm, high ground, where he might + secure a measure of protection from those terrible mosquitoes which still + buzzed angrily about his head. In an hour chance favored him, as he + reached a low ridge much rockier than usual in that region. He would have + built a little smudge fire to protect himself from the mosquitoes, but it + would be sure to draw the lurking sharpshooter, and instead he found a + nook in the ridge, under the low boughs of a great oak. Then he took a + light blanket which he carried tied to his saddlebags, and wrapped it + around his neck and face, covering everything but his mouth and eyes. + </p> + <p> + He sank into the nook with his back against the turf, and the reclining + position was wonderfully easy. The mosquitoes, apparently finding the + points of exposure too small, left him alone and went away. His face still + burned from numerous stings, but he forgot it in present comfort. There + was food in the saddlebags, and he ate enough for his needs. Then he laid + the saddlebags beside him and the rifle across his knees and stared out + into the darkness. + </p> + <p> + He felt a great relief after his extreme danger and long exertions. It was + both physical and mental, and sitting there alone in a sunken wilderness + he was nevertheless happy. Believing that the mosquitoes would not come + back, he wrapped the blanket about his whole body by and by, and pulled + his cap down over his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Dick had no plans for the night. He did not know whether he intended to + remain there long or not, but nature settled doubts for him. His head + drooped, and soon he slept as easily and peacefully as if he had been at + home at Pendleton in his own bed. + </p> + <p> + Then the wilderness blotted him out for the time. The little wild animals + scurried through the grass or ran up trees. In the far distance an owl + hooted solemnly at nothing, and he slept the mighty sleep of exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. HUNTED + </h2> + <p> + Dick slept the whole night through, which was a very good thing for him, + because he needed it, and because he could have made no progress in the + thick darkness through the marshy wilderness. No human beings saw him, but + the wild animals took more than one look. Not all were little. One big + clumsy brute, wagging his head in a curious, comic way, shuffled up from + the edge of the swamp, sniffed the strange human odor, and, still wagging + his comic head, came rather close to the sleeping boy. Then the black bear + decided to be afraid, and lumbered back into the bushes. + </p> + <p> + An owl perched on a bough almost over Dick's head, but this was game far + too large for Mr. Owl's beak and talons, and he soon flew away in search + of something nearer his size. A raccoon on a bough stared with glowing + eyes and then slid out of sight. + </p> + <p> + Man, although he had just come, became king of this swamp, king for the + night. The prowling beasts and birds of prey, after their first look, gave + Dick all the berth he needed, and he did not awake until a bright sun was + well above the edge of the earth. Then he rose, shook himself, much like + an animal coming from its lair, and bathed his face in a little stream + which ran down the hill into the swamp. It was swollen and painful from + the mosquito bites, but he resolved not to think of them, and ate + breakfast from the saddlebags, after which he studied his map a little. + </p> + <p> + Baggage and rifle on shoulder, he pursued a course south by east. There + was a strong breeze which gave him a rest from the dreaded insects, and he + pushed on with vigorous footsteps. The country remained thoroughly wild, + and he soon had proof of it. Another deer, this time obviously started up + by himself, sprang from the canebrake and darted away in the woods. He + noted tracks of bear and resolved some day when the war was over to come + there hunting. + </p> + <p> + His course led him again from firm ground into a region of marshes and + lagoons, which he crossed with difficulty, arriving about an hour before + noon at a considerable river, one that would require swimming unless he + found a ford somewhere near. He was very weary from the journey through + the marsh and, sitting on a log, he scraped from his clothes a portion of + the mud they had accumulated on the way. + </p> + <p> + He was a good swimmer, but he had his arms and ammunition to keep dry, and + he did not wish to trust himself afloat on the deep current. Wading would + be far better, and, when his strength was restored, he walked up the bank + in search of a shallower place. + </p> + <p> + He came soon to a point, where the cliff was rather high, although it was + clothed in dense forest here as elsewhere, and when he reached the crest + he heard a sound like the swishing of waters. Alert and suspicious he sank + down among the trees and peered over the bank. Two men in a canoe were + paddling in a leisurely manner along the stream. + </p> + <p> + The men were in faded and worn Confederate uniforms, and Dick saw their + rifles lying in the bottom of the boat. He also saw that they had strong, + resolute faces. They were almost opposite him and they were closely + scanning the forest on his side of the river. He was glad that he had not + tried to swim the stream, and he was glad too that he had kept so well + under cover. The men in the canoe were surely keen of eye, and they must + be a patrol. + </p> + <p> + He sank closer to the earth and did not stir. One of the watchers drew in + his paddle and took up his rifle, while the other propelled the canoe very + slowly. It seemed that they expected something or somebody, and it + suddenly occurred to him that it might be he. He felt a little shiver of + apprehension. How could they know he was coming? It was mysterious and + alarming. + </p> + <p> + He waited for them to pass down the river and out of sight, but at the + curve they turned and came back against the stream, the man with the rifle + in his hand still keenly watching the western shore, where Dick lay + hidden. Neither of them spoke, and the only sound was the swishing of the + paddle. The hoot of an owl came from the depths of the forest behind him + and he knew that it was a signal. The hair of his head lifted. + </p> + <p> + He felt the touch of the supernatural. The invisible pursuer was behind + him again, and the silent soldiers held the crossing. The hoot of the owl + came again, a little nearer now. He was tempted to rise and run, but his + will held him back from such folly. His unknown enemy could pursue, + because his boots left a deep trail in the soft earth. That was why he had + been able to follow again in the morning. + </p> + <p> + He crept back some distance from the river and then, rising, retreated + cautiously up the stream. He caught glimpses of the water twice through + the bushes, and each time the canoe was moving up the river also, one man + paddling and the other, rifle on his arm, watching the western shore. + </p> + <p> + Dick had a feeling that he was trapped. Colonel Winchester had been wise + to make him wear his uniform, because it was now certain that he was going + to be taken, and death had always been the punishment of a captured spy. + He put down the thought resolutely, and began to run through the forest + parallel with the river. If it were only the firm hard ground of the North + he could hide his trail from the man behind him, but here the soil was so + soft that every footstep left a deep mark. Yet he might find fallen trees + thrown down by hurricanes, and in a few minutes he came to a mass of them. + He ran deftly from trunk to trunk, and then continued his flight among the + bushes. It broke his trail less than a rod, but it might take his pursuer + ten minutes to recover it, and now ten minutes were precious. + </p> + <p> + The soil grew harder and he made better speed, but when he looked through + the foliage he saw the canoe still opposite him. It was easy for them, on + the smooth surface of the river, to keep pace with him, if such was their + object. Furious anger took hold of him. He knew that he must soon become + exhausted, while the men in the canoe would scarcely feel weariness. Then + came the idea. + </p> + <p> + The canoe was light and thin almost like the birch bark Indian canoe of + the north, and he was a good marksman. It was a last chance, but raising + his rifle he fired the heavy bullet directly at the bottom of the canoe. + As the echo of the first shot was dying he slipped in a cartridge and sent + a second at the same target. He did not seek to kill the men, his object + was the canoe, and as he ran rapidly away he saw it fill with water and + sink, the two soldiers in the stream swimming toward the western shore. + </p> + <p> + Dick laughed to himself. He had won a triumph, although he did not yet + know that it would amount to anything. At any rate the men could no longer + glide up and down the river at their leisure looking for him to come forth + from the forest. + </p> + <p> + He knew that the shots would bring the single pursuer at full speed, and, + as he had saved some ounces of strength, he now ran at his utmost speed. + The river curved again and just beyond the curve it seemed shallow to him. + He plunged in at once, and waded rapidly, holding his rifle, pistols and + saddlebags above his head. He was in dread lest he receive a bullet in his + back, but he made the farther shore, ran into the dense undergrowth and + sank down dripping and panting. + </p> + <p> + He had made the crossing but he did not forget to be ready. He rapidly + reloaded his rifle, and fastened the pistols at his belt. Then he looked + through the bushes at the river. The two canoemen, water running from them + in streams, were on the other bank, though a little farther down the + stream. He believed that they were no longer silent. He fondly imagined + that they were cursing hard, if not loud. + </p> + <p> + His relief was so great that, forgetting his own bedraggled condition, he + laughed. Then he looked again to see what they were going to do. A small + man, his face shaded by the broad brim of a hat, emerged from the woods + and joined them. Dick was too far away to see his face, even had it been + uncovered, but his figure looked familiar. Nevertheless, although he tried + hard, he could not recall where he had seen him before. But, as he carried + a long-barreled rifle, Dick was sure that this was his unknown pursuer. + There had certainly been collusion also between him and the men in the + boat, as the three began to talk earnestly, and to point toward the woods + on the other side. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt that he had avenged himself upon the boatmen, but his rage rose + high against the little man under the broad-brimmed hat. It was he who had + followed him so long, and who had tried ruthlessly to kill him. The lad's + rifle was of the most improved make and a bullet would reach. He was + tempted to try it, but prudence came to his rescue. Still lying close he + watched them. He felt sure that they would soon be hunting for his + footprints, but he resolved to stay in his covert, until they began the + crossing of the river, to which his trail would lead when they found it. + </p> + <p> + He saw them cease talking and begin searching among the woods. It might be + at least a half-hour before they found the trail and his strength would be + restored fully then. His sinking of the canoe had been in reality a + triumph, and so he remained at ease, watching the ford. + </p> + <p> + He was quite sure that when his trail was found the little man would be + the one to find it, and sure enough at the end of a half-hour the weazened + figure led down to the ford. Dick might have shot one of them in the + water, but he had no desire to take life. It would serve no purpose, and, + refreshed and strengthened, he set out through the forest toward Jackson. + </p> + <p> + He came to a brook soon, and, remembering the old device of Indian times, + he waded in it at least a half-mile. When he left it he passed through a + stretch of wood, crossed an old cotton field and entered the woods again. + Then he sat down and ate from his store, feeling that he had shaken off + his pursuers. Another examination of his map followed. He had kept fixed + in his mind the point at which he was to find Hertford, and, being a good + judge of direction, he felt sure that he could yet reach it. + </p> + <p> + The sun, now high and warm, had dried his clothing, and, after the food, + he was ready for another long march. He struck into a path and walked + along it, coming soon to a house which stood back a little distance from a + road into which the path merged. A man and two women standing on the porch + stared at him curiously, but he pretended to take no notice. After long + exposure to weather, blue uniforms did not differ much from gray, and his + own was now covered with mud. He could readily pass as a soldier of the + Confederacy unless they chose to ask too many questions. + </p> + <p> + “From General Pemberton's army?” called the man, when he was opposite the + house. + </p> + <p> + Dick nodded and stepped a little faster. + </p> + <p> + “Won't you stop for a bite and fresh water with friends of the cause?” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, but important dispatches. Must hurry.” They repeated the + invitation. He shook his head, and went on. He did not look back, but he + was sure that they stared at him as long as he was in sight. Then, for + safety's sake, he left the road and entered the wood once more. + </p> + <p> + He had now come to country comparatively free from swamp and marsh, and + pursued his way through a great forest, beautiful with live oaks and + magnolias. In the afternoon he took a long rest by the side of a clear + spring, where he drew further upon the store of food in his saddlebags, + which he calculated held enough for another day. After that he would have + to forage upon the country. + </p> + <p> + He would sleep the second night in the forest, his blanket being + sufficient protection, unless rain came, which he would have to endure as + best he could. Another look at his map and he believed that on the + following afternoon he could reach Hertford. + </p> + <p> + He took the remaining food from his saddlebags, wrapped it in his blanket, + and strapped the pack on his back. Then, in order to lighten his burden, + he hung the saddlebags on the bough of a tree and abandoned them, after + which he pressed forward through the woods with renewed speed. + </p> + <p> + He came at times to the edge of the forest and saw houses in the fields, + but he always turned back among the trees. He could find only enemies + here, and he knew that it was his plan to avoid all human beings. Precept + and example are of great power and he recalled again much that he had + heard of his famous ancestor, Paul Cotter. He had been compelled to fight + often for his life and again to flee for it from an enemy who reserved + torture and death for the captured. Dick felt that he must do as well, and + the feeling increased his vigor and courage. + </p> + <p> + A little later he heard a note, low, faint and musical. It was behind him, + but he was sure at first that it was made by negroes singing. It was a + pleasing sound. The negro had a great capacity for happiness, and Dick as + a young lad had played with and liked the young colored lads of his age. + </p> + <p> + But as he walked on he heard the low, musical note once more and, as + before, directly behind him. It seemed a little nearer. He paused and + listened. It came again, always nearer and nearer, and now it did not seem + as musical as before. There was a sinister thread in that flowing note, + and suddenly Dick remembered. + </p> + <p> + He was a daring horseman and with his uncle and cousin and others at + Pendleton he had often ridden after the fox. It was the note of the + hounds, but of bloodhounds, and this time they were following him. From + the first he had not the slightest doubt of it. Somebody, some traitor in + the Union camp, knew the nature of his errand, and was hanging on to the + pursuit like death. + </p> + <p> + Dick knew it was the little man whom he had seen by the river, and perhaps + the canoemen were with him—he would certainly have comrades, or his + own danger would be too great—and they had probably obtained the + bloodhounds at a farmhouse. Nearly everybody in Mississippi kept hounds. + </p> + <p> + The long whining note came again and much nearer. Now all music was gone + from it for Dick. It was ferocious, like the howl of the wolf seeking + prey, and he could not restrain a shudder. His danger had returned with + twofold force, because the hounds would unerringly lead his pursuers + through the forest as fast as they could follow. + </p> + <p> + He did not yet despair. A new resolution was drawn from the depths of his + courage. He did not forget that he was a good marksman and he had both + rifle and pistols. He tried to calculate from that whining, ferocious note + how many hounds were pursuing, and he believed they were not many. Now he + prepared for battle, and, as he ran, he kept his eye on the ground in + order that he might choose his own field. + </p> + <p> + He saw it presently, a mass of fallen timber thrown together by a great + storm, and he took his place on the highest log, out of reach of a leaping + hound. Then, lying almost flat on the log and with his rifle ready, he + waited, his heart beating hard with anger that he should be pursued thus + like an animal. + </p> + <p> + The howling of the hounds grew more ferocious, and it was tinged with joy. + The trail had suddenly grown very hot, and they knew that the quarry was + just before them. Dick caught a good view of a long, lean, racing figure + bounding among the trees, and he fired straight at a spot between the + blazing eyes. The hound fell without a sound, and with equal ease he slew + the second. The third and last drew back, although the lad heard the + distant halloo of men seeking to drive him on. + </p> + <p> + Dick sprang from his log and ran through the forest again. He knew that + the lone hound after his first recoil would follow, but he had his + reloaded rifle and he had proved that he knew how to shoot. It would + please him for the hound to come within range. + </p> + <p> + When he took to renewed flight the hound again whined ferociously and Dick + glanced back now and then seeking a shot. Once he caught a glimpse of two + or three dusky figures some distance behind the hound, urging him on, and + his heart throbbed with increased rage. If they presented an equal target + he would fire at them rather than the hound. + </p> + <p> + He could run no longer, and his gait sank to a walk. His very exhaustion + brought him his opportunity, as the animal came rapidly within range, and + Dick finished him with a single lucky shot. Then, making an extreme + effort, he fled on a long time, and, while he was fleeing, he saw the sun + set and the night come. + </p> + <p> + The strain upon him had been so great that his nerves and brain were + unsteady. Although the forest was black with night he saw it through a + blood-red mist. Something in him was about to burst, and when he saw a + human figure rising up before him it broke and he fell. + </p> + <p> + Dick was unconscious a long time. But when he awoke he found himself + wrapped in a blanket, while another was doubled under his head. It was + pitchy dark, but he beheld the outline of a human figure, sitting by his + side. He strove to rise, but a powerful hand on his shoulder pushed him + back, though gently, and a low voice said: + </p> + <p> + “Stay still, Mr. Mason. We mustn't make any sound now!” + </p> + <p> + Dick recognized in dim wonder the voice of Sergeant Daniel Whitley. How he + had come there at such a time, and what he was doing now was past all + guessing, but Sergeant Whitley was a most competent man. He knew more than + most generals, and he was filled with the lore of the woods. He would + trust him. He let his head sink back on the folded blanket, and his heavy + eyes closed again. + </p> + <p> + When Dick roused from his stupor the sergeant was still by his side, and, + as his eyes grew used to the darkness, he noticed that Whitley was really + kneeling rather than sitting, crouched to meet danger, his finger on the + trigger of a rifle. Dick's brain cleared and he sat up. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Sergeant?” he whispered. + </p> + <p> + “I see you're all right now, Mr. Mason,” the sergeant whispered back, “but + be sure you don't stir.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it the Johnnies?” + </p> + <p> + “Lean over a little and look down into that dip.” + </p> + <p> + Dick did so, and saw four men hunting among the trees, and the one who + seemed to be their leader was the little weazened fellow, with the great, + flap-brimmed hat. + </p> + <p> + “They're looking for your trail,” whispered the sergeant, “but they won't + find it. It's too dark, even for a Sioux Indian, and I've seen them do + some wonderful things in trailing.” + </p> + <p> + “I seem to have met you in time, Sergeant.” + </p> + <p> + “So you did, sir, but more of that later. Perhaps you'd better lie down + again, as you're weak yet. I'll tell you all they do.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll take your advice, Sergeant, but am I sound and whole? I felt + something in me break, and then the earth rose up and hit me in the face.” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon it was just the last ounce of breath going out of you with a + pop. They're hunting hard, Mr. Mason, but they can't pick up the trace of + a footstep. Slade must be mad clean through.” + </p> + <p> + “Slade! Slade! Who's Slade?” + </p> + <p> + “Slade is a spy partly, and an outlaw mostly, 'cause he often works on his + own hook. He's the weazened little fellow with so much hat-brim, and he's + about twenty different kinds of a demon. You've plenty of reason to fear + him, and it's lucky we've met.” + </p> + <p> + “It's more than luck for me, Sergeant. It's salvation. I believe it + wouldn't have been half as hard on me if somebody had been with me, and + you're the first whom I would have chosen. Are they still in the dip, + Sergeant?” + </p> + <p> + “No, they've passed to the slope on the right, and I think they'll go over + the hill. We're safe here so long as we remain quiet; that is, safe for + the time. Slade will hang on as long as there's a possible chance to find + us.” + </p> + <p> + “Sergeant, if they do happen to stumble upon us in the dark I hope you'll + promise to do one thing for me.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do anything I can, Mr. Mason.” + </p> + <p> + “Kill Slade first. That little villain gives me the horrors. I believe the + soul of the last bloodhound I shot has been reincarnated in him.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Mr. Mason,” returned the sergeant, placidly, “if we have to + fight I'll make sure of Slade at once. Is there anybody else you'd like + specially to have killed?” + </p> + <p> + “No thank you, Sergeant. I don't hate any of the others, and I suppose + they'd have dropped the chase long ago if it hadn't been for this fellow + whom you call Slade. Now, I think I'll lie quiet, while you watch.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, sir. I'll tell you everything I can see. They're passing over + the hill out of sight, and if they return I won't fail to let you know.” + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Whitley, a man of vast physical powers, hardened by the long + service of forest and plain, was not weary at all, and, in the dusk, he + looked down with sympathy and pity at the lad who had closed his eyes. He + divined the nature of the ordeal through which he had gone. Dick's face, + still badly swollen from the bites of the mosquitoes, showed all the signs + of utter exhaustion. The sergeant could see, despite the darkness, that it + was almost the face of the dead, and he knew that happy chance had brought + him in the moment of Dick's greatest need. + </p> + <p> + He ceased to whisper, because Dick, without intending it, had gone to + sleep again. Then the wary veteran scouted in a circle about their refuge, + but did not discover the presence of an enemy. + </p> + <p> + He sat down near the sleeping lad, with his rifle between his knees, and + watched the moon come out. Owing to his wilderness experience he had been + chosen also to go on a scout toward Jackson, though he preferred to make + his on foot, and the sound of Dick's shots at the hounds had drawn him to + an observation which finally turned into a rescue. + </p> + <p> + After midnight the sergeant slept a little while, but he never awakened + Dick until it was almost morning. Then he told him that he would go with + him on the mission to Hertford, and Dick was very glad. + </p> + <p> + “What's become of Slade and his men?” asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” replied the sergeant, “but as they lost the trail in the + night, it's pretty likely they're far from here. At any rate they're not + bothering us just now. How're you feeling, Mr. Mason?” + </p> + <p> + “Fine, except that my face still burns.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll have to hold up a Confederate house somewhere and get oil of + pennyroyal. That'll cure you, but I guess you've learned now, Mr. Mason, + that mosquitoes in a southern swamp are just about as deadly as bullets.” + </p> + <p> + “So they are, Sergeant, and this is not my first experience. Luck has been + terribly against me this trip, but it turned when I met you last night.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Mason. In this case two rifles are better than one. We're + prowling right through the heart of the Confederacy, but I'm thinking + we'll make it. We've got a great general now, and we mustn't fail to bring + up Colonel Hertford and his cavalry. I've an idea in my head that General + Grant is going to carry through big plans.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I think it's time we were starting.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I, Mr. Mason, and now will you take these crackers and smoked ham? + I've plenty in my knapsack. I learned on the plains never to travel + without a food supply. If a soldier starves to death what use is he to his + army? And I reckon you need something to eat. You were about tired out + when I met you last night.” + </p> + <p> + “I surely was, Sergeant, but I'm a new man this morning. You and I + together can't fail.” + </p> + <p> + Dick, in truth, felt an enormous relief. He and his young comrades had + learned to trust Sergeant Whitley implicitly, with his experience of + forest and plain and his infinite resource. + </p> + <p> + “Where do you figure we are, Sergeant?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “In the deep woods, Mr. Mason, but we haven't turned much from the line + leading you to the place where you were to meet Colonel Hertford. You + haven't really lost time, and we'll start again straight ahead, but we've + got to look out for this fellow Slade, who's as tricky and merciless as + they ever make 'em.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me more about Slade, Sergeant.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know a lot, but I heard of him from some of our scouts. He was an + overseer of a big plantation before the war. From somewhere up North, I + think, but now he's more of a rebel than the rebels themselves. Often + happens that way. But you've got to reckon with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Glad I know that much. He reminds me of a man I've seen, though I can't + recall where or when. It's enough, though, to watch out for Slade. Come + on, Sergeant, I'm feeling so fine now that with your help I'm able to + fight a whole army.” + </p> + <p> + The two striding through the forest, started toward the meeting place with + Hertford. Now that he had the powerful comradeship of Sergeant Whitley, + the wilderness became beautiful instead of gloomy for Dick. The live oaks + and magnolias were magnificent, and there was a wild luxuriance of + vegetation. Birds of brilliant plumage darted among the foliage, and + squirrels chattered on the boughs. He saw bear tracks again, and called + the sergeant's attention to them. + </p> + <p> + “It would be nice to be hunting them, instead of men,” said Whitley. “You + can find nice, black fellows down here, good to eat, and it's a deal safer + to hunt them than it is the grizzlies and silver-tips of the Rockies.” + </p> + <p> + They saw now much cleared land, mostly cotton fields, and now and then a + white man or a negro working, but there was always enough forest for + cover. They waded the numerous brooks and creeks, allowing their clothing + to dry in the warm sun, as they marched, and about two hours before + sunrise the sergeant, wary and always suspicious, suggested that they stop + a while. + </p> + <p> + “I've an idea,” he said, “that Slade and his men are still following us. + Oh, he's an ugly fellow, full of sin, and if they're not far behind us we + ought to know it.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as you say,” said Dick, glad enough to shift the responsibility upon + such capable shoulders. “How would this clump of bushes serve for a hiding + place while we wait?” + </p> + <p> + “Good enough. Indians pursued, often ambush the pursuer, and as we've two + good men with two good rifles, Mr. Mason, we'll just see what this Slade + is about.” + </p> + <p> + “When I last saw him,” said Dick, “he had the two canoemen with him, and + perhaps they've picked up the owner of the hounds.” + </p> + <p> + “That's sure, and they're likely to be four. We're only two, but we've got + the advantage of the ambush, and that's a big one. If you agree with me, + Mr. Mason, we'll wait here for 'em. We were sent out to take messages, not + to fight, but since these fellows hang on our trail we may get to Colonel + Hertford all the quicker because we do fight.” + </p> + <p> + “Your opinion's mine too, Sergeant. I'm not in love with battle, but I + wouldn't mind taking a shot or two at these men. They've given me a lot of + trouble.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant smiled. + </p> + <p> + “That's the way it goes,” he said. “You don't get mad at anybody in + particular in a big battle, but if two or three fellows lay around in the + woods popping away at you you soon get so you lose any objections to + killing, and you draw a bead on 'em as soon as a chance comes.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the way I feel, Sergeant. It isn't Christian, but I suppose it has + some sort of excuse.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it has. Drop a little lower, Mr. Mason. I see the bushes out + there shaking.” + </p> + <p> + “And that's the sign that Slade and his men have come. Well, I'm not + sorry.” + </p> + <p> + Both Dick and the sergeant lay almost flat with their heads raised a + little, and their rifles pushed forward. The bushes ceased to shake, but + Dick had no doubt their pursuers were before them. They had probably + divined, too, that the quarry was at bay and was dangerous. Evidently the + sergeant had been correct when he said Slade was full of craft and + cunning. + </p> + <p> + While they waited the spirit of Dick's famous ancestor descended upon him + in a yet greater measure. Their pursuers were not Indians, but this was + the deep wilderness and they were merely on a skirt of the great war. Many + of the border conditions were reproduced, and they were to fight as + borderers fought. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think they're doing?” Dick whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Feeling around for us. Slade won't take any more risk than he has to. Did + you see those two birds fly away from that bough, sudden-like? I think one + of the men has just crept under it. But the fellow who exposes himself + first won't be Slade.” + </p> + <p> + Dick's inherited instinct was strong, and he watched not only in front, + but to right and left also. He knew that cunning men would seek to flank + and surprise them, and he noticed that the sergeant also watched in a wide + circle. He still drew tremendous comfort from the presence of the skillful + veteran, feeling that his aid would make the repulse of Slade a certainty. + </p> + <p> + A rifle cracked suddenly in the bushes to their right, and then another by + his side cracked so suddenly that only a second came between. Dick heard a + bullet whistle over their heads, but he believed that the one from his + comrade's rifle had struck true. + </p> + <p> + “I've no way of telling just now,” said the sergeant, calmly, “but I don't + believe that fellow will bother any more. If we can wing another they're + likely to let us alone and we can go on. They must know by the trail that + we're now two instead of one, and that their danger has doubled.” + </p> + <p> + Dick had felt that the danger to their pursuers had more than doubled. He + had an immense admiration for the sergeant, who was surely showing himself + a host. The man, trained so long in border war, was thoroughly in his + element. His thick, powerful figure was drawn up in the fashion of a + panther about to spring. Bulky as he was he showed ease and grace, and + wary eyes, capable of reading every sign, continually scanned the + thickets. + </p> + <p> + “They know just where we are, of course,” whispered the sergeant, “but if + we stay close they'll never get a good shot at us.” + </p> + <p> + Dick caught sight of a head among some bushes and fired. The head dropped + back so quickly that he could not tell whether or not his bullet sped + true. After a long wait the sergeant suggested that they creep away. + </p> + <p> + “I think they've had enough,” he said. “They've certainly lost one man, + and maybe two. Slade won't care to risk much more.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was glad to go and, following the sergeant's lead, he crawled four or + five hundred yards, a most painful but necessary operation. Then they + stood up, and made good time through the forest. Both would have been + willing to stay and fight it out with Slade and what force he had left, + but their mission was calling them, and forward they went. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think they'll follow us?” asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon they've had enough. They may try to curve ahead of us and give + warning, but the salute from the muzzles of our rifles has been too warm + for any more direct pursuit. Besides, we're going to have a summer storm + soon, and like as not they'll be hunting shelter.” + </p> + <p> + Dick, in the excitement of battle and flight, had not noticed the + darkening skies and the rising wind. Clouds, heavy and menacing, already + shrouded the whole west. Low thunder was heard far in the distance. + </p> + <p> + “It's going to be a whopper,” said the sergeant, “something like those big + storms they have out on the plains. We must find shelter somewhere, Mr. + Mason, or it will leave us so bedraggled and worn out that for a long time + we won't be able to move on.” + </p> + <p> + Dick agreed with him entirely, but neither yet knew where the shelter was + to be found. They hurried on, looking hopefully for a place. Meanwhile the + storm, its van a continual blaze of lightning and roar of thunder, rolled + up fast from the southwest. Then the lightning ceased for a while and the + skies were almost dark. Dick knew that the rain would come soon, and, as + he looked eagerly for shelter, he saw a clearing in which stood a small + building of logs. + </p> + <p> + “A cornfield, Sergeant,” he exclaimed, “and that I take it is a crib.” + </p> + <p> + “A crib that will soon house more than corn,” said the sergeant. “Two good + Union soldiers are about to stop there. It's likely the farmer's house + itself is just beyond that line of trees, but he won't be coming out to + this crib to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Not likely. Too much darkness and rain. Hurry, Sergeant, I can hear + already the rush of the rain in the forest.” + </p> + <p> + They ran across the field, burst open the door of the crib, leaped in and + banged the door shut again, just as the van of the rain beat upon it with + an angry rush. + </p> + <p> + Save for a crack or two they had no light, but they stood upon a dry floor + covered deep with corn shucks, and heard the rain sweep and roar upon the + roof. On one side was a heap of husked corn which they quickly piled + against the door in order to hold it before the assaults of the wind, and + then they sought warm places among the shucks. + </p> + <p> + It was a small crib, and the rain drove in at the cracks, but it furnished + abundant shelter for its two new guests. Dick had never been in a finer + hotel. He lay warm and dry in a great heap of shucks, and heard the wind + and rain beat vainly upon walls and roof and the thunder rumble as it + moved off toward the east. He felt to the full the power of contrast. + </p> + <p> + “Fine in here, isn't it, Sergeant?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Fine as silk,” replied the sergeant from his own heap of shucks. “We + played in big luck to find this place, 'cause I think it's going to rain + hard all night.” + </p> + <p> + “Let it. It can't get me. Sergeant, I've always known that corn is our + chief staple, but I never knew before that the shucks, which so neatly + enclose the grains and cob, were such articles of luxury. I'm lying upon + the most magnificent bed in the United States, and it's composed wholly of + shucks.” + </p> + <p> + “It's no finer than mine, Mr. Mason.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so. Yours is just like mine, and, of course, it's an exception. + Now, I wish to say, Sergeant, the rain upon the roof is so soothing that + I'm likely to go to sleep before I know it.” + </p> + <p> + “Go ahead, Mr. Mason, and it's more'n likely I'll follow. All trails will + be destroyed by the storm and nobody will think of looking here for us + to-night.” + </p> + <p> + Both soon slept soundly, and all through the night the rain beat upon the + roof. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. A BOLD ATTACK + </h2> + <p> + Dick was the first to awake. The sergeant had not slept the night before + at all, and, despite his enormous endurance, he was overpowered. Having + fallen once into slumber he remained there long. + </p> + <p> + It was not yet morning and the rain was yet falling steadily. Its sweep + upon the roof was still so pleasant and soothing that Dick resolved to go + to sleep again, after he had looked about a little. He had grown used to + dusk and he could see just a little. The sergeant, buried all but his head + among the corn shucks, was breathing deeply and peacefully. + </p> + <p> + He looked out at one of the cracks, but he saw only rain sweeping by in + misty sheets. The road that ran by the field was invisible. He gave devout + thanks that this tight little corn crib had put itself in their way. Then + he returned to his slumbers, and when he awoke again the sergeant was + sitting by one of the cracks smoothing his thick hair with a small comb. + </p> + <p> + “I always try to keep as neat as I can, Mr. Mason,” he said, apologizing + for such weakness. “It gives you more courage, and if I get killed I want + to make a decent body. Here's your breakfast, sir. There's enough left for + the two of us, and I've divided it equally.” + </p> + <p> + Cold ham, bacon and crackers were laid out on clean shucks, and they ate + until nothing was left. It was now full daylight, and the rain was dying + away to a sprinkle. The farmer might come out at any time to his crib, and + they felt that they must be up and away. + </p> + <p> + They bade farewell to their pleasant shelter of a night, and, after + pulling through the deep mud of the field, entered again the forest, which + was now soaking wet. + </p> + <p> + “If Colonel Hertford is near where we reckon he is we ought to meet him by + nightfall,” said Sergeant Whitley. + </p> + <p> + “We're sure to reach him before then,” said Dick joyously. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Hertford is a mighty good man, and if he says he's going to be at + a certain place at a certain time I reckon he'll be there, Mr. Mason.” + </p> + <p> + “And then we'll bring him back and join General Grant. What do you think + of our General, Sergeant?” + </p> + <p> + Dick spoke with all the freedom then so prevalent in the American armies, + where officer and man were often on nearly a common footing, and the + sergeant replied with equal freedom. + </p> + <p> + “General Grant hits and hammers, and I guess that's what war is,” he said. + “On the plains we had a colonel who didn't know much about tactics. He + said the only way to put down hostile Indians was to find 'em, and beat + 'em, and I guess that plan will work in any war, big or little.” + </p> + <p> + “I heard before I left the army that Washington was getting scared, afraid + that he was taking too big a risk here in the heart of the Confederacy, + and that his operations might be checked by orders from the capital.” + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Whitley smiled a wise smile. + </p> + <p> + “We sergeants learn to know the officers,” he said, “and I've had the + chance to look at General Grant a lot. He doesn't say much, but I guess + he's doing a powerful lot of thinking, while he's chawing on the end of + his cigar. You notice, Mr. Mason, that he takes risks.” + </p> + <p> + “He took a big one at Shiloh, and came mighty near being nipped.” + </p> + <p> + “But he wasn't nipped after all, and now, if I can judge by the signs, + he's going to take another chance here. I wouldn't be surprised if he + turned and marched away from the Mississippi, say toward Jackson.” + </p> + <p> + “But that wouldn't be taking Vicksburg.” + </p> + <p> + “No, but he might whip an army of the Johnnies coming to relieve + Vicksburg, and I've a sneaking idea that the General has another daring + thought in mind.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Sergeant?” + </p> + <p> + “When he turns eastward he'll be away from the telegraph. Maybe he doesn't + want to receive any orders from the capital just now.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you've hit it, Sergeant. At least I hope so, and anyway we want + to reach Colonel Hertford right away.” + </p> + <p> + Still following the map and also consulting their own judgment, they + advanced now at a good rate. But as they came into a more thickly + populated country they were compelled to be exceedingly wary. Once a + farmer insisted on questioning them, but they threatened him with their + rifles and then plunged into a wood, lest he bring a force in pursuit. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon, lying among some bushes, they saw a large Confederate + force, with four cannon, pass on the road toward Jackson. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Hertford might do them a lot of damage if he could fall on them + with his cavalry,” said the sergeant thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “So he could,” said Dick, “but I imagine that General Grant wants the + colonel to come at once.” + </p> + <p> + They turned northward now and an hour later found numerous hoofprints in a + narrow road. + </p> + <p> + “All these were made by well-shod horses,” said the sergeant, after + examining the tracks critically. “Now, we've plenty of horseshoes and the + Johnnies haven't. That's one sign.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the other?” + </p> + <p> + “I calculate that about six hundred men have passed here, and that's + pretty close to the number Colonel Hertford has, unless he's been in a hot + fight.” + </p> + <p> + “Good reasoning, Sergeant, and I'll add a third. Those men are riding + directly toward the place where, according to our maps and information, we + ought to meet Colonel Hertford.” + </p> + <p> + “All these things make me sure our men have passed here, Mr. Mason. + Suppose we follow on as hard as we can?” + </p> + <p> + Cheered by the belief that they were approaching the end of their quest + they advanced at such a rate that the great trail rapidly grew fresher. + </p> + <p> + “Their horses are tired now,” said the sergeant, “and likely we're going + as fast as they are. They're our men sure. Look at this old canteen that + one of 'em has thrown away. It's the kind they make in the North. He ought + to have been punished for leaving such a sign.” + </p> + <p> + “I judge, Sergeant, from the looks of this road, that they can't now be + more than a mile away.” + </p> + <p> + “Less than that, Mr. Mason. When we reach the top of the hill yonder I + think we'll see 'em.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant's judgment was vindicated again. From the crest they saw a + numerous body of muddy horsemen riding slowly ahead. Only the brilliant + sunlight made their uniforms distinguishable, but they were, beyond a + doubt, the troops of the Union. Dick uttered a little cry of joy and the + sergeant's face glowed. + </p> + <p> + “We've found 'em,” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “And soon we ride,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + They hurried forward, shouted and waved their rifles. + </p> + <p> + The column stopped, and two men, one of whom was Colonel Hertford himself, + rode back, looking curiously at the haggard and stained faces of the two + who walked forward, still swinging their rifles. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Hertford,” said Dick joyfully, “we've come with a message for you + from General Grant.” + </p> + <p> + “And who may you be?” asked Hertford in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Colonel, don't you know me? I'm Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel + Winchester's regiment, and this is Sergeant Daniel Whitley of the same + regiment.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel broke into a hearty laugh, and then extended his hand to Dick. + </p> + <p> + “I should have known your voice, my boy,” he said, “but it's certainly + impossible to recognize any one who is as thickly covered with dry + Mississippi mud as you are. What's your news, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + Dick told him and the sergeant repeated the same tale. He knew them both + to be absolutely trustworthy, and their coming on such an errand through + so many dangers carried its own proof. + </p> + <p> + “We've several spare horses, bearing provisions and arms,” said Colonel + Hertford. “Two can be unloaded and be made ready for you and the sergeant. + I fancy that you don't care to keep on walking, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “I've had enough to last me for years, Colonel.” + </p> + <p> + They were mounted in a few minutes, and rode with the colonel. The world + had now changed for Dick. Astride a good horse and in a column of six + hundred men he was no longer the hunted. These troopers and he were + hunters now. + </p> + <p> + The column turned presently into another road and advanced with speed in + the direction of Grant. Colonel Hertford asked Dick many questions about + Slade. + </p> + <p> + “I've been hearing of him since we were on this raid,” he said. “He's more + of a guerilla than a regular soldier, but he may be able to gather a + considerable force. I wish we could cut him off.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” said Dick, but his feeling was prompted chiefly by Slade's + determined attempts upon his life. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Hertford now pushed forward his men. He, too, was filled with + ambitions. He began to have an idea of Grant's great plans, in which all + the Union leaders must cooperate, and he meant that his own little command + should be there, whenever the great deed, whatever it might be, was done. + He talked about it with Dick, who he knew was a trusted young staff + officer, and the two, the lad and the older man, fed the enthusiasm of + each other. + </p> + <p> + This attack deep into the flank of the Confederacy appealed to them with + its boldness, and created a certain romantic glow that seemed to clothe + the efforts of a general so far from the great line of battle in the East. + They talked, too, of the navy which had run past forts on the Mississippi, + and which had shown anew all its ancient skill and courage. + </p> + <p> + As they talked, twilight came, and the road led once more through the deep + woods, where the shade turned the twilight into the darkness of night. + Then rifles flashed suddenly in the thickets, and a half-dozen horsemen + fell. The whole column was thrown for an instant or two into disorder, + frightened horses rearing and stamping, and, before their riders could + regain control, another volley came, emptying a half-dozen saddles. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Hertford gave rapid commands. Then, shouting and waving his saber + he galloped boldly into the forest, reckless of trees and bushes, and + Dick, the sergeant, and the whole troop followed. The lad was nearly swept + from his horse by a bough, but he recovered himself in time to see the + figures of men on foot fleeing rapidly through the dusk. + </p> + <p> + Bullets pattered on bark and leaves, and the angry horsemen, after + discharging their carbines, swept forward with circling sabers. But the + irregulars who had ambushed them, save a few fallen before the bullets, + escaped easily in the dense woods, and under cover of the darkness which + was now coming down, thick and fast. + </p> + <p> + A trumpet sounded the recall and the cavalrymen, sore and angry, drew back + into the road. They had lost a dozen good men, but Colonel Hertford felt + that they could not delay for vengeance. Grant's orders were to come at + once; and he intended to obey them. + </p> + <p> + “I'd wager a year's pay against a Confederate five-dollar note,” said + Sergeant Whitley to Dick, “that the man who laid that ambush was Slade. + He'll keep watch on us all the way to Grant, and he'll tell the Southern + leaders everything the general is doing. Oh, he's a good scout and spy.” + </p> + <p> + “He's proved it,” said Dick, “and I'd like to get a fair shot at him.” + </p> + <p> + They rode nearly all night and most of the next day, and, in the + afternoon, they met other men in blue who told them that a heavy Union + force was advancing. They had no doubt now that Grant's great plan was + already working and in a short time they reached McPherson, advancing with + Logan's division. Hertford reported at once to McPherson, who was glad + enough to have his cavalry, and who warmly praised Dick and the sergeant + for the dangerous service they had done so well. As it would have been + unwise for them to attempt to reach Grant then he kept them with him in + the march on Jackson. + </p> + <p> + Dick slept that night under the stars, but thousands of Union men were + around him and he felt neither the weight of responsibility, nor the + presence of danger. He missed Warner and Pennington, but he and the + sergeant were happy. Beyond a doubt now Grant was going to strike hard, + and all the men were full of anticipation and hope. His force in different + divisions was advancing on Jackson, leaving Vicksburg behind him and the + Southern army under Pemberton on one side. + </p> + <p> + Dick heard, too, that the redoubtable Joe Johnston was coming to take + command of the Southern garrison in Jackson, and a leader less bold than + Grant might have shrunk from such a circle of enemies, but Grant's own + courage increased the spirit of his men, and they were full of faith. + </p> + <p> + “I expect they're alarmed in Washington,” said the sergeant, as they sat + on their blankets. “There ain't any telegraph station nearer than Memphis. + They've heard in the capital that the general has begun to move toward + Jackson, but they won't know for days what will happen.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't blame the President for being disturbed,” said Dick. “After all + the army is to serve the nation and fights under the supreme civilian + authority. The armies don't govern.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so, but there come times when the general who has to do the + fighting can judge best how it ought to be done.” + </p> + <p> + Dick lay down on one blanket and put another over him. It was well into + May, which meant hot weather in Mississippi, but, if he could, he always + protected himself at night. He was not a vain lad, but he felt proud over + his success. Hertford's six hundred horse were a welcome addition to any + army. + </p> + <p> + He lay back soon with a knapsack as a pillow under his head and listened + to the noises of the camp, blended now into a rather musical note. Several + cooking fires still burned here and there and figures passed before them. + Dick observed them sleepily, taking no particular note, until one, small + and weazened, came. The figure was about fifty yards away, and there was a + Union cap instead of a great flap-brimmed hat on the head, but Dick sprang + to his feet at once, snatched a pistol from his belt and rushed toward it. + </p> + <p> + The evil figure melted away like a shadow, and two astonished soldiers + seized the youth, who seemed to be running amuck in the camp, pistol in + hand. + </p> + <p> + “Let go!” exclaimed Dick. “I've seen a man whom I know to be a spy, and a + most dangerous one, too.” + </p> + <p> + They could find no trace of Slade. Dick returned crestfallen to his + blanket, but he recalled something now definitely and clearly. Slade was + the little man whom he had seen carrying the log the morning he left + General Grant's camp, on his mission. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant, who had never stirred from his own blanket, sat up when Dick + returned. + </p> + <p> + “Who was he, Mr. Mason?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Slade himself. He must have seen me jump up, because he vanished like a + ghost. But I gained something. I know now that I saw him here in our + uniform just before I started to find Colonel Hertford. That was why I was + followed.” + </p> + <p> + “The cunning of an Indian. Well, we'll be on the watch for him now, but I + imagine he's already on the way to Jackson with the news of our advance + and an estimate of our numbers. We can't do anything to head him off.” + </p> + <p> + On the second day after joining the column Dick was ahead with the + cavalry, riding beside Colonel Hertford, and listening to occasional shots + in their front on the Jackson road. Both believed they would soon be in + touch with the enemy. Sergeant Whitley, acting now as a scout, had gone + forward through a field and in a few minutes galloped back. + </p> + <p> + “The enemy is not far away,” he said. “They're posted along a creek, with + high banks and in a wood. They've got a strong artillery too, and I think + they about equal us in numbers.” + </p> + <p> + Dick carried the report to the commander of the column, and soon the + trumpets were calling the men to battle. The crackle of rifle shots ahead + increased rapidly. The skirmishers were already pulling trigger, and, as + Dick galloped back to Hertford he saw many puffs of white smoke down the + road and in the fields and woods on either side. The Union men began to + cheer. In the West they had suffered no such defeats as their brethren in + the East, and every pulse beat with confidence. As the whole line moved + forward the Southern cannon began to crash and their shells swept the + road. + </p> + <p> + The cavalry were advancing in a field, but they were yet held back to a + slow walk. Dick heard many impatient exclamations, but he knew the + restraint was right. He saw the accuracy of the Southern gunners. They + were driving the Northern infantry from the road. Their fire was rapid and + deadly, and, for a while, the Union army was checked. + </p> + <p> + Hertford was calmly examining the Southern position through his glasses, + while he restrained his eager men. The volume of Southern fire was growing + fast. Shells and shrapnel rained death over a wide area, and the air was + filled with whistling bullets. It was certain destruction for any force to + charge down the road in face of the Southern cannon, and the Northern army + began to spread out, wheeling toward either flank. + </p> + <p> + An aide arrived with an order to Hertford, and then he loosed his eager + cavalry. Turning to one side they galloped toward the creek. Some of the + Southern gunners, seeing them, sent shells toward them, and a swarm of + riflemen in a wood showered them with bullets. But they passed so rapidly + that not many saddles were emptied, and the trumpeter blew a mellow note + that urged on spirits already willing enough. + </p> + <p> + The sweep of the cavalry charge exhilarated Dick. The thought of danger + passed away for the moment. He saw all around him the eager faces of men, + and horses that seemed just as eager. Dust and dirt flew beneath the + thudding hoofs, and the dust and floating smoke together made a grimy + cloud through which they galloped. + </p> + <p> + They passed around still further on the flank. They seemed, for a few + minutes, to be leaving the battle, which was now at its height, the + Southern artillery still holding the road and presenting an unbroken + front. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw a flash of water and then the whole troop thundered into the + creek, almost without slackened rein. Up the bank they went, and with a + wild shout charged upon the Southern infantry. On the other flank another + Northern force which also had crossed the creek attacked with fire and + spirit. + </p> + <p> + But the battle still swayed back and forth. Hertford and his cavalry were + thrown off, merely to return anew to the charge. A portion of the Northern + force was driven back on the creek. The strong Southern batteries poured + forth death. Dick felt that they might yet lose, but they suddenly heard a + tremendous cheer, and a fresh force coming up at the double quick enabled + them to sweep the field. Before sunset the Southern army retreated toward + Jackson, leaving the field to the men in blue. + </p> + <p> + Dick dismounted and, examining himself carefully, found that he had + suffered no wound. Colonel Hertford and the sergeant had also taken no + hurt. But the lad and his elder comrade secured but little rest. They were + bidden to ride across the country at once to General Sherman with the news + of the victory. Sherman was at the head of another column, and Grant was + farther away with the main body. + </p> + <p> + Dick and the sergeant, with the battle smoke still in their eyes, were + eager for the service. + </p> + <p> + “When you're with Grant you don't stay idle, that's certain,” said Dick as + they rode across the darkening fields. + </p> + <p> + “No, you don't,” said the sergeant, “and I'm thinking that we've just + begun. I know from the feel of it that big things are going to happen + fast. Sheer away from the woods there, Mr. Mason. We don't want to be + picked off by sharpshooters.” + </p> + <p> + They arrived after dark in Sherman's camp and he received them himself. + Dick remembered how he had seen this thin, dry man holding fast with his + command at Shiloh, and he saluted him with the deepest respect. He knew + that here was a bold and tenacious spirit, kin to that of Grant. Sherman + had heard already of the battle, but he wished more and definite news. + </p> + <p> + “You say that our victory was complete?” he asked tersely. + </p> + <p> + “It was, sir,” replied Dick. “The entire force of the enemy retired + rapidly toward Jackson, and our men are eager to advance on that city.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be a great stroke to take the capital of Mississippi,” said + Sherman musingly. Then he added in his crisp manner: + </p> + <p> + “Are you tired?” + </p> + <p> + “Not if you wish me to do anything,” replied Dick quickly. + </p> + <p> + Sherman smiled. + </p> + <p> + “The right spirit,” he said. “I wish you and your comrade to ride at once + with this news to General Grant. He may hear it from other sources, but I + want to send a letter by you.” + </p> + <p> + In ten minutes Dick and the sergeant were riding proudly away on another + mission, and, passing through all the dangers of Southern scouts and + skirmishers, they reached General Grant, to whom they delivered the letter + from Sherman. Grant, who had recently been in doubt owing to the threat of + Pemberton on his flank, hesitated no longer when he heard of the victory, + and resolved at once upon the capture of Jackson. + </p> + <p> + Dick, after his battle and two rides, went to sleep in a wagon, while an + orderly took his horse. When he awoke unknown hours afterward he found + that he was moving. He knew at once that the army was advancing. Before + him and behind him he heard all the noises of the march, the beat of + horses' hoofs, the grinding of wheels, the clanking of cannon, the + cracking of whips and the sounds of many voices. + </p> + <p> + He was wonderfully comfortable where he lay and he had the satisfaction + and pride of much duty done. He felt that he was entitled to rest, and, + turning on his side, he went to sleep again. After another unknown time + his second awakening came and he remained awake. + </p> + <p> + He quietly slipped out at the tail of the wagon, and stood for a few + moments, dazzled by the blazing sunlight. Then a loud, cheery voice called + out: + </p> + <p> + “Well, if it isn't our own Lucky Dick come back again, safe and well to + the people to whom he belongs!” + </p> + <p> + “If z equals Dick and y equals his presence then we have z plus y, as Dick + is certainly present,” called out another voice not quite so loud, but + equally cheery. “Luck, Frank, is only a minor factor in life. What we + usually call luck is the result of foresight, skill and courage. There are + facts that I wouldn't have you to forget, even if it is a hot day far down + in Mississippi.” + </p> + <p> + Warner and Pennington sprang from their horses and greeted Dick warmly. + They had returned a day or two before from their own less perilous + errands, but they were in great anxiety about their comrade. They were + glad too, when they heard that the sergeant had joined him and that he had + come back safe. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose it means a battle at Jackson,” said Warner. “We're surely on + the move, and we're going to keep the Johnnies busy for quite a spell.” + </p> + <p> + “Looks like it,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester came soon, and his face showed great relief when he + shook hands with Dick. + </p> + <p> + “It was a dangerous errand, Dick, my lad,” he said, “but I felt that you + would succeed and you have. It was highly important that we gather all our + forces for a great stroke.” + </p> + <p> + Dick resumed at once his old place in the Winchester regiment, with + Warner, Pennington and his other comrades around him. Refreshed by + abundant sleep and good food he was in the highest of spirits. They were + embarked upon a great adventure and he believed that it would be + successful. His confidence was shared by all those about him. Meanwhile + the army advanced in diverging columns upon the Mississippi capital. + </p> + <p> + Jackson, on Pearl River, had suddenly assumed a vast importance in Dick's + mind, and yet it was but a tiny place, not more than three or four + thousand inhabitants. The South was almost wholly agricultural, and + cities, great in a political and military sense, were in reality but + towns. Richmond, itself the capital of the Confederacy, around which so + much centered, had only forty thousand people. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment was detached that afternoon and sent to join the + column under McPherson, which was expected to reach Jackson first. Dick + was mounted again, and he rode with Warner and Pennington on either side + of him. They speculated much on what they would find when they approached + Jackson. + </p> + <p> + “If Joe Johnston is there,” said Warner, “I think we'll have a hard fight. + You'll remember that he did great work against us in Virginia, until he + was wounded.” + </p> + <p> + “And they'll know, of course, just when to expect us and in what force,” + said Dick. “Slade will tell them that. He probably has a large body of + spies and scouts working under him. But I don't think he'll come inside + our camp again.” + </p> + <p> + “Not likely since he's been recognized,” said Warner, thoughtfully. “But I + don't think General Grant is afraid of anything ahead. That's why he made + the separation from our own world so complete, and our men are out cutting + down the telegraph lines, so the Johnnies in Jackson can't communicate + with their own government either. It's important to us that we take + Jackson before Pemberton with his army can come up.” + </p> + <p> + Warner had estimated the plan correctly. Grant, besides cutting himself + off from his own superiors at Washington, was also destroying + communication between the garrison of Jackson and Pemberton's army of + Vicksburg, which was not far away. The two united might beat him, but he + meant to defeat them separately, and then besiege Vicksburg. It was a + complicated plan, depending upon quickness, courage and continued success. + Yet the mind of Grant, though operating afterward on fields of greater + numbers, was never clearer or more vigorous. + </p> + <p> + They went into camp again after dark, knowing that Jackson was but a short + distance away, and they expected to attack early in the morning. Dick + carried another dispatch to Sherman, who was only a little more than two + miles from them, and on his way back he joined Colonel Winchester, who, + with Warner, Pennington and a hundred infantry, had come out for a scout. + The dismounted men were chosen because they wished to beat up a difficult + piece of wooded country. + </p> + <p> + They went directly toward Jackson, advancing very cautiously through the + forest, the mounted officers riding slowly. The night was hot and dark, + moon and stars obscured by drifting clouds. Pennington, who was an expert + on weather, announced that another storm was coming. + </p> + <p> + “I can feel a dampness in the air,” he said. “I'm willing to risk my + reputation as a prophet and say that the dawn will come with rain.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope it won't be a big rain,” said Colonel Winchester, “because if it + is it will surely delay our attack. Our supply of cartridges is small, and + we can't risk wetting them.” + </p> + <p> + Pennington persisted that a storm was at hand. His father had taught him, + he said, always to observe the weather signs on the great Nebraska plains. + They were nearly always hoping for rain there, and he had learned to smell + it before it came. He could smell it now in the same way here in + Mississippi. + </p> + <p> + His opinion did not waver, when the clouds floated away for a while, + disclosing a faint moon and a few stars. They were now on the banks of a + brook, flowing through the wood, and Colonel Winchester thought he saw a + movement in the forest beyond it. It was altogether likely that so + skillful a leader as Joe Johnston would have out bodies of scouts, and he + stopped, bidding his men to take cover. + </p> + <p> + Dick sat on his horse by the colonel's side under the thick boughs of a + great tree, and studied the thickets before them. He, too, had noticed a + movement, and he was confident that the Southern sharpshooters were there. + At the command of the colonel all of the officers dismounted, and + orderlies took the horses to the rear. On foot they continued their + examination of the thickets, and the colonel sent for Sergeant Whitley, + who confirmed his opinion that the enemy was before them. At his + suggestion the Union force was spread out, lest it be flanked and + annihilated in the thickets. + </p> + <p> + Just as the movement was completed rifles began to crack in front and on + both flanks, and the piercing yell of the South arose. + </p> + <p> + It was impossible to tell the size of the force that assailed them, but + the Winchester men were veterans now, and they were not afraid. Standing + among the bushes or sheltered by the trees they held their fire until they + saw dusky figures in the thickets. + </p> + <p> + It had all the aspects of an old Indian battle in the depths of the great + forest. Darkness, the ambush and the caution of sharpshooters were there. + Dick carried a rifle, but he did not use it. He merely watched the pink + beads of flame among the bushes, while he stayed by the side of his + colonel and observed the combat. + </p> + <p> + It soon became apparent to him that it would have no definite result. Each + side was merely feeling out its foe that night, and would not force the + issue. Yet the Southern line approached and some bullets whistled near + him. He moved a little to one side, and watched for an enemy. It was + annoying to have bullets come so close, and since they were shooting at + him he might as well shoot at them. + </p> + <p> + While he was absorbed in watching, the colonel moved in the other + direction, and Dick stood alone behind a bush. The fire in front had + increased somewhat, although at no time was it violent. Occasional shots + from his own side replied. The clouds that had drifted away were now + drifting back, and he believed that darkness alone would soon end the + combat. + </p> + <p> + Then he saw a bush only a dozen yards in his front move a little, and a + face peered through its branches. There was yet enough light for him to + see that the face was youthful, eager and handsome. It was familiar, too, + and then with a shock he remembered. Woodville, the lad with whom he had + fought such a good fight, nature's weapons used, was before him. + </p> + <p> + Dick raised his rifle. Young Woodville was an easy target. But the motion + was only a physical impulse. He knew in his heart that he had no intention + of shooting the young Southerner, and he did not feel the slightest tinge + of remorse because he evaded this part of a soldier's work. + </p> + <p> + Yet Woodville, seeing nobody and hearing nothing, would come on. Dick, + holding his rifle in the crook of his left arm, drew a pistol and fired it + over the lad's head. At the same moment he dropped almost flat upon the + ground. The bullet cut the leaves above Woodville and he sprang back, + startled. A half-dozen Southern skirmishers fired at the flash of Dick's + pistol, but he, too, lying on the ground, heard them cutting leaves over + his head. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the face of Woodville disappear from the bush, and then he crept + away, rejoining Colonel Winchester and his comrades. Five minutes later + the skirmish ceased by mutual consent, and each band fell back on its own + army, convinced that both were on the watch. + </p> + <p> + They were to advance at four o'clock in the morning, but Pennington's + prediction came true. After midnight, flashes of lightning cut the sky and + the thunder rolled heavily. Then the rain came, not any fugitive shower, + but hard, cold and steady, promising to last many hours. + </p> + <p> + It was still pouring when the advance began before dawn, but Grant's plans + were complete. He had drawn up his forces on the chessboard, and they were + converging closely upon Jackson. They must keep their cartridges dry and + advance at all costs. + </p> + <p> + The Winchesters were in the van in a muddy road. Dick, Warner and + Pennington were in the saddle, and they were wet through and through. The + rain and dusk were so heavy that they could not see fifty feet, and they + shivered with cold. But their souls were eager and high, and they were + glad when the army toiled slowly forward to battle. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE LITTLE CAPITAL + </h2> + <p> + Dick was bent down in his saddle, trying to protect himself a little from + the driving rain which beat in his eyes and soaked through his clothing. + Warner and Pennington beside him were in the same condition, and he saw + just before him the bent back of Colonel Winchester, with his left arm + raised as a shield for his face. Hoofs and wheels made a heavy, sticky + sound as they sank in the mud, and were then pulled out again. + </p> + <p> + “Do you see any signs of daylight, Dick?” asked Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Not a sign. I see only a part of our regiment, trees on either side of us + bending before the wind, and rain, and mud, mud everywhere. I'll be glad + when it's over.” + </p> + <p> + “So will I,” said Warner. “I wonder what kind of hotels they have in + Jackson. I'd like to have a bath, good room and a big breakfast.” + </p> + <p> + “The Johnnies are holding breakfast for you,” said Pennington. “Their + first course is gunpowder, their second bullets, their third shells and + shrapnel, and their fourth bayonets.” + </p> + <p> + “They'll have to serve a lot at every course,” said Dick, “because General + Grant is advancing with fifty thousand men, and so many need a lot of + satisfying.” + </p> + <p> + The storm increased in violence. The rain, falling in a deluge, was driven + by a wind like a hurricane. The horses strove to turn their heads from it, + and confusion arose among the cavalry. The infantry mixed in the mud swore + heavily. Staff officers had the utmost difficulty in keeping the regiments + together. It was time for the sun, but it did not appear. Everything was + veiled in clouds and driving rain. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked at his watch, and saw that it was seven o'clock. They had + intended to attack at this hour, but further advance was impossible for + the time, and, bending their heads, they sought to protect their + ammunition. Presently they started again and toiled along slowly and + painfully for more than two hours. Then, just as they saw the enemy ahead + of them, the storm seemed to reach the very zenith of its fury. + </p> + <p> + Dick, in the vanguard, beheld earthworks, cannon and troops before + Jackson, but the storm still drove so hard that the Union forces could not + advance to the assault. + </p> + <p> + “This is certainly a most unusual situation,” said Colonel Winchester, + with an effort at cheerfulness. “Here we are, ready to attack, and the + Southerners are ready to defend, but a storm holds us both fast in our + tracks. Our duty to protect our cartridges is even greater than our duty + to attack the enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “The biggest rain must come to an end,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + But it was nearly noon before they could advance. Then, as the storm + decreased rapidly the trumpets sounded the charge, and horse, foot and + artillery, they pressed forward eagerly through the mud. + </p> + <p> + The sun broke through the clouds, and Dick saw before them a wood, a + ravine full of thickets, and the road commanded by strong artillery. The + Northern skirmishers were already stealing forward through the wet bushes + and grass, and soon their rifles were crackling. But the Southern + sharpshooters in the thickets were in stronger force, and their rapid and + accurate fire drove back the Northern men. Then their artillery opened and + swept the road, while the Northern batteries were making frantic efforts + to get up through the deep, sticky mud. + </p> + <p> + But the trumpets were still calling. The Winchester regiment and others, + eager for battle and victory, swept forward. Dick felt once more the + fierce thrill of combat, and, waving his revolver high above his head, he + shouted with the others as they rushed on. The stream of bullets from the + ravine thickened, and the cannon were crashing fast. But the Union masses + did not check their rush for an instant. Although many fell they charged + into the ravine, driving out the enemy, and pursued him on the other side. + </p> + <p> + But the Southern cannon, manned by daring gunners, still held the field + and, aided by the thick mud which held back charging feet, they repulsed + every attack. The Winchester regiment was forced to cover, and then Dick + heard the booming of cannon in another direction. He knew that Grant and + Sherman were coming up there, and he expected they would rush at once into + Jackson, but it was a long time before the distant thunder came any + nearer. + </p> + <p> + Johnston, whose astuteness they feared, was proving himself worthy of + their opinion. Knowing that his forces were far too small to defend + Jackson, he had sent away the archives of the state and most of the army. + Only a small force and seventeen cannon were left to fight and cover his + retreat. But so bold and skillful were they that it was far beyond noon + before Grant and Sherman found that practically nothing was in front of + them. + </p> + <p> + But where Dick and his comrades rode the fighting was severe for a while. + Then everything seemed to melt away before them. The fire of the Southern + cannon ceased suddenly, and Colonel Winchester exclaimed that their works + had been abandoned. They charged forward, seized the cannon, and now rode + without resistance into the capital of the state, from which the President + of the Confederacy hailed, though by birth a Kentuckian. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his comrades were among the first to enter the town, and not + until then did they know that Johnston and all but a few hundreds of his + army were gone. + </p> + <p> + “We've got the shell only,” Dick said. + </p> + <p> + “Still we've struck a blow by taking the capital of the state,” said + Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked with much curiosity at the little city into which they were + riding as conquerors. It was too small and new to be imposing. Yet there + were some handsome houses, standing back on large lawns, and surrounded by + foliage. The doors and shutters of all of them were closed tightly. Dick + knew that their owners had gone away or were sitting, hearts full of + bitterness, in their sealed houses. + </p> + <p> + The streets were deep in mud, and at the corners little knots of negroes + gathered and looked at them curiously. + </p> + <p> + “They don't seem to welcome us as deliverers,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “They don't yet know what to think of us,” said Dick. “There's the Capitol + ahead of us, and some of our troops are going into it.” + </p> + <p> + “Others have gone into it already,” said Pennington. “Look!” + </p> + <p> + They saw the flag of the Union break out above its dome, the beautiful + stars and stripes, waving gently in the light breeze. A spontaneous cheer + burst from the Union soldiers, and the bitter hearts in the sealed houses + grew more bitter. + </p> + <p> + The army was now pouring in by every road and Colonel Winchester and his + staff sought quarters. They were on the verge of exhaustion. All their + clothing was wet and they were discolored with mud. They felt that they + were bound to have rest and cleanliness. + </p> + <p> + The victorious troops were making their camp, wherever they could find dry + ground, and soon they were building the fires for cooking. But many of the + officers were assigned to the residences, and Colonel Winchester and his + staff were directed by the general to take quarters in a large colonial + house, standing on a broad lawn, amid the finest magnolias and live oaks + that Dick had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + Remembering an earlier experience during the Shiloh campaign Colonel + Winchester and his young officers approached the house with some + reluctance. In ordinary times it must have been brilliant with life. Two + little fountains were playing on either side of the graveled walk that led + to the front door. After the old fashion, three or four marble statues + stood in the shrubbery. Everything indicated wealth. Probably the town + house of a great planter, reflected Dick. In Mississippi a man sometimes + owned as many as a thousand slaves, and lived like a prince. + </p> + <p> + The house offered them no welcome. Its doors and windows were closed, but + Dick had seen thin smoke rising from a chimney in the rear. He expected + that they would have to force the door, but at the first knock it was + thrown open by a tall, thin woman of middle years. The look she gave them + was full of bitter hatred—Dick sometimes thought that women could + hate better than men—but her manner and bearing showed distinction. + He, as well as his comrades, took her to be the lady of the house. + </p> + <p> + “We ask your pardon, madame, for this intrusion,” said Colonel Winchester, + “but we are compelled to occupy your house a while. We promise you as + little trouble as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “We ask no consideration of any kind from men who have come to despoil our + country and ruin its people,” she said icily. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester flushed. + </p> + <p> + “But madame,” he protested, “we do not come to destroy.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not care to argue with you about it,” she said in the same lofty + tone, “and also you need not address me as madame. I am Miss Woodville.” + </p> + <p> + Dick started. + </p> + <p> + “Does this house belong to Colonel John Woodville?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “It does not,” she replied crisply, “but it belongs to his elder brother, + Charles Woodville, who is also a colonel, and who is my father. What do + you know of Colonel John Woodville?” + </p> + <p> + “I met his son once,” replied Dick briefly. + </p> + <p> + She glanced at him sharply. Dick thought for a moment that he saw alarm in + her look, but he concluded that it was only anger. + </p> + <p> + They stood confronting each other, the little group of officers and the + woman, and Colonel Winchester, embarrassed, but knowing that he must do + something, went forward and pushed back a door opening into the hall. Dick + automatically followed him, and then stepped back, startled. + </p> + <p> + A roar like that of a lion met them. An old man, with a high, bald and + extremely red forehead lay in a huge bed by a window. It was a great head, + and eyes, set deep, blazed under thick, white lashes. His body was covered + to the chin. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw that the man's anger was that of the caged wild beast, and there + was something splendid and terrible about it. + </p> + <p> + “You infernal Yankees!” he cried, and his voice again rumbled like that of + a lion. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Charles Woodville, I presume?” said Colonel Winchester politely. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Colonel Charles Woodville,” thundered the man, “fastened here in bed + by a bullet from one of your cursed vessels in the Mississippi, while you + rob and destroy!” + </p> + <p> + And then he began to curse. He drew one hand from under the cover and + shook his clenched fist at them in a kind of rhythmic beat while the oaths + poured forth. To Dick it was not common swearing. There was nothing coarse + and vulgar about it. It was denunciation, malediction, fulmination, + anathema. It had a certain majesty and dignity. Its richness and variety + were unequaled, and it was hurled forth by a voice deep, powerful and + enduring. + </p> + <p> + Dick listened with amazement and then admiration. He had never heard its + like, nor did he feel any offense. The daughter, too, stood by, pursing + her prim lips, and evidently approving. Colonel Winchester was motionless + like a statue, while the infuriated man shook his fist at him and launched + imprecations. But his face had turned white and Dick saw that he was + fiercely angry. + </p> + <p> + When the old man ceased at last from exhaustion Colonel Winchester said + quietly: + </p> + <p> + “If you had spoken to me in the proper manner we might have gone away and + found quarters elsewhere. But we intend to stay here and we will repay + your abuse with good manners.” + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the daughter flush, but the old man said: + </p> + <p> + “Then it will be the first time that good manners were ever brought from + the country north of the Mason and Dixon line.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester flushed in his turn, but made no direct reply. + </p> + <p> + “If you will assign us rooms, Miss Woodville,” he said, “we will go to + them, otherwise we'll find them for ourselves, which may be less + convenient for you. I repeat that we desire to give you as little trouble + as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “Do so, Margaret,” interrupted Colonel Woodville, “because then I may get + rid of them all the sooner.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester bowed and turned toward the door. Miss Woodville, + obedient to the command of her father, led the way. Dick was the last to + go out, and he said to the old lion who lay wounded in the bed: + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Woodville, I've met your nephew, Victor.” + </p> + <p> + He did not notice that the old man whitened and that the hand now lying + upon the cover clenched suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “You have?” growled Colonel Woodville, “and how does it happen that you + and my nephew have anything in common?” + </p> + <p> + “I could scarcely put it that way,” replied Dick, refusing to be angered, + “unless you call an encounter with fists something in common. He and I had + a great fight at his father's plantation of Bellevue.” + </p> + <p> + “He might have been in a better business, taking part in a common brawl + with a common Yankee.” + </p> + <p> + “But, sir, while I may be common, I'm not a Yankee. I was born and grew up + south of the Ohio River in Kentucky.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you're a traitor. All you Kentuckians ought to be fighting with us.” + </p> + <p> + “Difference of opinion, but I hope your nephew is well.” + </p> + <p> + The deep eyes under the thick white thatch glared in a manner that Dick + considered wholly unnecessary. But Colonel Woodville made no reply, merely + turning his face to the wall as if he were weary. + </p> + <p> + Dick hurried into the hall, closing the door gently behind him. The + others, not missing him, were already some yards away, and he quickly + rejoined Pennington and Warner. The younger men would have been glad to + leave the house, but Colonel Winchester's blood was up, and he was + resolved to stay. The little party was eight in number, and they were soon + quartered in four rooms on the lower floor. Miss Woodville promptly + disappeared, and one of the camp cooks arrived with supplies, which he + took to the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + Dick and Warner were in one of the rooms, and, removing their belts and + coats, they made themselves easy. It was a large bedroom with high + ceilings and wicker furniture. There were several good paintings on the + walls and a bookcase contained Walter Scott's novels and many of the + eighteenth century classics. + </p> + <p> + “I think this must have been a guest chamber,” said Dick, “but for us + coming from the rain and mud it's a real palace.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it's fulfilling its true function,” said Warner, “because it has + guests now. What a strange household! Did you ever see such a peppery pair + as that swearing old colonel and his acid daughter?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that I blame them. I think, sometimes, George, that you New + Englanders are the most selfish of people. You're too truly righteous. + You're always denouncing the faults of others, but you never see any of + your own. Away back in the Revolution when Boston called, the Southern + provinces came to her help, but Boston and New England have spent a large + part of their time since then denouncing the South.” + </p> + <p> + “What's struck you, Dick? Are you weakening in the good cause?” + </p> + <p> + “Not for a moment. But suppose Mississippi troops walked into your own + father's house in Vermont, and, as conquerors, demanded food and shelter! + Would you rejoice over them, and ask them why they hadn't come sooner?” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose not, Dick. But, stop it, and come back to your normal + temperature. I won't quarrel with you.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't give you a chance, George. I'm through. But remember that while + I'm red hot for the Union, I was born south of the Ohio River myself, and + I have lots of sympathy for the people against whom I'm fighting.” + </p> + <p> + “For the matter of that, so've I, Dick, and I was born north of the Ohio + River. But I'm getting tremendously hungry. I hope that cook will hurry.” + </p> + <p> + They were called soon, and eight officers sat at the table. The cook + himself served them. Miss Woodville had vanished, and not a servant was + visible about the great house. Despite their hunger and the good quality + of the food the group felt constraint. The feeling that they were + intruders, in a sense brigands, was forced upon them. Dick was sure that + the old man with the great bald head was swearing fiercely and incessantly + under his breath. + </p> + <p> + The dining-room was a large and splendid apartment, and the silver still + lay upon the great mahogany sideboard. The little city, now the camp of an + overwhelming army, had settled into silence, and the twilight was coming. + </p> + <p> + With the chill of unwelcome still upon them the officers said little. As + the twilight deepened Warner lighted several candles. The silver glittered + under the flame. Colonel Winchester presently ordered the cook to take a + plate of the most delicate food to Colonel Woodville. + </p> + <p> + As the cook withdrew on his mission he left open the door of the + dining-room and they heard the sound of a voice, uplifted in a thunderous + roar. The cook hurried back, the untouched plate in his hand and his face + a little pale. + </p> + <p> + “He cursed me, sir,” he said to Colonel Winchester. “I was never cursed so + before by anybody. He said he would not touch the food. He was sure that + it had been poisoned by the Yankees, and even if it were not he'd rather + die than accept anything from their hands.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester laughed rather awkwardly. + </p> + <p> + “At any rate, we've tendered our good offices,” he said. “I suppose his + daughter will attend to his wants, and we'll not expose ourselves to + further insults.” + </p> + <p> + But the refusal had affected the spirits of them all, and as soon as their + hunger was satisfied they withdrew. The soldier who had acted as cook was + directed to put the dining-room back in order and then he might sleep in a + room near the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + Dick and Warner returned to their own apartment. Neither had much to say, + and Warner, lying down on the bed, was soon fast asleep. Dick sat by the + window. The town was now almost lost in the obscurity. The exhausted army + slept, and the occasional glitter from the bayonet of a sentinel was + almost the only thing that told of its presence. + </p> + <p> + Dick was troubled. In spite of will and reason, his conscience hurt him. + Theory was beautiful, but it was often shivered by practice. His + sympathies were strongly with the old colonel who had cursed him so + violently and the grim old maid who had given them only harsh words. + Besides, he had pleasant memories of Victor Woodville, and these were his + uncle and cousin. + </p> + <p> + He sat for a long time at the window. The house was absolutely quiet, and + he was sure that everybody was asleep. There could be no doubt about + Warner, because he slumbered audibly. But Dick was still wide awake. There + was some tension of mind or muscle that kept sleep far from him. So he + remained at the window, casting up the events of the day and those that + might come. + </p> + <p> + The evening was well advanced when he was quite sure that he heard a light + step in the hall. He would have paid little attention to it at an ordinary + time, but, in all that silence and desolation, it called him like a + drum-beat. Only a light step, and yet it filled him with suspicion and + alarm. He was in the heart of a great and victorious Union army, but at + the moment he felt that anything could happen in this strange house. + </p> + <p> + Slipping his pistol from his belt, he opened the door on noiseless hinges + and stepped into the hall. A figure was disappearing in its dim space, + but, as he saw clearly, it was that of a woman. He was sure that it was + Miss Woodville and he stepped forward. He had no intention of following + her, but his foot creaked on the floor, and, stopping instantly, she faced + about. Then he saw that she carried a tray of food. + </p> + <p> + “Are we to have our house occupied and to be spied upon also?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + Dick flushed. Few people had ever spoken to him in such a manner, and it + was hard to remember that she was a woman. + </p> + <p> + “I heard a footstep in the hall, and it was my duty to see who was + passing,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I have prepared food and I am taking it to my father. He would not accept + it from Yankee hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Woodville sups late. I should think a wounded man would be asleep + at this hour, if he could.” + </p> + <p> + She gave him a glance full of venom. + </p> + <p> + “What does it matter?” she said. + </p> + <p> + Dick refused to be insulted. + </p> + <p> + “Let me take the tray for you,” he said, “at least to the door. Your + father need not know that my hands have touched it.” + </p> + <p> + She shrank back and her eyes blazed. + </p> + <p> + “Let us alone!” she exclaimed. “Go back to your room! Isn't it sufficient + that this house shelters you?” + </p> + <p> + She seemed to Dick to show a heat and hate out of all proportion to the + occasion, but he did not repeat the offer. + </p> + <p> + “I meant well,” he said, “but, since you do not care for my help, I'll + return to my room and go to sleep. Believe me, I'm sincere when I say I + hope your father will recover quickly from his wound.” + </p> + <p> + “He will,” she replied briefly. + </p> + <p> + Dick bowed with politeness and turned toward his own room. Nevertheless + his curiosity did not keep him from standing a moment or two in the dark + against the wall and looking back at the woman who bore the tray. He drew + a long breath of astonishment when he saw her pass Colonel Woodville's + door, and hurry forward now with footsteps that made no sound. + </p> + <p> + The suspicion which had lain deep in his mind sprang at once into life. + Keeping close to the wall, he followed swiftly and saw her disappear up a + stairway. There he let the pursuit end and returned thoughtfully to his + room. + </p> + <p> + Dick was much troubled. An ethical question had presented itself to him. + He believed that he had divined everything. The solution had come to him + with such suddenness and force that he was as fully convinced as if he had + seen with his own eyes. Military duty demanded that he invade the second + floor of the Woodville house. But there were feelings of humanity and + mercy, moral issues not less powerful than military duty, and maybe more + so. + </p> + <p> + He was pulled back and forth with great mental violence. He was sorry that + he had seen Miss Woodville with the tray. And then he wasn't. + Nevertheless, he stayed in his own room, and Warner, waking for a moment, + regarded him with wonder as he sat outlined against the window which they + had left unshuttered and opened to admit air. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter, Dick? Have you got a fever?” he asked. “Why haven't + you gone to bed?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to do so right away. Don't bother yourself about me, George. My + nerves have been strained pretty hard, and I had to wait until they were + quiet until I could go to sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't have nerves,” said Warner, as he turned back on his side and + returned to slumber. + </p> + <p> + Dick undressed and got into bed. It was the first time in many nights that + he had not slept in his clothes, and beds had been unknown for many weeks. + It was a luxury so penetrating and powerful that it affected him like an + opiate. Such questions as military and moral duty floated swiftly away, + and he slept the sleep of youth and a good heart. + </p> + <p> + Breakfast was almost a repetition of supper. The army cook prepared and + served it, and the Woodvilles remained invisible. Colonel Winchester + informed the young officers that they would remain in Jackson two or three + days, and then great events might be expected. All felt sure that he was + predicting aright. Pemberton must be approaching with the Vicksburg army. + The wary and skillful Johnston had another army, and he could not be far + away. Moreover, this was the heart of the Confederacy and other unknown + forces might be gathering. + </p> + <p> + They felt the greatness of the hour, Grant's daring stroke, and the + possibility that he might yet be surrounded and overwhelmed. Their minds + were attuned, too, to other and yet mightier deeds, but they were glad, + nevertheless, of a little rest. The Woodville house was a splendid place, + and in the morning they did not feel so much the chill of embarrassment + that had been created for them the night before. + </p> + <p> + Dick went straight to the room of Colonel Woodville, opened the door + without knocking, and closed it behind him quickly but noiselessly. + </p> + <p> + The colonel was propped up in his bed and a tray bearing light and + delicate food lay on a chair. His daughter stood beside the bed, + speechless with anger at this intrusion. Dick lifted his hand, and the + look upon his face checked one of the mightiest oaths that had ever welled + up from the throat of Colonel Charles Woodville, king of swearers. + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” said Dick in a voice not loud, but sharp with command. + </p> + <p> + “Can't we at least have privacy in the room of an old and wounded man?” + asked Miss Woodville. + </p> + <p> + “You can hereafter,” replied Dick quietly. “I shall not come again, but I + tell you now to get him out of the house to-night, unless he's too badly + hurt to be moved.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should my father be taken away?” demanded Miss Woodville. + </p> + <p> + “I'm not speaking of your father.” + </p> + <p> + “Of whom, then?” + </p> + <p> + Dick did not answer, but he met her gaze steadily, and her face fell. Then + he turned, walked out of the room without a word, and again closed the + door behind him. When he went out on the piazza he saw excitement among + his comrades. The moment for great action was coming even sooner than + Colonel Winchester had expected. + </p> + <p> + “Johnston is communicating with Pemberton,” said Warner, “and he has + ordered Pemberton to unite with him. Then they will attack us. He sent the + same order by three messengers, but one of them was in reality a spy of + ours, and he came straight to General Grant with it. We're forewarned, and + the trap can't shut down on us, because General Grant means to go at once + for Pemberton.” + </p> + <p> + Dick understood the situation, which was both critical and thrilling. + Grant was still in the heart of the Confederacy, and its forces were + converging fast upon him. But the grim and silent man, instead of merely + trying to escape, intended to strike a blow that would make escape + unnecessary. All the young officers saw the plan and their hearts leaped. + </p> + <p> + Dick, in the excitement of the day, forgot about the Woodville house and + its inmates. Troops were already marching out of Jackson to meet the + enemy, but the Winchester regiment would not leave until early the next + morning. They were to spend a second night, or at least a part of it, in + Colonel Woodville's house. + </p> + <p> + It was the same group that ate supper there and the same army cook served + them. They did not go to the bedrooms afterward, but strolled about, + belted, expecting to receive the marching call at any moment. + </p> + <p> + Dick went into the library, where a single candle burned, and while he was + there Miss Woodville appeared at the door and beckoned to him. She had + abated her severity of manner so much that he was astonished, but he + followed without a word. + </p> + <p> + She saw that the hall was clear and then she led quickly into her father's + room. Colonel Woodville was propped up against the pillows, and there was + color in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Young man,” he said, “come here. You can afford to obey me, although I'm + a prisoner, because I'm so much older than you are. You have a heart and + breeding, young sir, and I wish to shake your hand.” + </p> + <p> + He thrust a large hand from the cover, and Dick shook it warmly. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't have shaken it if you had been born north of the Ohio River,” + said Colonel Woodville. + </p> + <p> + Dick laughed. + </p> + <p> + “My chief purpose in having you brought here,” said Colonel Woodville, + “was to relate to you an incident, of which I heard once. Did I read about + it, or was it told to me, Margaret?” + </p> + <p> + “I think, sir, that some one told you of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, well, it doesn't matter. A few words will tell it. In an old, + forgotten war a young soldier quartered in the house of his defeated enemy—but + defeated only for the time, remember—saw something which made him + believe that a wounded nephew of the house was hid in an upper room. But + he was generous and he did not search further. The second night, while the + young officer and his comrades were at supper, the nephew, who was not + hurt badly, was slipped out of the house and escaped from the city in the + darkness. It's not apropos of anything, and I don't know why I'm relating + it to you, but I suppose this terrible war we are fighting is responsible + for an old man's whim.” + </p> + <p> + “I've found it very interesting, sir,” said Dick, “and I think it's + relevant, because it shows that even in war men may remain Christian human + beings.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you're right, and I trust, young sir, that you will not be killed + in this defeat to which you are surely marching.” + </p> + <p> + Dick bowed to both, and left them to their fears and hopes. The glow was + still about his heart when he rode forth with the Winchester regiment + after midnight. But, owing to the need of horses for the regular cavalry, + it had become an infantry regiment once more. Only the officers rode. + </p> + <p> + At dawn they were with Grant approaching a ridge called Champion Hill. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. CHAMPION HILL + </h2> + <p> + Dick on that momentous morning did not appreciate the full magnitude of + the event about to occur, nor did he until long afterward. He knew it was + of high importance, and yet it might have ranked as one of the decisive + battles of history. There were no such numbers as at Shiloh and + Chancellorsville, but the results were infinitely greater. + </p> + <p> + Nor was it likely that such thoughts would float through the head of a lad + who had ridden far, and who at dawn was looking for an enemy. + </p> + <p> + The scouts had already brought word that the Southerners were in strong + force, and that they occupied Champion Hill, the crest of which was bare, + but with sides dark with forests and thickets. They were riding at present + through forests themselves, and they felt that their ignorance of the + country might take them at any moment into an ambush. + </p> + <p> + “We know what army we're going against, don't we?” asked Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Pemberton's, of course,” replied Dick. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad of that. I'd rather fight him than Joe Johnston.” + </p> + <p> + “They've been trying to unite, but we hear they haven't succeeded.” + </p> + <p> + Pemberton, in truth, had been suffering from the most painful doubt. + Having failed to do what Johnston had expected of him, he had got himself + into a more dangerous position than ever. Then, after listening to a + divided council of his generals, he had undertaken a movement which + brought him within striking distance of Grant, while Johnston was yet too + far away to help him. + </p> + <p> + Dick did not know how much fortune was favoring the daring that morning, + but he and his comrades were sanguine. They felt all the time the strong + hand over them. Like the soldiers, they had acquired the utmost confidence + in Grant. He might make mistakes, but he would not doubt and hesitate and + draw back. Where he led the enemy could not win anything without having to + fight hard for it. + </p> + <p> + The early summer dawn had deepened, bright and hot, and the sun was now + clear of the trees, turning the green of the forests to gold. Coffee and + warm food were served to them during a momentary stop among the trees, and + then the Winchester regiment moved forward again toward Champion Hill. + </p> + <p> + Rifle shots were now heard ahead of them. They were scattered, but the + lads knew that the hostile skirmishers had come in contact. Presently the + reports increased and through the woods they saw puffs of smoke. Trumpets + to right and left were calling up the brigades. + </p> + <p> + “Open up for the guns!” cried an aide, and a battery lumbered through, the + men swearing at their panting horses. But the Southern cannon were already + at work. From the bare crest of Champion Hill they were sending shells + which crashed in the ranks of the advancing foe. Two or three of the + Winchesters were hit, and a wounded horse, losing its rider, ran screaming + through the wood. + </p> + <p> + The forest and thickets now grew so dense that the officers dismounted, + giving their horses to an orderly, and led on foot. The country before + them was most difficult. Besides the trees and brush it was seared with + ravines. A swarm of skirmishers in front whom they could not see now + poured bullets among them, and the shells, curving over the heads of the + ambushed sharpshooters, fell in the Union ranks. On either flank the + battle opened and swelled rapidly. + </p> + <p> + “We may have got Pemberton trapped,” said Pennington, “but he's got so + many bristles that we can't reach in a hand and pull out our captive. My + God, Dick, are you killed?” + </p> + <p> + He was pulling Dick to his feet and examining him anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “I'm all right,” said Dick in a moment. “It was the wind of a big round + shot that knocked me down. Just now I'm thanking God it was the wind and + not the shot.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish we could get through these thickets!” exclaimed Warner. “Our + comrades must be engaged much more heavily than we are. What an uproar!” + </p> + <p> + The combat swelled to great proportions. The Southern army, being + compelled to fight, fought now with all its might. The crest of the long + hill blazed with fire. The men in gray used every advantage of position. + Cannon and rifles raked the woods and thickets, and at many points the + Union attack was driven back. The sun rose slowly and they still held the + hill, fighting with all the fire and valor characteristic of the South. + They were cheered at times by the expectation of victory, but the stubborn + Grant brought up his remaining forces and continually pressed the battle. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment crossed a ravine and knelt among the thickets. Its + losses had not yet been heavy, as most of the cannon fire was passing over + their heads. Grape and canister were whistling among the woods, and Dick + was devoutly grateful that these deadly missiles were going so high. Yet + if they did not hurt they made one shiver, and it was not worth while to + recall that when he heard the sound the shot had passed already. One + shivered anyhow. + </p> + <p> + As well as Dick could judge from the volume of sound the battle seemed to + be concentrated directly upon the hill. He knew that Grant expected to + make a general attack in full force, and he surmised that one of the + commanders under him was not pushing forward with the expected zeal. His + surmise was correct. A general with fifteen thousand men was standing + almost passive in front of a much smaller force, but other generals were + showing great fire and energy. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment contained many excellent riflemen and they were so + close now that they could use the weapons for which the Kentuckians were + famous. Firing deliberately, they began to cut gaps in the first ranks of + the defenders on the slope. Then they rose and with other regiments pushed + forward again. + </p> + <p> + But they came to a road in the side of the hill defended powerfully by + infantry and artillery, and a heavy fire, killing and wounding many, was + poured upon them. They sought to cross the road and attack the defenders + with the bayonet, but they were driven back and their losses were so heavy + that they were compelled to take cover in the nearest thickets. + </p> + <p> + The men, gasping with heat and exhaustion, threw themselves down, a sleet + of shells and bullets passing over their heads. Dick had a sense of + failure, but it lasted only a moment or two. From both left and right came + the fierce crash of battle, and he knew that, if they had been driven back + before the road, their comrades were maintaining the combat elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + “It's merely a delay. We pause to make a stronger attack,” said Colonel + Winchester, as if he were apologizing to himself. “Are you all right, + Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Unhurt, sir, and so are Warner and Pennington, who are lying here beside + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Unhurt, but uneasy,” said Warner. “I don't like the way twigs and leaves + are raining down on me. It shows that if they were to depress their fire + they would be shearing limbs off of us instead of boughs off the trees.” + </p> + <p> + The sun was high and brilliant now, but it could not dispel the clouds of + smoke gathering in the thickets. It floated everywhere, and Dick felt it + stinging his mouth and throat. Murmurs began to run along the lines. They + did not like being held there. They wanted to charge again. They were + still confident of victory. + </p> + <p> + Dick was sent toward another part of the army for orders, and he saw that + all along the hill the battle was raging fiercely. But Grant could not yet + hear the roar of guns which should indicate the advance of McClernand and + his fifteen thousand. The silent leader was filled with anger, but he + reserved the expression of it for a later time. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the fiery and impetuous Logan, noticeable for his long coal-black + hair, lead a headlong and successful charge, which carried the Union + troops higher up the hill. But another general was driven back, losing + cannon, although he retook them in a second and desperate charge. Still no + news from McClernand and his fifteen thousand! There was silence where his + guns ought to have been thundering, and Grant burned with silent anger. + </p> + <p> + It was noon, and a half-hour past. The Union plans, made with so much care + and judgment, and the movements begun with so much skill and daring seemed + to be going awry. Yet Grant with the tenacity, rather than lightning + intuition, that made him a great general, held on. His lieutenants clung + to their ground and prepared anew for attack. + </p> + <p> + Dick hurried back to his own regiment, which was still lying in the + thickets, bearing an order for its advance in full strength. Colonel + Winchester, who was standing erect, walking among his men and encouraging + them, received it with joy. Word was speedily passed to all that the time + to win or lose had come. Above the cannon and rifles the music of the + calling trumpets sounded. The fire of both sides suddenly doubled and + tripled in volume. + </p> + <p> + “Now, boys,” shouted Colonel Winchester, waving his sword, “up the hill + and beat 'em!” + </p> + <p> + Uttering a deep-throated roar the Winchesters rushed forward, firing as + they charged. Dick was carried on the top wave of enthusiasm. He + discharged his pistol into the bank of fire and smoke in front of them and + shouted incessantly. He heard the bullets and every form of missile from + the cannon whining all about them. Leaves and twigs fell upon him. Many + men went down under the deadly fire, but the rush of the regiment was not + checked for an instant. + </p> + <p> + They passed out of the thicket, swept across the road, and drove the + defenders up the hill. Along the whole line the Union army, fired with the + prospect of success, rushed to the attack. Grant threw every man possible + into the charge. + </p> + <p> + The Southern army was borne back by the weight of its enemy. All of the + front lines were driven in and the divisions were cut apart. There was + lack of coordination among the generals, who were often unable to + communicate with one another, and Pemberton gave the order to retreat. The + battle was lost to the South, and with it the chance to crush Grant + between two forces. + </p> + <p> + The Union army uttered a great shout of victory, and Grant urged forward + the pursuit. Bowen, one of the South's bravest generals, was the last to + give way. The Winchester regiment was a part of the force that followed + him, both fighting hard. Dick found himself with his comrades, wading a + creek, and they plunged into the woods and thickets which blazed with the + fire of South and North. A Confederate general was killed here, but the + brave Bowen still kept his division in order, and made the pursuit pay a + heavy cost for all its gain. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw besides the Confederate column many irregulars in the woods, + skilled sharpshooters, who began to sting them on the flank and bring down + many a good soldier. He caught a glimpse of a man who was urging on the + riflemen and who seemed to be their leader. He recognized Slade, and, + without a moment's hesitation, fired at him with his pistol. But the man + was unhurt and Slade's return bullet clipped a lock of Dick's hair. + </p> + <p> + Then they lost each other in the smoke and turmoil of the battle, and, + despite the energy of the pursuit by the Union leaders, they could not + break up the command of Bowen. The valiant Southerner not only made good + his retreat, but broke down behind him the bridge over a deep river, thus + saving for a time the fragments of Pemberton's army. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment marched back to the battlefield, and Dick saw that + the victory had been overwhelming. Nearly a third of the Southern army had + been lost and thirty cannon were the trophies of Grant. Yet the fighting + had been desperate. The dead and wounded were so numerous that the veteran + soldiers who had been at Shiloh and Stone River called it “The Hill of + Death.” + </p> + <p> + Dick saw Grant walking over the field and he wondered what his feelings + were. Although its full result was beyond him he knew, nevertheless, that + Champion Hill was a great victory. At one stroke of his sword Grant had + cut apart the circle of his foes. + </p> + <p> + Dick came back from the pursuit with Colonel Winchester. He had lost sight + of Warner and Pennington in the turmoil, but he believed that they would + reappear unhurt. They had passed through so many battles now that it did + not occur to him that any of the three would be killed. They might be + wounded, of course, as they had been already, but fate would play them no + such scurvy trick as to slay them. + </p> + <p> + “What will be the next step, Colonel?” asked Dick, as they stood together + upon the victorious hill. + </p> + <p> + “Depends upon what Johnston and Pemberton do. Pemberton, I'm sure, will + retreat to Vicksburg, but Johnston, if he can prevent it, won't let his + army be shut up there. Still, they may not be able to communicate, and if + they should Pemberton may disobey the far abler Johnston and stay in + Vicksburg anyhow. At any rate, I think we're sure to march at once on + Vicksburg.” + </p> + <p> + A figure approaching in the dusk greeted Dick with a shout of delight. + Another just behind repeated the shout with equal fervor. Warner and + Pennington had come, unharmed as he had expected, and they were exultant + over the victory. + </p> + <p> + “Come over here,” said Warner to Dick. “Sergeant Whitley has cooked a + glorious supper and we're waiting for you.” + </p> + <p> + Dick joined them eagerly, and the sergeant received them with his + benevolent smile. They were commissioned officers, and he gave them all + the respect due to rank, but in his mind they were only his boys, whom he + must watch and protect. + </p> + <p> + While the fires sprang up about them and they ate and talked of the + victory, Washington was knowing its darkest moments. Lee had already been + marching thirteen days toward Gettysburg, and he seemed unbeatable. Grant, + who had won for the North about all the real success of which it could yet + boast, was lost somewhere in the Southern wilderness. The messages seeking + him ran to the end of the telegraph wires and no answer came back. The + click of the key could not reach him. Many a spirit, bold at most times, + despaired of the Union. + </p> + <p> + But the old and hackneyed saying about the darkest hour just before the + dawn was never more true. The flame of success was already lighted in the + far South, and Lincoln was soon to receive the message, telling him that + Grant had not disappeared in the wilderness for nothing. Thereafter he was + to trust the silent and tenacious general through everything. + </p> + <p> + They were up and away at dawn. Dick was glad enough to leave the hill, on + which many of the dead yet lay unburied, and he was eager for the new + field of conflict, which he was sure would be before Vicksburg. Warner and + Pennington were as sanguine as he. Grant was now inspiring in them the + confidence that Lee and Jackson inspired in their young officers. + </p> + <p> + “How big is this city of Vicksburg?” asked Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Not big at all,” replied Warner. “There are no big cities in the South + except New Orleans, but it's big as a fortress. It's surrounded by + earthworks, Frank, from which the Johnnies can pot you any time.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, at any rate, I'll be glad to see it—from a safe distance. I + wouldn't mind sitting down before a town. There's too much wet country + around here to suit me.” + </p> + <p> + “It's likely that you'll have a chance to sit for a long time. We won't + take Vicksburg easily.” + </p> + <p> + But the time for sitting down had not yet come. The confidence of the + soldiers in their leader was justified continually. He advanced rapidly + toward Vicksburg, and in pursuit of Pemberton's defeated men. The victory + at Champion Hill had been so complete that the Southern army was broken + into detached fragments, and the Southern generals were now having the + greatest difficulty in getting them together again. + </p> + <p> + Grant, with his loyal subordinate, Sherman, continued to push upon the + enemy with the greatest vigor. Sherman had not believed in the success of + the campaign, had even filed his written protest, but when Grant insisted + he had cooperated with skill and energy. He and Grant stood together on a + hill looking toward the future field of conflict, and he told Grant now + that he expected continued success. + </p> + <p> + It was the fortune of the young officers of the Winchester regiment + sitting near on their horses to see the two generals who were in such + earnest consultation, and who examined the whole circle of the country so + long and so carefully through powerful glasses. + </p> + <p> + The effects of the victory deep in the South were growing hourly in Dick's + mind, and the two figures standing there on the hill were full of + significance to him. He had a premonition that they were the men more than + any others who would achieve the success of the Union, if it were achieved + at all. They had dismounted and stood side by side, the figure of Grant + short, thick and sturdy, that of Sherman, taller and more slender. They + spoke only at intervals, and few words then, but nothing in the country + about them escaped their attention. + </p> + <p> + Dick had glasses of his own, and he, too, began to look. He saw a region + much wooded and cut by deep streams. Before them lay the sluggish waters + of Chickasaw Bayou, where Sherman had sustained a severe defeat at an + earlier time, and farther away flowed the deep, muddy Yazoo. + </p> + <p> + “See the smoke, George, rising above that line of trees along the river?” + said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Dick,” replied Warner, “and I notice that the smoke rises in puffs.” + </p> + <p> + “It has a right to go up that way, because it's expelled violently from + the smoke-stacks of steamers. And those steamers are ours, George, our + warships. Our navy in this war hasn't much chance to do the spectacular, + but we can never give it enough credit.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right, Dick. It keeps the enemy surrounded and cuts off his + supplies, while our army fights him on land. Whatever happens the waters + are ours.” + </p> + <p> + “And the Mississippi has become a Union river, splitting apart the + Confederacy.” + </p> + <p> + “Right you are, Dick, and we're already in touch with our fleet there. The + boats do more than fight for us. They're unloading supplies in vast + quantities from Chickasaw Bayou. We'll have good food, blankets, tents to + shelter us from the rain, and unlimited ammunition to batter the enemy's + works.” + </p> + <p> + The investment of Vicksburg had been so rapid and complete that Johnston, + the man whom Grant had the most cause to fear, could not unite with + Pemberton, and he had retired toward Jackson, hoping to form a new army. + Only three days after Champion Hill Grant had drawn his semicircle of + steel around Vicksburg and its thirty thousand men, and the navy in the + rivers completed the dead line. + </p> + <p> + Dick rode with Colonel Winchester and took the best view they could get of + Vicksburg, the little city which had suddenly become of such vast military + importance. + </p> + <p> + Now and then on the long, lower course of the Mississippi, bluffs rise, + although at far intervals. Memphis stands on one group and hundreds of + miles south Vicksburg stands on another. The Vicksburg plateau runs + southward to the Big Bayou, which curves around them on the south and + east, and the eastern slope of the uplift has been cut and gulleyed by + many torrents. So strong has been the effect of the rushing water upon the + soft soil that these cuts have become deep winding ravines, often with + perpendicular banks. One of the ravines is ten miles long. Another cuts + the plateau itself for six miles, and a permanent stream flows through it. + </p> + <p> + The colonel and Dick saw everywhere rivers, brooks, bayous, hills, marshes + and thickets, the whole turned by the Southern engineers into a vast and + most difficult line of intrenchments. Grant now had forty thousand men for + the attack or siege, but he and his generals did not yet know that most of + the scattered Confederate army had gathered together again, and was + inside. They believed that Vicksburg was held by fifteen thousand men at + the utmost. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of it, Colonel?” asked Dick, as they sat horseback on + one of the highest hills. + </p> + <p> + “It will be hard to take, despite the help of the navy. Did you ever see + another country cut up so much by nature and offering such natural help to + defenders?” + </p> + <p> + “I've heard a lot of Vicksburg. I remember, Colonel, that, despite its + smallness, it is one of the great river towns of the South.” + </p> + <p> + “So it is, Dick. I was here once, when I was a boy before the Mexican war. + Down on the bar, the low place between the bluffs and the river, was the + dueling ground, and it was also the place for sudden fights. It and + Natchez, I suppose, were rivals for the wild and violent life of the great + river.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, it has a bigger fight on its hands now than was ever dreamed + of by any of those men.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you're right, Dick, but the general means to attack at once. We + may carry it by storm.” + </p> + <p> + Dick looked again at the vast entanglement of creeks, bayous, ravines, + forests and thickets. Like other young officers, he had his opinion, but + he had the good sense to keep it to himself. He and the colonel rejoined + the regiment, and presently the trumpets were calling again for battle. + The men of Champion Hill, sanguine of success, marched straight upon + Vicksburg. All the officers of the Winchester regiment were dismounted, as + their portion of the line was too difficult for horses. + </p> + <p> + Their advance, as at Champion Hill, was over ground wooded heavily and + they soon heard the reports of the rifles before them. Bullets began to + cut the leaves and twigs, carrying away the bushes, scarring the trees and + now and then taking human life. The Winchester men fired whenever they saw + an enemy, and with them it was largely an affair of sharpshooters, but on + both left and right the battle rolled more heavily. The Southerners, + behind their powerful fortifications at the heads of the ravines and on + the plateau, beat back every attack. + </p> + <p> + Before long the trumpets sounded the recall and the short battle ceased. + Grant had discovered that he could not carry Vicksburg by a sudden rush + and he recoiled for a greater effort. He discovered, too, from the + resistance and the news brought later by his scouts that an army almost as + numerous as his own was in the town. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment made camp on a solid, dry piece of ground beyond + the range of the Southern works, and the men, veterans now, prepared for + their comfort. The comrades ate supper to the slow booming of great guns, + where the advanced cannon of either side engaged in desultory duel. + </p> + <p> + The distant reports did not disturb Dick. They were rather soothing. He + was glad enough to rest after so much exertion and so much danger and + excitement. + </p> + <p> + “I feel as if I were an empty shell,” he said, “and I've got to wait until + nature comes along and fills up the shell again with a human being.” + </p> + <p> + “In my school in Vermont,” said Warner, “they'd call that a considerable + abuse of metaphor, but all metaphors are fair in war. Besides, it's just + the way I feel, too. Do you think, Dick, we'll settle down to a regular + siege?” + </p> + <p> + “Knowing General Grant as we do, not from what he tells us, since he + hasn't taken Pennington and you and me into his confidence as he ought to, + but from our observation of his works, I should say that he would soon + attack again in full force.” + </p> + <p> + “I agree with you, Knight of the Penetrating Mind, but meanwhile I'm going + to enjoy myself.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, George?” + </p> + <p> + “A mail has come through by means of the river, and my good father and + mother—God bless 'em—have sent me what they knew I would value + most, something which is at once an intellectual exercise, an + entertainment, and a consolation in bereavement.” + </p> + <p> + Dick and Pennington sat up. Warner's words were earnest and portentous. + Besides, they were very long, which indicated that he was not jesting. + </p> + <p> + “Go ahead, George. Show us what it is!” said Dick eagerly. + </p> + <p> + Warner drew from the inside pocket of his waist coat a worn volume which + he handled lovingly. + </p> + <p> + “This,” he said, “is the algebra, with which I won the highest honors in + our academy. I have missed it many and many a time since I came into this + war. It is filled with the most beautiful problems, Dick, questions which + will take many a good man a whole night to solve. When I think of the + joyous hours I've spent over it some of the tenderest chords in my nature + are touched.” + </p> + <p> + Pennington uttered a deep groan and buried his face in the grass. Then he + raised it again and said mournfully: + </p> + <p> + “Let's make a solemn agreement, Dick, to watch over our poor comrade. I + always knew that something was wrong with his mind, although he means + well, and his heart is in the right place. As for me, as soon as I + finished my algebra I sold it, and took a solemn oath never to look inside + one again. That I call the finest proof of sanity anybody could give. Oh, + look at him, Dick! He's studying his blessed algebra and doesn't hear a + word I say!” + </p> + <p> + Warner was buried deep in the pages of a plus b and x minus y, and Dick + and Pennington, rising solemnly, walked noiselessly from the presence + around to the other side of the little opening where they lay down again. + The bit of nonsense relieved them, but it was far from being nonsense to + Warner. His soul was alight. As he dived into the intricate problems + memories came with them. Lying there in the Southern thickets in the close + damp heat of summer he saw again his Vermont mountains with their slopes + deep in green and their crests covered with snow. The sharp air of the + northern winter blew down upon him, and he saw the clear waters of the + little rivers, cold as ice, foaming over the stones. That air was sharp + and vital, but, after a while, he came back to himself and closed his book + with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me for inattention, boys,” he said, “but while I was enjoying my + algebra I was also thinking of old times back there in Vermont, when + nobody was shooting at anybody else.” + </p> + <p> + Dick and Pennington walked solemnly back and sat down beside him again. + </p> + <p> + “Returned to his right mind. Quite sane now,” said Pennington. “But don't + you think, Dick, we ought to take that exciting book away from him? The + mind of youth in its tender formative state can be inflamed easily by + light literature.” + </p> + <p> + Warner smiled and put his beloved book in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “No, boys,” he said, “you won't take it away from me, but as soon as this + war is over I shall advance from it to studies of a somewhat similar + nature, but much higher in character, and so difficult that solving them + will afford a pleasure keener and more penetrating than anything else I + know.” + </p> + <p> + “What is your greatest ambition, Warner?” asked Pennington. “Do you, like + all the rest of us, want to be President of the United States?” + </p> + <p> + “Not for a moment. I've already been in training several years to be + president of Harvard University. What higher place could mortal ask? None, + because there is none to ask for.” + </p> + <p> + “I can understand you, George,” said Dick. “My great-grandfather became + the finest scholar ever known in the West. There was something of the poet + in him too. He had a wonderful feeling for nature and the forest. He had a + remarkable chance for observation as he grew up on the border, and was the + close comrade in the long years of Indian fighting of Henry Ware, who was + the greatest governor of Kentucky. As I think I've told you fellows, Harry + Kenton, Governor Ware's great-grandson and my comrade, is fighting on the + other side.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew of the great Dr. Cotter long before I met you, Dick,” replied + Warner. “I read his book on the Indians of the Northern Mississippi + Valley. Not merely their history and habits, but their legends, their folk + lore, and the wonderful poetic glow so rich and fine that he threw over + everything. There was something almost Homeric in his description of the + great young Wyandot chieftain Timmendiquas or White Lightning, whom he + acclaimed as the finest type of savage man the age had known.” + </p> + <p> + “He and Henry Ware fought Timmendiquas for years, and after the great + peace they were friends throughout their long lives.” + </p> + <p> + “And I've studied, too, his wonderful book on the Birds and Mammals of + North America,” continued Warner with growing enthusiasm. “What marvelous + stores of observation and memory! Ah, Dick, those were exciting days, and + a man had opportunities for real and vital experiences!” + </p> + <p> + Dick and Pennington laughed. + </p> + <p> + “What about Vicksburg, old praiser of past times?” asked Frank. “Don't you + think we'll have some lively experiences trying to take it? And wasn't + there something real and vital about Bull Run and Shiloh and Perryville + and Stone River and all the rest? Don't you worry, George. You're living + in exciting times yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” said Warner calmly. “I had forgotten it for the moment. We've + been readers of history and now we're makers of it. It's funny—and + maybe it isn't funny—but the makers of history often know little + about what they're making. The people who come along long afterward put + them in their places and size up what they have done.” + </p> + <p> + “They can give all the reasons they please why I won this war,” said + Pennington, “but even history-makers are entitled to a rest. Since there's + no order to the contrary I mean to stretch out and go to sleep. Dick, you + and George can discuss your problems all night.” + </p> + <p> + But they went to sleep also. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. THE OPEN DOOR + </h2> + <p> + “Dick,” said Colonel Winchester the next morning, “I think you are the + best scout and trailer among my young officers. Mr. Pennington, you are + probably the best on the plains, and I've no doubt, Warner, that you would + do well in the mountains, but for the hills, forests and rivers I'll have + to choose Dick. I've another errand for you, my boy. You're to go on foot, + and you're to take this dispatch to Admiral Porter, who commands the + iron-clads in the river near the city. Conceal it carefully about you, but + I anticipate no great danger for you, as Vicksburg is pretty well + surrounded by our forces.” + </p> + <p> + The dispatch was written on thin, oiled paper. Dick hid it away in the + lining of his coat and departed upon another important mission, full of + pride that he should be chosen for it. He had all the passwords and + carried two good pistols in his belt. Rich in experience, he felt able to + care for himself, even should the peril be greater than Colonel Winchester + had expected. + </p> + <p> + The sun was not far above the horizon but it was warm and brilliant, and + it lighted up the earth, throwing a golden glow over the plateau of + Vicksburg, the great maze of ravines and thickets and the many waters. + </p> + <p> + He passed along the lines, walking rapidly southward, and saw more than + one officer of his acquaintance. Hertford's cavalry were in a field, and + the colonel himself sat on a portion of the rail fence that had enclosed + it. He hailed the lad pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + “Into the forest again, Dick,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Not this time, sir,” Dick replied. “It's just a little trip, down the + river.” + </p> + <p> + “Success to the trip and a speedy return.” + </p> + <p> + Dick nodded and walked on. He was quite sure that his dispatch was an + order from Grant for Porter to come up the stream and join in a general + attack which everybody felt sure was planned for an early date. + </p> + <p> + As he passed through the regiments and brigades he received much + good-humored chaff. The great war of America differed widely from the + great wars of Europe. The officers and men were more nearly on a plane of + equality. The vast majority of them had been volunteers in the beginning + and perhaps this feeling of comradeship made them fight all the better. + North and South were alike in it. + </p> + <p> + “Which way, sonny?” called a voice from a group. “You don't find the + fighting down there. It's back toward Vicksburg.” + </p> + <p> + Dick nodded and smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe he's out walking for exercise. These officers ride too much.” + </p> + <p> + Dick walked on with a steady swinging step. He regarded the sunbrowned, + careless youths with the genuine affection of a brother. Many of them were + as young as he or younger, but they were now veterans of battle and march. + Napoleon's soldiers themselves could not have boasted of more experience + than they. + </p> + <p> + He was coming to the last link in the steel chain, and the colonel of a + regiment, an old man, warned him to be careful as he approached the river. + </p> + <p> + “Southern sharpshooters are among the ravines and thickets,” he said. + “They fired on our lads about dawn and then escaped easily in the thick + cover.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir,” said Dick, “I'll be on my guard.” Yet he did not feel + the presence of danger. Youth perhaps becomes more easily hardened in war + than middle age, or perhaps it thinks less of consequences. The Union + cannon, many of great weight and power, had begun already to fire upon + Vicksburg. Huge shells and shot were rained upon the city. Pemberton had + two hundred guns facing the river and the army, but to spare his + ammunition they made little reply. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked back now and then. He saw flakes of fire on the northern + horizon, puffs of smoke and the curving shells. He felt that Vicksburg was + no pleasant place to be in just now, and yet it must be full of civilians, + many of them women and children. He was sorry for them. It was Dick's + nature to see both sides of a quarrel. He could never hate the + Southerners, because they saw one way and he another. + </p> + <p> + It was a passing emotion. It was too fine a morning for youth to grieve. + At the distance the plumes of smoke made by the shells became decorative + rather than deadly. From a crest he saw upon the plateau of Vicksburg and + even discerned the dim outline of houses. Looking the other way, he saw + the smoke of the iron-clads down the river, and he also caught glimpses of + the Mississippi, gold in the morning sun over its vast breadth. + </p> + <p> + Then he entered the thickets, and, bearing in mind the kindly warning of + the old colonel, proceeded slowly and with extreme caution. The + Southerners knew every inch of the ground here and he knew none. He came + to a ravine and to his dismay found that a considerable stream was flowing + through it toward the bayou. It was yellow water, and he thought he might + find a tree, fallen across the stream, which would serve him as a foot + log, but a hunt of a few minutes disclosed none, and, hesitating no + longer, he prepared to wade. + </p> + <p> + He put his belt with the pistols in it around his neck and stepped in + boldly. His feet sank in the mud. The water rose to his knees and then to + his waist. It was, in truth, deeper than he had expected—one could + never tell about these yellow, opaque streams. He took another step and + plunged into a hole up to his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + Angry that he should be wet through and through, and with such muddy water + too, he crossed the stream. + </p> + <p> + He looked down with dismay at his uniform. The sun would soon dry it, but + until he got a chance to clean it, it would remain discolored and yellow, + like the jeans clothes which the poorer farmers of the South often wore. + And yet the accident that he bemoaned, the bath in water thick with mud, + was to prove his salvation. + </p> + <p> + Dick shook himself like a big dog, throwing off as much of the water as he + could. He had kept his pistols dry and he rebuckled his belt around his + waist. Then he returned to his errand. Among the thickets he saw but + little. Vicksburg, the Mississippi, and the Union camp disappeared. He + beheld only a soft soil, many bushes and scrub forest. After going a + little distance he was compelled to stop again and consider. It was + curious how one could lose direction in so small a space. + </p> + <p> + He paused and listened, intending to regain his course through the sense + of hearing. From the north and east came the thunder of the siege guns. It + had grown heavier and was continuous now. Once more he was sorry for + Vicksburg, because the Union gunners were unsurpassed and he was sure that + bombs and shells were raining upon the devoted town. + </p> + <p> + Now he knew that he must go west by south, and he made his way over + difficult country, crossing ravines, climbing hills, and picking his path + now and then through soft ground, the most exhausting labor of all. The + sun poured down upon him and his uniform dried fast. He had just crossed + one of the ravines and was climbing into the thicket beyond when a voice + asked: + </p> + <p> + “See any of the Yanks in front?” + </p> + <p> + Dick's heart stood still, and then all his presence of mind came back. Not + in vain had the kindly colonel warned him of the Southern sharpshooters in + the bush. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he replied. “They seem to be farther up. One of our fellows told me + he saw a whole regiment of them off there to the right.” + </p> + <p> + He plunged deeper into the bush and walked on as if he were among his own + comrades. He realized that his faded uniform with its dye of yellow mud + had caused him to be mistaken for one of Pemberton's men. His accent, + which was Kentuckian and therefore Southern, had helped him also. He + passed three or four other men, bent over, rifle in hand and watching, and + he nodded to them familiarly. In such a crisis he knew that boldness and + ease were his best cards, and he said to one of the men, with a laugh: + </p> + <p> + “You'll have to tell us Tennesseeans about all your bayous and creeks. + I've just fallen into one that had no right to be there.” + </p> + <p> + “You Tennesseeans need a bath anyhow,” replied the man, chuckling. + </p> + <p> + “We'd never choose a Mississippi stream for it,” said Dick in the same + vein, and passed on leaving the rifleman in high good humor. How + wonderfully these Southerners were like the Northerners! He noticed + presently a half-dozen other sharpshooters in the Confederate butternut, + prowling among the bushes, and through an opening he saw his own people to + the west, but too far away to be reached by anything but artillery. The + slow, deep music of the Northern guns came steadily to his ear, but their + fire was always turned toward Vicksburg. + </p> + <p> + Dick knew that his position was extremely critical. Perhaps it was growing + more so all the while, but he was never cooler. A quiet lad, he always + rose wonderfully to an emergency. He was quite sure that he was among + Mississippi troops, and they could not possibly know all the soldiers from + the other states gathered for the defense of Vicksburg. He did not differ + from those around him in any respect, except that he did not carry a + rifle. + </p> + <p> + He paused and looked back thoughtfully at the distant Union troops. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me how they're posted?” he said to a tall, thin middle-aged + man who had a chew of tobacco in his cheek. “I carry dispatches to General + Pemberton, and the more information I can give him the better.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I kin tell you,” replied the man, somewhat flattered. “They're + posted everywhere. What, with their army and them boats of theirs in the + river, they've got a high fence around us, all staked and ridered.” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't take any more work to tear a fence down than it does to build + it up.” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon you're right thar, stranger. But was you at Champion Hill?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I missed that.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it was a good thing for you that you did. I didn't set much store by + the Yanks when this war began. One good Southerner could whip five of 'em + any time, our rip-roarin', fire-eatin' speech-makers said. I knowed then, + too, that they was right, but I was up thar in Kentucky a while, an' after + Donelson I reckoned that four was about as many as I wanted to tackle all + to oncet. Then thar was Shiloh, an' I kinder had a thought that if three + of 'em jumped on me at one time I'd hev my hands purty full to lick 'em. + Then come Corinth, an,' reasonin' with myself, I said I wouldn't take on + more'n two Yanks at the same time. An' now, since I've been at Champion + Hill, I know that the Yank is a pow'ful good fighter, an' I reckon one to + one jest about suits me, an' even then I'd like to have a leetle advantage + in the draw.” + </p> + <p> + “I feel that way about it, too. The Yankees are going to make a heap of + trouble for us here. But I must be going. What's the best path into + Vicksburg?” + </p> + <p> + “See that little openin' in the bushes. Follow it. Jest over the hill + you'll run into a passel of our fellers, but pay no 'tention to 'em. If + they ask you who you are an' whar you're boun' tell 'em to go straight to + blazes, while you go to Vicksburg.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said Dick, “I like to meet an obliging and polite man like + you. It helps even in war.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't mention it. When I wuz a little shaver my ma told me always to mind + my manners, an' when I didn't she whaled the life out of me. An', do you + know, stranger, she's just a leetle, withered old woman, but if she could + 'pear here right now I'd be willin' to set down right in these bushes an' + say, 'Ma, take up that stick over thar an' beat me across the shoulders + an' back with it as hard as you kin.' I'd feel good all over.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you,” said Dick, who thought of his own mother. + </p> + <p> + He followed the indicated path until he was out of sight of everybody, and + then he plunged into the bushes and marsh toward the river. When he was + well hidden he stopped and considered. + </p> + <p> + It was quite evident that he had wandered from the right road, but it was + no easy task to get back into it. There was an unconscious Confederate + cordon about him and he must pass through it somewhere. He moved farther + toward the river, but only went deeper into the swamp. + </p> + <p> + He turned to the south and soon reached firm ground, but he heard + Confederate pickets talking in front of him. Then he caught glimpses of + two or three men watching among the trees, and he lay down in a clump of + bushes. He might pass them as he had passed the others, but he thought it + wiser not to take the risk. + </p> + <p> + He was willing also to rest a little, as he had done a lot of hard + walking. His clothing was now dry, and the mud had dried upon it. + </p> + <p> + He turned aside into one of the deep ravines and then into a smaller one + leading from it. The bushes were dense there and he lay down among them, + so completely hidden that he was invisible ten feet away. Here he still + heard the mutter of the guns, which came in a long, droning sound, and + occasionally a rifle cracked at some point closer by. The Union army was + still busy and he felt a few moments of despondency. His dispatch + undoubtedly was of great importance, and yet he was not able to deliver + it. It was highly probable that for precaution's sake other messengers + bore the same dispatch, but he was anxious to arrive with his + nevertheless, and he wanted, too, to arrive first. The last now seemed + impossible and the first improbable. + </p> + <p> + The crackling fire came nearer. Owing to the lack of percussion caps, + Pemberton had ordered his men to use their rifles sparingly, but evidently + a considerable body of sharpshooters near Dick were attempting a flanking + movement of some kind, and meant to carry it out with bullets. He was + impatient to see, but prudence kept him in his covert, a prudence that was + soon justified, as presently he heard voices very near him and then the + sound of footsteps. + </p> + <p> + He rose up a little and saw several hundred Confederate soldiers passing + on the slopes not more than a hundred yards away. They went south of him, + and he recognized with growing alarm that the wall across his way was + growing higher. When they were gone and he could no longer hear their + tread among the bushes he slipped from his hiding place and went directly + toward Vicksburg. Being within an iron ring he thought that perhaps he + would be safer somewhere near the center. He might make his way without + much trouble through the vast confused crowd in Vicksburg, and then in the + night go down the river's edge and to the fleet. + </p> + <p> + It was a daring idea, so very daring that it appealed to the strain of + high adventure in the lad. He was encouraged, too, by his earlier and easy + success in passing among the Confederate soldiers. But in order not to + appear reckless and to satisfy his own conscience he tried once more for + the way to the south. But the soldiers entirely barred the path there, + and, being on some duty that required extreme vigilance, they were likely + to prove exacting. + </p> + <p> + He advanced with a clear mind toward Vicksburg, picking his way among the + forests and ravines, but, after long walking over most difficult ground, + he saw before him extensive earthworks thronged with Southern troops. When + he turned westward the result was the same, and then it became evident + that there was no flaw in the iron ring. He could not go through to + Porter, he could not go back to his own army, but Vicksburg invited him as + a guest. + </p> + <p> + He would make the trial at night. It was a long wait, but he dared not + risk it by day, and, going back into one of the ravines, he sought a + secluded and sheltered place. Threshing the bushes to drive away possible + snakes, he crawled into a clump and lay there. Resolved to be patient in + spite of everything, he did not stir, but listened to the far throbbing of + the cannon which poured an incessant storm of missiles upon unhappy + Vicksburg. + </p> + <p> + The warmth and the heavy air in the ravine were relaxing. His brain grew + so dull and heavy that he fell asleep, and when he awoke the twilight was + coming. And yet he had lost nothing. He had gained rather. The time had + passed. His body had been strengthened and his nerves steadied while he + slept. + </p> + <p> + The distant booming of the guns still came. He had expected it. That was + Grant. He had wrapped the coil of steel around Vicksburg and he would + never relax. Dick felt that there was no hope for the town, unless + Johnston outside could gather a powerful army and fight Grant on even + terms. But he considered it impossible, and there, too, was the great + artery of the river along which flowed men and supplies of every kind for + the Union. + </p> + <p> + The Southern twilight turned swiftly into night and, coming from his lair, + Dick walked boldly toward the town. He had eaten nothing since morning, + but he had not noticed it, until this moment, when he began to feel a + little faintness. He resolved that Vicksburg should supply him. It was + curious how much help he expected of Vicksburg, a hostile town. + </p> + <p> + He saw lights soon both to right and to left and he strengthened his soul. + He knew that he must be calm, but alert and quick with the right answer. + With his singular capacity for meeting a crisis he advanced into the thick + of danger with a smiling face, even as his great ancestor, Paul Cotter, + had often done. + </p> + <p> + His calm was of short duration. There was a rushing sound, something + struck violently, and a tremendous explosion followed. Fire flashed before + Dick's eyes, pieces of red hot metal whistled past his head, earth + spattered him and he was thrown to the ground. + </p> + <p> + He sprang up again, understanding all instantly. A shell from his own army + had burst near him, and he had been thrown down by the concussion. But he + had not been hurt, and in a few seconds his pulse beat steadily. + </p> + <p> + He heard a shout of laughter as he stood, brushing the fresh dirt from his + clothing. He glanced up in some anger, but he saw at once that the arrival + of the shell had been most fortunate for his plan. To come near + annihilation by a Federal gun certainly invested him with a Confederate + character. + </p> + <p> + It was a group of young soldiers who were laughing and their amusement was + entirely good-natured. They would have laughed the same way had the + harmless adventure befallen one of their own number. Dick judged that they + were from the Southwest. + </p> + <p> + “Close call,” he said, smiling that attractive smile, which was visible + even in the twilight. + </p> + <p> + “It was a friendly shell,” said one of the youths, “and it concluded not + to come too close to you. These Yankee shells are so loving that sometimes + they spray themselves in little pieces all over a fellow, like a shower of + rice over a bride at a wedding.” + </p> + <p> + “How long do you think the Yankees will keep it up?” asked Dick, putting + indignation in his tone. “Haven't they any respect for the night?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit. That fellow Grant is a pounder. They say he'll blow away the + whole plateau of Vicksburg if we don't drive him off.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we'll do it. You wait till old Joe Johnston comes up. Then we'll + shut him between the jaws of a vise and squeeze the life out of him.” + </p> + <p> + “Hope so. Where've you been?” + </p> + <p> + “Down below the town. I'm coming back with messages.” + </p> + <p> + “So long. Good luck. Keep straight ahead, and you'll find all the generals + you want.” + </p> + <p> + The lights increased and he went into a small tavern, where he bought food + and a cup of coffee, paying in gold. The tavern keeper asked no questions, + but his eyes gleamed at sight of the yellow coin. + </p> + <p> + “Mighty little of this comes my way now,” he said frankly, “and our own + money is worth less and less every day. If things keep on the way they're + headed it'll take a bale of it as big as a bale of cotton to pay for one + good, square meal.” + </p> + <p> + Dick laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Not so bad as that,” he said. “You wait until we've given Grant a big + thrashing and have cleared their boats out of the river. Then you'll see + our money becoming real.” + </p> + <p> + The man shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Seein' will be believin',” he said, “an' as I ain't seein' I ain't + believin'.” + </p> + <p> + Dick with a friendly good night went out. Grant, the persistent, was still + at work. His cannon flared on the dark horizon and the shells crashed in + Vicksburg. Scarcely any portion of the town was safe. Now and then a house + was smashed in and often the shells found victims. + </p> + <p> + The town was full of terror and confusion. Many of the rich planters had + come there with their families for refuge. Women and children hid from the + terrible fire, and the civilians already had begun to burrow. Caves had + been dug deep into the sides of the ravines and hundreds found in them a + rude but safe shelter. + </p> + <p> + Dick now found that his plans were going wrong. He could wander about + almost at will and to any one to whom he spoke he still claimed to be a + Tennesseean, but he knew that it could not last forever. Sooner or later, + some officer would question him closely, and then his tale would be too + thin for truth. + </p> + <p> + Unable to make a way toward the river, he returned to the slopes and + ravines, where they were digging the caves, and then fortune which had + been smiling upon him turned its face the other way. A small man in + butternut and an enormous felt hat passed near. He did not see Dick, but + his very presence gave the lad a shiver. He believed afterward that before + he saw him he had felt the proximity of Slade. + </p> + <p> + The man, carrying a rifle, was hurrying toward the center of the town, and + Dick, after one long look, hurried at equal speed the other way. He knew + that Slade, if he saw him, would recognize him at once. Dusk and a muddy + uniform would not protect him. + </p> + <p> + It was his idea now to go down through the ravines and make another trial + toward the South. He saw ahead of him a line of intrenchments, which he + was resolved to pass in some fashion, but the face of fortune was still + away from him. The unknown officers who at any time might ask too many + questions appeared. + </p> + <p> + A captain, a sunbrowned, alert man, stopped him at the edge of the bushes + which clothed the slopes of the ravine. + </p> + <p> + “Your regiment?” he asked sharply. + </p> + <p> + “Tennessee regiment, sir,” replied Dick, afraid to mention any number, + since this officer might be a Tennesseean himself, and would want further + identification. But the man was not to be put off—Dick judged from + his uniform that he was a colonel—and demanded sharply his + regiment's number and his business. + </p> + <p> + The lad mumbled something under his breath, hopeful that he would pass on, + but the officer stepped forward, looked at him closely and then suddenly + turned back the collar of his army jacket, disclosing a bit of the under + side yet blue. + </p> + <p> + “Thunderation, a Yankee spy!” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + Dick always believed that his life was due to a sudden and violent + impulse, or rather a convulsive jerk, because he had no time to think. He + threw off the officer's hand, dashed his fist into his face, and, without + waiting to see the effect, ran headlong among the bushes down the side of + the ravine. He heard a shouting behind him, the reports of several shots, + the rapid tread of feet, and he knew that the man-hunt was on. + </p> + <p> + He had all the instincts of the hunted to seek cover, and the night was + his friend. But few lights glimmered in that portion of Vicksburg, and in + many parts of the ravine the bushes were thick. He darted down the slope + at great speed, then turned and ran along its side, still keeping well + under cover. Where the shadows were darkest and the bushes thickest he + paused panting. + </p> + <p> + He heard his pursuers calling to one another, and he also heard the + excited voices of people in the ravine. The civilians had been aroused by + the shots so close by and he thought the confusion would help him. He + stood in the deep shadow, his breath gradually growing easier, and then he + started down the ravine, coming to a little path that led along the side + of the slope. He noticed a dark opening, and as the voices of pursuers + were now coming nearer, he popped into it, trusting to blind luck. + </p> + <p> + Dick had thought it was a mere wash-out or deep recess, but at the third + step his foot struck upon a carpet and he saw ahead a dim light. He + paused, amazed, and then he remembered that he had heard about the + civilians digging caves for shelter from the shells and bombs. Evidently + some forethoughtful man had prepared his cave early. + </p> + <p> + Uncertain what to do he did nothing, pressing his back against the earth + and listening. No sound came, and the dim light still flickering ahead + reassured him. + </p> + <p> + The opening through which he had come was large, and admitted plenty of + fresh air. As he stood four or five feet from the entrance he saw several + soldiers hurrying along the path, and he knew they were hunting for him. + He realized then his fortune in finding this improvised cave-house. After + the soldiers passed he walked gently toward the light. Apparently the + regular occupants were gone away for the time, and he might find a hiding + place there until it was safe to go out. + </p> + <p> + The passage was narrow, but the carpet was still under his feet, and + further in, the sides and roof of the earthen walls had been covered with + planks. The light grew brighter and he was quite sure that a room of some + size was just ahead. His curiosity became so great that it smothered all + apprehension, and he stepped boldly into the room, where the lamp burned + on a table. + </p> + <p> + He would have stepped back as quickly, but a pair of great burning eyes + caught his and held them. A bed was standing against the board wall of the + cave, and in this bed lay an old man with a huge bald head, immense white + eyebrows and eyes of extraordinary intensity. + </p> + <p> + Once more did Colonel Charles Woodville and Richard Mason stare into the + eyes of each other, and for a long time neither spoke. + </p> + <p> + “I managed to escape from Jackson with my little family,” said the colonel + at length, “and I thought that in this, so to say, sylvan retreat I might + drop all undesirable acquaintances that I made there.” + </p> + <p> + The whole scene was grotesque and wild to Dick. It was like a passage out + of the Arabian Nights, and an extraordinary spirit of recklessness seized + him. + </p> + <p> + “I appreciate your words, sir,” he said, “and I can understand your + feelings. I have felt myself that it was never wise to go where one might + not be welcome, and yet chance plays us such tricks that neither your wish + nor mine is granted.” + </p> + <p> + The old man then raised his head a little higher on the pillow. A spark + leaped from the burning eyes. + </p> + <p> + “A lad of spirit,” he said. “I would not withhold praise where praise is + due. I recall meeting some one who resembled you very much. Perhaps a + brother of yours, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “No, he was not my brother.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it does not matter and we will not pursue the subject. How does it + happen that you have come into this hillside castle of mine?” + </p> + <p> + Young Mason saw a flicker of amusement in the eyes of the old man. He was + aware that in his muddy uniform he made no imposing figure, but his spirit + was as high as ever, and the touch of recklessness was still there. + </p> + <p> + “I saw some men coming down the path,” he replied; “men with whom I do not + care to associate, and I turned aside to avoid them. I beheld the open + door and stepped within, but I did not know the chamber was occupied, and + it was far from my purpose to intrude upon you or any one. I trust, sir, + that you will believe me.” + </p> + <p> + The lad took off his cap and bowed. His face was now revealed more + clearly, and it was a fine one, splendidly molded, intellectual, and with + noble blue eyes. After all, despite the mud and stains, he made a graceful + figure as he stood there, so obviously confident of himself, but + respectful. + </p> + <p> + The spark leaped again from the eyes of Colonel Woodville, and, + remembering something, there was a slight warmth about the heart which + lately had been so cold and bitter. + </p> + <p> + “I do not blame you,” he said. “A lad, one in his formative years, cannot + be too careful about his associates. Doubtless you were justified in + taking advantage of the open door. But now that you are here may I ask you + what you purpose next to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I admit, sir, that the question is natural,” replied Dick, suiting his + tone and manner to those of the old man. “I have scarcely had time yet to + form a purpose, but, since the danger of contamination of which we spoke + still exists, it occurs to me that perhaps I might stay here a while. Is + there some nook or a cover in which I might rest? I hope I do not trespass + too much upon your hospitality.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Woodville pondered. His great white eyebrows were drawn together + and, for a moment or two, he gazed down the beak of his nose. + </p> + <p> + “I confess,” he said, “that the appeal to hospitality moves me. I am + stirred somewhat, too, by pleasant recollections of the lad who looked + like you. But wait, my daughter is coming. We will confer with her. + Margaret is a most capable woman.” + </p> + <p> + Dick heard a light step in the passage and he wheeled quickly. Miss + Woodville was before him, a plain, elderly figure in a plain black dress, + with a basket on her arm. The basket contained a fowl and some eggs which + she had just bought at a great price. When she saw Dick her hand flew to + her throat, but when the pulse ceased to beat so hard it came away and she + looked at him fixedly. Then a slow smile like the dawn spread over the + severe, worn face. + </p> + <p> + “Come in, Margaret, and put down your basket,” said the colonel in a + genial tone. “Meanwhile bid welcome to our unexpected guest, a young man + of spirit and quality with whom I was holding converse before you came. He + does not wish to go out to-night, because there are many violent men + abroad, and he would avoid them.” + </p> + <p> + Then he turned to Dick, and asked in a tone, sharp and commanding: + </p> + <p> + “I have your word, young sir, that your unexpected visit to our city was + not of a secret nature; that is, it was not of a lawless character?” + </p> + <p> + “An accident, sir, an accident pure and simple. I answer you on my honor. + I have seen nothing and I shall not seek to see anything which I should + not see.” + </p> + <p> + “Margaret,” continued the colonel, and now his tone became deferential as + behooved a gentleman speaking to a lady, “shall we ask him to share our + simple quarters to-night?” + </p> + <p> + The lad slowly turned his gaze to the face of the woman. He felt with all + the power of intuition that his fate rested on her decision. But she was a + woman. And she was, too, a true daughter of her father. A kindred spark + leaped up in her own soul, and she met Dick's gaze. She noted his fearless + poise, and she saw the gallant spirit in his eye. Then she turned to her + father. + </p> + <p> + “I think you wish him to stay, sir,” she said, “and the wish seems right + to me. Our narrow quarters limit our hospitality in quality, but not in + intent. We can offer him nothing but the little alcove behind the + blanket.” + </p> + <p> + She inclined her head toward the blanket, which Dick had not noticed + before. It hung near the bed and, wishing to cause this household little + trouble, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Then I assume that you will shelter me for the night, and, if I may, I + will go at once to my room.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Woodville lowered his head upon the pillow and laughed softly. + </p> + <p> + “A lad of spirit. A lad of spirit, I repeat,” he said. “No, Margaret, you + and I could not have turned him from our earthen roof.” + </p> + <p> + Dick bowed to Miss Woodville, and that little ghost of a tender smile + flitted about her thin lips. Then he lifted the blanket, stepped into the + dark, and let the curtain fall behind him. + </p> + <p> + He stood for a space until his eyes, used to the dusk, could see dimly. It + was a tiny room evidently used as a place of storage for clothing and + bedding, but there was space enough for him to lie down, if he bent his + knees a little. + </p> + <p> + The strain upon both muscle and nerve had been very great, and now came + collapse. Removing his shoes and outer clothing he dropped upon a roll of + bedding and closed his eyes. But he was grateful, deeply and lastingly + grateful. The bread that he had cast upon the waters was returning to him + fourfold. + </p> + <p> + He heard low voices beyond the blanket, and he did not doubt that they + were those of Colonel Woodville and his daughter. The woman in plain + black, with the basket on her arm, had seemed a pathetic figure to him. He + could not blame them for feeling such intense bitterness. What were the + causes of the war to people who had been driven from a luxurious home to a + hole in the side of a ravine? + </p> + <p> + He slept, and when he woke it seemed to be only a moment later, but he + knew from the slender edge of light appearing where the blanket just + failed to touch the floor that morning had come. He moved gently lest he + disturb his host in the larger room without, and then he heard the distant + thunder, which he knew was the booming of Grant's great guns. And so the + night had not stopped them! All through the hours that he slept the cannon + had rained steel and death on Vicksburg. Then came a great explosion + telling him that a shell had burst somewhere near. It was followed by the + voice of Colonel Woodville raised in high, indignant tones: + </p> + <p> + “Can't they let a gentleman sleep? Must they wake him with one of their + infernal shells?” + </p> + <p> + He heard a slight rustling sound and he knew that it was the great bald + head moving impatiently on the pillows. Inferring that it was early, he + would have gone back to sleep himself, but slumber would not come. He + remained a while, thoughtful, for his future lay very heavy upon him, and + then he heard the sound of several voices beyond the blanket. + </p> + <p> + He listened closely, trying to number and distinguish them. There were + three and two belonged to Colonel Woodville and his daughter. The third + repelled and puzzled him. It seemed to have in it a faint quality of the + fox. It was not loud, and yet that light, snarling, sinister note was + evident. + </p> + <p> + The sensitive, attuned mind can be easily affected by a voice, and the + menace of the unknown beyond the blanket deepened. Dick felt a curious + prickling at the roots of his hair. He listened intently, but he could not + understand anything that was spoken, and then he drew himself forward with + great caution. + </p> + <p> + They must be talking about something of importance, because the voices + were earnest, and sometimes all three spoke at once. He reached a slow + hand toward the blanket. The danger would be great, but he must see. + </p> + <p> + He drew back the blanket slightly, a quarter of an inch, maybe, and looked + within the room. Then he saw the owner of the sinister voice, and he felt + that he might have known from the first. + </p> + <p> + Slade, standing before Colonel Woodville's bed, his hat in his hand, was + talking eagerly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. THE GREAT ASSAULT + </h2> + <p> + The light from the door that was always open illumined the room. The + rising sun must have struck full upon it, because it was almost as bright + as day there. Slade was in his butternut uniform, and his rifle leaned + against the wall. Now that he had made the slight opening Dick could + understand their words. + </p> + <p> + “There are spies within Vicksburg, sir,” said Slade. “Colonel Dustin + detected one last night, but in the darkness he escaped down this ravine. + The alarm was spread and he could not have got outside our lines. I must + catch him. It will be a credit to me to do so. I was under your command, + and, although not in active service owing to your wound, your word will go + far. I want you to get me an order to search every house or place in which + he could hide.” + </p> + <p> + “Not too much zeal, my worthy Slade. Talleyrand said that, but you never + heard of him. Excessive suspicion is not a good thing. It was your chief + fault as an overseer, although I willingly pay tribute to your energy and + attention to detail. This business of hunting spies is greatly overdone. + The fate of Vicksburg will be settled by the cannon and the rifles.” + </p> + <p> + “But, sir, they can do us great harm.” + </p> + <p> + “Listen to that, my good Slade.” + </p> + <p> + The deep booming note of the distant cannon entered the cave. + </p> + <p> + “That is the sound of Grant's guns. He can fight better with those weapons + than with spies.” + </p> + <p> + But Slade persisted, and Colonel Woodville, with an occasional word from + his daughter, fenced with him, always using a light bantering tone, while + the lad who lay so near listened, his pulses beating hard in his temples + and throat. + </p> + <p> + “Your vigilance is to be commended, my good Slade,” Dick heard Colonel + Woodville say, “but to-day at least I cannot secure such a commission for + you from General Pemberton. We hear that Grant is massing his troops for a + grand attack, and there is little time to thresh up all our own quarters + for spies. We must think more of our battle line. To-morrow we may have a + plan. Come back to me then, and we will talk further on these matters.” + </p> + <p> + “But think, sir, what a day may cost us!” + </p> + <p> + “You show impatience, not to say haste, Slade, and little is ever achieved + by thoughtless haste. The enemy is closing in upon us, and it must be our + chief effort to break his iron ring. Ah, here is my nephew! He may give us + further news on these grave matters.” + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the entrance darken for a moment, then lighten again, and that + gallant youth, Victor Woodville, with whom he had fought so good a fight, + stood in the room. He was still pale and he carried his left arm in a + sling, but it was evident that his recovery from his wound had been rapid. + Dick saw the stern face of the old colonel brighten a bit, while the + tender smile curved again about the thin lips of the spinster. + </p> + <p> + Young Woodville gave a warm greeting to his uncle and elderly cousin, and + nodded to Slade. Dick believed from his gesture that he did not like the + guerilla leader, or at least he hoped so. + </p> + <p> + “Victor,” said the colonel, “what word do you bring?” + </p> + <p> + “Grant is advancing his batteries, and they seem to be massing for attack. + It will surely come in a day or two.” + </p> + <p> + “As I thought. Then we shall need all our energies for immediate battle. + And now, Mr. Slade, as I said before, I will see you again to-morrow about + the matter of which we were speaking. I am old, wounded, and I grow weary. + I would rest.” + </p> + <p> + Slade rose to go. He was not a pleasant sight. His clothes were soiled and + stained, and his face was covered with ragged beard. The eyes were full of + venom and malice. + </p> + <p> + “Good day, Colonel Woodville,” he said, “but I feel that I must bring the + matter up again. As a scout and leader of irregulars for the Confederacy. + I must be active in order to cope with the enemy's own scouts and spies. I + shall return early to-morrow morning.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Woodville waved his hand and Slade, bowing, withdrew. + </p> + <p> + “Why was he so persistent, Uncle Charles?” asked Victor. “He seemed to + have some underlying motive.” + </p> + <p> + “He always has such a motive, Victor. He is a man who suspects everybody + because he knows everybody has a right to suspect him. He may even have + been suspecting me, his old, and, I fear, too generous employer. He has a + mania about a spy hidden somewhere in Vicksburg.” + </p> + <p> + Young Victor Woodville laughed gayly. + </p> + <p> + “What folly,” he said, “for your old overseer, a man of Northern origin to + boot, to suspect you, of all men, of helping a Yankee in any way. Why, + Uncle Charles, everybody knows that you'd annihilate 'em if you could, and + that you were making good progress with the task until you got that + wound.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Woodville drew his great, white eyebrows together in his + characteristic way. + </p> + <p> + “I admit, Victor, that I'm the prince of Yankee haters,” he said. “They've + ruined me, and if they succeed they'll ruin our state and the whole South, + too. We've fled for refuge to a hole in the ground, and yet they come + thundering at the door of so poor an abode. Listen!” + </p> + <p> + They heard plainly the far rumble of the cannon. The intensity of the fire + increased with the growing day. Shells and bombs were falling rapidly on + Vicksburg. The face of Colonel Woodville darkened and the eyes under the + white thatch burned. + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, Victor,” he said, “hate the Yankees as I do, and I hate + them with all my heart and soul, there are some things a gentleman cannot + do.” + </p> + <p> + “What for instance, Uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “He cannot break faith. He cannot do evil to those who have done good to + him. He must repay benefits with benefits. He cannot permit the burden of + obligation to remain upon him. Go to the door, Victor, and see if any one + is lurking there.” + </p> + <p> + Young Woodville went to the entrance and returned with word that no one + was near. + </p> + <p> + “Victor,” resumed Colonel Woodville, “this man Slade, who was so + preposterously wrong, this common overseer from the hostile section which + seeks with force to put us down, this miserable fellow who had the + presumption to suspect me, lying here with a wound, received in the + defense of the Confederacy, was nevertheless right.” + </p> + <p> + Victor stared, not understanding, and Colonel Woodville raised himself a + little higher on his pillows. + </p> + <p> + “Since when,” he asked of all the world, “has a Woodville refused to pay + his debts? Since when has a Woodville refused asylum to one who protected + him and his in the hour of danger? Margaret, lift the blanket and invite + our young friend in.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was on his feet in an instant, and came into the chamber, uttering + thanks to the man who, in spite of so much bitterness against his cause, + could yet shelter him. + </p> + <p> + Young Woodville exclaimed in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “The Yankee with whom I fought at Bellevue!” he said. + </p> + <p> + “And the one who ignored your presence at Jackson,” said Miss Woodville. + </p> + <p> + The two lads shook hands. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” said Colonel Woodville, his old sharpness returning, “we shall + be on even terms, young sir. Your uniform bears a faint resemblance to + that of your own army, and Slade, cunning and cruel, may have had you shot + as a spy. You would be taken within our lines and this is no time for long + examinations.” + </p> + <p> + “I know how much I owe you, sir,” said Dick, “and I know how much danger + my presence here brings upon you. I will leave as soon as the ravine is + clear. The gathering of the troops for battle will give me a chance.” + </p> + <p> + “You will do nothing of the kind. Having begun the task we will carry it + through. Our cave home rambles. There is a little apartment belonging to + Victor, in which you may put yourself in shape. I advise you to lie quiet + here for a day or two, and then if I am still able to put my hand on you I + may turn you over with full explanations to the authorities.” + </p> + <p> + Dick noted the significance of the words, “if I am still able to put my + hand on you,” but he merely spoke of his gratitude and went with young + Woodville into the little apartment. It was on the right side of the hall, + and a round shutterless hole opened into the ravine, admitting light and + air. The “window,” which was not more than a foot in diameter faced toward + the east and gave a view of earthworks, and the region beyond, where the + Union army stood. + </p> + <p> + The room itself contained but little, a cot, some blankets, clothing, and + articles of the toilet. + </p> + <p> + “Mason,” said Woodville, “make yourself as comfortable as you can here. I + did not know until I escaped from Jackson that it was you who ignored my + presence there. You seem in some manner to have won the good opinion of my + uncle, and, in any event, he could not bear to remain in debt to a Yankee. + If you're careful you're safe here for the day, although you may be + lonesome. I must go at once to our lines. Cousin Margaret will bring you + something to eat.” + </p> + <p> + They shook hands again. + </p> + <p> + “I can't do much fighting,” said Woodville, “owing to this wounded arm of + mine, but I can carry messages, and the line is so long many are to be + taken.” + </p> + <p> + He went out and Miss Woodville came soon with food on a tray. Dick + suspected that they could ill spare it, but he must eat and he feared to + offer pay. It embarrassed him, too, that she should wait upon him, but, in + their situation, it was absolutely necessary that she do so, even were + there a servant somewhere, which he doubted. But she left the tray, and + when she returned for it an hour later she had only a few words to say. + </p> + <p> + Dick stood at the round hole that served as a window. There were bushes + about it, and, at that point, the cliff seemed to be almost perpendicular. + He was safe from observation and he looked over a vast expanse of country. + The morning was dazzlingly clear, and he saw sections of the Confederate + earthworks with their men and guns, and far beyond them other earthworks + and other guns, which he knew were those of his own people. + </p> + <p> + While he stood there alone, free from the tension that had lasted while + Slade was present, he realized the great volume of fire that the Northern + cannon were pouring without ceasing upon Vicksburg. The deep rumble was + continually in his ears, and at times his imagination made the earth + shake. He saw two shells burst in the air, and a shattering explosion told + that a third struck near by. To the eastward smoke was always drifting. + The Southern cannon seldom replied. + </p> + <p> + He resolved to attempt escape during the coming night. It hurt him to + bring danger upon the Woodvilles and he wished, too, to fulfill his + mission. Others, beyond question, would reach the fleet with the message, + but he wished to reach it also. + </p> + <p> + Yet nothing new occurred during all the long day. Miss Woodville brought + him more food at noon, but scarcely spoke. Then he returned to the hole in + the cliff, and remained there until twilight. Young Woodville came, and he + gathered from his manner that there had been no important movement of the + armies, that all as yet was preparation. But he inferred that the storm + was coming, and he told Victor that he meant to leave that night. + </p> + <p> + He was opposed vehemently. The line of Southern sentinels watched + everywhere. Slade was most vigilant. He might come at any time into the + ravine. No, he must wait. The next night, perhaps, but in any event he + must remain a while. + </p> + <p> + Nor did he depart the next night either. Instead, two or three days + passed, and he was still in the house dug in the hillside, a guest and yet + a captive. The bombardment had gone on, his food was still brought to him + by Miss Woodville, and once or twice Victor came, but Dick, as he was in + honor bound, asked him no question about the armies. + </p> + <p> + The waiting, the loneliness and the suspense were terrible to one so + young, and so ambitious. And yet he had fared better than he had a right + to expect, a fact, however, that did not relieve his situation. + </p> + <p> + Another night came, and he went to sleep in his lonely cell in the wall, + but he was awakened while it was yet intensely dark by a cannonade far + surpassing in violence any that had gone before. He rushed to the hole, + but he could see nothing in the ravine. Yet the whole plateau seemed to + shake with the violence of the concussions and the crash of exploding + shells. + </p> + <p> + The fire came from all sides, from the river as well as the land. The boom + of the huge mortars on the boats there sounded above everything. Dick knew + absolutely now that the message he was to carry had been delivered by + somebody else. + </p> + <p> + He heard under the continued thunder of the guns sharp commands, and the + tread of many troops moving. He knew that the Southern forces were going + into position, and he felt himself that the tremendous fire was the + prelude to a great attack. His excitement grew. He strained his eyes, but + he could see nothing in the dark ravine, or out there where the cannon + roared, save the rapid, red flashes under the dim horizon. He had his + watch and he had kept it running. Now he was able to make out that it was + only three o'clock in the morning. A long time until day and he must wait + until then to know what such a furious convulsion would achieve. + </p> + <p> + The slow time passed, and there was no decrease of the fire. Once or twice + he came away from the window and listened at the entrance to his little + room, but he could hear nothing stirring in the larger chamber. Yet it was + incredible that Colonel Woodville and his daughter should not be awake. + They would certainly be listening with an anxiety and suspense not less + than his. + </p> + <p> + Dawn came after painful ages, and slowly the region out there where the + Union army lay rose into the light. But it was a red dawn, a dawn in flame + and smoke. Scores of guns crashed in front, and behind the heavy booming + of the mortars on the boats formed the overnote of the storm. + </p> + <p> + The opening was not large, but it afforded the lad a good view, and he + thrust his head out as far as he could, every nerve in him leaping at the + deep roar of the cannonade. He had no doubt that the assault was about to + be made. He was wild with eagerness to see it, and it was a cruel hurt to + his spirit that he was held there, and could not take a part in it. + </p> + <p> + He thought of rushing from the place, and of seeking a way through the + lines to his own army, but a little reflection showed him that it would be + folly. He must merely be a witness, while Colonel Winchester, Warner, + Pennington, the sergeant, Colonel Hertford, all whom he knew and the tens + of thousands whom he did not know, fought the battle. + </p> + <p> + A tremendous sound, distant and steady, would not blot out much smaller + sounds nearby, and now he heard noises in the larger chamber. The voice of + Colonel Woodville was raised in sharp command. + </p> + <p> + “Lift me up!” he said, “I must see! Must I lie here, eating my soul out, + when a great battle is going on! Help me up, I say! Wound or no wound, I + will go to the door!” + </p> + <p> + Then the voice of Miss Woodville attempting to soothe was heard, but the + colonel broke forth more furiously than ever, not at her, but at his + unhappy fate. + </p> + <p> + Dick, spurred by impulse, left his alcove and entered the room. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” he said respectfully to Colonel Woodville, “you are eager to see, + and so am I. May I help you?” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Woodville turned a red eye upon him. + </p> + <p> + “Young man,” he said, “you have shown before a sense of fitness, and your + appearance now is most welcome. You shall help me to the door, and I will + lean upon you. Together we will see what is going to happen, although I + wish for one result, and you for another. No, Margaret, it is not worth + while to protest any further. My young Yankee and I will manage it very + well between us.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Woodville stepped aside and smiled wanly. + </p> + <p> + “I think it is best, Miss Woodville,” Dick said in a low tone. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” she replied. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Woodville impatiently threw off the cover. He wore a long purple + dressing gown, and his wound was in the leg, but it was partly healed. + Dick helped him out of the bed and then supported him with his arm under + his shoulder. Within that singular abode the roar of the guns was a steady + and sinister mutter, but beneath it now appeared another note. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Woodville had begun to swear. It was not the torrent of loud + imprecation that Dick had heard in Jackson, but subdued, and all the more + fierce because it was so like the ferocious whine of a powerful and hurt + wild animal. Swearing was common enough among the older men of the South, + even among the educated, but Colonel Woodville now surpassed them all. + </p> + <p> + Dick heard oaths, ripe and rich, entirely new to him, and he heard the old + ones in new arrangements and with new inflections. And yet there was no + blasphemy about it. It seemed a part of time and place, and, what was + more, it seemed natural coming from the lips of the old colonel. + </p> + <p> + They reached the door, the cut in the side of the ravine, and at once a + wide portion of the battlefield sprang into the light, while the roar of + the guns was redoubled. Dick would have stepped back now, but Colonel + Woodville's hand rested on his shoulder and his support was needed. + </p> + <p> + “My glasses, Margaret!” said the colonel. “I must see! I will see! If I am + but an old hound, lying here while the pack is in full cry, I will + nevertheless see the chase! And even if I am an old hound I could run with + the best of them if that infernal Yankee bullet had not taken me in the + leg!” + </p> + <p> + Miss Woodville brought him the glasses, a powerful pair, and he glued them + instantly to his eyes. Dick saw only the field of battle, dark lines and + blurs, the red flare of cannon and rifle fire, and towers and banks of + smoke, but the colonel saw individual human beings, and, with his trained + military eye, he knew what the movements meant. Dick felt the hand upon + his shoulder trembling with excitement. He was excited himself. Miss + Woodville stood just behind them, and a faint tinge of color appeared in + her pale face. + </p> + <p> + “The Yankees are getting ready to charge,” said the colonel. “At the point + we see they will not yet rush forward. They will, of course, wait for a + preconcerted signal, and then their whole army will attack at once. But + the woods and ravines are filled with their skirmishers, trying to clear + the way. I can see them in hundreds and hundreds, and their rifles make + sheets of flame. All the time the cannon are firing over their heads. + Heavens, what a bombardment! I've never before listened to its like!” + </p> + <p> + “What are our troops doing, father?” asked Miss Woodville. + </p> + <p> + “Very little yet, and they should do little. Pemberton is showing more + judgment than I expected of him. The defense should hold its fire until + the enemy is well within range and that's what we're doing!” + </p> + <p> + The colonel leaned a little more heavily upon him, but Dick steadied + himself. The old man still kept the glasses to his eyes, and swept them + back and forth in as wide an arc as their position permitted. The hills + shook with the thunder of the cannon, and the brilliant sun, piercing + through the smoke, lighted up the vast battle line. + </p> + <p> + “The attack of the skirmishers grows hotter,” said the old man. “The + thickets blaze with the fire of their rifles. Heavy masses of infantry are + moving forward. Now they stop and lie on their arms. They are awaiting the + word from other parts of the field, and it shows with certainty that a + grand attack is coming. Two batteries of eight guns each have come nearer. + I did not think it possible for the fire of their cannon to increase, but + it has done so. Young sir, would you care to look through the glasses?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe not, Colonel. I will trust to the naked eye and your report.” + </p> + <p> + It was an odd feeling that made Dick decline the glasses. If he looked he + must tell to the others what he saw, and he wished to show neither + exultation nor depression. The colonel, the duty of courtesy discharged, + resumed his own position of witness and herald. + </p> + <p> + “The columns of infantry are getting up again,” he said. “I see a man in + what I take to be a general's uniform riding along their front. He must be + making a speech. No doubt he knows the desperate nature of the attack, and + would inspire them. Now he is gone and other officers, colonels and majors + are moving about.” + </p> + <p> + “What are the skirmishers doing, Colonel?” + </p> + <p> + “Their fire is not so hot. They must be drawing back. They have made the + prelude, and the importance of their role has passed. The masses of + infantry are drawing together again. Now I see men on horseback with + trumpets to their lips. Yes, the charge is coming. Ah-h! That burnt them!” + </p> + <p> + There was a terrific crash much nearer, and Dick knew that it was the + Southern batteries opening fire. The shoulder upon which the colonel's + hand rested shook a little, but it was from excitement. He said nothing + and Colonel Woodville continued: + </p> + <p> + “The smoke is so heavy I can't see what damage was done! Now it has + cleared away! There are gaps in the Yankee lines, but the men have closed + up, and they come on at the double quick with their cannon still firing + over their heads!” + </p> + <p> + In his excitement he took his hand off Dick's shoulder and leaned forward + a little farther, supporting himself now against the earthen wall. Dick + stood just behind him, shielded from the sight of any one who might be + passing in the ravine, although there was little danger now from searchers + with a great battle going on. Meanwhile he watched the combat with an + eagerness fully equal to that of the old colonel. + </p> + <p> + The mighty crash of cannon and rifles together continued, but for a little + while the smoke banked up in front so densely that the whole combat was + hidden from them. Then a wind slowly rolled the smoke away. The figures of + the men began to appear like shadowy tracery, and then emerged, distinct + and separate from the haze. + </p> + <p> + “They are nearer now,” said the Colonel. “I can plainly see their long + lines moving and their light guns coming with them. But our batteries are + raking them horribly. Their men are falling by the scores and hundreds.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Woodville uttered a deep sigh and turned her face away. But she + looked again in a few moments. The terrible spell was upon her, too. + </p> + <p> + Dick's nerves were quivering. His heart was with the assailants and theirs + with the assailed, but he would not speak aloud against the hopes of + Colonel Woodville and his daughter, since he was in their house, such as + it was, and, in a measure, under their protection. + </p> + <p> + “Their charge is splendid,” continued the colonel, “and I hope Pemberton + has made full use of the ground for defense! He will need all the help he + can get! Oh, to be out of the battle on such a day! The smoke is in the + way again and I can see nothing. Now it has passed and the enemy is still + advancing, but our fire grows hotter and hotter! The shells and the grape + and the canister and the bullets are smashing through them. They cannot + live under it! They must go back!” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless the blue lines came steadily toward the Southern earthworks. + Dick saw officers, some ahorse, and some afoot, rushing about and + encouraging the men, and he saw many fall and lie still while the + regiments passed on. + </p> + <p> + “They are in the nearer thickets,” cried the colonel, “and now they're + climbing the slopes! Ah, you riflemen, your target is there!” + </p> + <p> + The Northern army was so near now that the Southern rifle fire was beating + upon it like a storm. Never flinching, the men of the west and northwest + hurled themselves upon the powerful fortified positions. Some reached + shelves of the plateau almost at the mouths of the guns and hung there, + their comrades falling dead or dying around them, but now the rebel yell + began to swell along the vast line, and reached the ears of those in the + ravine. + </p> + <p> + “The omen of victory!” exclaimed the colonel exultantly. “Our brave lads + feel that they're about to triumph! Grant can't break through our line! + Why doesn't he call off his men? It's slaughter!” + </p> + <p> + Dick's heart sank. He knew that the colonel's words were true. The + Southern army, posted in its defenses, was breaking the ring of steel that + sought to crush it to death. Groups of men in blue who had seized ground + in the very front of the defenses either died there or were gradually + driven back. The inner ring along its front of miles thundered incessantly + on the outer ring, and repelled every attempt to crush it. + </p> + <p> + “They yield,” said the colonel, after a long time. “The Northern fire has + sunk at many points, and there! and there! they're retreating! The attack + has failed and the South has won a victory!” + </p> + <p> + “But Grant will come again,” said Dick, speaking his opinion for the first + time. + </p> + <p> + “No doubt of it,” said Colonel Woodville, “but likely he will come to the + same fate.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke wholly without animosity. The battle now died fast. The men in + gray had been invincible. Their cannon and rifles had made an impenetrable + barrier of fire, and Grant, despite the valor of his troops, had been + forced to draw off. Many thousands had fallen and the Southern generals + were exultant. Johnston would come up, and Grant, having such heavy + losses, would be unable to withstand the united Confederate armies. + </p> + <p> + But Grant, as Colonel Woodville foresaw, had no idea of retreating. Fresh + troops were pouring down the great river for him, and while he would not + again attempt to storm Vicksburg, the ring of steel around it would be + made so broad and strong that Pemberton could not get out nor could + Johnston get in. + </p> + <p> + When the last cannon shot echoed over the far hills Colonel Woodville + turned away from the door of his hillside home. + </p> + <p> + “I must ask your shoulder again, young sir,” he said to Dick. “What I have + seen rejoices me greatly, but I do not say it to taunt you. In war if one + wins the other must lose, and bear in mind that you are the invader.” + </p> + <p> + “May I help you back to your bed, sir?” asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “You may. You are a good young man. I'm glad I saved you from that + scoundrel, Slade. As the score between us is even I wish that you were out + of Vicksburg and with your own people.” + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking, too, sir, that I ought to go. I may take a quick + departure.” + </p> + <p> + “Then if you do go I wish you a speedy and safe journey, but I tell you to + beware of one, Slade, who has a malicious heart and a long memory.” + </p> + <p> + Dick withdrew to his own cell, as he called it, and he passed bitter hours + there. The repulse had struck him a hard blow. Was it possible that Grant + could not win? And if he could not win what terrible risks he would run in + the heart of the Confederacy, with perhaps two armies to fight! He felt + that only the Mississippi, that life-line connecting him with the North, + could save him. + </p> + <p> + But as dusk came gradually in the ravine he resolved that he would go. His + supper, as usual, was brought to him by Miss Woodville. She was as + taciturn as ever, speaking scarcely a half-dozen words. When he asked her + if Victor had gone through the battle unharmed she merely nodded, and + presently he was alone again, with the dusk deepening in the great gully. + </p> + <p> + Dick was confident that nobody but Colonel Woodville, his daughter, and + himself were in the cave-home. It was but a small place, and new callous + places on her hands indicated that she was doing the cooking and all other + work. His resolve to risk everything and go was strengthened. + </p> + <p> + He waited patiently until the full night had come and only the usual + sounds of an army in camp arose. Then he made ready. He had surrendered + his holster and pistols to Colonel Woodville, and so he must issue forth + unarmed, but it could not be helped. He had several ten dollar gold pieces + in his pocket, and he put one of them on the tiny table in his cell. He + knew that it would be most welcome, and he could not calculate how many + hundreds in Confederacy currency it was worth. He was glad that he could + repay a little at least. + </p> + <p> + Then he stepped lightly toward the larger chamber in which Colonel + Woodville lay. The usual candle was burning on the table near his bed, but + the great bald head lay motionless on the pillow, and the heavy white + eyebrows drooped over closed lids. Sound asleep! Dick was glad of it. The + colonel, with his strong loyalty to the South, might seek to hold him, at + least as his personal prisoner, and now the trouble was avoided. + </p> + <p> + He moved gently across the floor, and then passed toward the open door. + How good that puff of fresh air and freedom felt on his face! He did not + know that Colonel Woodville raised his head on the pillow, glanced after + him, and then let his head sink back and his eyes close again. A low sigh + came between the colonel's lips, and it would have been difficult to say + whether it was relief or regret. + </p> + <p> + Dick stepped into the narrow path cut in the side of the ravine and + inhaled more draughts of the fresh air. How sweet and strong it was! How + it filled one's lungs and brought with it life, courage and confidence! + One had to live in a hole in a hill before he could appreciate fully the + blessed winds that blew about the world. He knew that the path ran in + front of other hollows dug in the earth, and he felt sorry for the people + who were compelled to burrow in them. He felt sorry, in truth, for all + Vicksburg, because now that he was outside his fears for Grant + disappeared, and he knew that he must win. + </p> + <p> + While he remained in the path a deep boom came from the direction of the + Union army and a huge shell burst over the town. It was followed in a + moment by another and then by many others. While the besieged rejoiced in + victory the besiegers had begun anew the terrible bombardment, sending a + warning that the iron ring still held. + </p> + <p> + Dick paused no longer, but ran rapidly along the path until he emerged + upon the open plateau and proceeded toward the center of the town. He + judged that in the hours following a great battle, while there was yet + much confusion, he would find his best chance. + </p> + <p> + He had reckoned rightly. There was a great passing to and fro in + Vicksburg, but its lights were dim. Oil and candles alike were scarce, and + there was little but the moon's rays to disclose a town to the eye. The + rejoicings over the victory had brought more people than usual into the + streets, but the same exultation made them unsuspicious, and Dick glided + among them in the dusk, almost without fear. + </p> + <p> + He had concluded that “the longest way around was the shortest way + through,” and he directed his steps toward the river. He had formed a + clear plan at last, and he believed that it would succeed. Twisting and + turning, always keeping in the shadows, he made good progress, descended + the bluff, and at last stood behind the ruins of an old warehouse near the + stream. + </p> + <p> + Southern batteries were not far away from him and he heard the men + talking. Then, strengthening his resolution, he came from behind the + ruins, flung himself almost flat on the ground, and crawled toward the + river, pushing in front of him a board, which some Northern gun had shot + from the warehouse. + </p> + <p> + He knew that his task was difficult and dangerous, though in the last + resort he could rush to the water and spring in. But he was almost at the + edge before any sentinel saw the black shadow passing over the ground. + </p> + <p> + A hail came, and Dick flattened himself against the ground and lay + perfectly still. Evidently the sentinel was satisfied that his fancy had + been making merry with him, as he did not look further at the shadow, and + Dick, after waiting two or three minutes, resumed his slow creeping. + </p> + <p> + He reached the edge, shoved the board into it, and dropped gently into the + water beside it, submerged to the head. Then, pushing his support before + him, he struck out for the middle of the stream. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. THE TAKING OF VICKSBURG + </h2> + <p> + Dick was a fine swimmer, he had a good stout plank, and the waters of the + river were warm. He felt that the chief dangers were passed, and that the + muddy Mississippi would now bear him safely to the blockading fleet below. + He gave the plank another shove, sending it farther out into the stream, + and then raised himself up until his elbows rested upon it. He could thus + float gently with a little propulsion from his legs to the place where he + wanted to go. + </p> + <p> + He saw lights along the bluff and the bar below, and then, with a sudden + shoot of alarm he noticed a dim shadow move slowly from the shore. It was + a long boat, holding a dozen rowers, and several men armed with rifles, + and it was coming toward him. He did not know whether it was merely an + ordinary patrol, or whether they had seen the darker blot on the stream + that he and the plank made, but in any event the result would be the same. + </p> + <p> + He slipped his arm off the plank and sank in the stream to the chin. Then, + propelling it gently and without any splashing of the water, he continued + to move down the stream. He was hopeful that the riflemen would mistake + him and his plank for one of those stumps or logs which the Mississippi + carries so often on its bosom. + </p> + <p> + The head of the boat turned from him a little, and he felt sure now that + he would drift away unnoticed, but one of the soldiers suddenly raised his + rifle and fired. Dick heard the bullet clip the water close beside him, + and he swam as hard as he could for a few moments. Then he settled again + into quiet, as he saw the boat was not coming toward him. Doubtless the + man had merely fired the shot to satisfy himself that it was really a log, + and if Dick allowed it to float naturally he would be convinced. + </p> + <p> + It was a tremendous trial of nerves to run the gantlet in this way, but as + it was that or nothing he exerted all his will upon his body, and let + himself float slowly, sunk again to the mouth and with his head thrown + back, so it would present only a few inches above the surface. + </p> + <p> + The boat turned, and seemed once upon the point of coming toward him. He + could hear the creaking of the oars and the men talking, but they turned + again suddenly and rowed up the stream. Again, his fate had hung on a + chance impulse. He drifted slowly on until the town and the bluffs sank in + the darkness. Then he drew himself upon his plank and swam, doubling his + speed. He knew that some of the Union gunboats lay not far below, and, + when he rounded a curve, he saw a light in the stream, but near the shore. + </p> + <p> + He approached cautiously, knowing that the men on the vessel would be on + guard against secret attack, and presently he discerned the outlines of a + sidewheel steamer, converted into a warship and bearing guns. He dropped + down by the side of his plank until he was quite close, and then, raising + himself upon it again, he shouted with all his voice: “Ship ahoy!” + </p> + <p> + He did not know whether that was the customary method of hailing on the + Mississippi, but it was a memory from his nautical reading, and so he + shouted a second and yet a third time at the top of his voice: “Ship + ahoy!” Figures bearing rifles appeared at the side, and a rough voice + demanded in language highly unparliamentary who was there and what he, she + or it wanted. + </p> + <p> + Dick was in a genial mood. He had escaped with an ease that surprised him, + and the warmth of the water in which he was immersed had saved him from + cramp or chill. The spirit of recklessness seized him again. He threw + himself astride his plank, and called out: + </p> + <p> + “A detachment of the army of the United States escaped from captivity in + Vicksburg, and wishing to rejoin it. It's infantry, not marines, and it + needs land.” + </p> + <p> + “Then advance infantry and give the countersign.” + </p> + <p> + “Grant and Victory,” replied Dick in a loud, clear voice. + </p> + <p> + A laugh came from the steamer, and the rough voice said again: + </p> + <p> + “Let the detachment advance again, and holding up its hands, show itself.” + </p> + <p> + Dick paddled closer and, steadying himself as well as he could, threw up + his hands. The light of a ship's lantern was thrown directly on his face, + and the same voice ordered men to take a small boat and get him. + </p> + <p> + When Dick stepped upon the deck of the steamer, water streaming from his + clothes, several men looked at him curiously. One in a dingy blue uniform + he believed to be the owner of the rough voice. But his face was not + rough. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” asked the man. + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's regiment in the army of + General Grant, sent several days ago with a message to the fleet, but + driven by Confederate scouts and skirmishers into Vicksburg, where he lay + hidden, seeking a chance of escape.” + </p> + <p> + “And he found it to-night, coming down the river like a big catfish.” + </p> + <p> + “He did, sir. He could find no other way, and he arrived on the useful + board which is now floating away on the current.” + </p> + <p> + “What proof have you that you are what you say.” + </p> + <p> + “That I saw you before you saw me and hailed you.” + </p> + <p> + “It's not enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Then here is the message that I was to have delivered to the commander of + the fleet. It's pretty wet, but I think you can make it out.” + </p> + <p> + He drew the dispatch from the inside pocket of his waistcoat. It was + soaked through, but when they turned the ship's lantern upon it the + captain could make out its tenor and the names. Doubt could exist no + longer and he clapped his hands heartily upon the lad's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Come into the cabin and have something to eat and dry clothes,” he said. + “This is the converted steamer Union, and I'm its commander, Captain + William Hays. I judge that you've had an extraordinary time.” + </p> + <p> + “I have, captain, and the hardest of it all was when I saw our army + repulsed to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “It was bad and the wounded are still lying on the field, but it doesn't + mean that Vicksburg will have a single moment of rest. Listen to that, + will you, lieutenant?” + </p> + <p> + The far boom of a cannon came, and Dick knew that its shell would break + over the unhappy town. But he had grown so used to the cannonade that it + made little impression upon him, and, shrugging his shoulders, he + descended the gangway with the captain. + </p> + <p> + Clothing that would fit him well enough was found, and once more he was + dry and warm. Hot coffee and good food were brought him, and while he ate + and drank Captain Hays asked him many questions. What was the rebel + strength in Vicksburg? Were they exultant over their victory of the day? + Did they think they could hold out? What food supply did they have? + </p> + <p> + Dick answered all the questions openly and frankly as far as he could. He + really knew little or nothing about those of importance, and, as for + himself, he merely said that he had hid in a cave, many of which had been + dug in Vicksburg. He did not mention Colonel Woodville or his daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Captain Hays, when he finished his supper, “you can have a + bunk. Yes, lieutenant, you must take it. I could put you ashore to-night, + but it's not worth while. Get a good night's sleep, and we'll see + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Dick knew that he was right, and, quelling his impatience, he lay down in + one of the bunks and slept until morning. + </p> + <p> + Then, after a solid breakfast, he went ashore with the good wishes of + Captain Hays, and, a few hours later, he was with the Union army and his + own regiment. Again he was welcomed as one dead and his own heart was full + of rejoicing because all of his friends were alive. Warner alone had been + wounded, a bullet cutting into his shoulder, but not hurting him much. He + wore a bandage, his face had a becoming pallor, and Pennington charged + that he was making the most of it. + </p> + <p> + “But it was an awful day,” said Warner, “and there's a lot of gloom in the + camp. Still, we're not moving away and the reinforcements are coming.” + </p> + <p> + Dick explained to Colonel Winchester why he had failed in his mission, and + the colonel promised to report in turn to the commander that the hand of + God had intervened. Dick's conscience was now at rest, and he resumed at + once his duties with the regiment. + </p> + <p> + Many days passed. While Grant did not make any other attack upon Vicksburg + his circle of steel grew tighter, and the rain of shells and bombs upon + the devoted town never ceased. Reinforcements poured forward. His army + rose to nearly eighty thousand men, and Johnston, hovering near, gathering + together what men he could, did not dare to strike. Dick was reminded more + than once of Caesar's famous siege of Alesia, about which he had read not + so long ago in Dr. Russell's academy at Pendleton. + </p> + <p> + There were long, long days of intrenching, skirmishing and idleness. May + turned into June, and still the steel coil enclosed Vicksburg. Here the + Union men were hopeful, but the news from the East was bad. Not much + filtered through, and none of it struck a happy note. Lee, with his + invincible legions, was still sweeping northward. Doubtless the + Confederate hosts now trod the soil of a free State, and Dick and his + comrades feared in their very souls that Lee was marching to another great + victory. + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could hear from Harry Kenton,” said Dick to Warner. “I'd like to + know whether he passed through Chancellorsville safely.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you worry about him,” said Warner. “That rebel cousin of yours has + luck. He also has skill. Let x equal luck and y skill. Now x plus y equals + the combination of luck and skill, which is safety. That proves to me + mathematically that he is unharmed and that he is riding northward—to + defeat, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + “We've got to win here,” said Dick. “If we don't, I'm thinking the cause + of the Union will be more than doubtful. We don't seem to have the + generals in the East that we have in the West. Our leaders hang on here + and they don't overestimate the enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” said Pennington. “Now, I wonder what 'Pap' Thomas is doing.” + </p> + <p> + “He's somewhere in Tennessee, I suppose, watching Bragg,” said Dick. + “That's a man I like, and, I think, after this affair here is over, we may + go back to his command. If we do succeed in taking Vicksburg, it seems + likely to me that the heavy fighting will be up there in Tennessee, where + Bragg's army is.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know if your uncle, Colonel Kenton, is in Vicksburg?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think so. In fact, I'm sure he isn't. His regiment is with Bragg. + Well, George, what does your algebra tell us?” + </p> + <p> + Warner had taken out his little volume again and was studying it intently. + But he raised his head long enough to reply. + </p> + <p> + “I have just achieved the solution of a very important mathematical + problem,” he answered in precise tones. “An army of about thirty-five + thousand men occupies a town located on a river. It is besieged by another + army of about seventy-five thousand men flushed with victory. The + besiegers occupy the river with a strong fleet. They are also led by a + general who has shown skill and extraordinary tenacity, while the + commander of the besieged has not shown much of either quality and must + feel great discouragement.” + </p> + <p> + “But you're only stating the side of the besieged.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't interrupt. It's impolite. I mean to be thoroughly fair. Now come + the factors favoring the besieged. The assailing army, despite its + superior numbers, is far in the enemy's country. It may be attacked at any + time by another army outside, small, but led by a very able general. Now, + you have both sides presented to you, but I have already arrived at the + determining factor. What would you say it is, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know.” + </p> + <p> + “You haven't used your reasoning powers. Remember that the man who not + merely thinks, but who thinks hard and continuously always wins. It's very + simple. The answer is in four letters, f-o-o-d, food. As we know + positively, Pemberton was able to provision Vicksburg for five or six + weeks. We can't break in and he can't break out. When his food is + exhausted, as it soon will be, he'll have to give up. The siege of + Vicksburg is over. I know everything, except the exact date.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was inclined to believe that Warner was right, but he forgot about + his prediction, because a mail came down the river that afternoon, and he + received a letter from his mother, his beautiful young mother, who often + seemed just like an elder sister. + </p> + <p> + She was in Pendleton, she wrote, staying comfortably in their home. The + town was occupied by three companies of veteran Union troops who behaved + well. They were always glad to have a garrison of good soldiers whether + Federal or Confederate—sometimes it was one and sometimes the other. + But she thought the present Union force would remain quite a while, as she + did not look for the reappearance of the Southern army in Kentucky. But if + the town were left without troops she would go back to her relatives in + the Bluegrass, as Bill Skelly's band to the eastward in the mountains was + raiding and plundering and had become a great menace. Guerillas were + increasing in numbers in those doubtful regions. + </p> + <p> + “The regular troops will have to deal with those fellows later on,” said + Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Dr. Russell has had a letter from Harry Kenton,” continued Mrs. Mason. + “It was written from some point near the Pennsylvania line, and, while + Harry did not say so in his letter, I know that General Lee is expecting a + great victory in the North. Harry was not hurt at Chancellorsville, but he + says he does not see how he escaped, the fire of the cannon and rifles + being more awful than any that he had ever seen before. He was present + when General Jackson was mortally wounded, and he seems to have been + deeply affected by it. He writes that the Confederacy could better have + lost a hundred thousand men.” + </p> + <p> + There was more in the letter, but it was strictly personal to Dick, and it + closed with her heartfelt prayer that God, who had led him safely so far, + would lead him safely through all. + </p> + <p> + After reading it several times he put it in a hidden pocket. Soldiers did + not receive many letters and they always treasured them. Ah, his dear, + beautiful young mother! How could anyone ever harm her! Yet the thought of + Skelly and his outlaws made him uneasy. He hoped that the Union garrison + would remain in Pendleton permanently. + </p> + <p> + His mind was soon compelled to turn back to the siege. They were digging + trenches and creeping closer and closer. Warner had made no mistake in his + mathematics. The army and the people in Vicksburg had begun to suffer from + a lack of food. They were down to half rations. They had neither tea nor + coffee, and medicines were exhausted. Many and many a time they looked + forth from their hills and prayed for Johnston, but he could not come. + Always the Union flag floated before them, and the ring of steel so strong + and broad was contracting inch by inch. + </p> + <p> + The Northern engineers ran mines under the Confederate works. They used + every device of ingenious minds to push the siege. Spies brought word that + all food would soon be gone in Vicksburg, and Grant, grim of purpose, took + another hitch in the steel belt about the hopeless town. The hostile + earthworks and trenches were now so near that the men could hear one + another talking. Sometimes in a lull of the firing they would come out and + exchange tobacco or news. It was impossible for the officers to prevent + it, and they really did not seek to do so, as the men fought just as well + when they returned to their works. + </p> + <p> + June now drew to a close and the great heats of July were at hand. Dick + was convinced that the defense of Vicksburg was drawing to a like close. + They had proof that some of the irregulars in Vicksburg had escaped + through the lines and he was convinced that Slade would be among them. + They were the rats and Vicksburg was the sinking ship. + </p> + <p> + They heard that Johnston had gathered together twenty-five thousand men + and was at last marching to the relief of the town. Dick believed that + Grant must have laughed one of his grimmest laughs. They knew that + Johnston's men were worn and half-starved, and had been harassed by other + Union troops. Johnston was skillful, but he would only be a lean and + hungry wolf attacking a grizzly bear. He was sure that all danger from him + had passed. + </p> + <p> + Now, as they closed in the Northern guns increased their fire. It seemed + to Dick that they could have blown away the whole plateau of Vicksburg by + this time. The storm of shells raked the town, and he was glad that the + people had been able to dig caves for refuge. Colonel Woodville must be + doing some of his greatest swearing now. Dick thought of him with sympathy + and friendliness. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think it can last much longer, Mr. Mason,” said Sergeant Daniel + Whitley on the morning of the second of July. “Their guns don't answer + ours often and it means that they're out of ammunition, or almost. + Besides, you can stand shells and bullets easier than lack of food. 'Pears + to me I can nearly feel 'em crumpling up before us.” + </p> + <p> + Trumpets blew the next morning. All the firing ceased suddenly and the + three lads saw a Southern general with several officers of lower rank, + riding forward under a white flag. It was Bowen, who came out to meet + Grant. + </p> + <p> + Dick drew a deep, long breath. He knew that this was the end. So did his + comrades. A cheer started and swept part of the way along the lines, but + the officers quickly stopped it. + </p> + <p> + “Vicksburg is ours,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Looks like it,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + But Grant told Bowen that he would treat only with Pemberton, and after + delays General Pemberton came out. General Grant went forward to meet him. + The two stood alone under a tree within seventy yards of the Confederate + lines and talked. + </p> + <p> + Chance or fortune presented a startling coincidence. Almost at the very + moment that Grant and Pemberton met under the tree Pickett's men were + rising to their feet and preparing for the immortal but fatal charge at + Gettysburg. While the cannon had ceased suddenly at Vicksburg they were + thundering from many score mouths at Gettysburg. Fortune was launching two + thunderbolts upon the Confederacy at the same moment. They were to strike + upon fields a thousand miles apart, and the double blow was to be mortal. + </p> + <p> + But Dick knew nothing of Gettysburg then, nor was he to know anything + until days afterward. He certainly had no thought of the East while he + watched the two generals under the tree. Dick's comrades were with him, + but so intense was their curiosity that none of them spoke. Thousands of + men were gazing with the same eagerness, and the Southern earthworks were + covered with the defenders. + </p> + <p> + It was one of the most dramatic scenes in Dick's life, the two men under + the tree, and the tens of thousands who watched. Nobody moved. It seemed + that they scarcely breathed. After the continuous roar of firing the + sudden silence was oppressive, and Dick felt the blood pounding in his + ears. + </p> + <p> + The heat was close and heavy. Black clouds were floating up in the west, + and lightning glimmered now and then on the horizon. Although the storm + threatened no one noticed. All eyes were still for Grant and Pemberton. + After a while each returned to his own command, and there was an armistice + until the next day, when the full surrender was made, and Grant and his + officers rode into Vicksburg. At the same time Lee was gathering his men + for the retreat into the South from the stricken field of Gettysburg. It + was the Fourth of July, the eighty-seventh anniversary of the Declaration + of Independence, and no one could have possibly conceived a more striking + celebration. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Dick was free for a little space he hurried to the ravine, and, + as before, found there the open door. He passed in without hesitation. + </p> + <p> + The light as of old filtered into the room, and Colonel Woodville lay just + as before in bed with his great bald head upon the pillow. Miss Woodville + sat beside the bed, reading aloud from Addison. Dick's step was light, but + the colonel heard him and held up a finger. The lad paused until Miss + Woodville, finishing a long sentence, closed the book. Then the colonel, + raising a little the great white thatch of his eyebrows, said: + </p> + <p> + “Young sir, you have returned again, and, personally, you are welcome, but + I do not conceive how you can stand the company you keep. My daughter + informs me that the Yankees are in Vicksburg, and I have no reason to + doubt the statement.” + </p> + <p> + He paused, and Dick said: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Colonel, it's true.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose we must endure it. I should have gone myself and have offered + my sword to General Grant, but this confounded leg of mine is still weak.” + </p> + <p> + “At least, sir, we come with something besides arms. May I bring you + rations?” + </p> + <p> + “You are generous, young man, and my daughter and I appreciate the obvious + nature of your errand here. Speaking for both of us, a little food will + not be unwelcome.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me first, what has become of your nephew. Has he escaped from the + city?” + </p> + <p> + “He slipped out nearly a week ago, and will join his father's regiment in + Bragg's command. That scoundrel, Slade, is gone too. Since the city had to + be surrendered I would gladly have made you a present of Slade, but it's + out of my power now.” + </p> + <p> + Dick soon returned with ample food for them and helped them later, when + they moved to quarters outside in the shell-torn city. Dick saw that they + were comfortable, and then his mind turned toward Tennessee. Detachments + from Grant's army were to be sent to that of Rosecrans, who was now + heavily threatened by Bragg, and the Winchester regiment, which really + belonged with him, was sure to go. + </p> + <p> + The order to march soon came, and it was welcome. The regiment, or rather + what was left of it, promptly embarked upon one of the river steamers and + started northward. + </p> + <p> + As they stood on the deck and looked down at the yellow waters in which + Dick had swum on his trusty plank Warner said: + </p> + <p> + “I've news of importance. It arrived in a telegram to General Grant, and I + heard it just as we were coming on board.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “General Lee was defeated in a great battle at a little place called + Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, and has retreated into Virginia.” + </p> + <p> + “Gettysburg and Vicksburg!” exclaimed Dick. “The wheel has turned nearly + 'round. The Confederacy is doomed now.” + </p> + <p> + “I think so, too,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. AN AFFAIR OF THE MOUNTAINS + </h2> + <p> + Although they were on board one of the fastest steamers in the Union + service, Dick and his comrades had a long journey by river. But it was not + unpleasant. They enjoyed the rest and ease after the weeks of fighting and + service in the trenches before Vicksburg. The absence of war and the roar + of cannon and rifles was like a happy dream between days of fighting. As + they went northward on the great river it almost seemed as if peace had + returned. + </p> + <p> + Warner studied his algebra and two other books of mathematics which he was + lucky enough to find on board. Pennington slept a great deal of the time. + </p> + <p> + “I learned it on the plains from the Indians,” he said. “When they don't + have anything to do they sleep and gather strength for the hour of need. I + think the time is coming soon when they won't let me sleep at all, and + then I can draw on the great supply I have in stock.” + </p> + <p> + “Likely enough it's near,” said Dick dreamily. “They say Bragg has a great + army now, and you know that, while Rosecrans is slow he's pretty sure. + Thomas and McCook and the others are with him, too. I expect to see 'Pap' + Thomas again. He's a general to my liking.” + </p> + <p> + “And to mine, too,” said Pennington, “but we can talk about him later on, + because I'm going to sleep again inside of a minute.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was not averse to silence, as he, too, was half asleep; that is, he + was in a dreamy stage, and he was at peace with the world and his fellow + men. From under drooping eyelids he was vaguely watching the low shores of + the Mississippi, and the great mass of yellow waters moving onward from + the far vague forests of the North in their journey of four thousand miles + to the gulf. + </p> + <p> + Like all boys of the great valley, Dick always felt the romance and spell + of the Mississippi. It was to him and them one of the greatest facts in + the natural world, the grave of De Soto, the stream on which their fathers + and forefathers had explored and traded and fought since their beginnings. + Now it was fulfilling its titanic role again, and the Union fleets upon + its bosom were splitting the Confederacy asunder. + </p> + <p> + He, too, fell asleep before long. Warner glanced at his comrades who slept + so well on a hard bench, and his look was rather envious. He returned his + beloved algebra to his pocket, leaned back on the bench also, and, + although he had not believed it possible, slept also inside of five + minutes. Colonel Winchester passing smiled sympathetically, but his glance + lingered longest on Dick. + </p> + <p> + After days on the water the regiment disembarked, marched more days across + the country, joining other regiments on the way, and reached the rear + guard of the army of Rosecrans, which was already marching southward in + the direction of Chattanooga to meet that of Bragg. They advanced now over + the Cumberland mountains through a country wild and thinly inhabited. The + summer was waning, but it was cool on the mountains and in the passes, nor + was it so dry as the year before, when they fought that terrible battle at + Perryville in Kentucky. + </p> + <p> + Dick was glad to be again in the high country, the land of firm soil and + of many clear, rushing streams. Heart and lungs expanded, when he looked + upon the long ridges, clothed in deep forest, and breathed the pure air + that blew down from their summits. Yet his dream of peace was over. As + they advanced through the forests and passes they were harassed + incessantly by sharpshooters on the slopes, who melted away before them, + but who returned on the very heels of the vain pursuit to vex them again + with bullets. + </p> + <p> + They heard soon that the most daring of these bands was led by a man named + Slade, and Dick's pulse took a jump. He felt in a curious sort of way that + this man Slade was still following him. It seemed more than a decree of + chance that their fates should be intertwined. He hoped that Slade would + never hear how he had been hidden in that hole in the ravine with the + Woodvilles. Trouble could come of it for gallant young Victor Woodville, + and even for his uncle. He was sure that Victor was now with Bragg and + they might meet face to face again. + </p> + <p> + As they rode through a defile and came into a wide valley they saw before + them an extensive Union camp, and they were overjoyed to learn that it was + the division of Thomas, the general to whom they were to report. Dick had + once received the personal thanks of Thomas, and the grave, able man + inspired him with immense respect, mingled with affection. + </p> + <p> + He stood before Thomas in his tent that evening, Colonel Winchester having + yielded to his request to take him with him when he reported the arrival + of his regiment. Thomas, usually so taciturn, delighted the soul of the + lad by remembering him at once. + </p> + <p> + “It was you, Lieutenant Mason, who came to me there in the Kentucky + mountains with the dispatches,” he said, “and you were also with us at + Perryville and Stone River.” + </p> + <p> + “I was, sir,” said Dick, flushing with pride. + </p> + <p> + “And you were with General Grant at the taking of Vicksburg! It was a + great exploit, and it has lifted us up mightily. But I'm glad to have you + back along with Colonel Winchester and the rest of his brave lads. I think + you'll see action before long, action perhaps on a greater scale than any + witnessed hitherto in the West.” + </p> + <p> + Dick saluted and withdrew. He knew that a young lieutenant must not stay + too long in the presence of a commanding general and he quickly rejoined + Warner and Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “How's the old man?” asked Pennington, with the familiarity of youth, + which was not disrespectful in the absence of the “old man.” + </p> + <p> + “'Pap' Thomas is looking well,” replied Dick. “I fancy that his digestion + was never better. He did not act in a belligerent way, but I think he's + hunting for a fight.” + </p> + <p> + “Since you and Warner and I have arrived he can begin it.” + </p> + <p> + “I think it's coming,” said Dick earnestly. “Often you can feel when + things are moving to some end, and I'm sure that we'll measure strength + again with Bragg before the autumn has gone far.” + </p> + <p> + The valley in which the camp lay was green and beautiful, and a deep, + clear little river from the mountains, ran rushing, through it. The three + lads lay on their blankets near the bank and listened to the musical sweep + of the stream. Pennington suddenly sprang up and hailed: + </p> + <p> + “Hey, Ohio, is that you? Come here!” + </p> + <p> + A tall youth emerged from the dusk and looked at them inquiringly. + </p> + <p> + “Ohio,” said Pennington, “don't you remember your friends?” + </p> + <p> + The long, lean lad looked again, and then he was enthusiastically shaking + hands with each in turn. + </p> + <p> + “Remember you!” he exclaimed. “Of course I do. If it hadn't been so dark + I'd have seen you and called to you first. I'm glad you're alive. It's a + lot to live in these times. I tried to find out about you fellows but + couldn't. We came in a detachment ahead of you. But if you'll invite me, + I'll stay awhile with you and talk.” + </p> + <p> + They offered him a blanket and he stretched out upon it, turning his eyes + up to the sky, in which the stars were now coming. + </p> + <p> + “What are you thinking about, Ohio?” asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “I'm thinking how fast I'm growing old. Two years and a half in the war, + but it's twenty-five years in fact. I hadn't finished school when I left + home and here I am, a veteran of more battles than any soldiers have + fought since the days of old Bonaparte. If I happen to live through this + war, which I mean to do, I wonder how I'll ever settle down at home again. + Father will say to me: 'Get the plough and break up the five-acre field + for corn,' and me, maybe a veteran of a dozen pitched battles in every one + of which anywhere from one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand men + have been engaged, not to mention fifty or a hundred smaller battles and + four or five hundred skirmishes. + </p> + <p> + “When the flies begin to buzz around me I'll think they make a mighty poor + noise compared with the roar of three or four hundred big cannon and a + hundred thousand rifles that I've listened to so often. If a yellow jacket + should sting me, I'd say what a little thing it is, compared with the + piece of shrapnel that hit me at some battle not yet fought. Maybe I'd + find things so quiet I just couldn't stand it. Wars are mighty + unsettling.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm thinking,” said Dick, “that before this war is over all of us will + get enough of it to last a lifetime. We've got the edge on 'em now, since + Vicksburg and Gettysburg, but the Graybacks are not yet beaten by a long + shot. We've heard how Lee drew off from Gettysburg carrying all his guns + and supplies, and even with Gettysburg we haven't been doing so well in + the East as we have in the West. You know that, Ohio?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, I do. But I think the Johnnies have made their high-water + mark. Great work our army did down there at Vicksburg, and we'll have the + chance to do just as well against Bragg. We'll defeat him, of course. Now, + Mason, notice that light flickering on the mountain up there!” + </p> + <p> + He pointed to the crest of a ridge two or three miles away, where Dick saw + a point of flame appearing and reappearing, and answered by another point + farther down, which flickered in the same manner. + </p> + <p> + “Signals of some kind, I suppose,” replied Dick, “but I don't know who + makes them or what they mean.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what they mean, either,” said Ohio; “but I can guess pretty + well who's making them. That's Slade.” + </p> + <p> + “Slade!” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you seem to have heard of him?” + </p> + <p> + “So I have, and I've seen him, also. I heard, too, that he was up here + making things unhappy for our side. He was in Vicksburg, although you may + not have heard of him there, but he got out before the surrender. A + cunning fellow. A sort of land pirate.” + </p> + <p> + “He's all of that. Since we've been coming through the mountains he and + his band have picked off a lot of our men. Those signals must mean that + they're preparing for another raid. I shouldn't like to be a half-mile + from our lines to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Why can't we smoke him out, Ohio?” + </p> + <p> + “Because when we're half way up the slope he and his men are gone on the + other side. Besides, they can rake us with bullets from ambush, while + we're climbing up the ridge. And when we get there, they're gone. It's + these mountains that give the irregulars their chance. See, two lights are + winking at each other now!” + </p> + <p> + “How far apart would you say they are, Ohio?” + </p> + <p> + “A mile, maybe, but one is much higher than the other up the mountain. The + lower light, doubtless, is signaling information about us to the higher. I + see your colonel and our colonel talking together. Maybe we're going to + set a trap. It would be a good thing if we could clean out those fellows.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm thinking that your guess is a good one,” said Dick, as he rose to his + feet, “because Colonel Winchester is beckoning to me now.” + </p> + <p> + “And there's a call for me, too,” said Ohio, rising. “Talk of a thing and + it happens. We're surely going for those lights.” + </p> + <p> + They had reckoned right. General Thomas, when he saw the signals, had + summoned some of his best officers and they had talked together earnestly. + The general had not said much before, but the incessant sharpshooting from + the bushes and slopes as they marched southward had caused him intense + annoyance, and, if continued, he knew that it would hurt the spirit of the + troops. + </p> + <p> + “We shall try to trap Slade's band to-night,” said Colonel Winchester to + Dick and the other young officers who gathered around him. “We think he + has three or four hundred men and my regiment can deal with that number. + We will defile to the right without noise and make our way up the + mountain. An Ohio regiment, which can also deal with Slade if it catches + him, will defile to the left. Maybe we can trap these irregulars between + us. Sergeant Whitley will guide my force.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant stepped forward, proud of the honor and trust. Dick, looking + at him in the moonlight, said to himself for the hundredth time that he + was a magnificent specimen of American manhood, thick, powerful, + intelligent, respectful to his superior officers, who often knew less than + he did, a veteran from whom woods, hills, and plains hid few secrets. He + thought it a good thing that the sergeant was to be their guide, because + he would lead them into no ambush. + </p> + <p> + As Dick turned away for departure Ohio said to him: + </p> + <p> + “We'll meet on the mountain side, and I hope we'll catch our game, but + don't you fellows fire into us in the dark.” + </p> + <p> + Dick promised and his regiment marched away toward the slope. All were on + foot, of course, and they had received strict instructions to make no + noise. They turned northward, left the camp behind them, and were soon + hidden in the dark. + </p> + <p> + Dick was at the head of the column with Colonel Winchester and the + sergeant. Warner and Pennington were further back. The darkness was heavy + in the shadow of the slope and among the bushes, but, looking backward, + Dick clearly saw the camp of General Thomas with its thousands of men and + dozens of fires. Figures passed and repassed before the flames, and the + fused noises of a great camp came from the valley. + </p> + <p> + Dick took only a glance or two. His whole attention now was for the + sergeant, who was looking here and there and sniffing the air, like a + great hound seeking the trail. The soldier had melted into the scout, and + Colonel Winchester, knowing him so well, had, in effect, turned the + regiment over to him. + </p> + <p> + Dick and other young officers were sent back through the column to see + that they marched without noise. It was not difficult to enforce the + orders, as the men were filled with the ardor of the hunt, and would do + everything to insure its success. When Dick came back to the head of the + column he merely heard the tread of feet and the rustling of uniforms + against the bushes behind them. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant led on with unerring skill and instinct. They were rising + fast on the slope, and the great forest received and hid them as if they + were its wild children returned to their home. The foliage was so dense + that Dick caught only flitting glimpses of the camp below, although many + fires were yet burning there. + </p> + <p> + The wisdom of putting the regiment into the hands of the sergeant was now + shown. Rising to the trust, he called up all his reserves of wilderness + lore. He listened attentively to the voice of every night bird, because it + might not be real, but instead the imitation call of man to man. He + searched in every opening under the moonlight for traces of footsteps, + which he alone could have seen, and, when at last he found them, Dick, + despite the dusk, saw his figure expand and his eyes flash. He had been + kneeling down examining the imprints and when he arose the colonel asked: + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Whitley?” + </p> + <p> + “Men have passed here, sir, and, as they couldn't have been ours, they + were the enemy. The tracks lead south on the slope, and they must have + been going that way to join Slade's command.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you think, Sergeant, we should follow this trail?” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly, sir, but we must look out for an ambush. These men know the + mountains thoroughly, and if we were to walk into their trap they might + cut us to pieces.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we won't walk into it. Lead on, Sergeant. If the enemy is near, I + know that you will find him in time.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant's brown face flushed with pride, but he followed on the trail + without a word and behind him came the whole regiment, implicit in its + trust, and winding without noise like a great coiling serpent through the + forest. + </p> + <p> + Dick was a woodsman himself, and he kept close to the sergeant, watching + his methods, and seeking also what he could find. While they lost the + trail now and then, he saw the sergeant recover it in the openings. He + noted, too, that it was increasing in size. Little trails were flowing + into the big one like brooks into a river, and the main course was + uniformly south, but bearing slightly upward on the slope. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant stopped at the melancholy cry of an owl, apparently three or + four hundred yards ahead. Both he and Dick raised their heads and listened + for the answer, which they felt sure was ready. The long, sinister hoot in + reply came from a point considerably farther away, but at about the same + height on the slope. + </p> + <p> + “They have two forces, sir,” said the sergeant to Colonel Winchester, “and + I think they're about to unite.” + </p> + <p> + “As a wilderness fighter, what would you suggest, Sergeant?” + </p> + <p> + “To wait here a little and lie hidden in the brush. We're rightly afraid + of an ambush if we go on, then why not make the same danger theirs? I + think it likely that the other force is coming this way. Anyway, we can + tell in a minute or two, 'cause them owls are sure to hoot again. If I'm + right, we can catch 'em napping.” + </p> + <p> + “An excellent idea, Sergeant. Ah! there are the signals you predicted!” + </p> + <p> + The owl hooted again from the same point directly in front, and then came + the reply of the other, now nearer. The sergeant drew a deep breath of + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, I was right,” he said. “Their meeting place is straight in + front. Will you let me slip forward a little through the brush and see?” + </p> + <p> + “Go ahead, Sergeant. We need all the information we can get, but don't + walk into any trap yourself, leaving us here without eyes or ears.” + </p> + <p> + “Never fear, sir. I won't be caught.” + </p> + <p> + Then he disappeared with a suddenness that made the colonel and Dick gasp. + He was with them, and then he was not. But he returned in ten minutes, + and, although Dick could not see it in his face, he was triumphant. + </p> + <p> + “There's a glade not more'n four hundred yards ahead,” he whispered to the + colonel, “and about a hundred and fifty men, armed with long rifles, are + lying down in it waiting for a second force, which I judge from the cry of + the owl will be there inside of five minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Colonel Winchester, breathing fast, “we'll wait ten minutes + and attack. It would be a great stroke to wipe out Slade's band. I'm sorry + for those Ohio fellows, but the luck's ours to-night, or I should say that + the sergeant's skill as a trailer has given us the chance.” + </p> + <p> + It was soon known along the black, winding line that the enemy was at + hand, and the men were eager to attack, but they were ordered to have + patience for a little while. Their leader wished to destroy Slade's whole + force at one stroke. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester took out his watch and held it before him in the faint + moonlight. He would not move until the ten minutes exactly had passed. + Then he closed the watch and gave the signal, but stationed officers along + the line to see that the men made as little noise as possible. The long + black column moved again through the forest and Dick, full of excitement + was at its head with the colonel and the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + They reached a slope, crept up it, and then spread out, as they knew that + the valley and the enemy were within rifle shot. Dick, glancing through + the bushes, saw the glitter of steel and caught the murmur of voices. He + knew that their presence was not yet suspected, and he did not like the + idea of firing from ambush upon anybody, but there was no occasion for + testing his scruples, as the advance of so many men created noise + sufficient to reach the alert ears in the glade. + </p> + <p> + “Up, men! The enemy!” he heard a voice shout. Colonel Winchester at the + same moment ordered his men to fire and charge with the bayonet. + </p> + <p> + A terrible volley was poured into the valley, and it seemed to Dick that + half of Slade's force went down, but as they rushed forward to finish the + task they met a fire that caused many of the Union soldiers to drop. Slade + was evidently a man of ability. Dick saw him springing about and blowing a + little silver whistle, which he knew was a call to rally. + </p> + <p> + But the surprise was too sudden and great. The irregulars, fighting hard, + were driven out of the valley and into the woods on the upper side of the + glade. Sheltered in the underbrush, they might have made a good defense + there, but a sudden tremendous cheer arose, and they were charged in the + flank by the Ohio regiment, coming up on the run. + </p> + <p> + Spurred by emulation the Winchester men also rushed into the underbrush, + and those of Slade's men who had not fallen quickly threw down their arms. + But they did not catch the leader, nor did they know what had become of + him, until Dick caught sight of a little, weazened figure under an + enormous wide-brimmed hat running with three or four others along the + mountain-side. + </p> + <p> + “Slade! Slade!” he cried, pointing, and instantly a score, Dick and the + sergeant among them, were hotfoot after the fugitives. Several shots were + fired, but none hit, and the chase lengthened out. + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Whitley exclaimed to Dick: + </p> + <p> + “We catch the pack, but if we don't catch the leader there'll be another + pack soon.” + </p> + <p> + “Right you are! We must have that little man under the big hat!” + </p> + <p> + Dick heard panting breaths, and Warner and Pennington drew up by his side. + </p> + <p> + “Slade's about to escape!” exclaimed Dick. “We must get him!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm running my best,” said Warner. “Look out!” Slade suddenly faced about + and fired a heavy pistol. Dick had dropped down at Warner's warning cry + and the bullet sang over his head. The sergeant fired in return, but the + light was too faint, and Slade and the three who were with him ran on + unharmed. + </p> + <p> + The pursuit, conducted with such vigor, soon led to the top of the + mountain, and they began the descent of the far side. Several more shots + were fired, but they did no damage, and neither side was able to gain. Two + of the fugitives turned aside into the woods, but the pursuit kept + straight after Slade, and his remaining companion, a slender, youthful + figure. + </p> + <p> + “I think we'll get 'em,” panted the sergeant. As he spoke one of the + little mountain rivers so numerous in that region came into view. It was + narrow, but deep, and without hesitating an instant the fugitives sprang + into it and shot down the stream, swimming with all their strength, and + helped by the powerful current. + </p> + <p> + Slade was in advance, and he was already disappearing in the shadows on + the far bank, but his comrade, he of the slender figure, was still in the + moonlight, which fell across his face for a moment. A soldier raised his + rifle to fire, but Dick stumbled and fell against him and the bullet went + high in the air. + </p> + <p> + The moment had been long enough for Dick to recognize Victor Woodville. He + did not know how he happened to be with Slade, but he did not intend that + he should be shot there in the water, and his impulse was quick enough to + save Victor's life. In another moment the young Mississippian was gone + also in the shadows, and although several of the Union men swam the river + they could discover no trace of either. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry,” said the sergeant as they walked back to the other side of + the mountain, “that they got away.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Dick, “it was too bad that Slade escaped.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. THE RIVER OF DEATH + </h2> + <p> + Dick knew that he had saved young Woodville's life, but his conscience was + quite dear. If he had the same chance he would do it over again, but he + was sorry they had not caught Slade. He felt no hostility toward the + regular soldiers of the Confederacy, but he knew there were guerillas on + their side, as well as his own, who would stop at nothing. He remembered + Skelly, who, claiming to be a Union partisan, nevertheless robbed and even + killed those of either party whenever he felt it safe to do so. Slade was + his Southern complement, and he would surely get together a new force as + venomous as the old. + </p> + <p> + But Colonel Winchester and the commander of the Ohio regiment were full of + pride in their exploit, as they had a right to be. They had destroyed a + swarm of wasps which had been buzzing and stinging almost beyond + endurance, and they were still prouder when they received the thanks of + General Thomas. + </p> + <p> + The corps moved forward the next day, and soon the whole army was united + under Rosecrans. It was a powerful force, about ninety thousand men, the + staunch fighters of the West, veterans of great battles and victories, and + to the young officers it appeared invincible. Their feeling that it was + marching to another triumph was confirmed by the news that Bragg was + retreating. + </p> + <p> + Yet the two armies were so close to each other that the Northern vanguard + skirmished with the Southern rearguard as they passed through the + mountains. At one point in a gap of the Cumberland Mountains the + Southerners made a sharp resistance, but they were quickly driven from + their position and the Union mass rolled slowly on. Exultation among the + troops increased. + </p> + <p> + “We'll drive Bragg away down into the South against Grant,” said Ohio to + Dick, “and we'll crush him between the two arms of the vise. That will + finish everything in the West.” + </p> + <p> + While Dick was exultant, too, he had certain reservations. He had seen a + like confidence carried to disaster in the East, although it did not seem + possible that the result here could be similar. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think they'll keep on retreating forever, Ohio,” he said. “All + our supplies are coming from Nashville, and we are getting farther away + from our base every day.” + </p> + <p> + But Ohio laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Our chief task is to catch Bragg,” he said. “They said he was going to + occupy Chattanooga and wait for us. He's been in Chattanooga, but he + didn't wait for us there. He's left it already and gone on, anxious to + reach the Gulf before winter, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + The Union army in its turn entered Chattanooga, a little town of which + Dick had seldom heard before, although he greatly admired its situation. + The country about it was bold and romantic. It stood in a sharp curve of + the great river, the Tennessee. Not far away was the lofty uplift of + Lookout Mountain, a half-mile high, and there were long ridges between + which creeks or little rivers flowed down to the Tennessee. + </p> + <p> + One of these streams was the Chickamauga, which in the language of the + Cherokee Indians who had once owned this region means “the river of + death.” Why they called it so no one knew, but the name was soon to have a + terrible fitness. Chattanooga itself meant in the Cherokee tongue “the + hawk's nest,” and anybody could see the aptness of the term. + </p> + <p> + While Lookout Mountain was the loftiest summit, some of the other ridges + rose almost as high, through the gaps of which the Northern army must pass + if it continued the pursuit of Bragg. + </p> + <p> + September had now come and the winds were growing crisper in the high + country. The feel of autumn was in the air, and the coolness made the + marching brisker. The division to which Dick belonged was advancing + slowly. He often saw Thomas, and his admiration for the grave, silent man + grew. It was said that Thomas was slow, but that he never made mistakes. + Now the rumor was spreading that he had warned Rosecrans to be cautious, + that Bragg had a powerful army and when he reached favorable positions, + would certainly turn and fight. + </p> + <p> + Not many were impressed by these reports. They merely said it was “Pap” + Thomas' way of looking at the dark side of things first. Hadn't they + driven Bragg through the Cumberland Mountains and out of Chattanooga, and + now they would soon be on his heels deep down in Georgia. But Dick, + noticing Colonel Winchester's serious face, surmised that he at least + shared the opinion of his chief. And when the lad looked up at the great + coils and ridges he felt that, in truth, they might go too far. If the + Northern men were veterans, so were the Southern, and neither had taken + much change of the other at Shiloh, Perryville and Stone River. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment was thrown forward as the vanguard of the + infantry, and the face of the colonel grew more serious than ever, when + the best scouts rode in with reports that the Southern retreat was now + very slow. There was news, too, that Slade had a new band much larger than + before, and they formed a rear guard of skirmishers which made every + moment of a Northern scout's life a moment of danger. The Winchester + regiment itself was often fired upon from ambush, and there were vacant + places in the ranks. + </p> + <p> + Dick did not know whether it was his own intuition or the influence that + flowed from the opinions of Thomas and Winchester, but much of his high + exultation was abated. He regarded the lofty ridges and the deep gaps with + apprehension. It was a difficult country and the Southern leaders must + know that the Northern army was extended over a long line, with Thomas + holding the left. + </p> + <p> + His premonitions had ample cause. Bragg as he fell back slowly had + gathered new forces. Rosecrans did not yet know it, but the army before + him was the most powerful that the South ever assembled in the West. Polk + and Cleburne and Breckinridge and Forrest and Fighting Joe Wheeler and a + whole long roll of famous Southern generals were there. Nor had the + vigilant eyes of the Confederacy in the East failed to note the situation. + </p> + <p> + Just as the armies were coming into touch a division of the Army of + Northern Virginia was passing by train over the mountains. It was led by a + thick-bearded, powerful man, no less a general than the renowned + Longstreet, sent to help Bragg. The veterans of the Army of Northern + Virginia would swell Bragg's ranks, and the great army, turning a sanguine + face northward, was eager for Rosecrans to come on. The Southern force + would number more than ninety thousand men, more numerous than ever before + or afterward in the West. + </p> + <p> + It was now late in September, the eve of the eighteenth, and Dick and his + comrades lay near the little creek with the rhythmical name, Chickamauga. + It was the very night that a portion of the Army of Northern Virginia had + arrived in Bragg's camp. The preceding days had been full of detached + fighting, and the night had come heavy with omens and presages. The least + intelligent knew now that Bragg had stopped, but they did not know that + Longstreet was to be with him. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his comrades sat by a smothered fire, and the vast tangle of + mountains and passes, of valleys and streams looked sinister to them. + There had been skirmishing throughout the day, and as the darkness closed + down they still heard occasional rifle shots on the slopes and ridges. + </p> + <p> + “Don't these mountains make you think of your native Vermont, George?” + asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “In a way, yes,” replied Warner, “but my hills are not bristling with + steel as these are.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you New Englanders are fortunate. The war will never be carried on on + your soil. You shed your blood, but, after all, the states that are + trodden under foot by the armies suffer most.” + </p> + <p> + “There are lights winking on the mountains again,” said Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Let 'em wink,” said Dick. “Their signals can't amount to much now. We + know that Bragg is before us, and a great battle can't be delayed long. + Fellows, I'm not so sure about the result.” + </p> + <p> + “Come! Come, Dick!” said Warner. “It's not often you're downhearted. + What's struck you?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, George, but, between you and me and the gate post, I wish that + our old 'Pap' Thomas commanded all the army, instead of the left merely. + I've learned a few things to-day. The enemy is spreading out, trying to + enfold us on both wings.” + </p> + <p> + “What of it?” + </p> + <p> + “It means that they are sanguine of victory, and they want to stand + between us and Chattanooga, so they can cut off our retreat, after we're + beaten, as they think we surely will be. But their main force is not far + from us now, so a scout told me. It's massed heavily along the right bank + of the Chickamauga.” + </p> + <p> + “And if there's a battle to-morrow we're likely to receive the first + attack?” + </p> + <p> + “Could it come any better than at the place where Thomas stands?” + </p> + <p> + They sat long by the fire and Dick could not rest. Shiloh, his capture, + and his knowledge of the secret Southern advance, of which he could give + no warning, came back to him with uncommon vividness. He knew that no such + surprise could occur here, but they seemed to be lost in the wilderness. + The mountains and forests oppressed him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Dick,” said Warner, “we're posted strongly. We've rows of sentinels + as thick as hedges, and I've the colonel's permission to go to sleep. I'll + be slumbering in ten minutes, and I'd advise you to do the same.” + </p> + <p> + He lay on a blanket and soon slept. Pennington followed him to + slumberland, but Dick lingered. He saw lights still flashing on the + mountains, and he heard now and then reports from the rifles of the + skirmishers, who yet sought each other despite the darkness. But he + yielded at last and he, too, slept until the dawn, which should bring + nearly two hundred thousand men face to face in mortal combat. + </p> + <p> + Dick was awake early. The September morning came, crisp and clear, the sun + showing red gleams over the mountains. He heard already the sound of + distant rifle shots in front, and, through his glasses, he saw far away + faint puffs of smoke. But it was a familiar sound in this mighty war, and + he found himself singularly calm. He never knew how he was going to feel + on the eve of battle. Sometimes the constriction at his heart was painful, + and sometimes its beat was smooth and regular. + </p> + <p> + All the officers of the Winchester regiment were dismounted owing to the + rough nature of the country in which they were stationed. They held the + most uneven part of the center, where thickets and ravines were many. Hot + food and coffee were served to them, and new warmth and courage flowed + through their bodies. + </p> + <p> + The distant fire increased, and, standing on a hillock, Dick looked long + through his glasses. A faint haze which had hung in the south was clearing + away. The rays of the sun were intensely bright. The brown of autumn + glowed like gold, and the red splashes here and there burned scarlet. He + saw pink dots appearing on a long line and he knew that the skirmishers + were active and wary. + </p> + <p> + “There can be no doubt of the advance!” he said to Warner. “A strong body + of our cavalry disclosed their forward movement, and there are the + skirmishers signaling that Bragg is near. Wonderful fellows, those + sharpshooters! They're the eyes of the army. We stand in mass and fight + together, but every one of them individually takes his life in his own + hands. The firing is coming nearer. I think we'll be attacked first.” + </p> + <p> + After a little pause Warner said: + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry our line is extended so much. What if they should cut through + and get behind us?” + </p> + <p> + “They'll never do it while General Thomas is here. I believe they called + him 'Old Slow Top' at West Point, but if he's slow in advance he's still + slower in retreat. I'd rather have him commanding us just now than any + other general in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you're right, and here he comes! Listen to the cheering!” + </p> + <p> + General Thomas rode slowly along his line, inspecting the position of + every regiment and making some changes. He showed no trace of excitement. + The face was calm and the heavy jaw was set firmly. If Grant was a bulldog + Thomas was another. The men knew him. They had seen him stand like a rock + before, and the thrill of confidence and courage which help so much to win + ran through them all. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the general speak to Colonel Winchester and then ride on and out + of sight. All the men in the regiment were lying down, but the officers + walked back and forth in front of the line. It was the especial pride of + the younger ones to appear unconcerned, and some were able to make a brave + pretense. + </p> + <p> + But all the while the battle was rolling nearer. It was no longer an + affair of scouting parties. The skirmishers were driven in on either side + and the mighty Southern advance was coming forward in full battle array. + Shells began to shriek and fall among the Northern masses, and the fire of + cannon and rifles mingled in a sinister crash. But the Union regiments, + although not yet replying, remained steady, although the shower of steel + that was beginning to beat upon them found many a mark. Vast columns of + smoke pierced by fire rose in front. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Dick's vivid fancy that the earth was shaking with the tread + of the advancing brigades and the thunder of their artillery. But he was + still able to preserve his air of indifference, although his heart was now + beating hard and fast. Now and then when the smoke eddied or the banks of + it broke apart he raised his glasses and with their powerful vision saw + the long and deep Southern columns advancing, the field batteries in the + intervals pouring a storm of death. + </p> + <p> + It was a sinister and terrible sight. The South presented here an army + outnumbering its force at Shiloh two to one, and they were veterans now, + led by veteran commanders. Moreover, they had Longstreet and his matchless + fighters from Lee's army to bear them up. + </p> + <p> + “What do you see, Dick?” asked Pennington, his voice distinctly audible + through the steady roar. + </p> + <p> + “Johnnies! Johnnies! Johnnies! Thousands and thousands of them and then + many thousands more. They're going to strike full upon us here!” + </p> + <p> + “Let 'em come. We're taking root, growing deep into the ground and old + 'Pap' Thomas has grown deepest of us all! It'll be impossible to move us!” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so. There go our own cannon, too, and it's a welcome sound! I can + see the gaps smashed in their ranks by our fire, and ah, I see, too—” + </p> + <p> + He stopped short in amazed surprise, and Pennington in wonder asked: + </p> + <p> + “What is it you see, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “There's a heavy cavalry force on their flank, and I caught a glimpse of a + man on a great horse leading it. I know him. He's Colonel George Kenton, + father of Harry Kenton, that cousin of mine, of whom I've spoken to you so + often.” + </p> + <p> + “And here he comes charging you! But it's happened hundreds and hundreds + of times in this war that relatives have come face to face in battle, and + it'll happen hundreds of times more. Are they within rifle shot, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet, but they soon will be.” + </p> + <p> + He slung the glasses back over his shoulder. The eye alone was sufficient + now to watch the charging columns. All the artillery on both sides was + coming into action, and the ripping crash of so many cannon became so + great that the officers could no longer hear one another unless they + shouted. The gorges and hills caught up the sound and gave it back in + increased volume. + </p> + <p> + Dick heard a new note in the thunder. It was made by the swift beat of + hoofs, thousands of them, and the hair on his neck prickled at the roots. + Forrest and the wild cavalry of the South were charging on their flanks. + He felt a sudden horror lest he be trampled under the hoofs of horses. By + some curious twist of the mind his dread of such a fate was far more acute + at that moment than his fear of shells and bullets. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester, shouting imperiously, ordered him and all the other + young officers to step back now and lie down. Dick obeyed, and he crouched + by the side of Warner and Pennington. The great bank of fire and smoke was + rolling nearer and yet nearer, and the cannon were fighting one another + with all the speed and power of the gunners. Off on the flank the ominous + tread of Southern horsemen was coming fast. + </p> + <p> + Bullets began now to rain among them. The regiment would have been swept + away bodily had the men not been lying down. But their time to wait and + hold their fire was at an end. The colonel gave the word, and a sheet of + light leaped from the mouths of their rifles. A vast gap appeared in the + Southern line before them, but in a minute or two it closed up, and the + Southern masses came on again, as menacing as ever. Again Dick's regiment + poured its shattering fire upon the Southern columns and their front lines + were blown away. Colonel Winchester at once wheeled his men into a new + position to meet the mass of Forrest's cavalry rushing down upon their + flank. He was just in time to help other troops, not in numbers enough to + withstand the shock. + </p> + <p> + There were few moments in the lives of these lads as terrifying as those + when they turned to face the fierce Forrest, the uneducated mountaineer + who had intuitively mastered Napoleon's chief maxim of war, to pour the + greatest force upon the enemy's weakest point. + </p> + <p> + The hurricane sweeping down upon them sent a chill to their hearts. Dick + saw a long line of foaming mouths, the lips drawn back from the cruel + white teeth, and manes flying wildly. Above them rose the faces of the + riders, their own eyes bloodshot, their sabers held aloft for the deadly + sweep. And the thunder of galloping hoofs was more menacing than that of + the cannon. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked around him and saw faces turning pale. His own might be whiter + than any of theirs for all he knew, but he shouted with the other + officers: + </p> + <p> + “Steady! Steady! Now pour it into 'em!” + </p> + <p> + It was well that most of the men in the regiment had become sharpshooters, + and that despite the thumping of their hearts, they were able to stand + firm. Their sleet of bullets emptied a hundred saddles, and slipping in + the cartridges they fired again at close range. The cavalry charge seemed + to stop dead in its tracks, and in an instant a scene of terrible + confusion occurred. Wounded horses screaming in pain rushed wildly back + upon their own comrades or through the ranks of the foe. Injured men, shot + from their saddles, were seeking to crawl out of the way. Whirling eddies + of smoke alternately hid and disclosed enemies, and from both left and + right came the continuous and deafening crash of infantry in battle. + </p> + <p> + But Forrest's men paused only a moment or two. A great mass of them + galloped out of the smoke, over the bodies of their dead comrades and + directly into the Winchester regiment, shouting and slashing with their + great sabers. It was well for the men that their leader had so wisely + chosen ground rough and covered with bushes. Using every inch of + protection, they fired at horses and riders and thrust at them with their + bayonets. + </p> + <p> + The battle became wild and confused, a turmoil of mingled horse and foot, + of firing and shouting and of glittering swords and bayonets. A man on a + huge horse made a great sweep at Dick's head with a red saber. The boy + dropped to his knees, and felt the broad blade whistle where his head had + been. + </p> + <p> + The swordsman was borne on by the impetus of his horse, and Dick caught + one horrified glimpse of his face. It was Colonel Kenton, but Dick knew + that he did not know, nor did he ever know. It was never in the lad's + heart to tell his uncle how near he had come unwittingly to shearing off + the head of his own nephew. + </p> + <p> + The charge of the cavalrymen carried them clear through the Winchester + regiment, but a regiment coming up to the relief drove them back, and the + great mass turning aside a little attacked anew and elsewhere. A few + moments of rest were permitted Dick and his comrades, although the mighty + battle wheeled and thundered all about them. + </p> + <p> + But their regiment was a melancholy sight. A third of its numbers were + killed or wounded. The ground was torn and trampled, as if it had been + swept by a hurricane of wind and red rain. Dick had one slight wound on + his shoulder and another on his arm, but he did not feel them. Pennington + and Warner both had scratches, but the colonel was unharmed. + </p> + <p> + “My God,” exclaimed Warner, “how did we happen to survive it!” + </p> + <p> + “I live to boast that I've been ridden over by old Forrest himself,” said + Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “How do you know it was Forrest?” + </p> + <p> + “Because his horse was eight feet high and his sword was ten feet long. He + slashed at me with it a hundred times. I counted the strokes.” + </p> + <p> + Then Pennington stopped and laughed hysterically, Dick seized him by the + arm and shook him roughly. + </p> + <p> + “Stop it, Frank! Stop it!” he cried. “You're yourself, and you're all + right!” + </p> + <p> + Pennington shook his body, brushed his hands over his eyes and said: + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, Dick, old man; you've brought me back to myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Get ready!” exclaimed Warner. “The cavalry have sheered off, but the + infantry are coming, a million strong! I can hear their tread shaking the + earth!” + </p> + <p> + The broken regiment reloaded, drew its lines together and faced the enemy + anew. It seemed to their bloodshot eyes that the whole Southern army was + bearing down upon them. The Southern generals, skillful and daring, were + resolved to break through the Northern left, and the attack attained all + the violence of a convulsion. + </p> + <p> + The great Southern line, blazing with fire and steel, advanced, never + stopping for a moment, while the fire of their cannon beat incessantly + upon the devoted brigades. It was well for the Northern army, well for the + Union that here was the Rock of Chickamauga. Amid all the terrible uproar + and the yet more terrible danger, Thomas never lost his courage and + presence of mind for a moment. Dick saw him more than once, and he knew + how he doubly and triply earned the famous name which that day and the + next were to give him. + </p> + <p> + But the weight was so tremendous that they began to give ground. They went + back slowly, but they went back. Dick felt as if the whole weight were + pressing upon his own chest, and when he tried to shout no words would + come. + </p> + <p> + Back they went, inch by inch, leaving the ground covered with their dead. + Dick was conscious only of a vast roar and shouting and the continuous + blaze of cannon and rifles in his very face. But he understood the + immensity of the crisis. By a huge victory in the West the Confederacy + would redress the loss of Gettysburg in the East. And now it seemed that + they were gaining it. For the first and only time in the war they had the + larger numbers in a great battle, and the ground was of their own + choosing. + </p> + <p> + Elated over success gained and greater success hoped, the Southern leaders + poured their troops continually upon Thomas. If they could break that + wing, cut it off in fact, and rush in at the gap, they would be between + Rosecrans and Chattanooga and the Northern army would be doomed. They made + gigantic efforts. The cavalry charged again and again. Huge masses of + infantry hurled themselves upon the brigades of Thomas, and every gun that + could be brought into action poured shot and shell into his lines. + </p> + <p> + Many of the young as well as the old officers in Thomas' corps felt the + terrible nature of the crisis. Dick knew despite the hideous turmoil that + Thomas was the chief target of the Southern army. He divined that the + fortunes of the Union were swinging in the balance there among those + Tennessee hills and valleys. If Thomas were shattered the turn of Grant + farther south would come next. Vicksburg would have been won in vain and + the Union would be broken in the West. + </p> + <p> + Order and cohesion were lost among many of the regiments, but the men + stood firm. The superb, democratic soldier fought for himself and he, too, + understood the crisis. They re-formed without orders and fought + continuously against overwhelming might. Ground and guns were lost, but + they made their enemy pay high for everything, and the slow retreat never + became a panic. + </p> + <p> + “We're going back,” shouted Warner in Dick's ear. “Yes, we're going back, + but we'll come forward again. They'll never crush the old man.” + </p> + <p> + Yet the pressure upon them never ceased. Bragg and his staff had the right + idea. Had anyone but Thomas stood before them they would have shattered + the Union left long since, but his slow, calm mind rose to its greatest + heights in the greatest danger. He understood everything and he was + resolved that his wing should not be broken. Wherever the line seemed + weakest he thrust in a veteran regiment, and he went quickly back and + forth, observing with a measuring eye every shift and change of the + battle. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment in its new position was still among the gullies + and bushes, and they were thankful for such shelter. Although veterans + now, most were lads, and they did not scorn to take cover whenever they + could. For a little while they did not reply to the enemy's fire, but lay + waiting and seeking to get back the breath which seemed to be driven from + their bodies by the very violence of the concussion. Shrapnel, grape and + canister whistled incessantly over their heads, and on either flank the + thunder of the battle swelled rapidly. + </p> + <p> + The Southern attack was spreading along the whole front, and it was made + with unexampled vigor. It even excelled the fiery rush at Stone River, and + the generals on both sides were largely the same that had fought the + earlier great battle. Polk, the bishop-general, still led one wing for the + South, Buckner massed Kentuckians who faced Kentuckians on the other side, + and Longstreet and Hill were to play their great part for the South. + Resolved to win a victory, the veteran generals spared nothing, and the + little Chickamauga, so singularly named by the Indians “the river of + death,” was running red. + </p> + <p> + Dick crouched lower as the storm of shells swept over him. Despite all his + experience impulse made him bow his head while the whistling death passed + by. He felt a little shame that he, an officer, should seek protection, + but when he stole a look he saw that all the others, Colonel Winchester + included, were doing the same. Sergeant Whitley had sunk down the lowest + of them all, and, catching Dick's glance, he said in clear, low tones + audible under the storm: + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me for saying it to you, an officer, Mr. Mason, but it's our + business not to get killed when it's not needed, so we can save ourselves + to be killed when it is needed.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you're right, Sergeant. At any rate I'm glad enough to keep + under cover, but do you see anything in those woods over there? We're on + the extreme left flank here, and maybe they're trying to overlap us.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I do. Men with rifles are in there. I'll speak to the colonel.” + </p> + <p> + He crawled to Colonel Winchester, who was crouched a dozen feet away, and + pointed to the wood, or rather thicket of scrub. But Dick meanwhile saw + increasing numbers of men there. They were beyond the line of battle and + were not obscured by the clouds of smoke. As he stared he saw a weazened + figure under an enormous, broad-brimmed hat, and, although he could not + discern the face at the distance, he knew that it was Slade, come with a + new and perhaps larger body of riflemen to burn away the extreme left + flank of the Union force. + </p> + <p> + As the colonel and the sergeant crawled back Dick told them what he had + seen, and they recognized at once the imminence of the danger. Colonel + Winchester looked at the great columns of fire and smoke in front of him. + He did not know when the main attack would sweep down upon them again, but + he took his resolution at once. + </p> + <p> + He ordered his men to wheel about, and, using Slade's own tactics, to + creep forward with their rifles. Most of his men were sharpshooters and he + felt that they would be a match for those whom the guerrilla led. Sergeant + Whitley kept by his side, and out of a vast experience in border warfare + advised him. + </p> + <p> + Dick, Warner and Pennington armed themselves with rifles of the fallen, + and they felt fierce thrills of joy as they crept forward. Burning with + the battle fever, and enraged against this man Slade, Dick put all his + soul in the man-hunt. He merely hoped that Victor Woodville was not there. + He would fire willingly at any of the rest. + </p> + <p> + Before they had gone far Slade and his riflemen began to fire. Bullets + pattered all about them, clipping twigs and leaves and striking sparks + from stones. + </p> + <p> + Had the fire been unexpected it would have done deadly damage, but all of + the Winchesters, as they liked to call themselves, had kept under cover, + and were advancing Indian fashion. And now a consuming rage seized them + all. They felt as if an advantage had been taken of them. While they were + fighting a great battle in front a sly foe sought to ambush them. They did + not hate the Southern army which charged directly upon them, but they did + hate this band of sharpshooters which had come creeping through the woods + to pick them off, and they hated them collectively and individually. + </p> + <p> + It was Dick's single and fierce desire at that moment to catch sight of + Slade, whom he would shoot without hesitation if the chance came. He + looked for him continually as he crept from bush to bush, and he withheld + his fire until fortune might bring into his view the flaps of that + enormous hat. The whole vast battle of Chickamauga passed from his mind. + He was concentrated, heart and soul, upon this affair of outposts in the + thickets. + </p> + <p> + Men around him were firing, and the bullets in return were knocking up the + leaves about him, but Dick's finger did not yet press the trigger. The + great hat was still hidden from view, but he heard Slade's whistle calling + to his men. Sergeant Whitley was by the lad's side, and he glanced at him + now and then. The wise sergeant read the youth's face, and he knew that he + was upon a quest, a deadly one. + </p> + <p> + “Is it Slade you're looking for, Mr. Mason?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I want him!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if we see him, and you miss him, I think I'll take a shot at him + myself.” + </p> + <p> + But Slade, crafty and cunning, kept himself well hidden. The two bands + fighting this Indian combat, while the great battle raged so near them, + were now very near to each other, but as they had both thickets and a + rocky outcrop for refuge, they fought from hiding. Nevertheless many fell. + Dick, the ferocity of the man-hunt continuing to burn his brain, sought + everywhere for Slade. Often he heard his silver whistle directing his + troop, but the man himself remained invisible. In his eagerness the lad + rose too high, but the sergeant pulled him down in time, a bullet + whistling a second later through the air where his head had been. + </p> + <p> + “Careful, Mr. Mason! Careful!” said Sergeant Whitley. “It won't do you + much good for one of his men to get you while you are trying to get him!” + </p> + <p> + Dick became more cautious. At last he caught a glimpse of the great hat + that he could not mistake, and, aiming very carefully, he fired. Then he + uttered an angry cry. He had missed, and when the sergeant was ready to + pull the trigger also Slade was gone. + </p> + <p> + Now, the colonel called to his men, and rising they charged into the wood. + It was evidently no part of Slade's plan to risk destruction as he blew a + long high call on his whistle, and then he and all his men save the dead + melted away like shadows. The Winchesters stood among the trees, gasping + and staunching their wounds, but victorious. + </p> + <p> + Now they had only a few moments for rest. Bugles called and they rushed + back to their old position just as the Southern cavalry, sabers circling + aloft swept down upon them again. They went once more through that + terrible turmoil of fire and flashing steel, and a second time the + Winchesters were victorious. But they could have stood no more, and Thomas + watching everything hurried to their relief a regiment, which formed up + before them to give them breathing time. + </p> + <p> + The young soldiers threw themselves panting upon the ground, and were + assailed by a burning thirst. The canteens were soon emptied, and still + their lips and throats were parched. Exhausted by their tremendous + exertions, many of them sank into a stupor, although the battle was at its + zenith and the earth shook with the crash of the heavy batteries. + </p> + <p> + “General Thomas has had news that we're driven in elsewhere,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “And we've yielded ground here, too,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “But so slowly that it's been only a glacial movement. We've made 'em pay + such a high price that I think old 'Pap' can boast he has held his + ground.” + </p> + <p> + Dick did not know it then nor did the general himself, but 'Pap' Thomas + could boast of far more than having held his ground. His long and stubborn + resistance, his skill in moving his troops from point to point at the + right time, his coolness and judgment in weighing and measuring everything + right, in all the vast turmoil, confusion and uncertainty of a great + battle, had saved the Northern army from destruction. + </p> + <p> + Now, as the Winchester men lay gasping behind the fresh regiment, Thomas, + who continually passed along the line of battle, came among them. He was a + soldier's soldier, a soldier's general, and he spoke encouraging words, + most of which they could not hear amid the roar of the battle, but his + calm face told their import, and fresh courage came into their hearts. + </p> + <p> + The news spread gradually that Thomas only was holding fast, but now his + men instead of being discouraged were filled with pride. It was they and + they alone whom the Southerners could not overwhelm, and Thomas and his + generals inspired them with the belief that they were invincible. Charge + after charge broke against them. More ground was yielded, but at the same + immense price, and the corps, sullen, indomitable, maintained its order, + always presenting a front to the foe, blazing with death. + </p> + <p> + Thomas stood all day, while the Southern masses, flushed by victory + everywhere else, pressed harder. Terrible reports of defeat and + destruction came to him continually, but he did not flinch. He turned the + same calm face to everything, and said to the generals that whatever + happened they would keep their own front unbroken. + </p> + <p> + The day closed with the men of Thomas still grim and defiant. The dead lay + in heaps along their front, but as the darkness settled down on the + unfinished battle they meant to fight with equal valor and tenacity on the + morrow. The first day had favored the South, had favored it largely, but + on the Union left hope still flamed high. + </p> + <p> + Darkness swept over the sanguinary field. A cold wind of autumn blew off + the hills and mountains, and the men shivered as they lay on the ground, + but Thomas allowed no fires to be lighted. Food was brought in the + darkness, and those who could find them wrapped themselves in blankets. + Between the two armies lay the hecatombs of dead and the thousands of + wounded. + </p> + <p> + Dick, his comrades and the rest of the regiment sat together in a little + open space behind a thicket. It was to be their position for the fighting + next day. Thomas, passing by, had merely given them an approving look, and + then had gone on to re-form his lines elsewhere. Dick knew that all + through the night he would be conferring with his commander, Rosecrans, + McCook and the others, and he knew, too, that many of the Union soldiers + would be at work, fortifying, throwing up earthworks, and cutting down + trees for abattis. He heard already the ring of the axes. + </p> + <p> + But the Winchester men rested for the present. Nature had made their own + position strong with a low hill, and a thicket in front. They lay upon the + ground, sheltering themselves from the cold wind, which cut through bodies + relaxed and almost bloodless after such vast physical exertions and + excitement so tremendous. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + </h2> + <p> + Dick, after eating the cold food which was served to him, sank into a + state which was neither sleep nor stupor. It was a mystic region between + the conscious and the unconscious, in which all things were out of + proportion, and some abnormal. + </p> + <p> + He saw before him a vast stretch of dead blackness which he knew + nevertheless was peopled by armed hosts ready to spring upon them at dawn. + The darkness and silence were more oppressive than sound and light, even + made by foes, would have been. It numbed him to think there was so little + of stirring life, where nearly two hundred thousand men had fought. + </p> + <p> + Then a voice arose that made him shiver. But it was only the cold wind + from the mountains whistling a dirge. Nevertheless it seemed human to + Dick. It was at once a lament and a rebuke. He edged over a little and + touched Warner. + </p> + <p> + “Is that you, Dick?” asked the Vermonter. + </p> + <p> + “What's left of me. I've one or two wounds, mere scratches, George, but I + feel all pumped out. I'm like one of those empty wine-skins that you read + about, empty, all dried up, and ready to be thrown away.” + </p> + <p> + “Something of the same feeling myself, Dick. I'm empty and dried up, too, + but I'm not ready to be thrown away. Nor are you. We'll fill up in the + night. Our hearts will pump all our veins full of blood again, and we'll + be ready to go out in the morning, and try once more to get killed.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't see how you and Pennington and I, all three of us, came out of it + alive to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “That question is bothering me, too, Dick. A million bullets were fired at + each of us, not to count thousands of pieces of shell, shrapnel, canister, + grape, and slashes of swords. Take any ratio of percentage you please and + something should have got us. According to every rule of algebra, not more + than one of us three should be alive now. Yet here we are.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe your algebra is wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible. Algebra is the most exact of all sciences. It does not admit + of error. Both by algebra and by the immutable law of averages at least + two of us are dead.” + </p> + <p> + “But we don't know which two.” + </p> + <p> + “That's true. Nevertheless it's certain that those two, whoever they may + be, are here on borrowed time. What do your wounds amount to, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, I had forgotten 'em. I've lost a little blood, but what does it + amount to on a day like this, when blood is shed in rivers?” + </p> + <p> + “That's true. My own skin has been broken, but just barely, four times by + bullets. I've a notion that those bullets were coming straight for some + vital part of me, but seeing who it was, and knowing that such a noble + character ought not to be slain, they turned aside as quickly as possible, + but not so quickly that they could avoid grazing my skin.” + </p> + <p> + Dick and Pennington laughed. Warner's fooling amused them and relieved the + painful tension of their minds. + </p> + <p> + “But, George,” said Pennington, “suppose one of the bullets failed to turn + aside and killed you. What could we say then for you?” + </p> + <p> + “That it was a silly, ignorant bullet not knowing whence it came, or where + it was going. Ah, there's light in the darkness! Look across the hill and + see that shining flame!” + </p> + <p> + Dick rose and then the three walked to the brow of the hill, where Colonel + Winchester stood, using his glasses as well as he could in the dusk. + </p> + <p> + “It's the pine forest on fire in places,” he said. “The shells did it, and + it's been burning for some time, spreading until it has now come into our + own sight.” + </p> + <p> + But they were detached fires, and they did not fuse into a general mass at + any time. Clumps of trees burnt steadily like vast torches and sent up + high flames. Bands of men from either side worked silently, removing as + many of the wounded as they could. It was a spontaneous movement, as + happened so often in this war, and Dick and his comrades took a part in + it. + </p> + <p> + North and South met in friendliness in the darkness or by the light of the + burning pines, and talked freely as they lifted up their wounded. Dick + asked often about Colonel Kenton, meeting at last some Kentuckians, who + told him that the colonel had gone through the day without a wound, and + was with Buckner. Then Dick asked if any Mississippians were along the + line. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want with 'em?” asked a long, lank man with a bilious yellow + face. + </p> + <p> + “I've got a friend among 'em. Woodville is his name, and he's about my own + age.” + </p> + <p> + “I've heard of the Woodvilles. Big an' rich family in Missip. 'Roun' + Vicksburg and Jackson mostly. I'm from the Yazoo valley myself, an' if I + hear of the young fellow I'll send him down this way. But I can't stay out + long, 'cause it'll soon be time for me to have my chill. Comes every other + night reg'lar. But I'll be all right for battle to-morrow, when we lick + you Yankees out of the other boot, having licked you out of one to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, old Yazoo,” laughed Dick. “Go on and have your chill, but if + you see Woodville tell him Mason is waiting down here by the wood.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll shorely do it, if the chill don't git me fust,” said the yellow + Mississippian as he strolled away, and Dick knew that he would keep his + word. + </p> + <p> + The lad lingered at the spot where he had met the man, hoping that by some + lucky chance Woodville might come, and fortune gave him his wish. A + slender figure emerged from the dark, and a voice called softly: + </p> + <p> + “Is that you, Mason?” + </p> + <p> + “Nobody else,” replied Dick gladly, stepping forward and offering his + hand, which young Woodville shook warmly. “I was hoping that I might meet + you, and I see, too, that you can't be hurt much, if at all.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't been touched. It's my lucky day, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + “Where's your uncle? I hope he's in some safe place, recovering from his + wound.” + </p> + <p> + Victor Woodville laughed softly. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle Charles is recovering from his wound perhaps faster than you hope,” + he said, “but he's not in a safe place. Far from it.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand.” + </p> + <p> + “His wound is so much better that he can walk, though with a hop, and he's + right here in the thick of this battle, leading his own Mississippi + regiment. His horse was killed under him early this morning, and he's + fought all day on foot, swearing in the strange and melodious fashion that + you know. It's hop! swear! hop! swear! in beautiful alternation!” + </p> + <p> + “Good old colonel!” + </p> + <p> + “That's what he is, and he's also one of the bravest men that ever lived, + if he is my uncle. His regiment did prodigies to-day and they'll do + greater prodigies to-morrow. The Woodvilles are well represented here. My + father is present, leading his regiment, and there are a dozen Woodville + cousins of mine whom you've never met.” + </p> + <p> + “And I hope I won't meet 'em on this field. What about your aunt?” + </p> + <p> + “She's well, and in a safe place.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad of that. Now, tell me, Victor, how did you happen to be with + Slade on that raid? Of course it's no business of mine, but I was + surprised.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't mind answering. I suppose it was a taste for adventure, and a + desire to serve our cause. After I got up the bank and climbed into the + bushes, I looked back, and I think, Mason, that you may have saved me from + a bullet. I don't know, but I think so.” + </p> + <p> + Dick said nothing, but despite the dusk Woodville read the truth in his + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I shan't forget,” said the young Mississippian as he moved away. + </p> + <p> + Dick turned back to his own group. They had noticed him talking to the lad + in gray, but they paid no attention, nor thought it anything unusual. It + was common enough in the great battles of the American civil war, most of + which lasted more than one day, for the opposing soldiers to become + friendly in the nights between. + </p> + <p> + “I think, sir,” said Sergeant Whitley, “that we won't be able to get any + more of our wounded to-night. Now, pardon me for saying it, Lieutenant, + but we ought to have some rest, because when day comes there's going to be + the most awful attack you ever saw. Some of our spies say that Longstreet + and the last of the Virginians did not come until night or nearly night + and that Longstreet himself will lead the attack on us.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think, Sergeant, that it will be made first on our own corps?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, Mr. Mason. We've stood firmest, and them rebel generals are + no fools. They'll crash in where we've shown the most weakness.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant walked on, carrying the corner of a litter. Warner, who had + stood by, whispered to Dick: + </p> + <p> + “There goes a general, but he'll never have the title. He's got a + general's head on his shoulders, and he thinks and talks like a general, + but he hasn't any education, and men with much poorer brains go past him. + Let it be a lesson to you, Dick, my son. After this war, go to school, and + learn something.” + </p> + <p> + “Good advice, George, and I'll take it,” laughed Dick. “But he isn't so + badly off. I wonder if those fires in the pine forest are going to burn + all night?” + </p> + <p> + “Several of 'em will. The big one on our left will be blazing when day + comes, and I'm glad of it since no wounded are now in its way. The night's + cold. That's a sharp and searching wind, and the sight of flames makes one + feel warm even if they are far away.” + </p> + <p> + It would not be long until day now, and the axes ceased to ring in the + forest. A long and formidable line of abattis had been made, but the men + were compelled to seek some rest. Despite the cold they suffered from a + burning thirst, and they could reach no water, not even the red stream of + the Chickamauga. Dick suffered like the rest, but he was philosophical. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy that after sunrise we won't have time to think about water,” he + said. + </p> + <p> + But Dick was not destined to sleep. He lay down for a while, and he saw + hundreds of others around him lying motionless as if dead. Warner and + Pennington were among them, but he could not close his own eyes. His brain + was still hot and excited, and to calm himself if possible he walked along + the slope until he saw a faint light in the valley behind it. A tall + figure, which he recognized as that of Colonel Winchester, was going + toward the light. + </p> + <p> + Dick, being on such good terms with his colonel, would have followed him, + but when he came to the edge of the glade he drew back. General Thomas was + sitting on the huge, upthrust root of an oak, and he was writing + dispatches by the light of a flickering candle held by an aide. Officers + of high rank, one of whom Dick recognized as the young general, Garfield, + stood around him. Colonel Winchester joined the group, and stood waiting + in silence to receive orders, too, Dick supposed. + </p> + <p> + The lad withdrew hastily, but driven by an overmastering curiosity, and + knowing that he was doing no harm, he turned back and watched for a little + space beside a bush. + </p> + <p> + The flame of the candle wavered under the wind, and sometimes the light + shone full upon the face of Thomas. It was the same face that Dick had + first beheld when he carried the dispatches to him in Kentucky. He was + calm, inscrutable at this, the most desperate crisis the Union cause ever + knew in the west. Dick could not see that his hand trembled a particle as + he wrote, although lieutenant and general alike knew that they would soon + be attacked by a superior force, flushed with all the high enthusiasm of + victory. And lieutenant and general alike also knew that their supreme + commander, Rosecrans, was no genius like Lee or Jackson, who could set + numbers at naught, and choose time and place to suit themselves. Only + stubborn courage to fight and die could avail. + </p> + <p> + But Dick drew courage from the strong, thick figure sitting there so + impassively and apparently impervious to alarm. When he quit writing and + began to give verbal orders, he spoke in even tones, in which no one could + detect a trace of excitement. When the name, “The Rock of Chickamauga,” + became general, Dick remembered that night and knew how well it was + deserved. + </p> + <p> + Thomas gave his last order and his generals went to their commands. Dick + slipped back to his regiment, and lay down, but again could not sleep. + </p> + <p> + He waited in painful anxiety for the day. He had never before been in such + a highly nervous state, not at Shiloh, nor Stone River, nor anywhere else. + In those battles the chances were with the Union, but here they were + against it. He recognized that once more, save for Thomas, the North had + been outgeneraled. The army of Rosecrans had marched from Chattanooga + directly upon the positions chosen by Bragg, where he was awaiting them + with superior numbers. And the Confederate government in the East had been + quick enough to seize the opportunity and quick enough to send the + stalwart fighter, Longstreet, and his corps to help close down the trap. + </p> + <p> + He wondered with many a painful throbbing of the heart what the dawn would + bring, and, unable to keep still any longer, he rose and went to the brow + of the low hill, behind which they lay. Colonel Winchester was there + walking through the scrub and trying to pick out something in the opposing + forest with his glasses. The cold wind still blew from the mountains, and + there were three high but distant torches, where the clumps of pines still + burned. + </p> + <p> + “Restless, Dick?” said the Colonel. “Well, so am I.” + </p> + <p> + “We have cause to be so, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “So we have, my lad. We thought the danger to the Union had passed with + Vicksburg and Gettysburg, but the day so soon to come may shatter all our + hopes. They must have a hundred thousand men out there, and they've chosen + time and place. What's more, they've succeeded so far. I don't hesitate to + talk to you in this way, Dick, but you mustn't repeat what I say.” + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn't dream of doing so, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “I know you would not, but General Thomas apprehends a tremendous and + terrible attack. Whatever happens, we have not long to wait for it. I + think I feel the touch of the dawn in the wind.” + </p> + <p> + “It's coming, sir. I can see a faint tinge of gray in that cleft between + the hills toward the east.” + </p> + <p> + “You have a good eye, Dick. I see it now, too. It's growing and turning to + the color of silver. But I think we'll have time to get our breakfasts. + General Thomas does not believe the first attack will be made upon our + wing.” + </p> + <p> + The wind was freshening, as if it brought the dawn upon its edge. The + night had been uncommonly cold for the time of the year in that latitude, + and there was no sun yet to give warmth. But the men of Thomas were being + awakened, and, as no fires were allowed, cold food was served to them. + </p> + <p> + “What's happened, Dick, while I was asleep?” asked Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing. The two armies are ready, and I think to-day will decide it.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so. Two days are enough for any battle.” + </p> + <p> + Pennington's tone was jocular, but his words were not. His face was grave + as he regarded the opposing forest. He had the feeling of youth that + others might be killed, but not he. Nevertheless he was already mourning + many a good comrade who would be lost before the night came again. + </p> + <p> + “There are the wasps!” said Warner, bending a listening ear. “You can + always hear them as they begin to sting. I wonder if skirmishers ever + sleep?” + </p> + <p> + The shots were on the right, but they came from points far away. In front + of them the forest and hills were silent. + </p> + <p> + “It's just as General Thomas thought,” said Dick. “The main volume of + their attack will be on our right and center. They know that Thomas stands + here and that he's a mighty rock, hard to move. They expect to shatter all + the rest of the line, and then whirl and annihilate us.” + </p> + <p> + “Let 'em come!” exclaimed Warner, with heightening color. “Who's afraid?” + </p> + <p> + The dawn was spreading. The heavy mists that hung over the Chickamauga + floated away. All the east was silver, and the darkness rolled back like a + blanket. The west became silver in its turn, and the sun burned red fire + in the east. The wind still blew fresh and cool off the mountains. The + faint sound of trumpets came from far points on the Southern line. The + crackling fire of the skirmishers increased. + </p> + <p> + “It's a wait for us,” said Colonel Winchester, standing amid his youthful + staff. “I can see them advancing in great columns against our right and + center. Now their artillery opens!” + </p> + <p> + Dick put up his glasses and he, too, saw the mighty Southern army + advancing. Their guns were already clearing the way for the advance, and + the valleys echoed with the great concussion. Longstreet and Hill, anxious + to show what the veterans of the East could do, were pouring them forward + alive with all the fire and courage that had distinguished them in the + Army of Northern Virginia. + </p> + <p> + The battle swelled fast. It seemed to the waiting veterans of Thomas that + it had burst forth suddenly like a volcano. They saw the vast clouds of + smoke gather again off there where their comrades stood, and, knowing the + immense weight about to be hurled upon them, they feared for those men who + had fought so often by their side. + </p> + <p> + Yet Thomas had been confident that the first attack would be made upon his + own part of the line, that Bragg with an overwhelming force would seek to + roll up his left. Nor had he reckoned wrong. The lingering of the + bishop-general, Polk, over a late breakfast saved him from the first + shock, and upset the plans of the Southern commander, who had given him + strict orders to advance. + </p> + <p> + Dawn was long past, and to Bragg's great astonishment Polk had not moved. + It seems incredible that the fate of great events can turn upon such + trifles, and yet one wonders what would have happened had not Polk eaten + breakfast so late the morning of the second day of Chickamauga. But when + he did advance he attacked with the energy and vigor of those great + churchmen of the Middle Ages, who were at once princes and warriors, + leading their hosts to battle. + </p> + <p> + Portions of the men of Thomas were now coming into the combat, but the + Winchesters were not yet engaged. They were lying down just behind the + crest of their low hill and many murmurs were running through the ranks. + It was the hardest of all things to wait, while shells now and then struck + among them. They saw to their right the vast volume of fire and smoke, + while the roaring of the cannon and rifles was like the continued sweep of + a storm. + </p> + <p> + The youthful soldier may be nervous and excited, or he may be calm. This + was one of Dick's calm moments, and, while he watched and listened and + tried to measure all that he saw and heard, he noted that the crash of the + battle was moving slowly backward. He knew then that the Southern advance + was succeeding, succeeding so far at least. He was quite sure now that the + attack upon Thomas would be made soon and that it would come with the + greatest violence. + </p> + <p> + He rose and rejoined Colonel Winchester again, and the two looked with awe + at the gigantic combat, raging in a vast canopy of smoke, rent + continuously by flashes of fire. Dick observed that the colonel was + depressed and he knew the reason. + </p> + <p> + “Our men are being driven back,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “So they are,” said the colonel, “and I fear that there is confusion among + them, too.” + </p> + <p> + “But we'll hold fast here as we did yesterday!” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so. Yes, I know so, Dick. I've seen General Thomas twice this + morning, and I know that this corps will never be routed. He's made up his + mind to hold on or die. He's the Rock of Chickamauga.” + </p> + <p> + It was a name that Dick was to hear often afterward, and he repeated under + his breath: “The Rock of Chickamauga! The Rock of Chickamauga!” It rolled + resoundingly off the tongue, and he liked it. + </p> + <p> + Then came a beat of hoofs and a cavalry regiment galloped into open ground + beside them. It was Colonel Hertford's, numbering about three hundred men, + some of whom were wounded. Their leader was excited, and, springing to the + ground, he ran to Colonel Winchester. The two talked in quick, short + sentences. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel,” exclaimed Hertford, “we've just had a sharp brush with that + demon, Forrest, and we've left some good men back there. But I've come + both to help and to warn you. We're being driven back everywhere else, and + now they're gathering an immense mass of troops for a gigantic attack on + Thomas!” + </p> + <p> + Dick heard and his breath came fast. Colonel Hertford would bring no false + news, and he could see with his own eyes that the storm was curving toward + them. The two men hurried to Thomas, but in a few minutes returned. + Colonel Hertford sprang into the saddle and formed his cavalry on the + flank as a screen against the dreaded sweep of Forrest. + </p> + <p> + There was a lull for a moment in the tremendous uproar, and, Colonel + Winchester walking back and forth before his men, spoke to them briefly. + He was erect, pale and handsome, and his words came without a quiver. Dick + had never admired him more. + </p> + <p> + “Men,” he said, “you have never been beaten in battle, but your greatest + test is now at hand. Within a few minutes you will be attacked by a force + outnumbering you more than two to one. But these are the odds we love. We + would not have them less. I tell you, speaking as a man to men who + understand and fear not, that the fate of the day may rest with you. Many + gallant comrades of ours have gone already to the far shore, and if we + must go, too, to-day, let our journey be not less gallant than theirs. We + can die but once, and if we must die, let us die here where we can serve + our country most.” + </p> + <p> + His manner was quiet, but his words were thrilling, and the men of the + regiment, springing to their feet, uttered a deep, full-throated cheer. + Then sinking down again at the motion of his hand, they turned their faces + to the enemy. The time had come. + </p> + <p> + The vast Southern front rushed from the wood, and the gray horsemen of + Forrest, careless of death, swept down. It was a terrifying sight, that + army coming on amid the thunder and lightning of battle, tens of thousands + of rifle muzzles, tens of thousands of fierce brown faces showing through + the smoke, and the tremendous battle yell of the South swelling over + everything. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt a quiver, and then his body stiffened, as if it were about to + receive a physical shock. The whole regiment fired as one man, and a gap + appeared in the charging Southern column. Hertford and his horse charged + upon the hostile cavalry, and all the brigades of Thomas met the Southern + attack with a fire so heavy and deadly that the army of Bragg reeled back. + </p> + <p> + Then ensued the most tremendous scene through which Dick had yet passed. + The Southern army came again. Bragg, Breckinridge, Buckner, Longstreet, + Hill, Cleburne and the others urged on the attacks. They had been victors + everywhere else and they knew that they must drive back Thomas or the + triumph would not be complete. They struck and spared not, least of all + their own men. They poured them, Kentuckians, Tennesseeans, Georgians, + Mississippians and all the rest upon Thomas without regard to life. + </p> + <p> + Kentuckians on the opposing sides met once again face to face. Dick did + not know it then, but a regiment drawn from neighboring counties charged + the Winchesters thrice and left their dead almost at his feet. He had + little time to notice or measure anything amid the awful din and the + continued shock of battle in which thousands of men were falling. + </p> + <p> + The clouds of smoke enveloped them at times, and at other times floated + away. New clumps of pines, set on fire by the shells, burned brightly like + torches, lighting the way to death. Smoke, thick with the odors of burned + gunpowder clogged eye, nose and throat. Dick and the lads around him + gasped for breath, but they fired so fast into the dense Southern masses + that their rifle barrels grew hot to the touch. + </p> + <p> + The South was making her supreme effort. Her western sons were performing + prodigies of valor, and Longstreet and the Virginians were fighting with + all the courage that had distinguished them in the East. + </p> + <p> + But however violent the charge, and however tremendous the fire of cannon + and rifles, the Rock of Chickamauga merely sank deeper in the soil, and + nothing could drive him from his base. The Union dead heaped up, regiments + were shattered by the Southern fire, but Thomas, calm, and, inspiring + courage as on the day before, passed here and there, strengthening the + weak points, and sending many great guns to the crest of Missionary Ridge, + whence they swept the front of the enemy with a devastating fire. + </p> + <p> + The hail of death from the heights enabled the infantry and cavalry below + to gather breath and strength for the new attacks of the enemy. They knew, + too, that their cannon were now giving them more help than before, and + defiant cheers swept along the line in answer to the mighty battle cry of + the South. The Rock of Chickamauga had not moved a foot. + </p> + <p> + Dick caught gleams of the sun through the smoky canopy, but he did not + know how far the day had advanced. He seemed to have been in battle many + hours, but in such moments one had little knowledge of time. He was aware + that the battle had been lost in the center and on the right, but he had + sublime faith in Thomas. The left would stand, and while it stood the + South could win but a barren triumph. + </p> + <p> + The peril was imminent and deadly. A strong Southern force, having cut + through another portion of the line, was endeavoring to take Thomas on the + flank. Rosecrans, seeing the danger and almost in despair, sent Thomas + orders which his stern lieutenant fortunately could not obey. The rock did + not move. + </p> + <p> + Bragg, an able leader, increased the attack upon Thomas. His generals + gathered around him, and seconded his efforts. Their view was better than + that of the Union commanders, and they knew it was vital to them to move + the rock from their path. Brigades, already victorious on other parts of + the field, came up, and were hurled, shouting their triumphant battle cry + against Thomas, only to be hurled back again. + </p> + <p> + The resolution of the defenders increased with their success. A sort of + fever seized upon them all. Death had become a little thing, or it was + forgotten. The blood in their veins was fire, and, transported out of + themselves, they rained shells and bullets upon men whom in their calm + moments they did not hate at all. + </p> + <p> + Dick's regiment had suffered with the rest, but Pennington and Warner and + the colonel were alive, and he caught a few glimpses of Hertford with his + gallant horsemen beating back every attack upon their flank. But nothing + stood out with sharp precision. The whole was a huge turmoil of fire, + smoke, confusion and death. The weight upon them seemed at last to become + overwhelming. In spite of courage the most heroic, and dreadful losses, + the right of Thomas was driven back, his center was compelled to wheel + about, but his left where the Winchester regiment stood with others held + on. Thomas himself was there among them, still cool and impassive in face + of threatened ruin. + </p> + <p> + About twenty thousand men were around Thomas, and they alone stood between + the Union army and destruction. At all other points it had been not only + defeated, but routed. Vast masses of fugitives were fleeing toward + Chattanooga. Rosecrans himself withdrew, and, now wholly in despair, + telegraphed at four o'clock in the afternoon to Washington: “My army has + been whipped and routed.” + </p> + <p> + But Thomas was neither routed nor whipped. Many of the brave generals + elsewhere refused to flee with the troops, but gathering as many soldiers + as possible joined Thomas. Among them was young Sheridan, destined to so + great a fame, who brought almost all his own division and stood beside the + Rock of Chickamauga, refusing to yield any further to the terrible + pressure. + </p> + <p> + The line of Thomas' army was now almost a semicircle. Polk was leading + violent attacks upon his left and center. Longstreet, used to victory, was + upon his right and behind him, and the veterans from the Army of Northern + Virginia had never fought better. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the enemy all around him, and he began to lose hope. How could + they stand against such numbers? And if they tried to retreat there was + Longstreet to cut off the way. He bumped against Sergeant Whitley in the + smoke and gasped out: + </p> + <p> + “We're done for, Sergeant! We're done for!” + </p> + <p> + “No, we're not!” shouted the sergeant, firing into the advancing mass. + “We'll beat 'em back. They can't run over us!” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant, usually so cool, was a little mad. He was wounded in the + head, and the blood had run down over his face, dyeing it scarlet. His + brain was hot as with fire, and he hurled epithets at the enemy. His life + on the plains came back to him, and, for the time, he was like a hurt + Sioux chief who defies his foes. He called them names. He dared them to + come on. He mocked them. He told them how they had attacked in vain all + day long. He counted the number of their repulses and then exaggerated + them. He reminded them it was yet a long time until dark, and asked them + why they hesitated, why they did not come forward and meet the death that + was ready for them. + </p> + <p> + Dick gazed at him in astonishment. He heard many of his words through the + roar of the guns, and he saw his ensanguined face, through which his eyes + burned like two red-hot coals. Was this the quiet and kindly Sergeant + Whitley whom he had known so long? No, it was a raging tiger. Still waters + run deep, and, enveloped, at last, with the fury of battle the sergeant + welcomed wounds, death or anything else it might bring. + </p> + <p> + He shouted and fired his rifle again. Then he fell like a log. Dick rushed + to him at once, but he saw that he had only fainted from loss of blood. He + bound up the sergeant's head as best he could, and, easing him against a + bank, returned to the battle front. + </p> + <p> + A shout suddenly arose. Officers had seen through their glasses a column + of dust rising far behind them. It was so vast that it could only be made + by a great body of marching troops. But who were the men that were making + it? In all the frightful din and excitement of the battle the question ran + through the army of Thomas. If fresh enemies were coming upon their rear + they were lost! If friends there was yet hope! + </p> + <p> + But they could not watch the tower of dust long. The enemy in front gave + them no chance. Polk was still beating upon them, and Longstreet, having + seized a ridge, was pouring an increased fire from his advanced position. + </p> + <p> + “If that cloud of dust encloses gray uniforms we're lost!” shouted Warner + in Dick's ear. + </p> + <p> + “But it mustn't enclose 'em,” Dick shouted back. “Fate wouldn't play us + such an awful trick! We can't lose, after having done and suffered so + much!” + </p> + <p> + Fate would not say which. They could not send men to see, but as they + fought they watched the cloud coming nearer and nearer, and Dick, whose + lips had been moving for some time, realized suddenly that he was praying. + “O God, save us! save us!” he was saying over and over. “Send the help to + us who need it so sorely. Make us strong, O God, to meet our enemies!” + </p> + <p> + He and all his comrades wore masks of dust and burned gunpowder, often + stained with scarlet. Their clothing was torn by bullets and reddened by + dripping wounds. When they shouted to one another their voices came + strained and husky from painful throats. Half the time they were blinded + by the smoke and blaze of the firing. The crash did not seem so loud to + them now, because they were partly deafened for the time by a cannonade of + such violence and length. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked back once more at the great cloud of dust which was now much + nearer, but there was nothing yet to indicate what it bore within, the + bayonets of the North or those of the South. His anxiety became almost + intolerable. + </p> + <p> + Thomas himself stood at that moment entirely alone in a clump of trees on + the elevation called Horseshoe Ridge, watching the battle, seeing the + enemy in overpowering numbers on both his flanks and even in his rear. + Apparently everything was lost. Taciturn, he never described his feelings + then, but in his soul he must have admired the magnificent courage with + which his troops stood around him, and repelled the desperate assaults of + a foe resolved to win. Although his face grew grimmer and his teeth set + hard, he, too, must have watched the approaching cloud of dust with the + most terrible anxiety. If it bore enemies in its bosom, then in very truth + everything would be lost. + </p> + <p> + Down a road some miles from the battlefield a force of eight thousand men + had been left as a reserve for one of the armies. They had long heard the + terrific cannonade which was sending shattering echoes through the + mountains, and both their chief and his second in command were eager to + rush to the titanic combat. They could not obtain orders from their + commander, but, at last, they marched swiftly to the field, all the eight + thousand on fire with zeal to do their part. + </p> + <p> + It was the eight thousand who were making the great cloud of dust, and, as + they came nearer and nearer, the suspense of Thomas' shattered brigades + grew more terrible. Dick, reckless of shell and bullets, tried to pierce + the cloud with his eyes. He caught a glimpse of a flag and uttered a wild + shout of joy. It was the stars and stripes. The eight thousand were eight + thousand of the North! He danced up and down on the stump, and shouted at + the top of his voice: + </p> + <p> + “They're our own men! Help is here! Help is here!” + </p> + <p> + A vast shout of relief rose from Thomas' army as the eight thousand still + coming swiftly joined them. Granger was their leader, but Steedman, his + lieutenant, galloped at once to Thomas, who still stood in the clump of + trees, and asked him what he wanted him to do. The general, calm and + taciturn as ever, pointed toward a long hill that flamed with the enemy's + guns, and said three words: + </p> + <p> + “Take that ridge!” + </p> + <p> + Steedman galloped back and the eight thousand charged at once. The battle + in front sank a little, as if the others wished to watch the new combat. + Dick had been dragged down from the stump by Warner, but the two stood + erect with Pennington, their eyes turned toward the ridge. Colonel + Winchester was near them, his attention fixed upon the same place. + </p> + <p> + The eight thousand firing their rifles and supported by artillery charged + at a great pace. The whole ridge blazed with fire, and the dead and + wounded went down in sheaves. But Dick could not see that they faltered. + Hoarse shouts came again from his dry and blackened lips: + </p> + <p> + “They will take it! they will take it! Look how they face the guns!” he + was crying. + </p> + <p> + “So they will!” said Warner. “See what a splendid charge! Now they're + hidden! What a column of smoke! It floats aside, and, look, our men are + still going on! Nothing can stop them! They must have lost thousands, but + they reach the slope, and as sure as there's a sun in the heavens they're + going up it!” + </p> + <p> + That tremendous cheer burst again from the beleaguered Union army. Granger + and Steedman, with their fresh troops, were rushing up the slopes of the + formidable ridge, and though three thousand of the eight thousand fell, + they took it, hurling back the advancing columns of the South, and + securing the rear of Thomas. + </p> + <p> + Then the Winchester men and others about them went wild with joy. They + leaped, they danced, they sang, until they were commanded to make ready + for a new attack. Rosecrans in Chattanooga, with the most of his army + there also in wild confusion, had sent word to Thomas to retire, to which + Thomas had replied tersely: “It will ruin the army to withdraw it now; + this position must be held till night.” + </p> + <p> + And he made good his resolve. The Southern masses attacked once more with + frightful violence, and once more Thomas withstood them. The field was now + darkening in the twilight, and, having saved the Union army from rout and + wreck, Thomas, impervious to attack, fell back slowly to Chattanooga. + </p> + <p> + The greatest battle of the West, one of the most desperate ever fought, + came to a close. Thirty-five thousand men, killed or wounded, had fallen + upon the field. The South had won a great but barren victory. She had not + been able to reap the fruits of so much skill and courage, because Thomas + and his men, like the Spartans at Thermopylae, had stood in the way. Never + had a man more thoroughly earned the title of honor that he bore + throughout the rest of his life, “The Rock of Chickamauga.” + </p> + <p> + Chickamauga, though, was a sinister word to the North. Gettysburg and + Vicksburg had stemmed the high tide of the Confederacy, and many had + thought the end in sight. But the news from “The River of Death” told them + that the road to crowning success was still long and terrible. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. BESIDE THE BROOK + </h2> + <p> + When the slow retreat began Dick looked for the sergeant. But a stalwart + figure, a red bandage around the head, rose up and confronted him. It was + Sergeant Whitley himself, a little unsteady yet on his feet, but soon to + be as good as ever. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you for looking for me, Mr. Mason,” he said, “but I came to, some + time ago. I guess the bullet found my skull too hard, 'cause it just ran + 'roun' it, and came out on the other side. I won't even be scarred, as my + hair covers up the place.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you walk all right?” asked Dick, overjoyed to find the sergeant was + not hurt badly. + </p> + <p> + “Of course I can, Mr. Mason, an' I'm proud to have been with General + Thomas in such a battle. I didn't think human bein's could do what our men + have done.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor did I. It was impossible, but we've done it all the same.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester rejoiced no less than the lads over the sergeant's + escape. All the officers of the regiment liked him, and they had an + infinite respect for his wisdom, particularly when danger was running + high. They were glad for his own sake that he was alive, and they were + glad to have him with them as they retreated into Chattanooga, because the + night still had its perils. + </p> + <p> + The moon, though clouded, was out as they withdrew slowly. On their flanks + there was still firing, as strong detachments skirmished with one another, + but the Winchester men as yet paid little attention to it. They said + grimly to one another that two days in the infernal regions were enough + for one time. They looked back at the vast battlefield and the clumps of + pines burning now like funeral torches, and shuddered. + </p> + <p> + The retreat of Thomas was harried incessantly. Longstreet and Forrest were + eager to push the attack that night and the next day and make the victory + complete. They and men of less rank dreamed of a triumph which should + restore the fortunes of the Confederacy to the full, but Bragg was + cautious. He did not wish to incur the uttermost risk, and the roll of his + vast losses might well give him pause also. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless Southern infantry and cavalry hung on the flanks and rear of + the withdrawing Union force. The cloudy moon gave sufficient light for the + sharpshooters, whose rifles flashed continuously. The lighter field guns + moved from the forests and bushes, and the troops of Thomas were compelled + to turn again and again to fight them off. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment was on the extreme flank, where the men were + exposed to the fiercest attacks, but fortunately the thickets and hills + gave them much shelter. At times they lay down and returned the fire of + the enemy until they beat him off. Then they would rise and march on + again. + </p> + <p> + All the officers had lost their horses, and Colonel Winchester strode at + the head of his men. Just behind were Dick, Pennington and some other + members of his staff. The rest had fallen. Further back was Sergeant + Whitley, his head in a red bandage, but all his faculties returned. In + this dire emergency he was taking upon himself the duties of a + commissioned officer, and there was none to disobey him. Once more was the + wise veteran showing himself a very bulwark of strength. + </p> + <p> + Despite the coolness of the night, they had all suffered on the second day + of the battle from a burning thirst. And now after their immense exertions + it grew fiercer than ever. Dick's throat and mouth were parched, and he + felt as if he were breathing fire. He felt that he must have water or die. + All the men around him were panting, and he knew they were suffering the + same torture. + </p> + <p> + “This country ought to be full of brooks and creeks,” he said to + Pennington. “If I see water I mean to make a dash for it, Johnnies or no + Johnnies. I'm perfectly willing to risk my life for a drink.” + </p> + <p> + “So am I,” said Warner, who overheard him, “and so are all who are left in + this regiment. If they see the flash of water nothing can hold them back, + not even Bragg's whole army. How those skirmishers hang on to us! Whizz-z! + there went their bullets right over our head!” + </p> + <p> + The Winchesters turned, delivered a heavy volley into a thicket, whence + the bullets had come, and marched on, looking eagerly now for water. They + began to talk about it. They spoke of the cool brooks, “branches” they + called them, that they had known at home, and they told how, when they + found one, they would first drink of it, and then lie down in its bed and + let its water flow over them. + </p> + <p> + But Dick's thirst could not wholly take his mind from the tremendous + scenes accompanying that sullen and defiant retreat. Hills and mountains + were in deepest gloom, save when the signal lights of the Southern armies + flashed back and forth. The clouded moon touched everything nearer by with + somber gray. The fire of cannon rolled through the forest and gorges with + redoubled echoes. + </p> + <p> + A shout suddenly came from the head of the Winchester column. + </p> + <p> + “Water! Water!” they cried. A young boy had caught a glimpse of silver + through some bushes, and he knew that it was made by the swift current of + a brook. In an instant the regiment broke into a run for the water. + Colonel Winchester could not have stopped them if he had tried, and he did + not try. He knew how great was their need. + </p> + <p> + “We're off!” cried Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “I see it! The water!” shouted Dick. + </p> + <p> + “I do, too!” exclaimed Warner, “and it's the most beautiful water that + ever flowed!” + </p> + <p> + But they stopped in their rush and dropped down in the thickets. Sergeant + Whitley had given the warning shout, and fortunately most of a volley from + a point about a hundred yards beyond the stream swept over their heads. A + few men were wounded, and they not badly. + </p> + <p> + Dick crawled to the head of the column. The sergeant was already there, + whispering to Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “They've taken to cover, too, sir,” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “How many do you suppose they are?” asked the colonel. + </p> + <p> + “Not more than we are, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “They run a great risk when they attack us in this manner.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe, sir,” said Dick, “they, too, were coming for the water.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester looked at Sergeant Whitley. + </p> + <p> + “I'm of the opinion, sir,” said the sergeant, “that Mr. Mason is right.” + </p> + <p> + “I think so, too,” said Colonel Winchester. “It's a pity that men should + kill each other over a drink of water when there's enough for all. Has any + man a handkerchief?” + </p> + <p> + “Here, sir,” said Warner; “it's ragged and not very clean, but I hope it + will do.” + </p> + <p> + The Colonel raised the handkerchief on the point of his sword and gave a + hail. The bulk of the two armies had passed on, and now there was silence + in the woods as the two little forces confronted each other across the + stream. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw a tall form in Confederate gray rise up from the bushes on the + other side of the brook. + </p> + <p> + “Are you wanting to surrender?” the man called in a long, soft drawl. + </p> + <p> + “Not by any means. We want a drink of water, and we're just bound to have + it.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't want it any more than we do, and you're not any more bound to + have it than we are.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel hesitated a moment, and then, influenced by a generous + impulse, said: + </p> + <p> + “If you won't fire, we won't.” + </p> + <p> + The tall, elderly Southerner, evidently a colonel, also said: + </p> + <p> + “It's a fair proposition, sir. My men have been working so hard the last + two days licking you Yanks that they're plum' burnt up with thirst.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't admit the licking, although it's obvious that you've gained the + advantage so far, but is it agreed that we shall have a truce for a + quarter of an hour?” + </p> + <p> + “It is, sir; the truce of the water, and may we drink well! Come on, + boys!” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester gave a similar order to his men, and each side rose + from the thickets, and made a rush for the brook. It was a beautiful + little stream, the most beautiful in the world just then to Dick and his + friends. Clear and cold, the color of silver in the moonlight, it rushed + down from the mountains. On one side knelt the men in blue, and on the + other the men in gray, and the pure water was like the elixir of heaven to + their parched and burning throats. + </p> + <p> + Dick drank long, and then as he raised his face from the stream he saw + opposite him a tall, lean youth, evidently from the far South, Louisiana + perhaps, a lad with a tanned face and a wide mouth stretched in a friendly + grin. + </p> + <p> + “Tastes good, doesn't it, Yank?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it does, Reb,” replied Dick. “I felt that I was drying up and just + crumbling away like old dead wood. As soon as the gallon that I've drunk + has percolated thoroughly through my system I intend to hoist aboard + another gallon.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what percolate means, but I reckon it has something to do + with travelin' about through your system. I think I need a couple of + gallons myself. Say, will you give a fair answer to a fair question?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, go ahead.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you Yanks feel powerful bad over the thrashing we've given you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not so bad. Besides I wouldn't call it a thrashing. It's just a temporary + advantage. And you wait. We'll take it away from you.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know about that, but I can't argue with you now. I'm due for my + second gallon.” + </p> + <p> + “So am I.” + </p> + <p> + Each bent down and drank again a long, life-giving draught from the + rushing stream. For a distance of a hundred yards or more heads black, + brown and sometimes yellow were bent over the brook. Far off, both to east + and west, the cannon thundered in the darkness, but with the drinkers it + was a peaceful interlude of a quarter of an hour. Such moments often + occurred in this war when the men on both sides were blood brethren. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester stood up, and the grizzled Confederate colonel stood up + on the other side of the stream, facing him. Their hands rose in a + simultaneous salute of respect. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Colonel Winchester, “I'm happy to have met you in this + manner.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said the Southern colonel ornately, “we are happy to have drunk + from the same stream with such brave foes, and now, sir, I propose as we + retire that neither regiment shall fire a shot within the next five + minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “Agreed,” said Colonel Winchester, and then as the colonels gave the + signals the two regiments withdrew beyond their respective thickets. The + truce of the water was over, but these foes did not meet again that night. + </p> + <p> + The regiment had left a great proportion of its numbers dead upon the + field. Half the others were wounded more or less, but the slightly wounded + marched on with the unhurt. Many of them were now barely conscious. They + were either asleep upon their feet or in a daze. Nevertheless they soon + rejoined the main command. + </p> + <p> + Dick, having his pride as an officer, sought to keep himself active and + alert. He passed among the lads of his own age, and encouraged them. He + told them how the older men were already speaking of the wonders they had + done, and presently he saw Thomas himself riding along with the young + general, Garfield, who had been with him throughout the afternoon. All the + Winchester men saw their commander, and, worn as they were, they stopped + and gave a mighty cheer. Thomas was moved. Under the cloudy moon Dick saw + him show emotion for the first time. He took off his hat. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, comrades,” he said, “we have lost the battle of Chickamauga, + but if all our regiments fight as you fought to-day the war is won.” + </p> + <p> + Another cheer, enthusiastic and spontaneous, burst from the regiment, and + Thomas rode on. Dick had never heard him make another speech so long. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the little town of Chattanooga within its mountains they + began to realize the full grandeur of their exploit. The remainder of the + army of Rosecrans was almost a mob, and brave as he undoubtedly was he was + soon removed to another field, leaving Thomas in supreme command until + Grant should come. + </p> + <p> + Dick had no rest until the next night, when tents were set for the + battered remains of the Winchester regiment. He, Warner, Pennington and + three others were assigned to one of the larger tents. He had been without + sleep for two days and two nights, and the tremendous tension that had + kept him up so long was relaxing fast. He felt that he must sleep or die. + Yet they talked together a little before they stretched themselves upon + their blankets. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think Bragg will attack us in Chattanooga, Dick?” asked + Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “I don't. Our position here is too strong, and, as he was the assailant, + his losses must be something awful. Moreover, the rivers are always ours + and reinforcements will soon pour in to us. I think that General Thomas + saved the Union. What have you to say, George?” + </p> + <p> + “Just about what you are saying, Dick. We've been beaten, but not enough + to suit the Johnnies. They have on their side present victory. We have on + ours present but not total defeat. You might say they have x, while we + have x + y. Wait until I look into my algebra, and I can find further + mathematical and beautiful propositions proving my contention beyond the + shadow of a doubt.” + </p> + <p> + He took out his algebra and opened it. A bullet fell from the leaves into + his lap. Warner picked it up and examined it carefully. Then he looked at + the book. + </p> + <p> + “It went half way through,” he said in tones of genuine solemnity. “If it + had gone all the way it would have pierced my heart and I could never have + known how this war is going to end. It has saved my life, and I shall + always keep it over my heart until we go back home.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was asleep the next minute, and they did not wake him for twelve + hours. When he came from the tent he stood blinking in the sun, and a tall + lean youth hailed him with a joyous shout: + </p> + <p> + “Why, it's Mason—Mason of Kentucky!” exclaimed the lad, extending a + hardened hand. “I'm glad you're alive. How are those friends of yours, + Warner and Pennington?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, save for scratches, Ohio. They're about somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + They shook hands again, hunted up the others, and celebrated their escape + from death. + </p> + <p> + Dick learned later that all the Woodvilles were still alive and that + Colonel Kenton, although wounded, was recovering fast. Slade, with + troublesome raids, soon gave evidence of his own continued existence. + </p> + <p> + Then, as they expected, reinforcements poured in. Grant came, and Dick and + his comrades took part in the fight at Missionary Ridge and the battle + “above the clouds” on Lookout Mountain. He witnessed great triumphs and he + had a share in them. + </p> + <p> + He saw Bragg's army broken up, and he rejoiced with the others when the + news came that Grant for his brilliant successes had been made commander + of all the armies of the Union, and would go east to match himself against + the mighty Lee. The Winchester regiment would go with him and Dick, + Warner, Pennington and Sergeant Whitley, who was entirely recovered, + talked of it gravely: + </p> + <p> + “We've been in the East before,” said Pennington, “but we won't be under + any doubting general now.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy it will be the death grapple,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “And the continent will shake with it,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + The three, as if by the same impulse, turned and faced the distant East, + where the shades were already gathering over the Wilderness. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_APPE" id="link2H_APPE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Appendix: Transcription notes: + </h2> + <h3> + This etext was transcribed from a volume of the 14th printing. + </h3> + <p> + The following modifications were applied while transcribing the printed + book to etext: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Chapter 1 + Page 30, para 1, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 2 + Page 39, para 1, add missing close-quotes + Page 48, para 4, change “its” to “it's” + + Chapter 3 + Page 72, para 1, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 8 + Page 174, para 2, add a badly-needed comma + Page 182, para 3, change “replied Pennington” to “replied Warner” + Page 185, para 5, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 10 + Page 216, para 2, move a badly-misplaced comma + Page 217, para 5, add a badly-needed comma + + Chapter 12 + Page 258, para 2, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 14 + Page 297, para 1, fixed typo “Mississipians” + </pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Chapter 15 + Page 320, para 2, remove an extra comma +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Limitations imposed by converting to plain ASCII: + + - The word “cooperated” in chapter 8 was presented in the printed + book with an accented “o” + - In chapter 11, “Caesar” was presented with the “ae” ligature + - In chapter 11, the ship's name “Union” was presented in italics + - In chapter 14, “Thermopylae” was presented with the “ae” ligature +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Rock of Chickamauga, by Joseph A. 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Altsheler + +Release Date: January, 2006 [EBook #9745] +Posting Date: June 16, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA *** + + + + +Produced by Ken Reeder + + + + + + +THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + +A STORY OF THE WESTERN CRISIS + + +By Joseph A. Altsheler + + + + +FOREWORD + + +"The Rock of Chickamauga," presenting a critical phase of the great +struggle in the west, is the sixth volume in the series, dealing with +the Civil War, of which its predecessors have been "The Guns of Bull +Run," "The Guns of Shiloh," "The Scouts of Stonewall," "The Sword of +Antietam" and "The Star of Gettysburg." Dick Mason who fights on the +Northern side, is the hero of this romance, and his friends reappear +also. + + +THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + + VOLUMES IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + THE GUNS OF BULL RUN. + THE GUNS OF SHILOH. + THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL. + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM. + THE STAR OF GETTYSBURG. + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA. + THE SHADES OF THE WILDERNESS. + THE TREE OF APPOMATTOX. + + + PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + HARRY KENTON, A Lad Who Fights on the Southern Side. + DICK MASON, Cousin of Harry Kenton, Who Fights on the Northern Side. + COLONEL GEORGE KENTON, Father of Harry Kenton. + MRS. MASON, Mother of Dick Mason. + JULIANA, Mrs. Mason's Devoted Colored Servant. + COLONEL ARTHUR WINCHESTER, Dick Mason's Regimental Commander. + COLONEL LEONIDAS TALBOT, Commander of the Invincibles, + a Southern Regiment. + LIEUTENANT COLONEL HECTOR ST. HILAIRE, Second in Command of the + Invincibles. + ALAN HERTFORD, A Northern Cavalry Leader. + PHILIP SHERBURNE, A Southern Cavalry Leader. + WILLIAM J. SHEPARD, A Northern Spy. + DANIEL WHITLEY, A Northern Sergeant and Veteran of the Plains. + GEORGE WARNER, A Vermont Youth Who Loves Mathematics. + FRANK PENNINGTON, A Nebraska Youth, Friend of Dick Mason. + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, A Native of Charleston, Friend of Harry Kenton. + TOM LANGDON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + GEORGE DALTON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + BILL SKELLY, Mountaineer and Guerrilla. + TOM SLADE, A Guerrilla Chief. + SAM JARVIS, The Singing Mountaineer. + IKE SIMMONS, Jarvis' Nephew. + AUNT "SUSE," A Centenarian and Prophetess. + BILL PETTY, A Mountaineer and Guide. + JULIEN DE LANGEAIS, A Musician and Soldier from Louisiana. + JOHN CARRINGTON, Famous Northern Artillery Officer. + DR. RUSSELL, Principal of the Pendleton School. + ARTHUR TRAVERS, A Lawyer. + JAMES BERTRAND, A Messenger from the South. + JOHN NEWCOMB, A Pennsylvania Colonel. + JOHN MARKHAM, A Northern Officer. + JOHN WATSON, A Northern Contractor. + WILLIAM CURTIS, A Southern Merchant and Blockade Runner. + MRS. CURTIS, Wife of William Curtis. + HENRIETTA CARDEN, A Seamstress in Richmond. + DICK JONES, A North Carolina Mountaineer. + VICTOR WOODVILLE, A Young Mississippi Officer. + JOHN WOODVILLE, Father of Victor Woodville. + CHARLES WOODVILLE, Uncle of Victor Woodville. + COLONEL BEDFORD, A Northern Officer. + CHARLES GORDON, A Southern Staff Officer. + JOHN LANHAM, An Editor. + JUDGE KENDRICK, A Lawyer. + MR. CULVER, A State Senator. + MR. BRACKEN, A Tobacco Grower. + ARTHUR WHITRIDGE, A State Senator. + + + HISTORICAL CHARACTERS + + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. + JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Southern Confederacy. + JUDAH P. BENJAMIN, Member of the Confederate Cabinet. + U. S. GRANT, Northern Commander. + ROBERT E. LEE, Southern Commander. + STONEWALL JACKSON, Southern General. + PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, Northern General. + GEORGE H. THOMAS, "The Rock of Chickamauga." + ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Southern General. + A. P. HILL, Southern General. + W. S. HANCOCK, Northern General. + GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Northern General. + AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Northern General. + TURNER ASHBY, Southern Cavalry Leader. + J. E. B. STUART, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOSEPH HOOKER, Northern General. + RICHARD S. EWELL, Southern General. + JUBAL EARLY, Southern General. + WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, Northern General. + SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, Southern General. + LEONIDAS POLK, Southern General and Bishop. + BRAXTON BRAGG, Southern General. + NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOHN MORGAN, Southern Cavalry Leader. + GEORGE J. MEADE, Northern General. + DON CARLOS BUELL, Northern General. + W. T. SHERMAN, Northern General. + JAMES LONGSTREET, Southern General. + P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Southern General. + WILLIAM L. YANCEY, Alabama Orator. + JAMES A. GARFIELD, Northern General, afterwards President of + the United States. + + And many others + + + IMPORTANT BATTLES DESCRIBED IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + BULL RUN + KERNSTOWN + CROSS KEYS + WINCHESTER + PORT REPUBLIC + THE SEVEN DAYS + MILL SPRING + FORT DONELSON + SHILOH + PERRYVILLE + STONE RIVER + THE SECOND MANASSAS + ANTIETAM + FREDERICKSBURG + CHANCELLORSVILLE + GETTYSBURG + CHAMPION HILL + VICKSBURG + CHICKAMAUGA + MISSIONARY RIDGE + THE WILDERNESS + SPOTTSYLVANIA + COLD HARBOR + FISHER'S HILL + CEDAR CREEK + APPOMATTOX + + + +CONTENTS + + I. AT BELLEVUE + + II. FORREST + + III. GRANT MOVES + + IV. DICK'S MISSION + + V. HUNTED + + VI. A BOLD ATTACK + + VII. THE LITTLE CAPITAL + + VIII. CHAMPION HILL + + IX. THE OPEN DOOR + + X. THE GREAT ASSAULT + + XI. THE TAKING OF VICKSBURG + + XII. AN AFFAIR OF THE MOUNTAINS + + XIII. THE RIVER OF DEATH + + XIV. THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + + XV. BESIDE THE BROOK + + + + +THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + + + +CHAPTER I. AT BELLEVUE + + +"You have the keenest eyes in the troop. Can you see anything ahead?" +asked Colonel Winchester. + +"Nothing living, sir," replied Dick Mason, as he swept his powerful +glasses in a half-curve. "There are hills on the right and in the +center, covered with thick, green forest, and on the left, where the +land lies low, the forest is thick and green too, although I think I +catch a flash of water in it." + +"That should be the little river of which our map tells. And you, +Warner, what do your eyes tell you?" + +"The same tale they tell to Dick, sir. It looks to me like a +wilderness." + +"And so it is. It's a low-lying region of vast forests and thickets, +of slow deep rivers and creeks, and of lagoons and bayous. If Northern +troops want to be ambushed they couldn't come to a finer place for it. +Forrest and five thousand of his wild riders might hide within rifle +shot of us in this endless mass of vegetation. And so, my lads, it +behooves us to be cautious with a very great caution. You will recall +how we got cut up by Forrest in the Shiloh time." + +"I do, sir," said Dick and he shuddered as he recalled those terrible +moments. "This is Mississippi, isn't it?" + +Colonel Winchester took a small map from his pocket, and, unfolding it, +examined it with minute care. + +"If this is right, and I'm sure it is," he replied, "we're far down in +Mississippi in the sunken regions that border the sluggish tributaries +of the Father of Waters. The vegetation is magnificent, but for a home +give me higher ground, Dick." + +"Me too, sir," said Warner. "The finest state in this Union is Vermont. +I like to live on firm soil, even if it isn't so fertile, and I like to +see the clear, pure water running everywhere, brooks and rivers." + +"I'll admit that Vermont is a good state for two months in the year," +said Dick. + +"Why not the other ten?" + +"Because then it's frozen up, solid and hard, so I've heard." + +The other boys laughed and kept up their chaff, but Colonel Winchester +rode soberly ahead. Behind him trailed the Winchester regiment, now +reorganized and mounted. Fresh troops had come from Kentucky, and +fragments of old regiments practically destroyed at Perryville and Stone +River had been joined to it. + +It was a splendid body of men, but of those who had gone to Shiloh only +about two hundred remained. The great conflicts of the West, and the +minor battles had accounted for the others. But it was perhaps one of +the reliefs of the Civil War that it gave the lads who fought it little +time to think of those who fell. Four years crowded with battles, great +and small, sieges and marches absorbed their whole attention. + +Now two men, the dreaded Forrest and fierce little Joe Wheeler, occupied +the minds of Winchester and his officers. It was impossible to keep +track of these wild horsemen here in their own section. They had a habit +of appearing two or three hundred miles from the place at which they +were expected. + +But the young lieutenants while they watched too for their redoubtable +foes had an eye also for the country. It was a new kind of region for +all of them. The feet of their horses sank deep in the soft black soil, +and there was often a sound of many splashings as the regiment rode +across a wide, muddy brook. + +Dick noted with interest the magnolias and the live oaks, and the great +stalks of the sunflower. Here in this Southern state, which bathed +its feet in the warm waters of the Gulf, spring was already far along, +although snows still lingered in the North. + +The vegetation was extravagant in its luxuriance and splendor. The +enormous forest was broken by openings like prairies, and in every one +of them the grass grew thick and tall, interspersed with sunflowers and +blossoming wild plants. Through the woods ran vast networks of vines, +and birds of brilliant plumage chattered in the trees. Twice, deer +sprang up before them and raced away in the forest. It was the +wilderness almost as De Soto had traversed it nearly four centuries +before, and it had a majesty which in its wildness was not without its +sinister note. + +They approached a creek, deeper and wider than usual, flowing in slow, +yellow coils, and, as they descended into the marsh that enclosed its +waters, there was a sharp crackling sound, followed quickly by another +and then by many others. The reports did not cease, and, although +blood was shed freely, no man fell from his horse, nor was any wounded +mortally. But the assault was vicious and it was pushed home with the +utmost courage and tenacity, although many of the assailants fell never +to rise again. Cries of pain and anger, and imprecations arose from the +stricken regiment. + +"Slap! Slap!" + +"Bang! Bang!" + +"Ouch! He's got his bayonet in my cheek!" + +"Heavens, that struck me like a minie ball! And it came, whistling and +shrieking, too, just like one!" + +"Phew, how they sting! and my neck is bleeding in three places!" + +"By thunder, Bill, I hit that fellow, fair and square! He'll never +trouble an honest Yankee soldier again!" + +The fierce buzzing increased all around them and Colonel Winchester +shouted to his trumpeter: + +"Blow the charge at once!" + +The man, full willing, put the trumpet to his lips and blew loud and +long. The whole regiment went across the creek at a gallop--the water +flying in yellow showers--and did not stop until, emerging from the +marsh, they reached the crest of a low hill a mile beyond. Here, stung, +bleeding and completely defeated by the enemy they stopped for repairs. +An occasional angry buzz showed that they were not yet safe from the +skirmishers, but their attack seemed a light matter after the full +assault of the determined foe. + +"I suppose we're all wounded," said Dick as he wiped a bleeding cheek. +"At least as far as I can see they're hurt. The last fellow who got his +bayonet in my face turned his weapon around and around and sang merrily +at every revolution." + +"We were afraid of being ambushed by Forrest," said Warner, speaking +from a swollen countenance. "Instead we struck something worse; we rode +straight into an ambush of ten billion high-powered mosquitoes, every +one tipped with fire. Have we got enemies like these to fight all the +way down here?" + +"They sting the rebels, too," said Pennington. + +"Yes, but they like newcomers best, the unacclimated. When we rode down +into that swamp I could hear them shouting, to one another: 'That fat +fellow is mine, I saw him first! I've marked the rosy-cheeked boy for +mine. Keep away the rest of you fellows!' I feel as if I'd been through +a battle. No more marshes for me." + +Some of the provident produced bottles of oil of pennyroyal. Sergeant +Daniel Whitley, who rode a giant bay horse, was one of the most +foreseeing in this respect, and, after the boys had used his soothing +liniment freely, the fiery torment left by the mosquito's sting passed +away. + +The sergeant seemed to have grown bigger and broader than ever. His +shoulders were about to swell through his faded blue coat, and the hand +resting easily on the rein had the grip and power of a bear's paw. His +rugged face had been tanned by the sun of the far south to the color of +an Indian's. He was formidable to a foe, and yet no gentler heart beat +than that under his old blue uniform. Secretly he regarded the young +lieutenants, his superiors in military rank and education, as brave +children, and often he cared for them where his knowledge and skill were +greater than theirs or even than that of colonels and generals. + +"God bless you, Sergeant," said Dick, "you don't look like an angel, but +you are one--that is, of the double-fisted, fighting type." + +The sergeant merely smiled and replaced the bottle carefully in his +pocket, knowing that they would have good use for it again. + +The regiment after salving its wounds resumed its watchful march. + +"Do you know where we're going?" Pennington asked Dick. + +"I think we're likely if we live long enough to land in the end before +Vicksburg, the great Southern fortress, but as I gather it we mean +to curve and curl and twist about a lot before then. Grant, they say, +intends to close in on Vicksburg, while Rosecrans farther north is +watching Bragg at Chattanooga. We're a flying column, gathering up +information, and ready for anything." + +"It's funny," said Warner thoughtfully, "that we've already got so far +south in the western field. We can't be more than two or three hundred +miles from the Gulf. Besides, we've already taken New Orleans, the +biggest city of the South, and our fleet is coming up the river to meet +us. Yet in the East we don't seem to make any progress at all. We lose +great battles there and Fredericksburg they say was just a slaughter of +our men. How do you make it out, Dick?" + +"I've thought of several reasons for it. Our generals in the West are +better than our generals in the East, or their generals in the East are +better than their generals in the West. And then there are the rivers. +In the East they mostly run eastward between the two armies, and they +are no help to us, but a hindrance rather. Here in the West the rivers, +and they are many and great, mostly run southward, the way we want to +go, and they bring our gunboats on their bosoms. Excuse my poetry, but +it's what I mean." + +"You must be right. I think that all the reasons you give apply +together. But our command of the water has surely been a tremendous +help. And then we've got to remember, Dick, that there was never a navy +like ours. It goes everywhere and it does everything. Why, if Admiral +Farragut should tell one of those gunboats to steam across the +Mississippi bottoms it would turn its saucy nose, steer right out of +the water into the mud, and blow up with all hands aboard before it quit +trying." + +"You two fellows talk too much," said Pennington. "You won't let +President Lincoln and Grant and Halleck manage the war, but you want to +run it yourselves." + +"I don't want to run anything just now, Frank," rejoined Dick. "What I'm +thinking about most is rest and something to eat. I'd like to get rid, +too, of about ten pounds of Mississippi mud that I'm carrying." + +"Well, I can catch a glint of white pillars through those trees. +It means the 'big house' of a plantation, and you'll probably find +somewhere back of it the long rows of cabins, inhabited by the dark +people, whom we've come to raise to the level of their masters, if not +above them. I can see right now the joyous welcome we'll receive from +the owners of the big house. They'll be standing on the great piazza, +waving Union flags and shouting to us that they have ready cooling +drinks and luxurious food for us all." + +"It's hardly a joke to me. Whatever the cause of the war, it's the +bitterness of death for these people to be overrun. Besides, I remember +the words of that old fellow in the blacksmith shop before we fought +the battle of Stone River. He said that even if they were beaten they'd +still be there holding the land and running things." + +"That's true," said Warner. "I've been wondering how this war would end, +and now I'm wondering what will happen after it does end. But here we +are at the gate. What big grounds! These great planters certainly had +space!" + +"And what silence!" said Dick. "It's uncanny, George. A place like this +must have had a thousand slaves, and I don't see any of them rushing +forward to welcome their liberators." + +"Probably contraband, gone long ago to Ben Butler at New Orleans. I +don't believe there's a soul here." + +"Remember that lone house in Tennessee where a slip of a girl brought +Forrest down on us and had us cut pretty nearly to pieces." + +"I couldn't forget it." + +Nor could Colonel Winchester. The house, large and low, stood in grounds +covering an area of several acres, enclosed by a paling fence, now +sagging in many places. Great stone posts stood on either side of the +gateway, but the gate was opened, and it, too, sagged. + +The grounds had evidently been magnificent, both with flowers and forest +trees. Already many of the flowers were blooming in great luxuriance and +brilliancy, but the walks and borders were untrimmed. The house was of +wood, painted white with green shutters, and as they drew nearer they +appreciated its great size, although it was only two stories in height. +A hundred persons could have slept there, and twice as many could have +found shade in the wide piazzas which stretched the full length of the +four sides. + +But all the doors and shutters were closed and no smoke rose from any +chimney. They caught a glimpse of the cabins for the slaves, on lower +ground some distance behind the great house. The whole regiment reined +up as they approached the carriage entrance, and, although they were +eight hundred strong, there was plenty of room without putting a single +hoof upon a flower. + +It was a great place. That leaped to the eye, but it was not marked upon +Colonel Winchester's map, nor had he heard of it. + +"It's a grand house," he said to his aides, "and it's a pity that it +should go to ruin after the slaves are freed, as they certainly will +be." + +"But it was built upon slave labor," said Warner. + +"So it was, and so were many of the most famous buildings in the world. +But here, I'm not going to get into an argument about such questions +with young men under my command. Besides, I'm fighting to destroy +slavery, not to study its history. Sergeant Whitley, you're an +experienced trailer: do you see any signs that troops have passed here?" + +"None at all, sir. Down near the gate where the drive is out of repair +I noticed wheel tracks, but they were several days old. The freshest of +them were light, as if made by buggies. I judge, sir, that it was the +family, the last to leave." + +"And the wagons containing their valuables had gone on ahead?" + +"It would seem so, sir." + +Colonel Winchester sighed. + +"An invader is always feared and hated," he said. + +"But we do come as enemies," said Dick, "and this feeling toward us +can't be helped." + +"That's true. No matter what we do we'll never make any friends here in +one of the Gulf states, the very core of Southern feeling. Dick, take +a squad of men and enter the house. Pennington, you and Warner go with +him." + +Dick sprang down instantly, chose Sergeant Whitley first and with the +others entered the great portico. The front door was locked but it +was easy enough to force it with a gun butt, and they went in, but +not before Dick had noticed over the door in large letters the name, +"Bellevue." So this was Bellevue, one of the great cotton plantations of +Mississippi. He now vaguely remembered that he had once heard his uncle, +Colonel Kenton, speak of having stopped a week here. But he could not +recall the name of the owner. Strong for the Union as he was Dick was +glad that the family had gone before the Northern cavalry came. + +The house was on a splendid scale inside also, but all the rugs and +curtains were gone. As they entered the great parlor Dick saw a large +piece of paper, and he flushed as he read written upon it in tall +letters: + + TO THE YANKEE RAIDERS: + YOU NEED NOT LOOK FOR THE SILVER. + IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO VICKSBURG. + + +"Look at that!" he said indignantly to Warner. "See how they taunt us!" + +But Warner laughed. + +"Maybe some of our men at New Orleans have laid us open to such a stab," +he said. Then he added whimsically: + +"We'll go to Vicksburg with Grant, Dick, and get that silver yet." + +"The writing's fresh," said Sergeant Whitley, who also looked at the +notification. "The paper hasn't begun to twist and curl yet. It's not +been posted up there many hours." + +Colonel Winchester entered at that moment and the notice was handed to +him. He, too, flushed a little when he read it, but the next instant he +laughed. Dick then called his attention to the apparent fact that it had +been put there recently. + +"May I speak a word, Colonel," said Warner, who had been thinking so +hard that there was a line the full length of his forehead. + +"Yes, George, a dozen if you like. Go ahead. What is it?" + +"The sergeant, who has had much experience as a trailer, told us that +the tracks made by the buggy wheels were several days old. The slaves +probably had been sent southward before that time. Now some one who +saw our advance has come back, and, whoever it was, he was thoroughly +familiar with the house. He couldn't have been a servant. Servants +don't leave taunts of that kind. It must have been somebody who felt our +coming deeply, and if it had been an elderly man he would have waited +for action, he wouldn't have used saucy words. So, sir, I think it must +have been a boy. Just like Pennington there, for instance." + +"Good, George, go on with your reasonings." + +"As surely, sir, as z plus y equals the total of the two, the one who +put up the placard was a son of the owner. He alone would feel deeply +enough to take so great a risk. The conditions absolutely demand that +the owner has such a son and that he has done it." + +"Very good, George. I think you're right, and this youth in giving way +to a natural burst of anger, although he did not mean to do so, has +posted up for us a warning. A lad of his spirit would go in search +of Forrest, and we cannot forget our experience with that general in +Tennessee. Now, boys, we'll make ready for the night, which is not far +away." + +The house was built for a Southern climate, although Dick had learned +that it could be cold enough in Central Mississippi in midwinter. But +it was spring now and they opened all the doors and windows, letting the +pleasant air rush through the musty house. + +"It may rain," said Colonel Winchester, "and the officers will sleep +inside. The men will spread their blankets on the piazzas, and the +horses will be tethered in the grounds. I hate to see the flowers and +grass trodden down, but nature will restore them." + +Some of the soldiers gathered wood from heaps nearby and fires were +kindled in the kitchen, and also on the hearths in the slave quarters. +Colonel Winchester had been truly called the father of his regiment. +He was invariably particular about its health and comfort, and, as he +always led it in person in battle, there was no finer body of men in the +Union service. + +Now he meant for his men to have coffee, and warm food after this long +and trying ride and soon savory odors arose, although the cooking was +not begun until after dark, lest the smoke carry a signal to a lurking +enemy. The cavalrymen cut the thick grass which grew everywhere, and fed +it to their horses, eight hundred massive jaws munching in content. The +beasts stirred but little after their long ride and now and then one +uttered a satisfied groan. + +The officers drank their coffee and ate their food on the eastern +piazza, which overlooked a sharp dip toward a creek three or four +hundred yards away. The night had rushed down suddenly after the fashion +of the far South, and from the creek they heard faintly the hoarse frogs +calling. Beyond the grounds a close ring of sentinels watched, because +Colonel Winchester had no mind to be surprised again by Forrest or by +Fighting Joe Wheeler or anybody else. + +The night was thick and dark and moist with clouds. Dick, despite the +peace that seemed to hang over everything, was oppressed. The desolate +house, even more than the sight of the field after the battle was over, +brought home to him the meaning of war. It was not alone the death +of men but the uprooting of a country for their children and their +children's children as well. Then his mind traveled back to his uncle, +Colonel Kenton, and suddenly he smote his knee. + +"What is it, Dick," asked Colonel Winchester, who sat only two or three +yards away. + +"Now I remember, sir. When I was only seven or eight years old I heard +my uncle tell of stopping, as I told you, at a great plantation in +Mississippi called Bellevue, but I couldn't recall the name of its +owner. I know him now." + +"What is the name, Dick?" + +"Woodville, John Woodville. He was a member of the Mississippi Senate, +and he was probably the richest man in the State." + +"I think I have heard the name. He is a Confederate colonel now, with +Pemberton's army. No doubt we'll have to fight him later on." + +"Meanwhile, we're using his house." + +"Fortune of war. But all war is in a sense unfair, because it's usually +a question of the greater force. At any rate, Dick, we won't harm +Colonel Woodville's home." + +"Yet in the end, sir, a lot of these great old country places will go, +and what will take their place? You and I, coming from a border state, +know that the colored race is not made up of Uncle Toms." + +"Well, Dick, we haven't won yet, and until we do we won't bother +ourselves about the aftermath of war. I'm glad we found so large a place +as this. At the last moment I sent part of the men to the cabins, but +at least three or four hundred must lie here on the piazzas. And most of +them are already asleep. It's lucky they have roofs. Look how the clouds +are gathering!" + +As much more room had been made upon the piazzas by the assignment of +men to the cabins, Colonel Winchester and some of his officers also +rested there. Dick, lying between the two blankets which he always +carried in a roll tied to his saddle, was very comfortable now, with his +head on his knapsack. The night had turned cooler, and, save when faint +and far lightning quivered, it was heavy and dark with clouds. But the +young lieutenants, hardened by two years of war and life in the open, +felt snug and cosy on the broad, sheltered piazza. It was not often they +found such good quarters, and Dick, like Colonel Winchester, was truly +thankful that they had reached Bellevue before the coming storm. + +It was evident now that the night was going to be wild. The lightning +grew brighter and came nearer, cutting fiercely across the southern sky. +The ominous rumble of thunder, which reminded Dick so much of the mutter +of distant battle, came from the horizon on which the lightning was +flashing. + +Colonel Winchester, Pennington and Warner had gone to sleep, but Dick +was wakeful. He had again that feeling of pity for the people who had +been compelled to flee from such a house, and who might lose it forever. +It seemed to him that all the men, save himself and the sentinels, were +asleep, sleeping with the soundness and indifference to surroundings +shown by men who took their sleep when they could. + +The horses stamped and moved uneasily beneath the threat of the +advancing storm, but the men slept heavily on. + +Dick knew that the sentinels were awake and watchful. They had a +wholesome dread of Forrest and Wheeler, those wild riders of the South. +Some of them had been present at that terrible surprise in Tennessee, +and they were not likely to be careless when they were sure that Forrest +might be near, but he remained uneasy nevertheless, and, although he +closed his eyes and sought a soft place for his head on the saddle, +sleep did not come. + +He was sure that his apprehension did not come from any fear of an +attack by Forrest or Wheeler. It was deeper-seated. The inherited sense +that belonged to his great grandfather, who had lived his life in the +wilderness, was warning him. It was not superstition. It seemed to Dick +merely the palpable result of an inheritance that had gone into the +blood. His famous great-grandfather, Paul Cotter, and his famous friend, +Henry Ware, had lived so much and so long among dangers that the very +air indicated to them when they were at hand. + +Dick looked down the long piazza, so long that the men at either end of +it were hidden by darkness. The tall trees in the grounds were nodding +before the wind, and the lightning flashed incessantly in the southwest. +The thunder was not loud, but it kept up a continuous muttering and +rumbling. The rain was coming in fitful gusts, but he knew that it would +soon drive hard and for a long time. + +Everybody within Dick's area of vision was sound asleep, except himself. +Colonel Winchester lay with his head on his arm and his slumber was so +deep that he was like one dead. Warner had not stirred a particle in the +last half-hour. Dick was angry at himself because he could not sleep. +Let the storm burst! It might drive on the wide roof of the piazza +and the steady beating sound would make his sleep all the sounder and +sweeter. He recalled, as millions of American lads have done, the days +when he lay in his bed just under the roof and heard hail and sleet +drive against it, merely to make him feel all the snugger in the bed +with his covers drawn around him. + +The fitful gusts of rain ceased, and then it came with a steady pour and +roar, driving directly down, thus leaving the men on the outer edges of +the piazzas untouched and dry. Still, Dick did not sleep, and at last +he arose and walked softly into the house. Here the sense of danger +grew stronger. He was reminded again of his early boyhood, when some one +blindfolded was told to find a given object, and the others called "hot" +when he was near or "cold" when he was away. He was feeling hot now. +That inherited sense, the magnetic feeling out of the past, was warning +him. + +Dick felt sure that some one not of their regiment was in the building. +He neither saw nor heard the least sign of a presence, but he was +absolutely certain that he was not alone within Bellevue. Since the +lightning had ceased it was pitchy dark inside. There was a wide hall +running through the building, with windows above the exits, but he saw +nothing through them save the driving rain and the dim outline of the +threshing trees. + +He turned into one of the side rooms, and then he paused and pushed +himself against the wall. He was sure now that he heard a soft footstep. +The darkness was so intense that it could be felt like a mist. He waited +but he did not hear it again, and then he began to make his way around +the wall, stepping as lightly as he could. + +He had gone through most of the rooms at their arrival and he still +retained a clear idea of the interior of the house. He knew that there +was another door on the far side of the chamber in which he stood, and +he meant to follow the wall until he reached it. Some one had been in +the room with him and Dick believed that he was leaving by the far door. + +While he heard no further footsteps he felt a sudden light draught on +his face and he knew that the door had been opened and shut. He might +go to Colonel Winchester and tell him that a lurking spy or somebody +of that character was in the house, but what good would it do? A spy +at such a time and in such a place could not harm them, and the whole +regiment would be disturbed for nothing. He would follow the chase +alone. + +He found the door and passed into the next room. Its windows opened upon +the southern piazza and two or three shutters were thrown back. A faint +light entered and Dick saw that no one was there but himself. He could +discern the dim figures of the soldiers sleeping on the piazza and +beyond a cluster of the small pines grown on lawns. + +Dick felt that he had lost the trail for the time, but he did not intend +to give it up. Doubtless the intruder was some one who knew the house +and who was also aware of his presence inside. He also felt that he +would not be fired upon, because the stranger himself would not wish to +bring the soldiers down upon him. So, with a hand upon his pistol butt, +he opened the side door and followed once more into the darkness. + +The ghostly chase went on for a full half-hour, Dick having nothing to +serve him save an occasional light footfall. There was one period of +more than half an hour when he lost the fugitive entirely. He wandered +up to the second floor and then back again. There, in a room that had +been the library, he caught a glimpse of the man. But the figure was so +shadowy that he could tell nothing about him. + +"Halt!" cried Dick, snatching out his pistol. But when he leveled it +there was nothing to aim at. The figure had melted away, or rather it +had flitted through another door. Dick followed, chagrined. The stranger +seemed to be playing with him. Obviously, it was some one thoroughly +acquainted with the house, and that brought to Dick's mind the thought +that he himself, instead of the other man, was the stranger there. + +He came at last to a passage which led to the kitchen, a great room, +because many people were often guests at Bellevue, and here he stopped +short, while his heart suddenly beat hard. A distinct odor coming from +different points suddenly assailed his nostrils. He had smelled it too +often in the last two years to be mistaken. It was smoke, and Bellevue +had been set on fire in several places. + +He inhaled it once or twice and then he saw again the shadowy figure +flitting down to the passage and to a small door that, unnoticed by the +soldiers, opened on the kitchen garden in the rear of the house. + +Dick never acted more promptly. Instantly he fired his pistol into the +ceiling, the report roaring in the confined spaces of the house, and +then shouting with all his might: "Fire! Fire! Fire!" as he dashed down +the passage he ran through the little door, which the intruder had left +open, and pursued him in the darkness and rain into the garden. There +was a flash ahead of him and a bullet whistled past his ear, but he +merely increased his speed and raced in the direction of the flash. As +he ran he heard behind him a tremendous uproar, the voices and tread +of hundreds of soldiers, awakened suddenly, and he knew that they would +rush through Bellevue in search of the fires. + +But it was Dick's impulse to capture the daring intruder who would +destroy the house over their heads. Built of wood, it would burn so +fast, once the torches were set, that the rain would have little effect +upon the leaping flames, unless measures were taken at once, which he +knew that the regiment would do, under such a capable man as Colonel +Winchester. Meanwhile he was hot in pursuit. + +The trail which was not that of footsteps, but of a shadowy figure, ran +between tall and close rows of grapevines so high on wooden framework +that they hid any one who passed. The suspicion that Dick had held at +first was confirmed. This was no stranger, no intruder. He knew every +inch of both house and grounds, and, after having set the house on fire, +he had selected the only line of retreat, but a safe one, through the +thick and lofty vegetation of the garden, which ran down to the edge +of the ravine in the rear, where he could slip quietly under the fence, +drop through the thick grass into the ravine unseen by the pickets, and +escape at his leisure in the darkness. + +Dick was so sure of his theory that he strained every effort to overtake +the figure which was flitting before him like a ghost. In his eagerness +he had forgotten to shout any alarm about the pickets, but it would +have been of no avail, as most of them, under the impulse of alarm, had +rushed forward to help extinguish the fires. + +He saw the fugitive reach the end of the garden, drop almost flat, and +then slip under a broken place in the palings. At an ordinary time +he would have stopped there, but all the instincts of the hunter were +aroused. It was still raining, and he was already soaked. Wet branches +and leaves struck him in the face as he passed, but his energy and +eagerness were undimmed. + +He, too, dropped at the hole under the broken palings and slid forward +face foremost. The wet grass was as slippery as ice, and after he passed +through the hole Dick kept going. Moreover, his speed increased. He had +not realized that the garden went to the very edge of the ravine, and he +was shooting down a steep slope to the depth of thirty feet. He grasped +instinctively at weeds and grass as he made his downward plunge and +fetched up easily at the bottom. + +He sprang to his feet and saw the shadowy fugitive running down the +ravine. In an instant he followed headlong, tripped once or twice on the +wet grass, but was up every time like lightning, and once more in swift +pursuit. The fugitive turned once, raised his pistol and pulled the +trigger again, evidently forgetful that it was empty. When the hammer +snapped on the trigger he uttered a low cry of anger and hurled the +useless weapon into the grass. Then he whirled around and faced Dick, +who was coming on, eager and panting. + +Dick's own pistol was empty and he did not carry his small sword. He +stopped abruptly when the other turned, and, in the dim light and rain, +he saw that his opponent was a young man or rather youth of about his +own size and age. When he saw the lad cast the pistol aside Dick, moved +by some chivalrous impulse, dropped his own in the grass. + +Then the two stared at each other. They were far beyond the line of the +pickets, and as they stood in the deep ravine there was no chance that +any one would either see or hear them. As Dick gazed intently, the face +and figure of his antagonist shaped themselves more distinctly in the +dim light. He beheld before him a tall youth, extremely well built, fair +of face, his brown hair slightly long. He wore rain-soaked civilian's +garb. + +He saw that the youth was panting like himself, but it was not wholly +the result of flight. His face expressed savage anger and indignation. + +"You dirty Yankee!" he said. + +Dick started. No one had ever before addressed him with such venom. + +"If by Yankee you mean loyalty to the Union then I'm one," he said, "and +I'm proud of it. What's more I'm willing to tell who I am. My name is +Richard Mason. I'm from Kentucky, and I'm a lieutenant in the regiment +of Colonel Arthur Winchester, which occupies the building behind us." + +"From Kentucky and consorting with Yankees! A lot of you are doing it, +and you ought to be on our side! We hate you for it more than we do the +real Yankees!" + +"It's our right to choose, and we've chosen. And now, since you're +talking so much about right and wrong, who may you be, Mr. Firebug?" + +Even in the dark Dick saw his opponent's face flush, and his eyes flash +with deadly hostility. + +"My name is Victor Woodville," he replied, "and my father is Colonel +John Woodville, C.S.A. He is the owner of the house in which your +infamous Yankee regiment is encamped." + +"And which you have tried to burn?" + +"I'd rather see it burn than shelter Yankees. You'd burn it anyway later +on. Grant's troops have already begun to use the torch." + +"At any rate you'll go before our colonel. He'll want to ask you a lot +of questions." + +"I'm not going before your colonel." + +"Oh, yes, you are." + +"Who's going to take me?" + +"I am." + +"Then come on and do it." + +Dick advanced warily. Both had regained their breath and strength now. +Dick with two years of active service in the army had the size and +muscles of a man. But so had his opponent. Each measured the other, and +they were formidable antagonists, well matched. + +Dick had learned boxing at the Pendleton Academy, and, as he approached +slowly, looking straight into the eyes of his enemy, he suddenly shot +his right straight for Woodville's chin. The Mississippian, as light on +his feet as a leopard, leaped away and countered with his left, a blow +so quick and hard that Dick, although he threw his head to one side, +caught a part of its force just above his ear. But, guarding himself, he +sprang back, while Woodville faced him, laughing lightly. + +Dick shook his head a little and the singing departed. Just above his +ear he felt a great soreness, but he was cool now. Moreover, he was +losing his anger. + +"First blow for you," he said. "I see that you know how to use your +fists." + +"I hope to prove it." + +Woodville, stepping lightly on his toes and feinting with his left, +caught Dick on his cheek bone with his right. Then he sought to spring +away, but Dick, although staggered, swung heavily and struck Woodville +on the forehead. The Mississippian went down full length on the slippery +grass but jumped to his feet in an instant. Blood was flowing from his +forehead, whence it ran down his nose and fell to the earth, drop by +drop. Dick himself was bleeding from the cut on his cheek bone. + +The two faced each other, cool, smiling, but resolute enemies. + +"First knockdown for you," said Woodville, "but I mean that the second +shall be mine." + +"Go in and try." + +But Woodville drew back a little, and as Dick followed, looking for an +opening he was caught again a heavy clip on the side of the head. He +saw stars and was not able to return the blow, but he sprang back and +protected himself once more with his full guard, while he regained his +balance and strength. + +"Am I a firebug?" asked Woodville tauntingly. + +Dick considered. This youth interested him. There was no denying that +Woodville had great cause for anger, when he found his father's house +occupied by a regiment of the enemy. He considered it defilement. The +right or wrong of the war had nothing to do with it. It was to him a +matter of emotion. + +"I'll take back the epithet 'firebug,'" he said, "but I must stick to my +purpose of carrying you to Colonel Winchester." + +"Always provided you can: Look out for yourself." + +The Mississippian, who was wonderfully agile, suddenly danced in--on his +toes it seemed to Dick--and landed savagely on his opponent's left ear. +Then he was away so quickly and lightly that Dick's return merely cut +the air. + +The Kentuckian felt the blood dripping from another point. His ear, +moreover, was very sore and began to swell rapidly. One less enduring +would have given up, but he had a splendid frame, toughened by incessant +hardship. And, above all, enclosed within that frame was a lion heart. +He shook his head slightly, because a buzzing was going on there, but in +a moment or two it stopped. + +"Are you satisfied?" asked young Woodville. + +"You remember what Paul Jones said: 'I've just begun to fight.'" + +"Was it Paul Jones? Well, I suppose it was. Anyhow, if you feel that way +about it, so do I. Then come on again, Mr. Richard Mason." + +Dick's blood was up. The half-minute or so of talk had enabled him to +regain his breath. Although he felt that incessant pain and swelling in +his left ear, his resolution to win was unshaken. Pride was now added to +his other motives. + +He took a step forward, feinted, parried skillfully, and then stepped +back. Woodville, always agile as a panther, followed him and swung for +the chin, but Dick, swerving slightly to one side, landed with great +force on Woodville's jaw. The young Mississippian fell, but, while Dick +stood looking at him, he sprang to his feet and faced his foe defiantly. +The blood was running down his cheek and dyeing the whole side of his +face. But Dick saw the spirit in his eye and knew that he was far from +conquered. + +Woodville smiled and threw back his long hair from his face. + +"A good one for you. You shook me up," he admitted, "but I don't see any +sign of your ability to carry me to that Yankee colonel, as you boasted +you would do." + +"But I'm going to do it." + +The rain increased and washed the blood from both their faces. It was +dark within the ravine, but they had been face to face so long that they +could read the eyes of each other. Those of Woodville like those of Dick +ceased to express great anger. In the mind of each was growing a respect +for his antagonist. The will to conquer remained, but not the desire to +hate. + +"If you're going to do it, then why don't you?" said Woodville. + +Dick moved slowly forward, still watching the eyes of the Mississippian. +He believed now that Woodville, agile and alert though he might be, had +not fully recovered his strength. There was terrific steam in that last +punch and the head of the man who had received it might well be buzzing +yet. + +Dick then moved in with confidence, but a lightning blow crashed through +his guard, caught him on the chin and sent him to earth. He rose, +though still half-stunned, and saw that the confident, taunting look had +returned to Woodville's face. Fortunate now for Dick that the pure blood +of great woods rangers flowed in his veins, and that he had inherited +from them too an iron frame. His chin was cut and he had seen a thousand +stars. But his eyes cleared and steadily he faced his foe. + +"Do I go with you to your colonel?" asked Woodville, ironically. + +"You do," replied Dick firmly. + +He looked his enemy steadily in the eye again, and he felt a great sense +of triumph. After such severe punishment he was stronger than ever and +he knew it. + +Therefore he must win. He struck heavily, straight for the angle of +Woodville's chin. The Mississippian evaded the blow and flashed in with +his left. But Dick, who was learning to be very wary, dodged it and came +back so swiftly that Woodville was caught and beaten to his knees. + +But the son of the house of Bellevue was still so agile that he was +able to recover his feet and spring away. Dick saw, however, that he was +panting heavily. The blow had taken a considerable part of his remaining +strength. He also saw that his antagonist was regarding him with a +curious eye. + +"You fight well, Yank," said Woodville, "although I ought not to call +you Yank, but rather a traitor, as you're a Kentuckian. Still, I've +put my marks on you. You're bleeding a lot and you'd be a sight if it +weren't for this cleansing rain." + +"I've been putting the map of Kentucky on your own face. You don't look +as much like Mississippi as you did. You'll take notice too that you +didn't burn the house. If you'll glance up the side of this ravine +you'll see just a little dying smoke. Eight hundred soldiers put it out +in short order." + +Woodville's face flushed, and his eyes for the first time since the +beginning of the encounter shone with an angry gleam. But the wrathful +fire quickly died. + +"On the whole, I'm not sorry," he said. "It was an impulse that made me +do it. Our army will come and drive you away, and our house will be our +own again." + +"That's putting it fairly. What's the use of burning such a fine place +as Bellevue? Still, we want you. Our colonel has many questions to ask +you." + +"You can't take me." + +Dick judged that the crucial moment had now come. Woodville was +breathing much more heavily than he was, and seemed to be near +exhaustion. Dick darted boldly in, received a swinging right and left on +either jaw that cut his cheeks and made the blood flow. But he sent his +right to Woodville's chin and the young Mississippian without a sound +dropped to the ground, lying relaxed and flat upon his back, his white +face, streaked with red, upturned to the rain. + +He was so still that Dick was seized with fear lest he had killed him. +He liked this boy who had fought him so well and, grasping him by both +shoulders, he shook him hard. But when he loosed him Woodville fell back +flat and inert. + +Dick heard the waters of a brook trickling down the ravine, and, +snatching off his cap, he ran to it. He filled the cap and returned just +in time to see Woodville leap lightly to his feet and disappear with the +speed of a deer among the bushes. + + + + +CHAPTER II. FORREST + + +Dick dashed after the fugitive, but he had disappeared utterly, and the +dense bushes impeded the pursuer. He was hot and angry that he had been +deluded so cleverly, but then came the consolation that, after all, he +had won in the fistic encounter with an antagonist worthy of anybody. +And after this came a second thought that caused him to halt abruptly. + +He and Woodville had fought it out fairly. Their fists had printed upon +the faces of each other the stamp of a mutual liking. Why should he +strive to take young Woodville before Colonel Winchester? Nothing was +to be gained by it, and, as the Mississippian was in civilian's garb, he +might incur the punishment of a spy. He realized in a flash that, since +he had vindicated his own prowess, he was glad of Woodville's escape. + +He turned and walked thoughtfully back up the ravine. Very little noise +came from the house and the thin spires of smoke had disappeared. He +knew now that the fires had been put out with ease, thanks to his +quick warning. Before starting he had recovered both his own pistol and +Woodville's, and he was particularly glad to find the latter because +it would be proof of his story, if proof were needed. The rain had not +ceased nor had the heavy darkness lifted, but the looming shadow of the +big house was sufficient guide. He found the place where he had slipped +down the bank and the torn bushes and grass showed that he had made a +fine trail. He pulled himself back up by the bushes and reentered the +garden, where he was halted at once by two watchful sentries. + +"Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's staff," he said, +"returning from the pursuit of a fugitive." + +The men knew him and they said promptly: + +"Pass Lieutenant Mason." + +But despite the dark they stared at him very curiously, and when he +walked on toward the piazza one of them muttered to the other: + +"I guess he must have overtook that fugitive he was chasin'." + +Dick walked up the steps upon the piazza, where some one had lighted a +small lamp, near which stood Colonel Winchester and his staff. + +"Here's Dick!" exclaimed Warner in a tone of great relief. + +"And we thought we had lost him," said Colonel Winchester, gladness +showing in his voice. Then he added: "My God, Dick, what have you been +doing to yourself?" + +"Yes, what kind of a transformation is this?" added a major. "You've +certainly come back with a face very different from the one with which +you left us!" + +Dick turned fiery red. He suddenly became conscious that he had a left +ear of enormous size, purple and swollen, that his left eye was closing +fast, that the blood was dripping from cuts on either cheek, that the +blood had flowed down the middle of his forehead and had formed a little +stalactite on the end of his nose, that his chin had been gashed in five +places by a strong fist, and that he had contributed his share to the +bloodshed of the war. + +"If I didn't know these were modern times," said Warner, "I'd say that +he had just emerged from a sanguinary encounter bare-handed in the Roman +arena with a leopard." + +Dick glared at him. + +"It was you who gave the alarm of fire, was it not?" asked Colonel +Winchester. + +"Yes, sir. I saw the man who set the fires and I pursued him through the +garden and into the ravine that runs behind it." + +"Your appearance indicates that you overtook him." + +Dick flushed again. + +"I did, sir," he replied. "I know I'm no beauty at present, but neither +is he." + +"It looks as if it had been a matter of fists?" + +"It was, sir. Both of us fired our pistols, but missed. Then we threw +our weapons to one side and clashed. It was a hard and long fight, sir. +He hit like a pile driver, and he was as active as a deer. But I was +lucky enough to knock him out at last." + +"Then why does your face look like a huge piece of pickled beef?" asked +the incorrigible Warner mischievously. + +"You wait and I'll make yours look the same!" retorted Dick. + +"Shut up," said Colonel Winchester. "If I catch you two fighting I may +have you both shot as an example." + +Dick and Warner grinned good-naturedly at each other. They knew that +Colonel Winchester did not dream of carrying out such a threat, and they +knew also that they had no intention of fighting. + +"And after you knocked him out what happened?" asked the colonel. + +Dick looked sheepish. + +"He lay so still I was afraid he was dead," he replied. "I ran down to +a brook, filled my cap with water, and returned with it in the hope +of reviving him. I got there just in time to see him vanishing in the +bushes. Pursuit was hopeless." + +"He was clever," said the Colonel. "Have you any idea who he was?" + +"He told me. He was Victor Woodville, the son of Colonel John Woodville, +C.S.A., the owner of this house." + +"Ah!" said Colonel Winchester, and then after a moment's thought he +added: "It's just as well he escaped. I should not have known what to do +with him. But we have you, Dick, to thank for giving the alarm. Now, go +inside and change to some dry clothes, if you have any in your baggage, +and if not dry yourself before a fire they're going to build in the +kitchen." + +"Will you pardon me for speaking of something, sir?" + +"Certainly. Go ahead." + +"I think the appearance of young Woodville here indicates the nearness +of Forrest or some other strong cavalry force." + +"You're right, Dick, my officers and I are agreed upon it. I have +doubled the watch, but now get yourself to that fire and then to sleep." + +Dick obeyed gladly enough. The night had turned raw and chill, and the +cold water dripped from his clothes as he walked. But first he produced +Woodville's pistol and handed it to Colonel Winchester. + +"There's my antagonist's pistol, sir," he said. "You'll see his initials +on it." + +"Yes, here they are," said Colonel Winchester: "'V.W., C.S.A.' It's a +fine weapon, but it's yours, Dick, as you captured it." + +Dick took it and went to the kitchen, where the big fire had just begun +to blaze. He was lucky enough to be the possessor of an extra uniform, +and before he changed into it--they slept with their clothes on--he +roasted himself before those glorious coals. Then, as he was putting on +the fresh uniform, Warner and Pennington appeared. + +"What would you recommend as best for the patient, Doctor," said Warner +gravely to Pennington. + +"I think such a distinguished surgeon as you will agree with me that his +wounds should first be washed and bathed thoroughly in cold water." + +"And after that a plentiful application of soothing liniment." + +"Yes, Doctor. That is the best we can do with the simple medicines we +have, but it especially behooves us to reduce the size of that left ear, +or some of the boys will say that we have a case of elephantiasis on our +hands." + +"While you're reducing the size of it you might also reduce the pain in +it," said Dick. + +"We will," said Pennington; "we've got some fine horse liniment here. +I brought it all the way from Nebraska with me, and if it's good for +horses it ought to be good for prize fighters, too. That was surely a +hefty chap who fought you. If you didn't have his pistol as proof I'd +say that he gave you a durned good licking. Isn't this a pretty cut down +the right cheek bone, George?" + +"Undoubtedly, but nothing can take away the glory of that left ear. +Why, if Dick could only work his ears he could fan himself with it +beautifully. When I meet that Woodville boy I'm going to congratulate +him. He was certainly handy with his fists." + +"Go on, fellows," said Dick, good-naturedly. "In a week I won't have a +wound or a sign of a scar. Then I'll remember what you've said to me and +I'll lick you both, one after the other." + +"Patient is growing delirious, don't you think so, Doctor?" said Warner +to Pennington. + +"Beyond a doubt. Violent talk is always proof of it. Better put him to +bed. Spread his two blankets before the fire, and he can sleep there, +while every particle of cold and stiffness is being roasted out of him." + +"You boys are very good to me," said Dick gratefully. + +"It's done merely in the hope that your gratitude will keep you from +giving us the licking you promised," said Pennington. + +Then they left him and Dick slept soundly until he was awakened the next +day by Warner. The fire was out, the rain had ceased long since and the +sun was shining brilliantly. + +"Hop up, Dick," said Warner briskly. "Breakfast's ready. Owing to your +wound we let you sleep until the last moment. Come now, take the foaming +coffee and the luscious bacon, and we'll be off, leaving Bellevue again +to its masters, if they will come and claim it." + +"Has anything happened in the night?" + +"Nothing since you ran your face against a pile driver, but Sergeant +Daniel Whitley, who reads the signs of earth and air and wood and water, +thinks that something is going to happen." + +"Is it Forrest?" + +"Don't know, but it's somebody or something. As soon as we can eat our +luxurious breakfasts we mean to mount and ride hard toward Grant. We're +scouts, but according to Whitley the scouts are scouted, and this is a +bad country to be trapped in." + +Dick was so strong and his blood was so pure that he felt his wounds +but little now. The cuts and bruises were healing fast and he ate with a +keen appetite. He heard then of the signs that Whitley had seen. He had +found two broad trails, one three miles from the house, and the other +about four miles. Each indicated the passage of several hundred men, but +he had no way of knowing whether they belonged to the same force. They +were bound to be Confederate cavalry as Colonel Winchester's regiment +was known to be the only Union force in that section. + +Dick knew their position to be dangerous. Colonel Winchester had done +his duty in discovering that Forrest and Wheeler were raiding through +Mississippi, and that a heavy force was gathering in the rear of Grant, +who intended the siege of Vicksburg. It behooved him now to reach Grant +as soon as he could with his news. + +Refreshed and watchful, the regiment rode away from Bellevue. Dick +looked back at the broad roof and the great piazzas, and then he thought +of young Woodville with a certain sympathy. They had fought a good fight +against each other, and he hoped they would meet after the war and be +friends. + +It was about an hour after sunrise, and the day was bright and warm. The +beads of water that stood on every leaf and blade of grass were drying +fast, and the air, despite its warmth, was pure and bracing. Dick, as +he looked at the eight hundred men, tanned, experienced and thoroughly +armed, under capable leaders, felt that they were a match for any roving +Southern force. + +"Just let Forrest come on," he said. "I know that the Colonel is aching +to get back at him for that surprise in Tennessee, and I believe we +could whip him." + +"You're showing great spirit for a man who was beaten up in the prize +ring as you were last night. I thought you'd want to rest for a few +days." + +"Drop it, George. I did get some pretty severe cuts and bruises, but I +was lucky enough to have the services of two very skillful and devoted +young physicians. Their treatment was so fine that I'm all right +to-day." + +"Unless I miss my guess, we'll need the services of doctors again before +night comes. No mountains are here, but this is a great country for +ambush. It's mostly in forest, and even in the open the grass is already +very tall. Besides, there are so many streams, bayous, and ponds. Notice +how far out on the flanks the skirmishers and scouts are riding, and +others ride just as far ahead." + +Two miles from Bellevue and they came to a small hill, covered with +forest, from the protection of which the officers examined the country +long and minutely, while their men remained hidden among the deep +foliaged trees. Dick had glasses of his own which he put to his eyes, +bringing nearer the wilderness, broken here and there by open spaces +that indicated cotton fields. Yet the forest was so dense and there +was so much of it that a great force might easily be hidden within its +depths only a mile away. + +"Have we any information at all about Forrest's strength?" whispered +Pennington to Dick. + +"His full force isn't down here. It is believed he has not more than a +thousand or twelve hundred men. But he and his officers know the country +thoroughly, and of course the inhabitants, being in full sympathy with +them, will give them all the information they need. The news of every +movement of ours has been carried straight to the rebel general." + +"And yet the country seems to have no people at all. We come to but few +houses, and those few are deserted." + +"So they are. What was that? Did you see it, Frank?" + +"What was what?" + +"I forgot that you are not using glasses. I caught a momentary glitter +in the woods. I think it was a sunbeam passing through the leaves and +striking upon the polished barrel of a rifle. Ah! there it is again! And +Colonel Winchester has seen it too." + +The colonel and his senior officers were now gazing intently at the +point in the wood where Dick had twice seen the gleam, and, keener-eyed +than they, he continued to search the leafy screen through his own +glasses. Soon he saw bayonets, rifles, horses and men advancing swiftly, +and then came two of their own scouts galloping. + +"The enemy is advancing!" they cried. "It's Forrest!" + +A thrill shot through Dick. The name of Forrest was redoubtable, but +he knew that every man in the regiment was glad to meet him again. He +glanced at Colonel Winchester and saw that his face had flushed. He knew +that the colonel was more than gratified at this chance. + +"We'll make our stand here," said Colonel Winchester. "The hill runs to +the right, and, as you see over there, it is covered with forest without +undergrowth. Thus we can secure protection, and at the same time be able +to maneuver, mounted." + +The regiment was posted rapidly in two long lines, the second to fire +between the intervals of the first. They carried carbines and heavy +cavalry sabers, and they were the best mounted regiment in the Northern +service. + +Yet these men, brave and skillful as they were, were bound to feel +trepidation, although they did not show it. They were far in the +Southern forest, cut off from their army, and Forrest, in addition +to his own cavalry, might have brought with him fresh reserves of the +enemy. + +Dick, Warner, and Pennington, as usual, remained close to their colonel, +and Sergeant Daniel Whitley was not far away. But Colonel Winchester +presently rode along the double line of his veterans, and he spoke to +them quietly but with emphasis and conviction: + +"My lads," he said, "you see Forrest's men coming through the woods to +attack us. Forrest is the greatest cavalry leader the South has, west of +the Alleghanies. Some of you were with me when we were surprised and cut +up by him in Tennessee. But you will not be surprised by him now, nor +will you be cut up by him. All of you have become great riders, a match +for Forrest's own, and as I look upon your faces here I know that there +is no fear in a single heart. You have served under Grant, and you have +served under Thomas. They are two generals who always set their faces +toward the front and never turn them toward the rear. You will this day +prove yourselves worthy of Grant and Thomas." + +They were about to cheer, but he checked it with the simple gesture of +a raised hand. Then they did a thing that only a beloved leader could +inspire. Every man in the regiment, resting his carbine across the +pommel of his saddle, drew his heavy cavalry saber and made it whirl in +coils of glittering light about his head. + +The great pulse in Dick's throat leaped as he saw. The long double line +seemed to give back a double flash of flame. Not a word was said, and +then eight hundred sabers rattled together as they were dropped back +into their scabbards. Colonel Winchester's face flushed deeply at the +splendid salute, but he did not speak either. He took off his cap and +swept it in a wide curve to all his men. Then he turned his face toward +the enemy. + +The Southern trumpet was singing in the forest, and the force of +Forrest, about twelve hundred strong, was emerging into view. Dick, +through his glasses, saw and recognized the famous leader, a powerful, +bearded man, riding a great bay horse. He had heard many descriptions of +him and he knew him instinctively. He also recognized the fact that the +Winchester regiment had before it the most desperate work any men could +do, if it beat off Forrest when he came in his own country with superior +numbers. + +Neither side had artillery, not even the light guns that could be +carried horse- or muleback. It must be left to carbine and saber. +Colonel Winchester carefully watched his formidable foe, trying to +divine every trick and expedient that he might use. He had a memory to +avenge. He had news to carry to Grant, and Forrest must not keep +him from carrying it. Moreover, his regiment and he would gain great +prestige if they could beat off Forrest. There would be glory for the +whole Union cavalry if they drove back the Southern attack. Dick saw the +glitter of his colonel's eye and the sharp compression of his lips. + +But the men of Forrest, although nearly within rifle shot, did not +charge. Their bugle sang again, but Dick did not know what the tune +meant. Then they melted away into the deep forest on their flank, and +some of the troop thought they had gone, daunted by the firm front of +their foe. + +But Dick knew better. Forrest would never retreat before an inferior +force, and he was full of wiles and stratagems. Dick felt like a +primitive man who knew that he was being stalked by a saber-toothed +tiger through the dense forest. + +Colonel Winchester beckoned to Sergeant Whitley. "Pick a half-dozen +sharp-eyed men," he said, "and ride into those woods. You're experienced +in this kind of war, Whitley, and before you go tell me what you think." + +"General Forrest, sir, besides fighting as a white man fights, fights +like an Indian, too; that is, he uses an Indian's cunning, which is +always meant for ambush and surprise. He isn't dreaming of going away. +They're coming back through the thick woods." + +"So I think. But let me know as soon as you can." + +Ten minutes after the sergeant had ridden forward with his comrades they +heard the sound of rapid rifle shots, and then they saw the little band +galloping back. + +"They're coming, sir," reported the sergeant. "Forrest has dismounted +several hundred of his men, and they are creeping forward from tree to +tree with their rifles, while the others hold their horses in the rear." + +"Then it's an Indian fight for the present," said Colonel Winchester. +"We'll do the same." + +He rapidly changed his lines of battle. The entire front rank was +dismounted, while those behind held their horses. The four hundred in +front, spreading out in as long a line as possible in order to protect +their flanks, took shelter behind the trees and awaited the onset. + +The attack was not long in coming. The Southern sharpshooters, creeping +from tree to tree, began to fire. Scores of rifles cracked and Dick, +from a convenient place behind a tree, saw the spouts of flame appearing +along a line of four or five hundred yards. Bullets whizzed about him, +and, knowing that he would not be needed at present for any message, he +hugged the friendly bark more tightly. + +"It's lucky we have plenty of trees," said a voice from the shelter of +the tree next to him. "We have at least one for every officer and man." + +It was Warner who spoke and he was quite cheerful. Like Colonel +Winchester, he seemed to look forward to the combat with a certain joy, +and he added: + +"You'll take notice, Dick, old man, that we've not been surprised. +Forrest hasn't galloped over us as he did before. He's taking the +trouble to make the approach with protected riflemen. Now what is the +sergeant up to?" + +Sergeant Whitley, after whispering a little with Colonel Winchester, +had stolen off toward the right with fifty picked riflemen. When they +reached the verge of the open space that lay between the two sides they +threw themselves down in the thick, tall grass. Neither Dick nor Warner +could see them now. They beheld only the stems of the grass waving as if +under a gentle wind. But Dick knew that the rippling movement marked the +passage of the riflemen. + +Meanwhile the attack in their front was growing hotter. At least six +or seven hundred sharpshooters were sending a fire which would have +annihilated them if it had not been for the trees. As it was, fragments +of bark, twigs, and leaves showered about them. The whistling of the +bullets and their chugging as they struck the trees made a continuous +sinister note. + +The Union men were not silent under this fire. Their own rifles were +replying fast, but Colonel Winchester continually urged them to take +aim, and, while death and wounds were inflicted on the Union ranks, the +Southern were suffering in the same manner. + +Dick turned his eyes toward the right flank, where the fifty picked +riflemen, Sergeant Whitley at their head, were crawling through the +tall grass. He knew that they were making toward a little corner of the +forest, thrust farther forward than the rest, and presently when the +rippling in the grass ceased he was sure that they had reached it. Then +the fifty rifles cracked together and the Southern flank was swept by +fifty well-aimed bullets. Lying in their covert, Whitley's men reloaded +their breech-loading rifles and again sent in a deadly fire. + +The main Northern force redoubled its efforts at the same time. The men +in blue sent in swarms of whistling bullets and Dick saw the front line +of the South retreating. + +"We're rousing the wolves from their lairs," explained Pennington +exultantly as he sprang from his tree, just in time for a bullet to send +his hat flying from his head. Fortunately, it clipped only a lock of +hair, but he received in a good spirit Warner's admonishing words: + +"Don't go wild, Frank. We've merely repelled the present attack. You +don't think that Forrest with superior forces is going to let us alone, +do you?" + +"No, I don't," replied Pennington, "and don't you get behind that tree. +It's mine, and I'm coming back to it. I've earned it. I held it against +all kinds of bullets. Look at the scars made on each side of it by rebel +lead." + +The firing now died. Whitley's flank movement had proved wholly +successful, and Colonel Winchester reinforced him in the little forest +peninsula with fifty more picked men, where they lay well hidden, a +formidable force for any assailant. + +The silence now became complete, save for the stamping of the impatient +horses and the drone of insects in the woods and grass. Dick, lying +on his stomach and using his glasses, could see nothing in the forest +before them. It was to him in all its aspects an Indian battle, and he +believed in spite of what Warner had said that the enemy had retired +permanently. + +Colonel Winchester and all the officers rose to their feet presently and +walked among the trees. No bullets came to tell them that they were +rash and then the senior officers held a conference, while all the men +remounted, save a dozen or so who would ride no more. But the colonel +did not abate one whit of his craft or caution. + +They resumed the march toward Grant, but they avoided every field or +open space. They would make curves and lose time in order to keep in the +dense wood, but, as Dick knew, Colonel Winchester still suspected that +Forrest was hovering somewhere on his flank, covered by the great forest +and awaiting a favorable opportunity to attack. + +They approached one of the deep and narrow streams that ultimately +find their way to the Mississippi. It had only one ford, and the scouts +galloping back informed them that the farther shore was held by a +powerful force of cavalry. + +"It's Forrest," said Colonel Winchester with quiet conviction. "Knowing +every path of the woods, they've gone ahead of us, and they mean to cut +us off from Grant. Nevertheless we'll make a way." + +He spoke firmly, but the junior officers of the staff did not exactly +see how they were going to force a ford defended by a larger number of +cavalry under the redoubtable Forrest. + +"I didn't think Forrest would let us alone, and he hasn't," said +Pennington. + +"No, he hasn't," said Warner, "and it seems that he's checkmated us, +too. Why, that river is swollen by the rains so much that it's a hard +job to cross it if no enemy were on the other side. But you'll note, +also, that the enemy, having got to the other side, can't come back +again in our face to attack us." + +"But we want to go on and they don't," said Dick. "They're satisfied +with the enforced status quo, and we're not. Am I right, Professor?" + +"You certainly are," replied Warner. "Now, our colonel is puzzled, as +you can tell by his looks, and so would I be, despite my great natural +military talents." + +The Winchester regiment fell back into the woods, leaving the two +forces out of rifle shot of each other. Sentinels were posted by both +commanders not far from the river and the rest, dismounting, took their +ease, save the officers, who again went into close conference. + +Afterward they sat among the trees and waited. It was low ground, with +the earth yet soaked from the heavy rain of the night before, and the +heat grew heavy and intense. The insects began to drone again, and once +more mosquitoes made life miserable. But the soldiers did not complain. +It was noon now, and they ate food from their knapsacks. Two springs of +clear water were found a little distance from the river and all drank +there. Then they went back to their weary waiting. + +On the other side of the river they could see the dismounted troopers, +playing cards, sleeping or currying their horses. They seemed to be in +no hurry at all. Colonel Winchester sent divisions of scouts up and down +the stream, and, both returning after a while, reported that the river +was not fordable anywhere. + +Colonel Winchester sat down under a tree and smoked his pipe. The longer +he smoked the more corrugated his brow became. He looked angrily at the +ford, but it would be folly to attempt a passage there, and, containing +himself as best he could, he waited while the long afternoon waned. His +men at least would get a good rest. + +Dick and his comrades, selecting the dryest place they could find, +spread their blankets and lay down. Protecting their faces from the +mosquitoes with green leaves, they sank into a deep quiet. Dick even +drowsed for a while. He could not think of a way out of the trap, and +he was glad it was the duty of older men like Colonel Winchester and the +majors and captains to save them. + +The heat of the day increased with the coming of afternoon, and Dick's +eyelids grew heavier. He had become so thoroughly hardened to march and +battle that the presence of the enemy on the other side of a river did +not disturb him. What was the use of bothering about the rebels as long +as they did not wish to fire upon one? + +His eyes closed for a few minutes, and then his dreaming mind traversed +space with incredible rapidity. He was back in Pendleton, sitting on +the portico with his mother, watching the flowers on the lawn nod in the +gentle wind. His cousin Harry Kenton saluted him with a halloo and came +bounding toward the porch, and the halloo caused Dick to awake and sit +up. He rubbed his eyes violently and looked around a little bit ashamed. +But two captains older than himself were sound asleep with their backs +against trees. + +Dick stood up and shook himself violently. Whatever others might do he +must not allow himself to relax so much. He saw that the sun was slowly +descending and that the full heat of the afternoon was passing. Colonel +Winchester had withdrawn somewhat among the trees and he beckoned to +him. Sergeant Whitley was standing beside the colonel. + +"Dick," said Colonel Winchester, "colored men have brought us news that +Colonel Grierson of our army, with a strong raiding force of nearly two +thousand cavalry is less than a day's march away and on the same side +of this river that we are. We have received the news from three separate +sources and it must be true. Probably Forrest's men know it, too, but +expect Grierson to pass on, wholly ignorant that we're here. I have +chosen you and Sergeant Whitley to bring Grierson to our relief. The +horses are ready. Now go, and God speed you. The sergeant will tell you +what we know as you ride." + +Dick sprang at once into the saddle, and with a brief good-bye he and +the sergeant were soon in the forest riding toward the southeast. Dick +was alive and energetic again. All that laziness of mind and body was +gone. He rode on a great ride and every sense was alert. + +"Tell me," he said, "just about what the news is." + +"Three men," replied the sergeant, "came in at different times with +tales, but the three tales agree. Grierson has made a great raid, even +further down than we have gone. He has more than double our numbers, and +if we can unite with him it's likely that we can turn Forrest into the +pursued instead of the pursuer. They say we can hit his trail about +twenty-five miles from here, and if that's so we'll bring him up to the +ford by noon to-morrow. Doesn't it look promising to you, Lieutenant +Mason?" + +"It does look promising, Sergeant Whitley, if we don't happen to be +taken by the Johnnies who infest this region. Besides, you'll have to +guide through the dark to-night. You're trained to that sort of thing." + +"You can see pretty well in the dark yourself, sir; and since our way +lies almost wholly through forest I see no reason why we should be +captured." + +"That's so, sergeant. I'm just as much of an optimist as you are. You +keep the course, and I'm with you to the finish." + +They rode rather fast at first as the sun had not yet set, picking their +way through the woods, and soon left their comrades out of sight. The +twilight now came fast, adding a mournful and somber red to the vast +expanse of wilderness. The simile of an Indian fight returned to Dick +with increased force. This was not like any battle with white men in +the open fields. It was a combat of raiders who advanced secretly under +cover of the vast wilderness. + +The twilight died with the rapidity of the South, and the darkness, +thick at the early hours, passed over the curve of the earth. For a time +Dick and the sergeant could not see many yards in front and they rode +very slowly. After a while, as the sky lightened somewhat and their eyes +also grew keen, they made better speed. Then they struck a path through +the woods leading in the right direction, and they broke into a trot. + +The earth was so soft that their horses' feet gave back but little +sound, and both were confident they would not meet any enemy in the +night at least. + +"Straight southeast," said the sergeant, "and we're bound to strike +Grierson's tracks. After that we'd be blind if we couldn't follow the +trail made by nearly two thousand horsemen." + +The path still led in the direction they wished and they rode on +silently for hours. Once they saw a farmhouse set back in the woods, and +they were in fear lest dogs come out and bark alarm, but there was no +sound and they soon left it far behind. + +They passed many streams, some of which were up to their saddle girths, +and then they entered a road which was often so deep in mud that they +were compelled to turn into the woods on the side. But no human being +had interfered with their journey, and their hopes rose to the zenith. + +They came, finally, into an open region of cotton fields, and the +sergeant now began to watch closely for the great trail they hoped to +find. A force as large as Grierson's would not attempt a passage through +the woods, but would seek some broad road and Sergeant Whitley expected +to find it long before morning. + +It was now an hour after midnight and they reckoned that they had come +about the right distance. There was a good moon and plenty of stars and +the sergeant gave himself only a half-hour to find the trail. + +"There's bound to be a wide road somewhere among these fields, the kind +we call a county road." + +"It's over there beyond that rail fence," said Dick. They urged their +horses into a trot, and soon found that Dick was right. A road of red +clay soft from the rains stretched before them. + +"A man doesn't have to look twice here for a trail. See," said the +sergeant. + +The road from side to side was plowed deep with the hoofs of horses, +every footprint pointing northward. + +"Grierson's cavalry," said Dick. + +"I take it that it can't be anything else. There is certainly in these +parts no rebel force of cavalry large enough to make this trail." + +"How old would you say these tracks are?" + +"Hard to tell, but they can't have been made many hours ago. We'll press +forward, lieutenant, and we can save time going through the fields on +the edge of the road." + +Although they had to take down fences they made good speed and just +as the sun was rising they saw the light of a low campfire among some +trees, lining either bank of a small creek. They approached warily, +until they saw the faded blue uniforms. Then they galloped forward, +shouting that they were friends, and in a few minutes were in the +presence of Grierson himself. + +He had been making a great raid, but he was eager now for the +opportunity to strike at Forrest. He must give his horses a short rest, +and then Dick and the sergeant should guide him at speed to the ford +where the opposing forces stood. + +"It's twenty-five miles, you tell me?" said Grierson to Dick. + +"As nearly as I can calculate, sir. It's through swampy country, but I +think we ought to be there in three or four hours." + +"Then lead the way," said Grierson. "Like your colonel, I'll be glad to +have a try at Forrest." + +Sergeant Whitley rode in advance. A lumberman first and then a soldier +of the plains, he had noted even in the darkness every landmark and he +could lead the way back infallibly. But he warned Grierson that such a +man as Forrest would be likely to have out scouts, even if they had to +swim the river. It was likely that they could not get nearer by three or +four miles to Colonel Winchester without being seen. + +"Then," said Grierson, who had the spirit of a Stuart or a Forrest, +"we'll ride straight on, brushing these watchers out of our way, and if +by any chance their whole force should cross, we'll just meet and fight +it." + +"The little river is falling fast," said the sergeant. "It's likely that +it'll be fordable almost anywhere by noon." + +"Then," said Grierson, "it'll be all the easier for us to get at the +enemy." + +Dick, just behind Grierson, heard these words and he liked them. Here +was a spirit like Colonel Winchester's own, or like that of the great +Southern cavalry leaders. The Southerners were born on horseback, but +the Northern men were acquiring the same trick of hard riding. Dick +glanced back at the long column. Armed with carbine and saber the men +were riding their trained horses like Comanches. Eager and resolute +it was a formidable force, and his heart swelled with pride and +anticipation. He believed that they were going to give Forrest all he +wanted and maybe a little more. + +Up rose the sun. Hot beams poured over forest and field, but the +cavalrymen still rode fast, the scent of battle in their nostrils. Dick +knew that these Southern streams, flooded by torrents of rain, rose fast +and also fell fast. + +"How much further now, sergeant?" asked Grierson, as they turned from a +path into the deep woods. + +"Not more than three miles, sir." + +"And they know we're coming. Listen to that!" + +Several rifles cracked among the trees and bullets whizzed by them. +Forrest's skirmishers and scouts were on the south side of the stream. +As they had foreseen, the river had sunk so much that it was fordable +now at many points. Dick was devoutly grateful that they had found +Grierson. Otherwise the Winchester regiment would have been flanked, and +its destruction would have followed. + +Skirmishers were detached from Grierson's command and drove off the +Southern riflemen. Dick heard the rattling fire of their rifles in the +deep wood, but he seldom saw a figure. Then he heard another fire, heavy +and continuous, in their front, coming quite clearly on a breeze that +blew toward them. + +"Your whole regiment is engaged," exclaimed Grierson. "Forrest must have +forded the river elsewhere!" + +He turned and shook aloft his saber. + +"Forward, lads!" he shouted. "Gallant men of our own army will be +overwhelmed unless we get up in time!" + +The whole force broke into a gallop through the woods, the fire in their +front rapidly growing heavier. In ten minutes they would be there, but +rifles suddenly blazed from the forest on their flank and many saddles +were emptied. Nothing upsets like surprise, and for a few moments the +whole command was in disorder. It was evident that Forrest was attacking +Winchester with only a part of his force, while he formed an ambush for +Grierson. + +But the Northern cavalrymen had not learned in vain through disaster and +experience. Grierson quickly restored order and drew his men back into +the forest. As the enemy followed the Northern carbines began to flash +fast. The troopers in gray were unable to flank them or drive them back. +Grierson, sure of his superior numbers, pushed on toward Winchester, +while fighting off the foe at the same time. + +Dick and the sergeant kept in the van, and presently they came within +sight of Colonel Winchester's men, who, dismounted, were holding off as +best they could the overwhelming attack of Forrest. The Southern leader, +after sending the majority of his men to a new crossing lower down had +forced the ford before the Winchester regiment, and would have crushed +it if it had not been for the opportune arrival of Grierson. + +But a tremendous cheer arose as the Northern cavalry leader, who was +already proving his greatness, charged into the battle with his grim +troopers. The men in blue were now more numerous, and, fighting with the +resolve to win or die, they gradually forced back Forrest. Dick began to +foresee a victory won over the great Southern cavalryman. + +But the astute Forrest, seeing that the odds were now heavily against +him, ordered a retreat. The trumpets sang the recall and suddenly +the Southern horsemen, carrying their dead with them, vanished in the +forest, where the Northern cavalry, fearful of ambushes and new forces, +did not dare to pursue. + +But Winchester and Grierson were shaking hands, and Winchester thanked +the other in brief but emphatic words. + +"Say no more, colonel," exclaimed Grierson. "We're all trying to serve +our common country. You'd help me just the same if we had the chance, +and I think you'll find the road clear to Grant. While the siege of +Vicksburg was determined on long ago, as you know, I believe that he is +now moving toward Grand Gulf. You know he has to deal with the armies of +Johnston and Pemberton." + +"We'll find him," said Winchester. + +A quarter of an hour later his regiment was galloping toward Grant, +while Grierson's command rode eastward to deal with other forces of the +Confederacy. + + + + +CHAPTER III. GRANT MOVES + + +The Winchester regiment had not suffered greatly. A dozen men who had +fallen were given speedy burial, and all the wounded were taken away on +horseback by their friends. Dick rejoiced greatly at their escape from +Forrest, and the daring and skill of Grierson. He felt anew that he was +in stronger hands in the West than he had been in the East. In the East +things seemed to go wrong nearly always, and the West they seemed to +go right nearly always. It could not be chance continued so long. He +believed in his soul that it was Grant, the heroic Thomas, and the great +fighting powers of the western men, used to all the roughness of life +out-of-doors and on the border. + +They turned their course toward the Mississippi and that afternoon they +met a Union scout who told them that Grant, now in the very heart of the +far South, was gathering his forces for a daring attack upon Grand +Gulf, a Confederate fortress on the Mississippi. In the North and at +Washington his venture was regarded with alarm. There was a telegram +to him to stop, but it was sent too late. He had disappeared in the +Southern wilderness. + +But Dick understood. He had both knowledge and intuition. Colonel +Winchester on his long and daring scout had learned that the Confederate +forces in the South were scattered and their leaders in doubt. Grant, +taking a daring offensive and hiding his movements, had put them on the +defensive, and there were so many points to defend that they did not +know which to choose. Joe Johnston, just recovered from his wound at +Fair Oaks the year before, and a general of the first rank, was coming, +but he was not yet here. + +Meanwhile Pemberton held the chief command, but he seemed to lack energy +and decision. There were forces under other generals scattered along the +river, including eight thousand commanded by Bowen, who held Grand Gulf, +but concert of action did not exist among them. + +This knowledge was not Dick's alone. It extended to every man in +the regiment, and when the colonel urged them to greater speed they +responded gladly. + +"If we don't ride faster," he said, "we won't be up in time for the +taking of Grand Gulf." + +No greater spur was needed and the Winchester regiment went forward as +fast as horses could carry them. + +"I take it that Grant means to scoop in the Johnnies in detail," said +Warner. + +"It seems so," said Pennington. "This is a big country down here, and we +can fight one Confederate army while another is mired up a hundred miles +away. + +"That's General Grant's plan. He doesn't look like any hero of romance, +but he acts like one. He plunges into the middle of the enemy, and if he +gets licked he's up and at 'em again right away." + +Night closed in, and they stopped at an abandoned plantation--it seemed +to Dick that the houses were abandoned everywhere--where they spent the +night. The troopers would have willingly pushed on through the darkness, +but the horses were so near exhaustion that another hour or two would +have broken them down permanently. Moreover, Colonel Winchester did not +feel much apprehension of an attack now. Forrest had certainly turned +in another direction, and they were too close to the Union lines to be +attacked by any other foe. + +The house on this plantation was not by any means so large and fine as +Bellevue, but, like the other, it had broad piazzas all about it, and +Dick, in view of his strenuous experience, was allowed to take his +saddle as a pillow and his blankets and go to sleep soon after dark in a +comfortable place against the wall. + +Never was slumber quicker or sweeter. There was not an unhealthy tissue +in his body, and most of his nerves had disappeared in a life amid +battles, scoutings, and marchings. He slept heavily all through the +night, inhaling new strength and vitality with every breath of the +crisp, fresh air. There was no interruption this time, and early in the +morning the regiment was up and away. + +They descended now into lower grounds near the Mississippi. All around +them was a vast and luxuriant vegetation, cut by sluggish streams and +bayous. But the same desolation reigned everywhere. The people had fled +before the advance of the armies. Late in the afternoon they saw pickets +in blue, then the Mississippi, and a little later they rode into a Union +camp. + +"Dick," said Colonel Winchester, "I shall want you to go with the senior +officers and myself to report to General Grant on the other side of the +Mississippi. You rode on that mission to Grierson and he may want to ask +you questions." + +Dick was glad to go with them. He was eager to see once more the man who +had taken Henry and Donelson and who had hung on at Shiloh until Buell +came. The general's tent was in a grove on a bit of high ground, and he +was sitting before it on a little camp stool, smoking a short cigar, and +gazing reflectively in the direction of Grand Gulf. + +He greeted the three officers quietly but with warmth and then he +listened to Colonel Winchester's detailed account of what he had seen +and learned in his raid toward Jackson. It was a long narrative, showing +how the Southern forces were scattered, and, as he listened, Grant's +face began to show satisfaction. + +But he seldom interrupted. + +"And you think they have no large force at Jackson?" he said. + +"I'm quite sure of it," replied Colonel Winchester. + +Grant chewed his cigar a little while and then said: + +"Grierson is doing well. It was an achievement for you and him to beat +off Forrest. It will raise the prestige of our cavalry, which needs it. +I believe it was you, Lieutenant Mason, who brought Grierson." + +"It was chiefly, sir, a sergeant named Whitley. I rode with him and +outranked him, but he is a veteran of the plains, and it was he who did +the real work." + +The general's stern features were lightened by a smile. + +"I'm glad you give the sergeant credit," he said. "Not many officers +would do it." + +He listened a while longer and then the three were permitted to withdraw +to their regiment, which was posted back of Grand Gulf, and which had +quickly become a part of an army flushed with victory and eager for +further action. + +Before sunset Dick, Warner, and Pennington looked at Grand Gulf, a +little village standing on high cliffs overlooking the Mississippi, +just below the point where the dark stream known as the Big Black River +empties into the Father of Waters. Around the crown of the heights was a +ring of batteries and lower down, enclosing the town, was another ring. + +Far off on the Mississippi the three saw puffing black smoke marking +the presence of a Union fleet, which never for one instant in the whole +course of the war relaxed its grip of steel upon the Confederacy. Dick's +heart thrilled at the sight of the brave ships. He felt then, as most of +us have felt since, that whatever happened the American navy would never +fail. + +"I hear the ships are going to bombard," said Warner. + +"I heard so, too," said Pennington, "and I heard also that they will +have to do it under the most difficult circumstances. The water in front +of Grand Gulf is so deep that the ships can't anchor. It has a swift +current, too, making at that point more than six knots an hour. There +are powerful eddies, too, and the batteries crowning the cliffs are +so high that the cannon of the gunboats will have trouble in reaching +them." + +"Still, Mr. Pessimist," said Dick, "remember what the gunboats did at +Fort Henry. You'll find the same kind of men here." + +"I wasn't trying to discourage you. I was merely telling the worst +first. We're going to win. We nearly always win here in the West, but it +seems to me the country is against us now. This doesn't look much like +the plains, Dick, with its big, deep rivers, its high bluffs along the +banks, and its miles and miles of swamp or wet lowlands. How wide would +you say the Mississippi is here?" + +"Somewhere between a mile and a mile and a half." + +"And they say it's two or three hundred feet deep. Look at the steamers, +boys. How many are there?" + +"I count seven pyramids of smoke," said Warner, "four in one group and +three in another. All the pyramids are becoming a little faint as the +twilight is advancing. Dick, you call me a cold mathematical person, but +this vast river flowing in its deep channel, the dark bluffs up there, +and the vast forests would make me feel mighty lonely if you fellows +were not here. It's a long way to Vermont." + +"Fifteen hundred or maybe two thousand miles," said Dick, "but look +how fast the dark is coming. I was wrong in saying it's coming. It just +drops down. The smoke of the steamers has melted into the night, and you +don't see them any more. The surface of the river has turned black as +ink, the bluffs of Grand Gulf have gone, and we've turned back three or +four hundred years." + +"What do you mean by going back three or four hundred years?" asked +Warner, looking curiously at Dick. + +"Why, don't you see them out there?" + +"See them out there? See what?" + +"Why, the queer little ships with the high sides and prows! On my soul, +George, they're the caravels of Spain! Look, they're stopping! Now they +lower something in black over the side of the first caravel. I see a man +in a black robe like a priest, holding a cross in his hand and standing +at the ship's edge saying something. I think he's praying, boys. Now +sailors cut the ropes that hold the dark object. It falls into the river +and disappears. It's the burial of De Soto in the Father of Waters which +he discovered!" + +"Dick, you're dreaming," exclaimed Pennington. + +"Yes, I know, but once there was a Chinaman who dreamed that he was a +lily. When he woke up he didn't know whether he was a Chinaman who had +dreamed he was a lily or a lily now dreaming he was a Chinaman." + +"I like that story, Dick, but you've got too much imagination. The tale +of the death and burial of De Soto has always been so vivid to you that +you just stood there and re-created the scene for yourself." + +"Of course that's it," said Pennington, "but why can't a fellow create +things with his mind, when things that don't exist jump right up before +his eyes? I've often seen the mirage, generally about dark, far out on +the western plains. I've seen a beautiful lake and green gardens where +there was nothing but the brown swells rolling on." + +"I concede all you say," said Dick readily. "I have flashes sometimes, +and so does Harry Kenton and others I know." + +"Flashes! What do you mean?" asked Warner. + +"Why, a sort of lightning stroke out of the past. Something that lasts +only a second, but in which you have a share. Boys, one day I saw myself +a Carthaginian soldier following Hannibal over the Alps." + +"Maybe," said Pennington, "we have lived other lives on this earth, and +sometimes a faint glimpse of them comes to us. It's just a guess." + +"That's so," said Warner, "and we'd better be getting back to the +regiment. Grand Gulf defended by Bowen and eight thousand good men is +really enough for us. I think we're going to see some lively fighting +here." + +The heavy boom of a cannon from the upper circle of batteries swept over +the vast sheet of water flowing so swiftly toward the Gulf. The sound +came back in dying echoes, and then there was complete silence among +besieged and besiegers. + +The Winchesters had found a good solid place, a little hill among the +marshes, and they were encamped there with their horses. Dick had no +messages to carry, but he remained awake, while his comrades slept +soundly. He had slept so much the night before that he had no desire for +sleep now. + +From his position he could see the Confederate bluffs and a few lights +moving there, but otherwise the two armies were under a blanket of +darkness. He again felt deeply the sense of isolation and loneliness, +not for himself alone, but for the whole army. Grant had certainly shown +supreme daring in pushing far into the South, and the government at +Washington had cause for alarm lest he be reckless. If there were any +strong hand to draw together the forces of the Confederacy they could +surely crush him. But he had already learned in this war that those who +struck swift and hard were sure to win. That was Stonewall Jackson's +way, and it seemed to be Grant's way, too. + +Still unable to sleep, he walked to a better position, where he could +see the shimmering dark of the river and the misty heights with their +two circles of cannon. A tall figure standing there turned at his tread +and he recognized Colonel Winchester. + +"Uneasy at our position, Dick?" said the colonel, fathoming his mind at +once. + +"A little, sir, but I think General Grant will pull us through." + +"He will, Dick, and he'll take this fort, too. Grant's the hammer we've +been looking for. Look at his record. He's had backsets, but in the end +he's succeeded in everything he's tried. The Confederate government and +leaders have made a mess of their affairs in the West and Southwest, and +General Grant is taking full advantage of it." + +"Do we attack in the morning, sir?" + +"We do, Dick, though not by land. Porter, with his seven gunboats, is +going to open on the fort, but it will be a hazardous undertaking." + +"Because of the nature of the river, sir?" + +"That's it. They can't anchor, and with full steam up, caught in all the +violent eddies that the river makes rounding the point, they'll have to +fire as best they can." + +"But the gunboats did great work at Fort Henry, sir." + +"So they did, Dick, and we've come a long way South since then, which +means that we're making progress and a lot of it here in the West. Well, +we'll see to-morrow." + +They walked back to their own camp and sleep came to Dick at last. But +he awoke early and found that the thrill of expectation was running +through the whole army. Their position did not yet enable them to attack +on land, but far out on the river they saw the gunboats moving. Porter, +the commander, divided them into two groups. Four of the gunboats were +to attack the lower circle of batteries and three were to pour their +fire upon the upper ring. + +Dick by day even more than by night recognized the difficulty of the +task. Before them flowed the vast swift current of the Mississippi, +gleaming now in the sunshine, and beyond were the frowning bluffs, +crested and ringed with cannon. Grant had with him twenty thousand men +and his seven gunboats, and Bowen, eight thousand troops. But if the +affair lasted long other Southern armies would surely come. + +Dick and his comrades had little to do but watch and thousands watched +with them. When the sun was fully risen the seven boats steamed out in +two groups, four farther down the river in order to attack the lower +batteries, while the other three up the stream would launch their fire +against those on the summit. + +He watched the crest of the cliffs. He saw plainly through his glasses +the muzzles of cannon and men moving about the batteries. Then there +was a sudden blaze of fire and column of smoke and a shell struck in the +water near one of the gunboats. The boat replied and its comrades also +sent shot and shell toward the frowning summit. Then the batteries, both +lower and upper, replied with full vigor and all the cliffs were wrapped +in fire and smoke. + +The boats steamed in closer and closer, pouring an incessant fire from +their heavy guns, and both rings of batteries on the cliffs responded. +The water of the river spouted up in innumerable little geysers and now +and then a boat was struck. Over both cliffs and river a great cloud +of smoke lowered. It grew so dense that Dick and his comrades, watching +with eagerness, were unable to tell much of what was happening. + +Yet as the smoke lifted or was shot through with the blaze of cannon +fire they saw that their prophecies were coming true. The boats in water +too deep for anchorage were caught in the powerful eddies and their +captains had to show their best seamanship while they steamed back and +forth. + +The battle between ship and shore went on for a long time. It seemed at +last to the watching Union soldiers that the fire from the lower line of +batteries was diminishing. + +"We're making some way," said Warner. + +"It looks like it," said Dick. "Their lower batteries are not so well +protected as the upper." + +"If we were only over there, helping with our own guns." + +"But there's a big river in between, and we've got to leave it to the +boats for to-day, anyhow." + +"Look again at those lower batteries. Their fire is certainly +decreasing. I can see it die down." + +"Yes, and now it's stopped entirely. The boats have done good work!" + +A tremendous cheer burst from the troops on the west shore as they saw +how much their gallant little gunboats had achieved. Every gun in the +lower batteries was silent now, but the top of the cliffs was still +alive with flame. The batteries there were far from silent. Instead +their fire was increasing in volume and power. + +The four gunboats that had silenced the lower batteries now moved up to +the aid of their comrades, and the seven made a united effort, steaming +forward in a sort of half-moon, and raining shot and shell upon the +summits. But the guns there, well-sheltered and having every advantage +over rocking steamers, maintained an accurate and deadly fire. The +decks of the gunboats were swept more than once. Many men were killed or +wounded. Heavy shot crashed through their sides, and Dick expected every +instant to see some one of them sunk by a huge exploding shell. + +"They can't win! They can't win!" he exclaimed. "They'd better draw off +before they're sunk!" + +"So they had," said Warner sadly. "Boats are at a disadvantage fighting +batteries. The old darky was right when he preferred a train wreck to a +boat wreck, 'ef the train's smashed, thar you are on the solid ground, +but ef the boat blows up, whar is you?' That's sense. The boats are +retiring! It's sad, but it's sense. A boat that steams away will live to +fight another day." + +Dick was dejected. He fancied he could hear the cheering of their foes +at what looked like a Union defeat, but he recalled that Grant, the +bulldog, led them. He would never think of retiring, and he was sure to +be ready with some new attempt. + +The gunboats drew off to the far western shore and lay there, puffing +smoke defiantly. Their fight with the batteries had lasted five hours +and they had suffered severely. It seemed strange to Dick that none of +them had been sunk, and in fact it was strange. All had been hit many +times, and one had been pierced by nearly fifty shot or shell. Their +killed or wounded were numerous, but their commanders and crews were +still resolute, and ready to go into action whenever General Grant +wished. + +"Spunky little fellows," said Pennington. "We don't have many boats out +where I live, but I must hand a bunch of laurel to the navy every time." + +"And you can bind wreaths around the hair of those navy fellows, too," +said Warner, "and sing songs in their honor whether they win or lose." + +"Now I wonder what's next," said Dick. + +To their surprise the gunboats opened fire again just before sundown, +and the batteries replied fiercely. Rolling clouds of smoke mingled +with the advancing twilight, and the great guns from either side flashed +through the coming darkness. Then from a stray word or two dropped +by Colonel Winchester Dick surmised the reason of this new and rather +distant cannonade. + +He knew that General Grant had transports up the river above Grand Gulf, +and he believed that they were now coming down the stream under cover of +the bombardment and the darkness. He confided his belief to Warner, who +agreed with him. Presently they saw new coils of smoke in the darkness +and knew they were right. The transports, steaming swiftly, were soon +beyond the range of the batteries, and then the gun boats, drawing off, +dropped down the river with them. + +Long before the boats reached a point level with Grant's camp the army +was being formed in line for embarkation on the gunboats and transports. +The horses were to be placed on one or two of the transports and the men +filled all the other vessels. + +"You can't down Grant," said Pennington. "A failure with him merely +means that he's going to try again." + +"But don't forget the navy and the Father of Waters," said Dick, as +their transports swung from the shore upon the dark surface of the +river. "The mighty rivers help us. Look how we went up the Cumberland +and the Tennessee and now we've harnessed a flowing ocean for our +service." + +"Getting poetical, Dick," said Warner. + +"I feel it and so do you. You can't see the bluffs any more. There's +nothing in sight, but the lights of the steamers and the transports. We +must be somewhere near the middle of the stream, because I can't make +out either shore." + +There were two regiments aboard the transport, the Winchester and one +from Ohio, which had fought by their side at both Perryville and Stone +River. Usually these boys chattered much, but now they were silent, +permeated by the same feelings that had overwhelmed Dick. In the +darkness--all lights were concealed as much as possible--with both banks +of the vast river hidden from them, they felt that they were in very +truth afloat upon a flowing ocean. + +They knew little about their journey, except that they were destined for +the eastern shore, the same upon which Grand Gulf stood, but they did +not worry about this lack of knowledge. They were willing to trust to +Grant, and most of them were already asleep, upon the decks, in the +cabins, or in any place in which a human body could secure a position. + +Dick did not sleep. The feeling of mystery and might made by the +tremendous river remained longer in his sensitive and imaginative +nature. His mind, too, looked backward. He knew that the great +grandfathers of Harry Kenton and himself, the famous Henry Ware and the +famous Paul Cotter, had passed up and down this monarch of streams. +He knew of their adventures. How often had he and his cousin, who now, +alas! was on the other side, listened to the stories of those mighty +days as they were handed from father to son! Those lads had floated +in little boats and he was on a steamer, but it seemed to him that the +river with its mighty depths took no account of either, steamer or canoe +being all the same to its vast volume of water. + +He was standing by the rail looking over, when happening to glance back +he saw by the ship's lantern what he thought was a familiar face. A +second glance and he was sure. He remembered that fair-haired Ohio lad, +and, smiling, he said: + +"You're one of those Ohio boys who, marching southward from its mouth +in the Ohio, drank the tributary river dry clear to its source, the +mightiest achievement in quenching thirst the world has ever known. +You're the boy, too, who told about it." + +The youth moved forward, gazed at him and said: + +"Now I remember you, too. You're Dick Mason of the Winchester regiment. +I heard the Winchesters were on board, but I haven't had time to look +around. It was hot when we drank up the river, but it was hotter that +afternoon at Perryville. God! what a battle! And again at Stone +River, when the Johnnies surprised us and took us in flank. It was you +Kentuckians then who saved us." + +"Just as you would have saved us, if it had been the other way." + +"I hope so. But, Mason, we left a lot of the boys behind. A big crowd +stopped forever at Perryville, and a bigger at Stone River." + +"And we left many of ours, too. I suppose we'll land soon, won't we, and +then take these Grand Gulf forts with troops." + +"Yes, that's the ticket, but I hear, Mason, it's hard to find a landing +on the east side. The banks are low there and the river spreads out to +a vast distance. After the boats go as far as they can we'll have to get +off in water up to our waists and wade through treacherous floods." + +The question of landing was worrying Grant at that time and worrying him +terribly. The water spread far out over the sunken lands and he might +have to drop down the river many miles before he could find a landing on +solid ground, a fact which would scatter his army along a long line, and +expose it to defeat by the Southern land forces. But his anxieties were +relieved early in the morning when a colored man taken aboard from a +canoe told him of a bayou not five miles below Grand Gulf up which his +gunboats and transports could go and find a landing for the troops on +solid ground. + +Dick was asleep when the boats entered the bayou, but he was soon +awakened by the noise of landing. It was then that most of the +Winchester and of the Ohio regiment discovered that they were comrades, +thrown together again by the chances of war, and there was a mighty +welcome and shaking of hands. But it did not interfere with the rapidity +of the landing. The Winchester regiment was promptly ordered forward +and, advancing on solid ground, took a little village without firing a +shot. + +All that day troops came up and Grant's army, after having gone away +from Grand Gulf in darkness, was coming back to it in daylight. + +"They say that Pemberton at Vicksburg could gather together fifty +thousand men and strike us, while we've only twenty thousand here," said +Pennington. + +"But he isn't going to do it," said Warner. "How do I know? No, I'm not +a prophet nor the son of a prophet. There's nothing mysterious about +it. This man Grant who leads us knows the value of time. He makes up his +mind fast and he acts fast. The Confederate commander doesn't do either. +So Grant is bound to win. Let z equal resolution and y equal speed and +we have z plus y which equals resolution and speed, that is victory." + +"I hope it will work out that way," said Dick, "but war isn't altogether +mathematics." + +"Not altogether, but that beautiful study plays a great part in every +campaign. People are apt to abuse mathematics, when they don't know what +they're talking about. The science of mathematics is the very basis of +music, divine melody, heaven's harmony." + +"You needn't tell me," said Pennington, "that a plus b and z minus y +lie at the basis of 'Home, Sweet Home' and the 'Star Spangled Banner.' +I accept a lot of your tales because you come from an old state like +Vermont, but there's a limit, George." + +Warner looked at him pityingly. + +"Frank," he said, "I'm not arguing with you. I'm telling you. Haven't +you known me long enough to accept whatever I say as a fact, and to +accept it at once and without question? Not to do so is an insult to me +and to the truth. Now say over slowly with me: 'The basis of music is +mathematics.'" + +They said slowly together: + +"The basis of music is mathematics." + +"Now I accept your apologies," said Warner loftily. + +Pennington laughed. + +"You're a queer fellow, George," he said. "When this war is over and I +receive my general's uniform I'm coming up into the Vermont mountains +and look your people over. Will it be safe?" + +"Of course, if you learn to read and write by then, and don't come +wearing your buffalo robe. We're strong on education and manners." + +"Why, George," said Pennington in the same light tone, "I could +read when I was two years old, and, as for writing, I wrote a lot of +text-books for the Vermont schools before I came to the war." + +"Shut up, you two," said Dick. "Don't you know that this is a war and +not a talking match?" + +"It's not a war just now, or at least there are a few moments between +battles," retorted Warner, "and the best way I can use them is in +instructing our ignorant young friend from Nebraska." + +Their conversation was interrupted by Colonel Winchester, who ordered +the regiment to move to a new point. General Grant had decided to attack +a little town called Port Gibson, which commanded the various approaches +to Grand Gulf. If he could take that he might shut up Bowen and his +force in Grand Gulf. On the other hand, if he failed he might be shut +in himself by Confederate armies gathering from Jackson, Vicksburg, and +elsewhere. The region, moreover, was complicated for both armies by the +mighty Mississippi and the Big Black River, itself a large stream, and +there were deep and often unfordable bayous. + +But Grant showed great qualities, and Dick, who was experienced enough +now to see and know, admired him more than ever. He pushed forward with +the utmost resolution and courage. His vanguard, led by McClernand, and +including the Winchester regiment, seized solid ground near Port Gibson, +but found themselves confronted by a formidable Southern force. Bowen, +who commanded in Grand Gulf, was brave and able. Seeing the Union army +marching toward his rear, and knowing that if Grant took it he would be +surrounded, both on land and water, by a force outnumbering his nearly +three to one, he marched out at once and took station two miles in front +of Port Gibson. + +Dick was by the side of Colonel Winchester as he rode forward. The faint +echo of shots from the skirmishers far in front showed that they had +roused up an enemy. Glasses were put in use at once. + +"The Confederates are before us," said Colonel Winchester. + +"So they are, and we're going to have hard fighting," said a major. +"Look what a position!" + +Dick said nothing, but he was using his glasses, too. He saw before him +rough ground, thickly sown with underbrush. There was also a deep ravine +or rather marsh choked with vines, bushes, reeds, and trees that like a +watery soil. The narrow road divided and went around either end of the +long work, where the two divisions united again on a ridge, on which +Bowen had placed his fine troops and artillery. + +"I don't see their men yet, except a few skirmishers," said Dick. + +"No, but we'll find them in some good place beyond it," replied Colonel +Winchester, divining Bowen's plan. + +It was night when the army in two divisions, one turning to the right +and the other to the left, began the circuit of the great marshy ravine. +Dick noticed that the troops who had struggled so long in mud and water +were eager. Here, west of the Alleghanies, the men in blue were always +expecting to win. + +The sky was sown with stars, casting a filmy light over the marching +columns. Dick was with the troops passing to the right, and he observed +again their springy and eager tread. + +Nor was the night without a lively note. Skirmishers, eager riflemen +prowling among the bushes, fired often at one another, and now and then +a Union cannon sent a shell screaming into some thick clump of forest, +lest a foe be lurking there for ambush. + +The reports of the rifles and cannon kept every one alert and watchful. +Early in the night while it was yet clear Dick often saw the flashes +from the firing, but, as the morning hours approached, heavy mists began +to rise from that region of damp earth and great waters. He shivered +more than once, and on the advice of Sergeant Whitley wrapped his +cavalry cloak about him. + +"Chills and fever," said the sergeant sententiously. "So much water and +marsh it's hard to escape it. The sooner we fight the better." + +"Well, that's what General Grant thinks already," said Dick; "so I +suppose he doesn't need chills and fever to drive him on. All the same, +Sergeant, I'll wrap up as you say." + +All the men in the Winchester regiment were soon doing the same. The +mists of the Mississippi, the Big Black and the bayous were raw and +cold, although it would be hot later on. But the period of coldness did +not last long. Soon the low sun showed in the east and the warm daylight +came. In the new light they saw the Confederate forces strongly posted +on the ridge where the halves of the road rejoined. As the Union column +came into view a cannon boomed and a shell burst in the road so near +that dirt was thrown upon them as it exploded and one man was wounded. +At the same time the column on the left under Osterhaus appeared, having +performed its semicircle about the marsh, and the whole Union army, +weary of body but eager of soul, pressed forward. The Winchester +regiment and the Ohio regiment beside it charged hotly, but were +received with a fire of great volume and accuracy that swept them from +the road. Another battery on their far left also raked them with a cross +fire, and so terrible was their reception that they were compelled to +abandon some of their own cannon and seek shelter. + +The Winchester regiment, except the officers, were not mounted in this +march, as Grant would not wait for their horses, which were on another +transport. The very fact saved from death many who would have made a +more shining target. Dick's own horse was killed at the first fire, +and as he leaped clear to escape he went down to his waist in a marsh, +another fact which saved his life a second time as the new volleys swept +over his head. The horses of other officers also were killed, and the +remainder, finding themselves such conspicuous targets, sprang to the +ground. The frightened animals, tearing the reins from their hands, +raced through the thickets or fell into the marsh. + +All the time Dick heard the shells and bullets shrieking and whining +over his head. But, regaining his courage and presence of mind, he +slowly pulled himself out of the marsh, taking shelter behind a huge +cypress that grew at its very edge. As he dashed the mud out of his eyes +he heard a voice saying: + +"Don't push! There's room enough here for the three of us. In fact, +there's room enough behind the big trees for all the officers." + +It was Warner who was speaking with such grim irony, and Pennington by +his side was hugging the tree. Shells and shot shrieked over their heads +and countless bullets hummed about them. The soldiers also had taken +shelter behind the trees, and Warner's jest about the officers was +a jest only. Nevertheless the Southern fire was great in volume and +accuracy. Bowen was an able commander with excellent men, and from +his position that covered the meeting of the roads he swept both Union +columns with a continuous hail of death. + +"We must get out of this somehow," said Dick. "If we're held here in +these swamps and thickets any longer the Johnnies can shoot us down at +their leisure." + +"But we won't be held!" exclaimed Pennington. "Look! One of our brigades +is through, and it's charging the enemy on the right!" + +It was Hovey who had forced his way through a thicket, supposed to be +impenetrable, and who now, with a full brigade behind him, was rushing +upon Bowen's flank. Then, while the Southern defense was diverted to +this new attack, the Winchester and the Ohio regiment attacked in front, +shouting with triumph. + +Hovey's rush was overpowering. He drove in the Southern flank, taking +four cannon and hundreds of prisoners, but the dauntless Confederate +commander, withdrawing his men in perfect order, retreated to a second +ridge, where he took up a stronger position than the first. + +Resolute and dangerous, the men in gray turned their faces anew to the +enemy and sent back a withering fire that burned away the front ranks +of the Union army. Osterhaus, in spite of every effort, was driven back, +and the Winchesters and their Ohio friends were compelled to give ground +too. It seemed that the utmost of human effort and defiance of death +could not force the narrow passage. + +But a new man, a host in himself, came upon the field. Grant, who had +been on foot for two days, endeavoring to get his army through the +thickets and morasses, heard the booming of the cannon and he knew that +the vanguards had clashed. He borrowed a cavalry horse and, galloping +toward the sound of the guns, reached the field at mid-morning. Grant +was not impressive in either figure or manner, but the soldiers had +learned to believe in him as they always believe in one who leads them +to victory. + +A tremendous shout greeted his coming and the men, snatching off their +hats and caps, waved them aloft. Grant took no notice but rapidly +disposed his troops for a new and heavier battle. Dick felt the strong +and sure hand over them. The Union fire grew in might and rapidity. +McPherson arrived with two brigades to help Osterhaus, and the +strengthened division was able to send a brigade across a ravine, where +it passed further around Bowen's flank and assailed him with fury. + +Dick felt that their own division under McClernand was also making +progress. Although many men were falling they pressed slowly forward, +and Grant brought up help for them too. For a long time the struggle was +carried on. It was one of the little battles of the war, but its results +were important and few were fought with more courage and resolution. +Bowen, with only eight thousand against twenty thousand, held fast +throughout all the long hot hours of the afternoon. Grant, owing to the +nature of the field, was unable to get all his numbers into battle at +once. + +But when the twilight began to show Dick believed that victory was at +hand. They had not yet driven Bowen out, but they were pressing him +so close and hard, and Grant was securing so many new positions of +advantage, that the Southern leader could not make another such fight +against superior numbers in the morning. + +Twilight turned into night and Bowen and his men, who had shown so much +heroism, retreated in the dark, leaving six guns and many prisoners as +trophies of the victors. + +It was night when the battle ceased. Cannon and rifles flashed at fitful +intervals, warning skirmishers to keep away, but after a while they +too ceased and the Union army, exhausted by the long march of the night +before and the battle of the day, threw itself panting upon the ground. +The officers posted the sentinels in triple force, but let the remainder +of the men rest. + +As Dick lay down in the long grass two or three bullets dropped from +his clothes and he became conscious, too, that a bullet had grazed his +shoulder. But these trifles did not disturb him. It was so sweet to +rest! Nothing could be more heavenly than merely to lie there in the +long, soft grass and gaze up at the luminous sky, into which the stars +now stole to twinkle down at him peacefully. + +"Don't go to sleep, Dick," said a voice near him. "I admit the +temptation is strong. I feel it myself, but General Grant may have to +send you and me forward to-night to win another battle." + +"George, I'm glad to hear your preachy voice over there. Hurt any?" + +"No. A million cannon balls brushed my right cheek and another million +brushed my left cheek, but they didn't touch me. They scared me to +death, but in the last few minutes I've begun to come back to life. In a +quarter of an hour I'll be just as much alive as I ever was." + +"Do you know anything of Pennington?" + +"Yes. The rascal is lying about six feet beyond me, sound asleep. In +spite of all I could do he wouldn't stay awake. I've punched him all +over to see if he was wounded, but as he didn't groan at a single punch, +he's all right." + +"That being the case, I'm going to follow Pennington's example. You may +lecture me as much as you please, George, but you'll lecture only the +night, because I'll be far away from here in a land of sweet dreams." + +"All right, if you're going to do it, I will too. You'll hear my snore +before I hear yours." + +Both sank in a few minutes into a deep slumber, and when they awoke the +next morning they found that Bowen had abandoned Port Gibson and had +retreated into Grand Gulf again. There was great elation among the lads +and Dick began to feel that the position of the Union army in the far +South was strengthened immeasurably. He heard that Sherman, who had +stood so staunchly at Shiloh, was on his way to join Grant. Their united +forces would press the siege of Grand Gulf and would also turn to strike +at any foe who might approach from the rear. + +Never since the war began had Dick felt so elated as he did that +morning. When he saw the short, thick-set figure of Grant riding by +he believed that the Union, in the West at least, had found its man at +last. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. DICK'S MISSION + + +The night came down warm and heavy. Spring was far advanced in that +Southern region, and foliage and grass were already rich and heavy. +Dick, from his dozing position beside a camp fire, saw a great mass of +tall grass and green bushes beyond which lay the deep waters of a still +creek or bayou. The air, although thick and close, conduced to rest and +the peace that reigned after the battle was soothing to his soul. + +His friends, the two lads, who were knitted to him by so many hardships +and dangers shared, were sound asleep, and he could see their tanned +faces when the light of the flickering fires fell upon them. Good +old Warner! Good old Pennington! The comradeship of war knitted youth +together with ties that never could be broken. + +He moved into an easier position. He lay upon the soft turf and he had +doubled his blanket under his head as a pillow. At first the droning +noises of camp or preparation had come from afar, but soon they ceased +and now the frogs down by the sluggish waters began to croak. + +It was a musical sound, one that he had heard often in his native state, +and, singularly enough, the lad drew encouragement from it. "Be of good +cheer! Be of good cheer! Trust in the future! Trust in the future!" said +all those voices down among the swamps and reeds. And then Dick said +to himself: "I will trust and I will have hope!" He remembered his last +glimpse of Grant's short, strong figure and the confidence that this man +inspired in him. He, with tens of thousands of others, Abraham Lincoln +at their head, had been looking for a man, they had looked long and in +vain for such a man, but Dick was beginning to believe that they had +found him at last. + +It would take much of a man to stand before the genius of Lee, but it +might be Grant. Dick's faith in the star of his country, shattered so +often for the moment, began to rise that night and never sank again. + +He fell asleep to the homely music of the frogs among the reeds, and +slept without stir until nearly dawn. + +Just as the first strip of gray showed in the east Colonel Winchester +walked toward the spot where Dick and his comrades lay. The colonel had +not slept that night. His fine face was worn and thin, but the blue eyes +were alight with strength and energy. He had just left a conference of +high officers, and he came upon a mission. He reached the three lads, +and looked down at them with a sort of pity. He knew that it was his +duty to awake them at once and send them upon a perilous errand, but +they were so young, and they had already been through so much that he +hesitated. + +He put his hand upon Dick's shoulder and shook him. But it took more +than one shake to awaken the lad, and it was fully a minute before he +opened his eyes and sat up. Dick conscious but partly and rubbing his +sleepy eyes, asked: + +"What is it? Are we to go into battle again? Yes, sir! Yes, sir! I'm +ready!" + +"Not that, Dick, but I've orders for you." + +Dick now awoke completely and saw that it was Colonel Winchester. He +sprang to his feet and saluted. + +"We'll wake up Warner and Pennington next," said the colonel, "because +they go also on the kind of duty to which you're assigned." + +"I'm glad of that," said Dick warmly. + +Warner and Pennington were aroused with difficulty, but, as soon as +they realized that Colonel Winchester was before them and that they were +selected for a grave duty, they became at once keen and alert. + +"Lads," said the colonel briefly, "you've all felt that we're now led by +a great commander. But energy and daring on the part of a leader demand +energy and daring on the part of his men. General Grant is about to +undertake a great enterprise, one that demands the concentration of his +troops. I want you, Warner, to go to General Sherman with this dispatch, +and here is one for you, Pennington, to take to General Banks." + +He paused a moment and Dick asked: + +"Am I to be left out?" + +Colonel Winchester smiled. + +He liked this eagerness on the part of his boys, and yet there was +sadness in his smile, too. Young lieutenants who rode forth on errands +often failed to come back. + +"You're included, Dick," he said, "and I think that yours is the most +perilous mission of them all. Pennington, you and Warner can be making +ready and I'll tell Dick what he's to do." + +The Vermonter and the Nebraskan hurried away and Colonel Winchester, +taking Dick by the arm, walked with him beyond the circle of firelight. + +"Dick," he said gently, "they asked me to choose the one in my command +whom I thought most fit for this duty to be done, and I've selected you, +although I'm sending you into a great peril." + +Dick flushed with pride at the trust. Youth blinded him at present to +its perils. + +"Thank you, sir," he said simply. + +"You will recall Major Hertford, who was with us in Kentucky before the +Shiloh days?" + +"I could not forget him, sir. One of our most gallant officers." + +"You speak truly. He is one of our bravest, and also one of our ablest. +I speak of him as Major Hertford, but he has lately been promoted to the +rank of colonel, and he is operating toward the East with a large body +of cavalry, partly in conjunction with Grierson, who saved us at the +ford." + +"And you want me to reach him, sir!" + +"You've divined it. He is near Jackson, the capital of this state, and, +incidentally, you're to discover as much as you can about Jackson and +the Confederate dispositions in that direction. We wish Hertford to join +General Grant's advance, which will presently move toward Jackson, and +we rely upon you to find him." + +"I'll do it, if he's to be found at all," said Dick fervently. + +"I knew it, but, Dick, you're to go in your uniform. I'll not have you +executed as a spy in case you're taken. Nor are you to carry any written +message to Colonel Hertford. He knows you well, and he'll accept your +word at once as truth. Now, this is a ride that will call for woodcraft +as well as soldiership." + +"I start at once, do I not, sir?" + +"You do. Warner and Pennington are ready now, and your own horse is +waiting for you. Here is a small map which I have reason to believe is +accurate, at least fairly so, although few of our men know much of this +country. But use it, lad, as best you can." + +It was a sheet of thick fibrous paper about six inches square and, after +a hasty glance at it, Dick folded it up carefully and put it in his +pocket. Warner and Pennington appeared then, mounted and armed and ready +to tell him good-bye. He and Colonel Winchester watched them a moment +or two as they rode away, and then an orderly appeared with Dick's +own horse, a fine bay, saddled, bridled, saddlebags filled with food, +pistols in holsters, and a breech-loading rifle strapped to the saddle. + +"I've made your equipment the best I could," said Colonel Winchester, +"and after you start, lad, you must use your own judgment." + +He wrung the hand of the boy, for whom his affection was genuine and +deep, and Dick sprang into the saddle. + +"Good-bye, colonel," he said, "I thank you for this trust, and I won't +fail." + +It was not a boast. It was courage speaking from the heart of youth and, +as Dick rode out of the camp on his good horse, he considered himself +equal to any task. He felt an enormous pride because he was chosen for +such an important and perilous mission, and he summoned every faculty to +meet its hardships and dangers. + +He had the password, and the sentinels wished him good luck. So did the +men who were gathering firewood. One, a small, weazened fellow, gave him +an envious look. + +"Wish I was going riding with you," he said. "It's fine in the woods +now." + +Dick laughed through sheer exuberance of spirits. + +"Maybe it is and maybe it isn't," he said. "Perhaps the forest is filled +with rebel sharpshooters." + +"If you ride toward Jackson you're likely to strike Confederate bands." + +"I didn't say where I'm going, but you may be certain I'll keep a watch +for those bands wherever I may be." + +The little man was uncommonly strong nevertheless, as he carried on his +shoulder a heavy log which he threw down by one of the fires, but Dick, +absorbed in his journey, forgot the desire of the soldier to be riding +through the forest too. + +He soon left the camp behind. He looked back at it only once, and beheld +the luminous glow of the campfires. Then the forest shut it out and he +rode on through a region almost abandoned by its people owing to the +converging armies. He did not yet look at his map, because he knew that +he would soon come into the main road to Jackson. It would be sufficient +to determine his course then. + +Dick was not familiar with the farther South, which was a very different +region from his own Kentucky. His home was a region of firm land, hills +and clear streams, but here the ground lay low, the soil was soft and +the waters dark and sluggish. But his instincts as a woodsman were +fortified by much youthful training, and he felt that he could find the +way. + +It gave him now great joy to leave the army and ride away through the +deep woods. He was tired of battle and the sight of wounds and death. +The noises of the camp were painful to his ear, and in the forest he +found peace. + +He was absolutely alone in his world, and glad of it. The woods were in +all the depth and richness of a Southern spring. Vast masses of green +foliage billowed away to right and left. Great festoons of moss hung +from the oaks, and trailing vines wrapped many of the trees almost to +their tops. Wild flowers, pink, yellow and blue, unknown by name to +Dick, bloomed in the open spaces. + +The air of early morning was crisp with the breath of life. He had come +upon a low ridge of hard ground, away from the vast current and low, +sodden shores of the Mississippi. Here was a clean atmosphere, and the +forest, the forest everywhere. A mockingbird, perched on a bough almost +over his head, began to pour forth his liquid song, and from another far +away came the same song like an echo. Dick looked up but he could not +see the bird among the branches. Nevertheless he waved his hand toward +the place from which the melody came and gave a little trill in reply. +Then he said aloud: + +"It's a happy omen that you give me. I march away to the sound of +innocent music." + +Then he increased his speed a little and rode without stopping until he +came to the main road to Jackson. There he examined his map upon which +were marked many rivers, creeks, lagoons and bayous, with extensive +shaded areas meaning forests. In the southeastern corner of the map was +Jackson, close to which he meant to go. + +He rode on at a fair pace, keeping an extremely careful watch ahead and +on either side of the road. He meant to turn aside soon into the woods, +but for the present he thought himself safe in the road--it was not +likely that Southern raiders would come so near to the Union camp. + +His feeling of peace deepened. He was so far away now that no warlike +sound could reach him. Instead the song of the mockingbird pursued +him. Dick, full of youth and life, began to whistle the tune with the +songster, and his horse perhaps soothed too by the rhythm broke into the +gentle pace which is so easy for the rider. + +It was early dawn, and the west was not yet wholly light. The east was +full of gold, but the silver lingered on the opposite horizon, and +the hot sun of Mississippi did not yet shed its rays over the earth. +Instead, a cool breeze blew on Dick's face, and the quick blood was +still leaping in his veins. The road dipped down and he came to a brook, +which was clear despite its proximity to the mighty yellow trench of the +Mississippi. + +He let his horse drink freely, and, while he drank, he surveyed the +country as well as he could. On his left he saw through a fringe of +woods a field of young corn and showing dimly beyond it a small house. +Unbroken forest stretched away on his right, but in field as well as +forest there was no sign of a human being. + +He studied his map again, noting the great number of water courses, +which in the spring season were likely to be at the flood, and, for +the first time, he realized the extreme difficulty of his mission. +Mississippi was in the very heart of the Confederacy. He could not +expect any sympathetic farmers to help him or show him the way. More +likely as he advanced toward Jackson he would find the country swarming +with the friends of the Confederacy, and to pass through them would +demand the last resource of skill and courage. Perhaps it would have +been wiser had he put on citizens clothes and taken his chances as a +spy! He did not know that Colonel Winchester would have ordered the +disguise had the one who rode on this most perilous mission been any +other than he. + +The realization brought with it extreme caution. Growing up in a country +which was still mainly in forest, not differing much from its primitive +condition, save for the absence of Indians and big game, he had learned +to be at home in the woods, and now he turned from the path, riding +among the trees. + +He kept a course some distance from the road, where he was sheltered +by the deep foliage and could yet see what was passing along the main +artery of travel. The ground at times was spongy, making traveling hard, +and twice his horse swam deep creeks. He would have turned into the road +at these points but the bridges were broken down and he had no other +choice. + +The morning waned, and the coolness departed. The sun hung overhead, +blazing hot, and the air in the forest grew dense and heavy. He would +have been glad to turn back into the road, in the hope of finding a +breeze in the open space, but caution still kept him in the forest. +He soon saw two men in brown jeans riding mules, farmers perhaps, but +carrying rifles on their shoulders, and, drawing his horse behind a big +tree, he waited until they passed. + +They rode on unseeing and he resumed his journey, to stop an hour later +and eat cold food, while he permitted his horse to graze in an opening. +He had seen only three houses, one a large colonial mansion, with the +smoke rising from several chimneys, and the others small log structures +inhabited by poor farmers, but nobody was at work in the fields. + +When he resumed the journey he was thankful that he had kept to the +woods as a body of Confederate cavalry, coming out of a path from the +north, turned into the main road and advanced at a good pace toward +Jackson. They seemed to be in good spirits, as he could hear them +talking and laughing, but he was glad when they were out of sight as +these Southerners had keen eyes and a pair of them might have discerned +him in the brush. + +He went deeper into the woods and made another long study of his map. It +seemed to him now that he knew every hill and lagoon and road and path, +and he resolved to ride a straight course through the forest. There +was a point, distinctly marked north of Jackson, where he was to find +Hertford if he arrived in time, or to wait for him if he got there ahead +of time, and he believed that with the aid of the map he could reach it +through the woods. + +He rode now by the sun and he saw neither path nor fields. He was in the +deep wilderness once more. The mockingbirds sang around him again and +through the rifts in the leaves he saw the sailing hawks seeking their +prey. Three huge owls sitting in a row on a bough slept undisturbed +while he passed. He took it as an omen that the wilderness was deserted, +and his confidence was strong. + +But the firm ground ceased and he rode through a region of swamps. The +hoofs of his horse splashed through mud and water. Now and then a snake +drew away its slimy length and Dick shuddered. He could not help it. +Snakes, even the harmless, always gave him shivers. + +The wilderness now had an evil beauty. The vegetation was almost +tropical in its luxuriance, but Dick liked better the tender green of +his more northern state. Great beds of sunflowers nodded in the light +breeze. Vast masses of vines and creepers pulled down the trees, and +on many of the vines deep red roses were blooming. Then came areas +of solemn live oaks and gloomy cypresses, where no mockingbirds were +singing. + +He rode for half a mile along a deep lagoon or bayou, he did not know +which, and saw hawks swoop down and draw fish from its dark surface. +The whole scene was ugly and cruel, and he was glad when he left it and +entered the woods again. Once he thought he heard the mellow voice of a +negro singing, but that was the only sound, save the flitting of small +wild animals through the undergrowth. + +He came, mid-afternoon, to a river, which he made his horse swim boldly +and then entered forest that seemed more dense than ever. But the ground +here was firmer and he was glad of a chance to rest both himself and his +mount. He dismounted, tethered the horse and stretched his own limbs, +weary from riding. + +It was a pretty little glade, surrounded by high forest, fitted for rest +and peace, but his horse reared suddenly and tried to break loose. There +was a heavy crashing in the undergrowth and a deer, wild with alarm, +darting within a dozen feet of Dick, disappeared in the forest, running +madly. + +He knew there were many deer in the Mississippi woods, but he was +observant and the flight aroused his attention. His first thought that +he and his horse had scared the deer could not be true, because it had +come from a point directly behind and had rushed past them. Then its +alarm must have been caused by some other human being near by in the +forest or by a panther. His theory inclined to the human being. + +Dick was troubled. The more he thought of the incident the less he liked +it. He made no effort to hide from himself the dangers that surrounded +him in the land of the enemy, and remounting he rode briskly forward. As +the ground was firm and the forest was free enough from undergrowth to +permit of speed he finally broke into a gallop which he maintained for a +half-hour. + +He struck marsh again and was a long time in passing through it. But +when he was a half-mile on the other side he drew into a dense cluster +of bushes and waited. He could not get the flight of the deer out of +his mind, and knowing that it was well in the wilderness to obey +premonitions he watched more closely. + +Dick sat on his horse behind the bush a full five minutes, and presently +he became conscious that his heart was pounding heavily. He exerted his +will and called himself foolish, but in vain. The flight of the deer +persisted in his mind. It was a warning that somebody else was in the +woods not far behind him, and, while he waited, he saw a shadow among +the trees. + +It was only a shadow, but it was like the figure of a man. A single +glimpse and he was gone. The stranger, whoever he was, had darted back +in the undergrowth. Dick waited another five minutes, but the shadow did +not reappear. He felt a measure of relief because all doubts were gone +now. He was sure that he was followed, but by whom? + +He knew that his danger had increased manifold. Some Southern scout or +skirmisher had discovered his presence and, in such a quest, the trailer +had the advantage of the trailed. Yet he did not hesitate. He knew his +general direction and, shifting the pistols from the saddle-holsters to +his belt he again urged his horse forward. + +When they came to good ground he walked, leading his mount, as the +animal was much exhausted by the effort the marshes needed. But whenever +the undergrowth grew dense he stopped to look and listen. He did not see +the shadow and he heard nothing save the ordinary sounds of the woods, +but either instinct or imagination told him that the stranger still +followed. + +The sun was far down the westward slope, but it was still very hot +in the woods. There was no breeze. Not a leaf, nor a blade of grass +stirred. Dick heard his heart still pounding. The unseen pursuit--he had +no doubt it was there--was becoming a terrible strain upon his nerves. +The perspiration ran down his face, and he sought with angry eyes for a +sight of the fellow who presumed to hang upon his tracks. + +He began to wonder what he would do when the night came. There would be +no rest, no sleep for him, even in the darkness. Twice he curved from +his course and hid in the undergrowth to see his pursuer come up, but +there was nothing. Then he reasoned with himself. He had not really seen +the flitting figure of a man. It was merely the effect of an alarmed +imagination, and he told himself to ride straight on, looking ahead, not +back. But reason again yielded to instinct and he curved once more into +the deep forest, where the tangle of vines and undergrowth also was so +thick that it would take a keen eye to find him. + +Dick looked back along the path which he had come and he was confident +that he saw some of the tall bushes shake a little. It could not be +wind, because the air was absolutely still, and soon he was convinced +that his instinct had been right all the time. Fancy had played him no +trick and the shadow that he had seen was a human figure. + +He felt with all the force of conviction that he was in great danger, +but he did not know what to do. So he did nothing, but sat quietly on +his horse among the bushes. The heat was intense there and innumerable +flies, gnats, and mosquitoes assailed him. The mosquitoes were so fierce +that they drew blood from his face a half-dozen times. + +Alone in the heat of the deep marshy wilderness he felt fear more than +in battle. Danger threatened here in a mysterious, invisible fashion and +he could only wait. + +He saw a bush move again, but much nearer, and then came the crack of +a rifle. If his horse, alarmed perhaps, had not thrown up his head +suddenly, and received the bullet himself the lad's career would have +ended there. + +The horse made a convulsive leap, then staggered for a few seconds, +giving his rider time to spring clear, and fell among the bushes. +Dick dropped down behind him and quickly unstrapped the rifle from the +saddle, meaning to use the animal's body as a breastwork against renewed +attack. + +His fear, the kind of fear that the bravest feel, had been driven away +by rage. The killing of his innocent horse, although the bullet was +intended for him, angered him as much as if he had received a wound +himself. The spirit of his ancestor, the shrewd and wary Indian fighter, +descended upon him again, and, lying upon his stomach behind the horse, +with the rifle ready he was anxious for the attack to come. + +Dick was firmly convinced that he had but a single enemy. Otherwise he +would have been attacked in force earlier, and more than one shot would +have been fired. But the report of the rifle was succeeded by deep +silence. The forest was absolutely still, not a breath of wind stirring. +His enemy remained invisible, but the besieged youth was confident that +he was lying quiet, awaiting another chance. Dick, still hot with anger, +would wait too. + +But other enemies were far more reckless than the hidden marksman. The +swarm of gnats, flies, and mosquitoes assailed him again and he could +have cried out in pain. His only consolation lay in the fact that the +other man might be suffering just as much. + +He was aware that his enemy might try a circling movement in order to +reach him on the flank or from behind, but he believed that his ear +would be keen enough to detect him if he came near. Moreover he lay in +a slight dip with the body of the horse in front of him, and it would +require an uncommon sharpshooter to reach him with a bullet. If he could +only stand those terrible mosquitoes an hour he felt that he might get +away, because then the night would be at hand. + +He saw with immense relief that the sun was already very low. The +heat, gathered in the woods, was at its worst, and over his head the +mosquitoes buzzed and buzzed incessantly. It seemed to him a horrible +sort of irony that he might presently be forced from his shelter by +mosquitoes and be killed in flight to another refuge. + +But he was endowed with great patience and tenacity and he clung to his +shelter, relying rather upon ear than eye to note the approach of an +enemy. Meanwhile the sun sank down to the rim of the wood, and the +twilight thickened rapidly in the east. Then a shot was fired from the +point from which the first had come. Dick heard the bullet singing over +his head, but it gave him satisfaction because he was able to locate his +enemy. + +He sought no return fire, but lay in the dip, wary and patient. The sun +sank beyond the rim, the western sky flamed blood red for a few moments, +and then the Southern night swept down so suddenly that it seemed to +come with violence. Dick believed that his escape was now at hand, but +he still showed an infinite patience. + +He did not stir from his place until the night was almost black, and +then, carrying his weapons and the saddlebag of provisions, he crept +among the thickets. + +When he stood up he found himself stiff from lying long in a cramped +position. His face burned from the bites of the mosquitoes, which still +hung in swarms about him, and he felt dizzy. + +But Dick remembered his mission, and his resolve to perform it was not +shaken a particle. He had lost his horse, but he could walk. Perhaps his +chance of success would be greater on foot in such a dangerous country. + +He advanced now with extreme caution, feeling the way carefully and +testing the ground before he put his foot down solidly. Still trusting +to his ears he stopped now and then, and listened for some sound from +his enemy in pursuit. But nothing came, and soon he became quite sure +that he had shaken him off. He was merely a dot in the wilderness in the +dark, and, feeling secure now, he pressed forward with more speed. + +He was hoping to get to a piece of firm, high ground, where he might +secure a measure of protection from those terrible mosquitoes which +still buzzed angrily about his head. In an hour chance favored him, as +he reached a low ridge much rockier than usual in that region. He would +have built a little smudge fire to protect himself from the mosquitoes, +but it would be sure to draw the lurking sharpshooter, and instead he +found a nook in the ridge, under the low boughs of a great oak. Then +he took a light blanket which he carried tied to his saddlebags, and +wrapped it around his neck and face, covering everything but his mouth +and eyes. + +He sank into the nook with his back against the turf, and the reclining +position was wonderfully easy. The mosquitoes, apparently finding the +points of exposure too small, left him alone and went away. His face +still burned from numerous stings, but he forgot it in present comfort. +There was food in the saddlebags, and he ate enough for his needs. Then +he laid the saddlebags beside him and the rifle across his knees and +stared out into the darkness. + +He felt a great relief after his extreme danger and long exertions. +It was both physical and mental, and sitting there alone in a sunken +wilderness he was nevertheless happy. Believing that the mosquitoes +would not come back, he wrapped the blanket about his whole body by and +by, and pulled his cap down over his eyes. + +Dick had no plans for the night. He did not know whether he intended to +remain there long or not, but nature settled doubts for him. His head +drooped, and soon he slept as easily and peacefully as if he had been at +home at Pendleton in his own bed. + +Then the wilderness blotted him out for the time. The little wild +animals scurried through the grass or ran up trees. In the far distance +an owl hooted solemnly at nothing, and he slept the mighty sleep of +exhaustion. + + + + +CHAPTER V. HUNTED + + +Dick slept the whole night through, which was a very good thing for him, +because he needed it, and because he could have made no progress in the +thick darkness through the marshy wilderness. No human beings saw him, +but the wild animals took more than one look. Not all were little. One +big clumsy brute, wagging his head in a curious, comic way, shuffled up +from the edge of the swamp, sniffed the strange human odor, and, still +wagging his comic head, came rather close to the sleeping boy. Then the +black bear decided to be afraid, and lumbered back into the bushes. + +An owl perched on a bough almost over Dick's head, but this was game far +too large for Mr. Owl's beak and talons, and he soon flew away in search +of something nearer his size. A raccoon on a bough stared with glowing +eyes and then slid out of sight. + +Man, although he had just come, became king of this swamp, king for the +night. The prowling beasts and birds of prey, after their first look, +gave Dick all the berth he needed, and he did not awake until a bright +sun was well above the edge of the earth. Then he rose, shook himself, +much like an animal coming from its lair, and bathed his face in a +little stream which ran down the hill into the swamp. It was swollen and +painful from the mosquito bites, but he resolved not to think of them, +and ate breakfast from the saddlebags, after which he studied his map a +little. + +Baggage and rifle on shoulder, he pursued a course south by east. There +was a strong breeze which gave him a rest from the dreaded insects, and +he pushed on with vigorous footsteps. The country remained thoroughly +wild, and he soon had proof of it. Another deer, this time obviously +started up by himself, sprang from the canebrake and darted away in the +woods. He noted tracks of bear and resolved some day when the war was +over to come there hunting. + +His course led him again from firm ground into a region of marshes and +lagoons, which he crossed with difficulty, arriving about an hour before +noon at a considerable river, one that would require swimming unless he +found a ford somewhere near. He was very weary from the journey through +the marsh and, sitting on a log, he scraped from his clothes a portion +of the mud they had accumulated on the way. + +He was a good swimmer, but he had his arms and ammunition to keep dry, +and he did not wish to trust himself afloat on the deep current. Wading +would be far better, and, when his strength was restored, he walked up +the bank in search of a shallower place. + +He came soon to a point, where the cliff was rather high, although it +was clothed in dense forest here as elsewhere, and when he reached the +crest he heard a sound like the swishing of waters. Alert and suspicious +he sank down among the trees and peered over the bank. Two men in a +canoe were paddling in a leisurely manner along the stream. + +The men were in faded and worn Confederate uniforms, and Dick saw +their rifles lying in the bottom of the boat. He also saw that they +had strong, resolute faces. They were almost opposite him and they were +closely scanning the forest on his side of the river. He was glad that +he had not tried to swim the stream, and he was glad too that he had +kept so well under cover. The men in the canoe were surely keen of eye, +and they must be a patrol. + +He sank closer to the earth and did not stir. One of the watchers drew +in his paddle and took up his rifle, while the other propelled the canoe +very slowly. It seemed that they expected something or somebody, and it +suddenly occurred to him that it might be he. He felt a little shiver of +apprehension. How could they know he was coming? It was mysterious and +alarming. + +He waited for them to pass down the river and out of sight, but at the +curve they turned and came back against the stream, the man with the +rifle in his hand still keenly watching the western shore, where Dick +lay hidden. Neither of them spoke, and the only sound was the swishing +of the paddle. The hoot of an owl came from the depths of the forest +behind him and he knew that it was a signal. The hair of his head +lifted. + +He felt the touch of the supernatural. The invisible pursuer was behind +him again, and the silent soldiers held the crossing. The hoot of the +owl came again, a little nearer now. He was tempted to rise and run, but +his will held him back from such folly. His unknown enemy could pursue, +because his boots left a deep trail in the soft earth. That was why he +had been able to follow again in the morning. + +He crept back some distance from the river and then, rising, retreated +cautiously up the stream. He caught glimpses of the water twice through +the bushes, and each time the canoe was moving up the river also, one +man paddling and the other, rifle on his arm, watching the western +shore. + +Dick had a feeling that he was trapped. Colonel Winchester had been wise +to make him wear his uniform, because it was now certain that he +was going to be taken, and death had always been the punishment of +a captured spy. He put down the thought resolutely, and began to run +through the forest parallel with the river. If it were only the firm +hard ground of the North he could hide his trail from the man behind +him, but here the soil was so soft that every footstep left a deep mark. +Yet he might find fallen trees thrown down by hurricanes, and in a few +minutes he came to a mass of them. He ran deftly from trunk to trunk, +and then continued his flight among the bushes. It broke his trail less +than a rod, but it might take his pursuer ten minutes to recover it, and +now ten minutes were precious. + +The soil grew harder and he made better speed, but when he looked +through the foliage he saw the canoe still opposite him. It was easy for +them, on the smooth surface of the river, to keep pace with him, if such +was their object. Furious anger took hold of him. He knew that he must +soon become exhausted, while the men in the canoe would scarcely feel +weariness. Then came the idea. + +The canoe was light and thin almost like the birch bark Indian canoe of +the north, and he was a good marksman. It was a last chance, but raising +his rifle he fired the heavy bullet directly at the bottom of the canoe. +As the echo of the first shot was dying he slipped in a cartridge and +sent a second at the same target. He did not seek to kill the men, his +object was the canoe, and as he ran rapidly away he saw it fill with +water and sink, the two soldiers in the stream swimming toward the +western shore. + +Dick laughed to himself. He had won a triumph, although he did not yet +know that it would amount to anything. At any rate the men could no +longer glide up and down the river at their leisure looking for him to +come forth from the forest. + +He knew that the shots would bring the single pursuer at full speed, +and, as he had saved some ounces of strength, he now ran at his utmost +speed. The river curved again and just beyond the curve it seemed +shallow to him. He plunged in at once, and waded rapidly, holding his +rifle, pistols and saddlebags above his head. He was in dread lest he +receive a bullet in his back, but he made the farther shore, ran into +the dense undergrowth and sank down dripping and panting. + +He had made the crossing but he did not forget to be ready. He rapidly +reloaded his rifle, and fastened the pistols at his belt. Then he looked +through the bushes at the river. The two canoemen, water running from +them in streams, were on the other bank, though a little farther down +the stream. He believed that they were no longer silent. He fondly +imagined that they were cursing hard, if not loud. + +His relief was so great that, forgetting his own bedraggled condition, +he laughed. Then he looked again to see what they were going to do. A +small man, his face shaded by the broad brim of a hat, emerged from the +woods and joined them. Dick was too far away to see his face, even +had it been uncovered, but his figure looked familiar. Nevertheless, +although he tried hard, he could not recall where he had seen him +before. But, as he carried a long-barreled rifle, Dick was sure that +this was his unknown pursuer. There had certainly been collusion +also between him and the men in the boat, as the three began to talk +earnestly, and to point toward the woods on the other side. + +Dick felt that he had avenged himself upon the boatmen, but his rage +rose high against the little man under the broad-brimmed hat. It was he +who had followed him so long, and who had tried ruthlessly to kill him. +The lad's rifle was of the most improved make and a bullet would reach. +He was tempted to try it, but prudence came to his rescue. Still lying +close he watched them. He felt sure that they would soon be hunting for +his footprints, but he resolved to stay in his covert, until they began +the crossing of the river, to which his trail would lead when they found +it. + +He saw them cease talking and begin searching among the woods. It might +be at least a half-hour before they found the trail and his strength +would be restored fully then. His sinking of the canoe had been in +reality a triumph, and so he remained at ease, watching the ford. + +He was quite sure that when his trail was found the little man would +be the one to find it, and sure enough at the end of a half-hour the +weazened figure led down to the ford. Dick might have shot one of them +in the water, but he had no desire to take life. It would serve no +purpose, and, refreshed and strengthened, he set out through the forest +toward Jackson. + +He came to a brook soon, and, remembering the old device of Indian +times, he waded in it at least a half-mile. When he left it he passed +through a stretch of wood, crossed an old cotton field and entered the +woods again. Then he sat down and ate from his store, feeling that he +had shaken off his pursuers. Another examination of his map followed. He +had kept fixed in his mind the point at which he was to find Hertford, +and, being a good judge of direction, he felt sure that he could yet +reach it. + +The sun, now high and warm, had dried his clothing, and, after the food, +he was ready for another long march. He struck into a path and walked +along it, coming soon to a house which stood back a little distance from +a road into which the path merged. A man and two women standing on the +porch stared at him curiously, but he pretended to take no notice. After +long exposure to weather, blue uniforms did not differ much from gray, +and his own was now covered with mud. He could readily pass as a soldier +of the Confederacy unless they chose to ask too many questions. + +"From General Pemberton's army?" called the man, when he was opposite +the house. + +Dick nodded and stepped a little faster. + +"Won't you stop for a bite and fresh water with friends of the cause?" + +"Thanks, but important dispatches. Must hurry." They repeated the +invitation. He shook his head, and went on. He did not look back, but he +was sure that they stared at him as long as he was in sight. Then, for +safety's sake, he left the road and entered the wood once more. + +He had now come to country comparatively free from swamp and marsh, and +pursued his way through a great forest, beautiful with live oaks and +magnolias. In the afternoon he took a long rest by the side of a clear +spring, where he drew further upon the store of food in his saddlebags, +which he calculated held enough for another day. After that he would +have to forage upon the country. + +He would sleep the second night in the forest, his blanket being +sufficient protection, unless rain came, which he would have to endure +as best he could. Another look at his map and he believed that on the +following afternoon he could reach Hertford. + +He took the remaining food from his saddlebags, wrapped it in his +blanket, and strapped the pack on his back. Then, in order to lighten +his burden, he hung the saddlebags on the bough of a tree and abandoned +them, after which he pressed forward through the woods with renewed +speed. + +He came at times to the edge of the forest and saw houses in the fields, +but he always turned back among the trees. He could find only enemies +here, and he knew that it was his plan to avoid all human beings. +Precept and example are of great power and he recalled again much that +he had heard of his famous ancestor, Paul Cotter. He had been compelled +to fight often for his life and again to flee for it from an enemy who +reserved torture and death for the captured. Dick felt that he must do +as well, and the feeling increased his vigor and courage. + +A little later he heard a note, low, faint and musical. It was behind +him, but he was sure at first that it was made by negroes singing. It +was a pleasing sound. The negro had a great capacity for happiness, and +Dick as a young lad had played with and liked the young colored lads of +his age. + +But as he walked on he heard the low, musical note once more and, as +before, directly behind him. It seemed a little nearer. He paused and +listened. It came again, always nearer and nearer, and now it did not +seem as musical as before. There was a sinister thread in that flowing +note, and suddenly Dick remembered. + +He was a daring horseman and with his uncle and cousin and others at +Pendleton he had often ridden after the fox. It was the note of the +hounds, but of bloodhounds, and this time they were following him. From +the first he had not the slightest doubt of it. Somebody, some traitor +in the Union camp, knew the nature of his errand, and was hanging on to +the pursuit like death. + +Dick knew it was the little man whom he had seen by the river, and +perhaps the canoemen were with him--he would certainly have comrades, +or his own danger would be too great--and they had probably obtained the +bloodhounds at a farmhouse. Nearly everybody in Mississippi kept hounds. + +The long whining note came again and much nearer. Now all music was gone +from it for Dick. It was ferocious, like the howl of the wolf seeking +prey, and he could not restrain a shudder. His danger had returned with +twofold force, because the hounds would unerringly lead his pursuers +through the forest as fast as they could follow. + +He did not yet despair. A new resolution was drawn from the depths of +his courage. He did not forget that he was a good marksman and he +had both rifle and pistols. He tried to calculate from that whining, +ferocious note how many hounds were pursuing, and he believed they were +not many. Now he prepared for battle, and, as he ran, he kept his eye on +the ground in order that he might choose his own field. + +He saw it presently, a mass of fallen timber thrown together by a great +storm, and he took his place on the highest log, out of reach of a +leaping hound. Then, lying almost flat on the log and with his rifle +ready, he waited, his heart beating hard with anger that he should be +pursued thus like an animal. + +The howling of the hounds grew more ferocious, and it was tinged with +joy. The trail had suddenly grown very hot, and they knew that the +quarry was just before them. Dick caught a good view of a long, lean, +racing figure bounding among the trees, and he fired straight at a spot +between the blazing eyes. The hound fell without a sound, and with equal +ease he slew the second. The third and last drew back, although the lad +heard the distant halloo of men seeking to drive him on. + +Dick sprang from his log and ran through the forest again. He knew +that the lone hound after his first recoil would follow, but he had his +reloaded rifle and he had proved that he knew how to shoot. It would +please him for the hound to come within range. + +When he took to renewed flight the hound again whined ferociously and +Dick glanced back now and then seeking a shot. Once he caught a glimpse +of two or three dusky figures some distance behind the hound, urging +him on, and his heart throbbed with increased rage. If they presented an +equal target he would fire at them rather than the hound. + +He could run no longer, and his gait sank to a walk. His very exhaustion +brought him his opportunity, as the animal came rapidly within range, +and Dick finished him with a single lucky shot. Then, making an extreme +effort, he fled on a long time, and, while he was fleeing, he saw the +sun set and the night come. + +The strain upon him had been so great that his nerves and brain were +unsteady. Although the forest was black with night he saw it through a +blood-red mist. Something in him was about to burst, and when he saw a +human figure rising up before him it broke and he fell. + +Dick was unconscious a long time. But when he awoke he found himself +wrapped in a blanket, while another was doubled under his head. It was +pitchy dark, but he beheld the outline of a human figure, sitting by his +side. He strove to rise, but a powerful hand on his shoulder pushed him +back, though gently, and a low voice said: + +"Stay still, Mr. Mason. We mustn't make any sound now!" + +Dick recognized in dim wonder the voice of Sergeant Daniel Whitley. How +he had come there at such a time, and what he was doing now was past all +guessing, but Sergeant Whitley was a most competent man. He knew more +than most generals, and he was filled with the lore of the woods. He +would trust him. He let his head sink back on the folded blanket, and +his heavy eyes closed again. + +When Dick roused from his stupor the sergeant was still by his side, +and, as his eyes grew used to the darkness, he noticed that Whitley was +really kneeling rather than sitting, crouched to meet danger, his finger +on the trigger of a rifle. Dick's brain cleared and he sat up. + +"What is it, Sergeant?" he whispered. + +"I see you're all right now, Mr. Mason," the sergeant whispered back, +"but be sure you don't stir." + +"Is it the Johnnies?" + +"Lean over a little and look down into that dip." + +Dick did so, and saw four men hunting among the trees, and the one +who seemed to be their leader was the little weazened fellow, with the +great, flap-brimmed hat. + +"They're looking for your trail," whispered the sergeant, "but they +won't find it. It's too dark, even for a Sioux Indian, and I've seen +them do some wonderful things in trailing." + +"I seem to have met you in time, Sergeant." + +"So you did, sir, but more of that later. Perhaps you'd better lie down +again, as you're weak yet. I'll tell you all they do." + +"I'll take your advice, Sergeant, but am I sound and whole? I felt +something in me break, and then the earth rose up and hit me in the +face." + +"I reckon it was just the last ounce of breath going out of you with a +pop. They're hunting hard, Mr. Mason, but they can't pick up the trace +of a footstep. Slade must be mad clean through." + +"Slade! Slade! Who's Slade?" + +"Slade is a spy partly, and an outlaw mostly, 'cause he often works on +his own hook. He's the weazened little fellow with so much hat-brim, and +he's about twenty different kinds of a demon. You've plenty of reason to +fear him, and it's lucky we've met." + +"It's more than luck for me, Sergeant. It's salvation. I believe it +wouldn't have been half as hard on me if somebody had been with me, and +you're the first whom I would have chosen. Are they still in the dip, +Sergeant?" + +"No, they've passed to the slope on the right, and I think they'll go +over the hill. We're safe here so long as we remain quiet; that is, safe +for the time. Slade will hang on as long as there's a possible chance to +find us." + +"Sergeant, if they do happen to stumble upon us in the dark I hope +you'll promise to do one thing for me." + +"I'll do anything I can, Mr. Mason." + +"Kill Slade first. That little villain gives me the horrors. I believe +the soul of the last bloodhound I shot has been reincarnated in him." + +"All right, Mr. Mason," returned the sergeant, placidly, "if we have to +fight I'll make sure of Slade at once. Is there anybody else you'd like +specially to have killed?" + +"No thank you, Sergeant. I don't hate any of the others, and I suppose +they'd have dropped the chase long ago if it hadn't been for this fellow +whom you call Slade. Now, I think I'll lie quiet, while you watch." + +"Very good, sir. I'll tell you everything I can see. They're passing +over the hill out of sight, and if they return I won't fail to let you +know." + +Sergeant Whitley, a man of vast physical powers, hardened by the long +service of forest and plain, was not weary at all, and, in the dusk, he +looked down with sympathy and pity at the lad who had closed his eyes. +He divined the nature of the ordeal through which he had gone. Dick's +face, still badly swollen from the bites of the mosquitoes, showed +all the signs of utter exhaustion. The sergeant could see, despite the +darkness, that it was almost the face of the dead, and he knew that +happy chance had brought him in the moment of Dick's greatest need. + +He ceased to whisper, because Dick, without intending it, had gone +to sleep again. Then the wary veteran scouted in a circle about their +refuge, but did not discover the presence of an enemy. + +He sat down near the sleeping lad, with his rifle between his knees, +and watched the moon come out. Owing to his wilderness experience he had +been chosen also to go on a scout toward Jackson, though he preferred to +make his on foot, and the sound of Dick's shots at the hounds had drawn +him to an observation which finally turned into a rescue. + +After midnight the sergeant slept a little while, but he never awakened +Dick until it was almost morning. Then he told him that he would go with +him on the mission to Hertford, and Dick was very glad. + +"What's become of Slade and his men?" asked Dick. + +"I don't know," replied the sergeant, "but as they lost the trail in the +night, it's pretty likely they're far from here. At any rate they're not +bothering us just now. How're you feeling, Mr. Mason?" + +"Fine, except that my face still burns." + +"We'll have to hold up a Confederate house somewhere and get oil of +pennyroyal. That'll cure you, but I guess you've learned now, Mr. +Mason, that mosquitoes in a southern swamp are just about as deadly as +bullets." + +"So they are, Sergeant, and this is not my first experience. Luck has +been terribly against me this trip, but it turned when I met you last +night." + +"Yes, Mr. Mason. In this case two rifles are better than one. We're +prowling right through the heart of the Confederacy, but I'm thinking +we'll make it. We've got a great general now, and we mustn't fail to +bring up Colonel Hertford and his cavalry. I've an idea in my head that +General Grant is going to carry through big plans." + +"Then I think it's time we were starting." + +"So do I, Mr. Mason, and now will you take these crackers and smoked +ham? I've plenty in my knapsack. I learned on the plains never to travel +without a food supply. If a soldier starves to death what use is he to +his army? And I reckon you need something to eat. You were about tired +out when I met you last night." + +"I surely was, Sergeant, but I'm a new man this morning. You and I +together can't fail." + +Dick, in truth, felt an enormous relief. He and his young comrades had +learned to trust Sergeant Whitley implicitly, with his experience of +forest and plain and his infinite resource. + +"Where do you figure we are, Sergeant?" he asked. + +"In the deep woods, Mr. Mason, but we haven't turned much from the line +leading you to the place where you were to meet Colonel Hertford. You +haven't really lost time, and we'll start again straight ahead, but +we've got to look out for this fellow Slade, who's as tricky and +merciless as they ever make 'em." + +"Tell me more about Slade, Sergeant." + +"I don't know a lot, but I heard of him from some of our scouts. He was +an overseer of a big plantation before the war. From somewhere up North, +I think, but now he's more of a rebel than the rebels themselves. Often +happens that way. But you've got to reckon with him." + +"Glad I know that much. He reminds me of a man I've seen, though I can't +recall where or when. It's enough, though, to watch out for Slade. Come +on, Sergeant, I'm feeling so fine now that with your help I'm able to +fight a whole army." + +The two striding through the forest, started toward the meeting place +with Hertford. Now that he had the powerful comradeship of Sergeant +Whitley, the wilderness became beautiful instead of gloomy for Dick. +The live oaks and magnolias were magnificent, and there was a wild +luxuriance of vegetation. Birds of brilliant plumage darted among the +foliage, and squirrels chattered on the boughs. He saw bear tracks +again, and called the sergeant's attention to them. + +"It would be nice to be hunting them, instead of men," said Whitley. +"You can find nice, black fellows down here, good to eat, and it's a +deal safer to hunt them than it is the grizzlies and silver-tips of the +Rockies." + +They saw now much cleared land, mostly cotton fields, and now and then +a white man or a negro working, but there was always enough forest +for cover. They waded the numerous brooks and creeks, allowing their +clothing to dry in the warm sun, as they marched, and about two hours +before sunrise the sergeant, wary and always suspicious, suggested that +they stop a while. + +"I've an idea," he said, "that Slade and his men are still following us. +Oh, he's an ugly fellow, full of sin, and if they're not far behind us +we ought to know it." + +"Just as you say," said Dick, glad enough to shift the responsibility +upon such capable shoulders. "How would this clump of bushes serve for a +hiding place while we wait?" + +"Good enough. Indians pursued, often ambush the pursuer, and as we've +two good men with two good rifles, Mr. Mason, we'll just see what this +Slade is about." + +"When I last saw him," said Dick, "he had the two canoemen with him, and +perhaps they've picked up the owner of the hounds." + +"That's sure, and they're likely to be four. We're only two, but we've +got the advantage of the ambush, and that's a big one. If you agree +with me, Mr. Mason, we'll wait here for 'em. We were sent out to take +messages, not to fight, but since these fellows hang on our trail we may +get to Colonel Hertford all the quicker because we do fight." + +"Your opinion's mine too, Sergeant. I'm not in love with battle, but I +wouldn't mind taking a shot or two at these men. They've given me a lot +of trouble." + +The sergeant smiled. + +"That's the way it goes," he said. "You don't get mad at anybody in +particular in a big battle, but if two or three fellows lay around in +the woods popping away at you you soon get so you lose any objections to +killing, and you draw a bead on 'em as soon as a chance comes." + +"That's the way I feel, Sergeant. It isn't Christian, but I suppose it +has some sort of excuse." + +"Of course it has. Drop a little lower, Mr. Mason. I see the bushes out +there shaking." + +"And that's the sign that Slade and his men have come. Well, I'm not +sorry." + +Both Dick and the sergeant lay almost flat with their heads raised a +little, and their rifles pushed forward. The bushes ceased to shake, +but Dick had no doubt their pursuers were before them. They had probably +divined, too, that the quarry was at bay and was dangerous. Evidently +the sergeant had been correct when he said Slade was full of craft and +cunning. + +While they waited the spirit of Dick's famous ancestor descended upon +him in a yet greater measure. Their pursuers were not Indians, but this +was the deep wilderness and they were merely on a skirt of the great +war. Many of the border conditions were reproduced, and they were to +fight as borderers fought. + +"What do you think they're doing?" Dick whispered. + +"Feeling around for us. Slade won't take any more risk than he has to. +Did you see those two birds fly away from that bough, sudden-like? I +think one of the men has just crept under it. But the fellow who exposes +himself first won't be Slade." + +Dick's inherited instinct was strong, and he watched not only in front, +but to right and left also. He knew that cunning men would seek to flank +and surprise them, and he noticed that the sergeant also watched in a +wide circle. He still drew tremendous comfort from the presence of the +skillful veteran, feeling that his aid would make the repulse of Slade a +certainty. + +A rifle cracked suddenly in the bushes to their right, and then another +by his side cracked so suddenly that only a second came between. Dick +heard a bullet whistle over their heads, but he believed that the one +from his comrade's rifle had struck true. + +"I've no way of telling just now," said the sergeant, calmly, "but I +don't believe that fellow will bother any more. If we can wing another +they're likely to let us alone and we can go on. They must know by +the trail that we're now two instead of one, and that their danger has +doubled." + +Dick had felt that the danger to their pursuers had more than doubled. +He had an immense admiration for the sergeant, who was surely showing +himself a host. The man, trained so long in border war, was thoroughly +in his element. His thick, powerful figure was drawn up in the fashion +of a panther about to spring. Bulky as he was he showed ease and grace, +and wary eyes, capable of reading every sign, continually scanned the +thickets. + +"They know just where we are, of course," whispered the sergeant, "but +if we stay close they'll never get a good shot at us." + +Dick caught sight of a head among some bushes and fired. The head +dropped back so quickly that he could not tell whether or not his bullet +sped true. After a long wait the sergeant suggested that they creep +away. + +"I think they've had enough," he said. "They've certainly lost one man, +and maybe two. Slade won't care to risk much more." + +Dick was glad to go and, following the sergeant's lead, he crawled four +or five hundred yards, a most painful but necessary operation. Then they +stood up, and made good time through the forest. Both would have been +willing to stay and fight it out with Slade and what force he had left, +but their mission was calling them, and forward they went. + +"Do you think they'll follow us?" asked Dick. + +"I reckon they've had enough. They may try to curve ahead of us and give +warning, but the salute from the muzzles of our rifles has been too warm +for any more direct pursuit. Besides, we're going to have a summer storm +soon, and like as not they'll be hunting shelter." + +Dick, in the excitement of battle and flight, had not noticed the +darkening skies and the rising wind. Clouds, heavy and menacing, already +shrouded the whole west. Low thunder was heard far in the distance. + +"It's going to be a whopper," said the sergeant, "something like those +big storms they have out on the plains. We must find shelter somewhere, +Mr. Mason, or it will leave us so bedraggled and worn out that for a +long time we won't be able to move on." + +Dick agreed with him entirely, but neither yet knew where the shelter +was to be found. They hurried on, looking hopefully for a place. +Meanwhile the storm, its van a continual blaze of lightning and roar of +thunder, rolled up fast from the southwest. Then the lightning ceased +for a while and the skies were almost dark. Dick knew that the rain +would come soon, and, as he looked eagerly for shelter, he saw a +clearing in which stood a small building of logs. + +"A cornfield, Sergeant," he exclaimed, "and that I take it is a crib." + +"A crib that will soon house more than corn," said the sergeant. "Two +good Union soldiers are about to stop there. It's likely the farmer's +house itself is just beyond that line of trees, but he won't be coming +out to this crib to-night." + +"Not likely. Too much darkness and rain. Hurry, Sergeant, I can hear +already the rush of the rain in the forest." + +They ran across the field, burst open the door of the crib, leaped in +and banged the door shut again, just as the van of the rain beat upon it +with an angry rush. + +Save for a crack or two they had no light, but they stood upon a dry +floor covered deep with corn shucks, and heard the rain sweep and roar +upon the roof. On one side was a heap of husked corn which they quickly +piled against the door in order to hold it before the assaults of the +wind, and then they sought warm places among the shucks. + +It was a small crib, and the rain drove in at the cracks, but it +furnished abundant shelter for its two new guests. Dick had never been +in a finer hotel. He lay warm and dry in a great heap of shucks, and +heard the wind and rain beat vainly upon walls and roof and the thunder +rumble as it moved off toward the east. He felt to the full the power of +contrast. + +"Fine in here, isn't it, Sergeant?" he said. + +"Fine as silk," replied the sergeant from his own heap of shucks. "We +played in big luck to find this place, 'cause I think it's going to rain +hard all night." + +"Let it. It can't get me. Sergeant, I've always known that corn is our +chief staple, but I never knew before that the shucks, which so neatly +enclose the grains and cob, were such articles of luxury. I'm lying upon +the most magnificent bed in the United States, and it's composed wholly +of shucks." + +"It's no finer than mine, Mr. Mason." + +"That's so. Yours is just like mine, and, of course, it's an exception. +Now, I wish to say, Sergeant, the rain upon the roof is so soothing that +I'm likely to go to sleep before I know it." + +"Go ahead, Mr. Mason, and it's more'n likely I'll follow. All trails +will be destroyed by the storm and nobody will think of looking here for +us to-night." + +Both soon slept soundly, and all through the night the rain beat upon +the roof. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. A BOLD ATTACK + + +Dick was the first to awake. The sergeant had not slept the night before +at all, and, despite his enormous endurance, he was overpowered. Having +fallen once into slumber he remained there long. + +It was not yet morning and the rain was yet falling steadily. Its sweep +upon the roof was still so pleasant and soothing that Dick resolved to +go to sleep again, after he had looked about a little. He had grown used +to dusk and he could see just a little. The sergeant, buried all but his +head among the corn shucks, was breathing deeply and peacefully. + +He looked out at one of the cracks, but he saw only rain sweeping by +in misty sheets. The road that ran by the field was invisible. He gave +devout thanks that this tight little corn crib had put itself in their +way. Then he returned to his slumbers, and when he awoke again the +sergeant was sitting by one of the cracks smoothing his thick hair with +a small comb. + +"I always try to keep as neat as I can, Mr. Mason," he said, apologizing +for such weakness. "It gives you more courage, and if I get killed I +want to make a decent body. Here's your breakfast, sir. There's enough +left for the two of us, and I've divided it equally." + +Cold ham, bacon and crackers were laid out on clean shucks, and they ate +until nothing was left. It was now full daylight, and the rain was dying +away to a sprinkle. The farmer might come out at any time to his crib, +and they felt that they must be up and away. + +They bade farewell to their pleasant shelter of a night, and, after +pulling through the deep mud of the field, entered again the forest, +which was now soaking wet. + +"If Colonel Hertford is near where we reckon he is we ought to meet him +by nightfall," said Sergeant Whitley. + +"We're sure to reach him before then," said Dick joyously. + +"Colonel Hertford is a mighty good man, and if he says he's going to +be at a certain place at a certain time I reckon he'll be there, Mr. +Mason." + +"And then we'll bring him back and join General Grant. What do you think +of our General, Sergeant?" + +Dick spoke with all the freedom then so prevalent in the American +armies, where officer and man were often on nearly a common footing, and +the sergeant replied with equal freedom. + +"General Grant hits and hammers, and I guess that's what war is," +he said. "On the plains we had a colonel who didn't know much about +tactics. He said the only way to put down hostile Indians was to find +'em, and beat 'em, and I guess that plan will work in any war, big or +little." + +"I heard before I left the army that Washington was getting scared, +afraid that he was taking too big a risk here in the heart of the +Confederacy, and that his operations might be checked by orders from the +capital." + +Sergeant Whitley smiled a wise smile. + +"We sergeants learn to know the officers," he said, "and I've had the +chance to look at General Grant a lot. He doesn't say much, but I guess +he's doing a powerful lot of thinking, while he's chawing on the end of +his cigar. You notice, Mr. Mason, that he takes risks." + +"He took a big one at Shiloh, and came mighty near being nipped." + +"But he wasn't nipped after all, and now, if I can judge by the signs, +he's going to take another chance here. I wouldn't be surprised if he +turned and marched away from the Mississippi, say toward Jackson." + +"But that wouldn't be taking Vicksburg." + +"No, but he might whip an army of the Johnnies coming to relieve +Vicksburg, and I've a sneaking idea that the General has another daring +thought in mind." + +"What is it, Sergeant?" + +"When he turns eastward he'll be away from the telegraph. Maybe he +doesn't want to receive any orders from the capital just now." + +"I believe you've hit it, Sergeant. At least I hope so, and anyway we +want to reach Colonel Hertford right away." + +Still following the map and also consulting their own judgment, they +advanced now at a good rate. But as they came into a more thickly +populated country they were compelled to be exceedingly wary. Once a +farmer insisted on questioning them, but they threatened him with their +rifles and then plunged into a wood, lest he bring a force in pursuit. + +In the afternoon, lying among some bushes, they saw a large Confederate +force, with four cannon, pass on the road toward Jackson. + +"Colonel Hertford might do them a lot of damage if he could fall on them +with his cavalry," said the sergeant thoughtfully. + +"So he could," said Dick, "but I imagine that General Grant wants the +colonel to come at once." + +They turned northward now and an hour later found numerous hoofprints in +a narrow road. + +"All these were made by well-shod horses," said the sergeant, after +examining the tracks critically. "Now, we've plenty of horseshoes and +the Johnnies haven't. That's one sign." + +"What's the other?" + +"I calculate that about six hundred men have passed here, and that's +pretty close to the number Colonel Hertford has, unless he's been in a +hot fight." + +"Good reasoning, Sergeant, and I'll add a third. Those men are riding +directly toward the place where, according to our maps and information, +we ought to meet Colonel Hertford." + +"All these things make me sure our men have passed here, Mr. Mason. +Suppose we follow on as hard as we can?" + +Cheered by the belief that they were approaching the end of their quest +they advanced at such a rate that the great trail rapidly grew fresher. + +"Their horses are tired now," said the sergeant, "and likely we're going +as fast as they are. They're our men sure. Look at this old canteen that +one of 'em has thrown away. It's the kind they make in the North. He +ought to have been punished for leaving such a sign." + +"I judge, Sergeant, from the looks of this road, that they can't now be +more than a mile away." + +"Less than that, Mr. Mason. When we reach the top of the hill yonder I +think we'll see 'em." + +The sergeant's judgment was vindicated again. From the crest they saw a +numerous body of muddy horsemen riding slowly ahead. Only the brilliant +sunlight made their uniforms distinguishable, but they were, beyond a +doubt, the troops of the Union. Dick uttered a little cry of joy and the +sergeant's face glowed. + +"We've found 'em," said the sergeant. + +"And soon we ride," said Dick. + +They hurried forward, shouted and waved their rifles. + +The column stopped, and two men, one of whom was Colonel Hertford +himself, rode back, looking curiously at the haggard and stained faces +of the two who walked forward, still swinging their rifles. + +"Colonel Hertford," said Dick joyfully, "we've come with a message for +you from General Grant." + +"And who may you be?" asked Hertford in surprise. + +"Why, Colonel, don't you know me? I'm Lieutenant Richard Mason of +Colonel Winchester's regiment, and this is Sergeant Daniel Whitley of +the same regiment." + +The colonel broke into a hearty laugh, and then extended his hand to +Dick. + +"I should have known your voice, my boy," he said, "but it's certainly +impossible to recognize any one who is as thickly covered with dry +Mississippi mud as you are. What's your news, Dick?" + +Dick told him and the sergeant repeated the same tale. He knew them both +to be absolutely trustworthy, and their coming on such an errand through +so many dangers carried its own proof. + +"We've several spare horses, bearing provisions and arms," said Colonel +Hertford. "Two can be unloaded and be made ready for you and the +sergeant. I fancy that you don't care to keep on walking, Dick?" + +"I've had enough to last me for years, Colonel." + +They were mounted in a few minutes, and rode with the colonel. The world +had now changed for Dick. Astride a good horse and in a column of six +hundred men he was no longer the hunted. These troopers and he were +hunters now. + +The column turned presently into another road and advanced with speed in +the direction of Grant. Colonel Hertford asked Dick many questions about +Slade. + +"I've been hearing of him since we were on this raid," he said. "He's +more of a guerilla than a regular soldier, but he may be able to gather +a considerable force. I wish we could cut him off." + +"So do I," said Dick, but his feeling was prompted chiefly by Slade's +determined attempts upon his life. + +Colonel Hertford now pushed forward his men. He, too, was filled with +ambitions. He began to have an idea of Grant's great plans, in which +all the Union leaders must cooperate, and he meant that his own little +command should be there, whenever the great deed, whatever it might be, +was done. He talked about it with Dick, who he knew was a trusted +young staff officer, and the two, the lad and the older man, fed the +enthusiasm of each other. + +This attack deep into the flank of the Confederacy appealed to them with +its boldness, and created a certain romantic glow that seemed to clothe +the efforts of a general so far from the great line of battle in the +East. They talked, too, of the navy which had run past forts on the +Mississippi, and which had shown anew all its ancient skill and courage. + +As they talked, twilight came, and the road led once more through the +deep woods, where the shade turned the twilight into the darkness of +night. Then rifles flashed suddenly in the thickets, and a half-dozen +horsemen fell. The whole column was thrown for an instant or two into +disorder, frightened horses rearing and stamping, and, before their +riders could regain control, another volley came, emptying a half-dozen +saddles. + +Colonel Hertford gave rapid commands. Then, shouting and waving his +saber he galloped boldly into the forest, reckless of trees and bushes, +and Dick, the sergeant, and the whole troop followed. The lad was nearly +swept from his horse by a bough, but he recovered himself in time to see +the figures of men on foot fleeing rapidly through the dusk. + +Bullets pattered on bark and leaves, and the angry horsemen, after +discharging their carbines, swept forward with circling sabers. But the +irregulars who had ambushed them, save a few fallen before the bullets, +escaped easily in the dense woods, and under cover of the darkness which +was now coming down, thick and fast. + +A trumpet sounded the recall and the cavalrymen, sore and angry, drew +back into the road. They had lost a dozen good men, but Colonel Hertford +felt that they could not delay for vengeance. Grant's orders were to +come at once; and he intended to obey them. + +"I'd wager a year's pay against a Confederate five-dollar note," said +Sergeant Whitley to Dick, "that the man who laid that ambush was Slade. +He'll keep watch on us all the way to Grant, and he'll tell the Southern +leaders everything the general is doing. Oh, he's a good scout and spy." + +"He's proved it," said Dick, "and I'd like to get a fair shot at him." + +They rode nearly all night and most of the next day, and, in the +afternoon, they met other men in blue who told them that a heavy Union +force was advancing. They had no doubt now that Grant's great plan was +already working and in a short time they reached McPherson, advancing +with Logan's division. Hertford reported at once to McPherson, who was +glad enough to have his cavalry, and who warmly praised Dick and the +sergeant for the dangerous service they had done so well. As it would +have been unwise for them to attempt to reach Grant then he kept them +with him in the march on Jackson. + +Dick slept that night under the stars, but thousands of Union men were +around him and he felt neither the weight of responsibility, nor the +presence of danger. He missed Warner and Pennington, but he and the +sergeant were happy. Beyond a doubt now Grant was going to strike +hard, and all the men were full of anticipation and hope. His force in +different divisions was advancing on Jackson, leaving Vicksburg behind +him and the Southern army under Pemberton on one side. + +Dick heard, too, that the redoubtable Joe Johnston was coming to take +command of the Southern garrison in Jackson, and a leader less bold than +Grant might have shrunk from such a circle of enemies, but Grant's own +courage increased the spirit of his men, and they were full of faith. + +"I expect they're alarmed in Washington," said the sergeant, as they +sat on their blankets. "There ain't any telegraph station nearer than +Memphis. They've heard in the capital that the general has begun to move +toward Jackson, but they won't know for days what will happen." + +"I don't blame the President for being disturbed," said Dick. "After all +the army is to serve the nation and fights under the supreme civilian +authority. The armies don't govern." + +"That's so, but there come times when the general who has to do the +fighting can judge best how it ought to be done." + +Dick lay down on one blanket and put another over him. It was well into +May, which meant hot weather in Mississippi, but, if he could, he always +protected himself at night. He was not a vain lad, but he felt proud +over his success. Hertford's six hundred horse were a welcome addition +to any army. + +He lay back soon with a knapsack as a pillow under his head and listened +to the noises of the camp, blended now into a rather musical note. +Several cooking fires still burned here and there and figures passed +before them. Dick observed them sleepily, taking no particular note, +until one, small and weazened, came. The figure was about fifty yards +away, and there was a Union cap instead of a great flap-brimmed hat on +the head, but Dick sprang to his feet at once, snatched a pistol from +his belt and rushed toward it. + +The evil figure melted away like a shadow, and two astonished soldiers +seized the youth, who seemed to be running amuck in the camp, pistol in +hand. + +"Let go!" exclaimed Dick. "I've seen a man whom I know to be a spy, and +a most dangerous one, too." + +They could find no trace of Slade. Dick returned crestfallen to his +blanket, but he recalled something now definitely and clearly. Slade +was the little man whom he had seen carrying the log the morning he left +General Grant's camp, on his mission. + +The sergeant, who had never stirred from his own blanket, sat up when +Dick returned. + +"Who was he, Mr. Mason?" he asked. + +"Slade himself. He must have seen me jump up, because he vanished like +a ghost. But I gained something. I know now that I saw him here in our +uniform just before I started to find Colonel Hertford. That was why I +was followed." + +"The cunning of an Indian. Well, we'll be on the watch for him now, +but I imagine he's already on the way to Jackson with the news of our +advance and an estimate of our numbers. We can't do anything to head him +off." + +On the second day after joining the column Dick was ahead with the +cavalry, riding beside Colonel Hertford, and listening to occasional +shots in their front on the Jackson road. Both believed they would soon +be in touch with the enemy. Sergeant Whitley, acting now as a scout, had +gone forward through a field and in a few minutes galloped back. + +"The enemy is not far away," he said. "They're posted along a creek, +with high banks and in a wood. They've got a strong artillery too, and I +think they about equal us in numbers." + +Dick carried the report to the commander of the column, and soon the +trumpets were calling the men to battle. The crackle of rifle shots +ahead increased rapidly. The skirmishers were already pulling trigger, +and, as Dick galloped back to Hertford he saw many puffs of white smoke +down the road and in the fields and woods on either side. The Union men +began to cheer. In the West they had suffered no such defeats as their +brethren in the East, and every pulse beat with confidence. As the whole +line moved forward the Southern cannon began to crash and their shells +swept the road. + +The cavalry were advancing in a field, but they were yet held back to +a slow walk. Dick heard many impatient exclamations, but he knew the +restraint was right. He saw the accuracy of the Southern gunners. They +were driving the Northern infantry from the road. Their fire was rapid +and deadly, and, for a while, the Union army was checked. + +Hertford was calmly examining the Southern position through his glasses, +while he restrained his eager men. The volume of Southern fire was +growing fast. Shells and shrapnel rained death over a wide area, and the +air was filled with whistling bullets. It was certain destruction for +any force to charge down the road in face of the Southern cannon, and +the Northern army began to spread out, wheeling toward either flank. + +An aide arrived with an order to Hertford, and then he loosed his eager +cavalry. Turning to one side they galloped toward the creek. Some of the +Southern gunners, seeing them, sent shells toward them, and a swarm +of riflemen in a wood showered them with bullets. But they passed so +rapidly that not many saddles were emptied, and the trumpeter blew a +mellow note that urged on spirits already willing enough. + +The sweep of the cavalry charge exhilarated Dick. The thought of danger +passed away for the moment. He saw all around him the eager faces of +men, and horses that seemed just as eager. Dust and dirt flew beneath +the thudding hoofs, and the dust and floating smoke together made a +grimy cloud through which they galloped. + +They passed around still further on the flank. They seemed, for a few +minutes, to be leaving the battle, which was now at its height, the +Southern artillery still holding the road and presenting an unbroken +front. + +Dick saw a flash of water and then the whole troop thundered into the +creek, almost without slackened rein. Up the bank they went, and with +a wild shout charged upon the Southern infantry. On the other flank +another Northern force which also had crossed the creek attacked with +fire and spirit. + +But the battle still swayed back and forth. Hertford and his cavalry +were thrown off, merely to return anew to the charge. A portion of +the Northern force was driven back on the creek. The strong Southern +batteries poured forth death. Dick felt that they might yet lose, but +they suddenly heard a tremendous cheer, and a fresh force coming up +at the double quick enabled them to sweep the field. Before sunset the +Southern army retreated toward Jackson, leaving the field to the men in +blue. + +Dick dismounted and, examining himself carefully, found that he had +suffered no wound. Colonel Hertford and the sergeant had also taken no +hurt. But the lad and his elder comrade secured but little rest. They +were bidden to ride across the country at once to General Sherman with +the news of the victory. Sherman was at the head of another column, and +Grant was farther away with the main body. + +Dick and the sergeant, with the battle smoke still in their eyes, were +eager for the service. + +"When you're with Grant you don't stay idle, that's certain," said Dick +as they rode across the darkening fields. + +"No, you don't," said the sergeant, "and I'm thinking that we've just +begun. I know from the feel of it that big things are going to happen +fast. Sheer away from the woods there, Mr. Mason. We don't want to be +picked off by sharpshooters." + +They arrived after dark in Sherman's camp and he received them himself. +Dick remembered how he had seen this thin, dry man holding fast with his +command at Shiloh, and he saluted him with the deepest respect. He knew +that here was a bold and tenacious spirit, kin to that of Grant. Sherman +had heard already of the battle, but he wished more and definite news. + +"You say that our victory was complete?" he asked tersely. + +"It was, sir," replied Dick. "The entire force of the enemy retired +rapidly toward Jackson, and our men are eager to advance on that city." + +"It would be a great stroke to take the capital of Mississippi," said +Sherman musingly. Then he added in his crisp manner: + +"Are you tired?" + +"Not if you wish me to do anything," replied Dick quickly. + +Sherman smiled. + +"The right spirit," he said. "I wish you and your comrade to ride at +once with this news to General Grant. He may hear it from other sources, +but I want to send a letter by you." + +In ten minutes Dick and the sergeant were riding proudly away on another +mission, and, passing through all the dangers of Southern scouts and +skirmishers, they reached General Grant, to whom they delivered the +letter from Sherman. Grant, who had recently been in doubt owing to the +threat of Pemberton on his flank, hesitated no longer when he heard of +the victory, and resolved at once upon the capture of Jackson. + +Dick, after his battle and two rides, went to sleep in a wagon, while an +orderly took his horse. When he awoke unknown hours afterward he found +that he was moving. He knew at once that the army was advancing. Before +him and behind him he heard all the noises of the march, the beat of +horses' hoofs, the grinding of wheels, the clanking of cannon, the +cracking of whips and the sounds of many voices. + +He was wonderfully comfortable where he lay and he had the satisfaction +and pride of much duty done. He felt that he was entitled to rest, and, +turning on his side, he went to sleep again. After another unknown time +his second awakening came and he remained awake. + +He quietly slipped out at the tail of the wagon, and stood for a few +moments, dazzled by the blazing sunlight. Then a loud, cheery voice +called out: + +"Well, if it isn't our own Lucky Dick come back again, safe and well to +the people to whom he belongs!" + +"If z equals Dick and y equals his presence then we have z plus y, as +Dick is certainly present," called out another voice not quite so loud, +but equally cheery. "Luck, Frank, is only a minor factor in life. What +we usually call luck is the result of foresight, skill and courage. +There are facts that I wouldn't have you to forget, even if it is a hot +day far down in Mississippi." + +Warner and Pennington sprang from their horses and greeted Dick warmly. +They had returned a day or two before from their own less perilous +errands, but they were in great anxiety about their comrade. They were +glad too, when they heard that the sergeant had joined him and that he +had come back safe. + +"I suppose it means a battle at Jackson," said Warner. "We're surely on +the move, and we're going to keep the Johnnies busy for quite a spell." + +"Looks like it," said Dick. + +Colonel Winchester came soon, and his face showed great relief when he +shook hands with Dick. + +"It was a dangerous errand, Dick, my lad," he said, "but I felt that you +would succeed and you have. It was highly important that we gather all +our forces for a great stroke." + +Dick resumed at once his old place in the Winchester regiment, with +Warner, Pennington and his other comrades around him. Refreshed by +abundant sleep and good food he was in the highest of spirits. They +were embarked upon a great adventure and he believed that it would be +successful. His confidence was shared by all those about him. Meanwhile +the army advanced in diverging columns upon the Mississippi capital. + +Jackson, on Pearl River, had suddenly assumed a vast importance in +Dick's mind, and yet it was but a tiny place, not more than three or +four thousand inhabitants. The South was almost wholly agricultural, +and cities, great in a political and military sense, were in reality but +towns. Richmond, itself the capital of the Confederacy, around which so +much centered, had only forty thousand people. + +The Winchester regiment was detached that afternoon and sent to join the +column under McPherson, which was expected to reach Jackson first. Dick +was mounted again, and he rode with Warner and Pennington on either +side of him. They speculated much on what they would find when they +approached Jackson. + +"If Joe Johnston is there," said Warner, "I think we'll have a hard +fight. You'll remember that he did great work against us in Virginia, +until he was wounded." + +"And they'll know, of course, just when to expect us and in what force," +said Dick. "Slade will tell them that. He probably has a large body of +spies and scouts working under him. But I don't think he'll come inside +our camp again." + +"Not likely since he's been recognized," said Warner, thoughtfully. "But +I don't think General Grant is afraid of anything ahead. That's why he +made the separation from our own world so complete, and our men are +out cutting down the telegraph lines, so the Johnnies in Jackson can't +communicate with their own government either. It's important to us that +we take Jackson before Pemberton with his army can come up." + +Warner had estimated the plan correctly. Grant, besides cutting +himself off from his own superiors at Washington, was also destroying +communication between the garrison of Jackson and Pemberton's army of +Vicksburg, which was not far away. The two united might beat him, but +he meant to defeat them separately, and then besiege Vicksburg. It was +a complicated plan, depending upon quickness, courage and continued +success. Yet the mind of Grant, though operating afterward on fields of +greater numbers, was never clearer or more vigorous. + +They went into camp again after dark, knowing that Jackson was but a +short distance away, and they expected to attack early in the morning. +Dick carried another dispatch to Sherman, who was only a little +more than two miles from them, and on his way back he joined Colonel +Winchester, who, with Warner, Pennington and a hundred infantry, had +come out for a scout. The dismounted men were chosen because they wished +to beat up a difficult piece of wooded country. + +They went directly toward Jackson, advancing very cautiously through the +forest, the mounted officers riding slowly. The night was hot and dark, +moon and stars obscured by drifting clouds. Pennington, who was an +expert on weather, announced that another storm was coming. + +"I can feel a dampness in the air," he said. "I'm willing to risk my +reputation as a prophet and say that the dawn will come with rain." + +"I hope it won't be a big rain," said Colonel Winchester, "because if it +is it will surely delay our attack. Our supply of cartridges is small, +and we can't risk wetting them." + +Pennington persisted that a storm was at hand. His father had taught +him, he said, always to observe the weather signs on the great Nebraska +plains. They were nearly always hoping for rain there, and he had +learned to smell it before it came. He could smell it now in the same +way here in Mississippi. + +His opinion did not waver, when the clouds floated away for a while, +disclosing a faint moon and a few stars. They were now on the banks of a +brook, flowing through the wood, and Colonel Winchester thought he saw +a movement in the forest beyond it. It was altogether likely that so +skillful a leader as Joe Johnston would have out bodies of scouts, and +he stopped, bidding his men to take cover. + +Dick sat on his horse by the colonel's side under the thick boughs of a +great tree, and studied the thickets before them. He, too, had noticed +a movement, and he was confident that the Southern sharpshooters were +there. At the command of the colonel all of the officers dismounted, +and orderlies took the horses to the rear. On foot they continued their +examination of the thickets, and the colonel sent for Sergeant Whitley, +who confirmed his opinion that the enemy was before them. At his +suggestion the Union force was spread out, lest it be flanked and +annihilated in the thickets. + +Just as the movement was completed rifles began to crack in front and on +both flanks, and the piercing yell of the South arose. + +It was impossible to tell the size of the force that assailed them, but +the Winchester men were veterans now, and they were not afraid. Standing +among the bushes or sheltered by the trees they held their fire until +they saw dusky figures in the thickets. + +It had all the aspects of an old Indian battle in the depths of the +great forest. Darkness, the ambush and the caution of sharpshooters were +there. Dick carried a rifle, but he did not use it. He merely watched +the pink beads of flame among the bushes, while he stayed by the side of +his colonel and observed the combat. + +It soon became apparent to him that it would have no definite result. +Each side was merely feeling out its foe that night, and would not force +the issue. Yet the Southern line approached and some bullets whistled +near him. He moved a little to one side, and watched for an enemy. It +was annoying to have bullets come so close, and since they were shooting +at him he might as well shoot at them. + +While he was absorbed in watching, the colonel moved in the other +direction, and Dick stood alone behind a bush. The fire in front had +increased somewhat, although at no time was it violent. Occasional shots +from his own side replied. The clouds that had drifted away were now +drifting back, and he believed that darkness alone would soon end the +combat. + +Then he saw a bush only a dozen yards in his front move a little, and a +face peered through its branches. There was yet enough light for him +to see that the face was youthful, eager and handsome. It was familiar, +too, and then with a shock he remembered. Woodville, the lad with whom +he had fought such a good fight, nature's weapons used, was before him. + +Dick raised his rifle. Young Woodville was an easy target. But the +motion was only a physical impulse. He knew in his heart that he had +no intention of shooting the young Southerner, and he did not feel the +slightest tinge of remorse because he evaded this part of a soldier's +work. + +Yet Woodville, seeing nobody and hearing nothing, would come on. Dick, +holding his rifle in the crook of his left arm, drew a pistol and fired +it over the lad's head. At the same moment he dropped almost flat upon +the ground. The bullet cut the leaves above Woodville and he sprang +back, startled. A half-dozen Southern skirmishers fired at the flash +of Dick's pistol, but he, too, lying on the ground, heard them cutting +leaves over his head. + +Dick saw the face of Woodville disappear from the bush, and then he +crept away, rejoining Colonel Winchester and his comrades. Five minutes +later the skirmish ceased by mutual consent, and each band fell back on +its own army, convinced that both were on the watch. + +They were to advance at four o'clock in the morning, but Pennington's +prediction came true. After midnight, flashes of lightning cut the sky +and the thunder rolled heavily. Then the rain came, not any fugitive +shower, but hard, cold and steady, promising to last many hours. + +It was still pouring when the advance began before dawn, but Grant's +plans were complete. He had drawn up his forces on the chessboard, +and they were converging closely upon Jackson. They must keep their +cartridges dry and advance at all costs. + +The Winchesters were in the van in a muddy road. Dick, Warner and +Pennington were in the saddle, and they were wet through and through. +The rain and dusk were so heavy that they could not see fifty feet, and +they shivered with cold. But their souls were eager and high, and they +were glad when the army toiled slowly forward to battle. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE LITTLE CAPITAL + + +Dick was bent down in his saddle, trying to protect himself a little +from the driving rain which beat in his eyes and soaked through his +clothing. Warner and Pennington beside him were in the same condition, +and he saw just before him the bent back of Colonel Winchester, with his +left arm raised as a shield for his face. Hoofs and wheels made a heavy, +sticky sound as they sank in the mud, and were then pulled out again. + +"Do you see any signs of daylight, Dick?" asked Pennington. + +"Not a sign. I see only a part of our regiment, trees on either side of +us bending before the wind, and rain, and mud, mud everywhere. I'll be +glad when it's over." + +"So will I," said Warner. "I wonder what kind of hotels they have in +Jackson. I'd like to have a bath, good room and a big breakfast." + +"The Johnnies are holding breakfast for you," said Pennington. "Their +first course is gunpowder, their second bullets, their third shells and +shrapnel, and their fourth bayonets." + +"They'll have to serve a lot at every course," said Dick, "because +General Grant is advancing with fifty thousand men, and so many need a +lot of satisfying." + +The storm increased in violence. The rain, falling in a deluge, was +driven by a wind like a hurricane. The horses strove to turn their heads +from it, and confusion arose among the cavalry. The infantry mixed +in the mud swore heavily. Staff officers had the utmost difficulty in +keeping the regiments together. It was time for the sun, but it did not +appear. Everything was veiled in clouds and driving rain. + +Dick looked at his watch, and saw that it was seven o'clock. They had +intended to attack at this hour, but further advance was impossible +for the time, and, bending their heads, they sought to protect their +ammunition. Presently they started again and toiled along slowly and +painfully for more than two hours. Then, just as they saw the enemy +ahead of them, the storm seemed to reach the very zenith of its fury. + +Dick, in the vanguard, beheld earthworks, cannon and troops before +Jackson, but the storm still drove so hard that the Union forces could +not advance to the assault. + +"This is certainly a most unusual situation," said Colonel Winchester, +with an effort at cheerfulness. "Here we are, ready to attack, and the +Southerners are ready to defend, but a storm holds us both fast in our +tracks. Our duty to protect our cartridges is even greater than our duty +to attack the enemy." + +"The biggest rain must come to an end," said Dick. + +But it was nearly noon before they could advance. Then, as the storm +decreased rapidly the trumpets sounded the charge, and horse, foot and +artillery, they pressed forward eagerly through the mud. + +The sun broke through the clouds, and Dick saw before them a wood, a +ravine full of thickets, and the road commanded by strong artillery. +The Northern skirmishers were already stealing forward through the wet +bushes and grass, and soon their rifles were crackling. But the Southern +sharpshooters in the thickets were in stronger force, and their rapid +and accurate fire drove back the Northern men. Then their artillery +opened and swept the road, while the Northern batteries were making +frantic efforts to get up through the deep, sticky mud. + +But the trumpets were still calling. The Winchester regiment and others, +eager for battle and victory, swept forward. Dick felt once more the +fierce thrill of combat, and, waving his revolver high above his head, +he shouted with the others as they rushed on. The stream of bullets from +the ravine thickened, and the cannon were crashing fast. But the Union +masses did not check their rush for an instant. Although many fell they +charged into the ravine, driving out the enemy, and pursued him on the +other side. + +But the Southern cannon, manned by daring gunners, still held the field +and, aided by the thick mud which held back charging feet, they repulsed +every attack. The Winchester regiment was forced to cover, and then Dick +heard the booming of cannon in another direction. He knew that Grant and +Sherman were coming up there, and he expected they would rush at once +into Jackson, but it was a long time before the distant thunder came any +nearer. + +Johnston, whose astuteness they feared, was proving himself worthy of +their opinion. Knowing that his forces were far too small to defend +Jackson, he had sent away the archives of the state and most of the +army. Only a small force and seventeen cannon were left to fight and +cover his retreat. But so bold and skillful were they that it was far +beyond noon before Grant and Sherman found that practically nothing was +in front of them. + +But where Dick and his comrades rode the fighting was severe for a +while. Then everything seemed to melt away before them. The fire of the +Southern cannon ceased suddenly, and Colonel Winchester exclaimed that +their works had been abandoned. They charged forward, seized the cannon, +and now rode without resistance into the capital of the state, from +which the President of the Confederacy hailed, though by birth a +Kentuckian. + +Dick and his comrades were among the first to enter the town, and not +until then did they know that Johnston and all but a few hundreds of his +army were gone. + +"We've got the shell only," Dick said. + +"Still we've struck a blow by taking the capital of the state," said +Colonel Winchester. + +Dick looked with much curiosity at the little city into which they were +riding as conquerors. It was too small and new to be imposing. Yet there +were some handsome houses, standing back on large lawns, and surrounded +by foliage. The doors and shutters of all of them were closed tightly. +Dick knew that their owners had gone away or were sitting, hearts full +of bitterness, in their sealed houses. + +The streets were deep in mud, and at the corners little knots of negroes +gathered and looked at them curiously. + +"They don't seem to welcome us as deliverers," said Warner. + +"They don't yet know what to think of us," said Dick. "There's the +Capitol ahead of us, and some of our troops are going into it." + +"Others have gone into it already," said Pennington. "Look!" + +They saw the flag of the Union break out above its dome, the beautiful +stars and stripes, waving gently in the light breeze. A spontaneous +cheer burst from the Union soldiers, and the bitter hearts in the sealed +houses grew more bitter. + +The army was now pouring in by every road and Colonel Winchester and his +staff sought quarters. They were on the verge of exhaustion. All their +clothing was wet and they were discolored with mud. They felt that they +were bound to have rest and cleanliness. + +The victorious troops were making their camp, wherever they could find +dry ground, and soon they were building the fires for cooking. But many +of the officers were assigned to the residences, and Colonel Winchester +and his staff were directed by the general to take quarters in a large +colonial house, standing on a broad lawn, amid the finest magnolias and +live oaks that Dick had ever seen. + +Remembering an earlier experience during the Shiloh campaign Colonel +Winchester and his young officers approached the house with some +reluctance. In ordinary times it must have been brilliant with life. Two +little fountains were playing on either side of the graveled walk that +led to the front door. After the old fashion, three or four marble +statues stood in the shrubbery. Everything indicated wealth. Probably +the town house of a great planter, reflected Dick. In Mississippi a man +sometimes owned as many as a thousand slaves, and lived like a prince. + +The house offered them no welcome. Its doors and windows were closed, +but Dick had seen thin smoke rising from a chimney in the rear. He +expected that they would have to force the door, but at the first knock +it was thrown open by a tall, thin woman of middle years. The look she +gave them was full of bitter hatred--Dick sometimes thought that +women could hate better than men--but her manner and bearing showed +distinction. He, as well as his comrades, took her to be the lady of the +house. + +"We ask your pardon, madame, for this intrusion," said Colonel +Winchester, "but we are compelled to occupy your house a while. We +promise you as little trouble as possible." + +"We ask no consideration of any kind from men who have come to despoil +our country and ruin its people," she said icily. + +Colonel Winchester flushed. + +"But madame," he protested, "we do not come to destroy." + +"I do not care to argue with you about it," she said in the same lofty +tone, "and also you need not address me as madame. I am Miss Woodville." + +Dick started. + +"Does this house belong to Colonel John Woodville?" he asked. + +"It does not," she replied crisply, "but it belongs to his elder +brother, Charles Woodville, who is also a colonel, and who is my father. +What do you know of Colonel John Woodville?" + +"I met his son once," replied Dick briefly. + +She glanced at him sharply. Dick thought for a moment that he saw alarm +in her look, but he concluded that it was only anger. + +They stood confronting each other, the little group of officers and the +woman, and Colonel Winchester, embarrassed, but knowing that he must do +something, went forward and pushed back a door opening into the hall. +Dick automatically followed him, and then stepped back, startled. + +A roar like that of a lion met them. An old man, with a high, bald and +extremely red forehead lay in a huge bed by a window. It was a great +head, and eyes, set deep, blazed under thick, white lashes. His body was +covered to the chin. + +Dick saw that the man's anger was that of the caged wild beast, and +there was something splendid and terrible about it. + +"You infernal Yankees!" he cried, and his voice again rumbled like that +of a lion. + +"Colonel Charles Woodville, I presume?" said Colonel Winchester +politely. + +"Yes, Colonel Charles Woodville," thundered the man, "fastened here +in bed by a bullet from one of your cursed vessels in the Mississippi, +while you rob and destroy!" + +And then he began to curse. He drew one hand from under the cover and +shook his clenched fist at them in a kind of rhythmic beat while the +oaths poured forth. To Dick it was not common swearing. There was +nothing coarse and vulgar about it. It was denunciation, malediction, +fulmination, anathema. It had a certain majesty and dignity. Its +richness and variety were unequaled, and it was hurled forth by a voice +deep, powerful and enduring. + +Dick listened with amazement and then admiration. He had never heard its +like, nor did he feel any offense. The daughter, too, stood by, +pursing her prim lips, and evidently approving. Colonel Winchester was +motionless like a statue, while the infuriated man shook his fist at him +and launched imprecations. But his face had turned white and Dick saw +that he was fiercely angry. + +When the old man ceased at last from exhaustion Colonel Winchester said +quietly: + +"If you had spoken to me in the proper manner we might have gone away +and found quarters elsewhere. But we intend to stay here and we will +repay your abuse with good manners." + +Dick saw the daughter flush, but the old man said: + +"Then it will be the first time that good manners were ever brought from +the country north of the Mason and Dixon line." + +Colonel Winchester flushed in his turn, but made no direct reply. + +"If you will assign us rooms, Miss Woodville," he said, "we will go +to them, otherwise we'll find them for ourselves, which may be less +convenient for you. I repeat that we desire to give you as little +trouble as possible." + +"Do so, Margaret," interrupted Colonel Woodville, "because then I may +get rid of them all the sooner." + +Colonel Winchester bowed and turned toward the door. Miss Woodville, +obedient to the command of her father, led the way. Dick was the last to +go out, and he said to the old lion who lay wounded in the bed: + +"Colonel Woodville, I've met your nephew, Victor." + +He did not notice that the old man whitened and that the hand now lying +upon the cover clenched suddenly. + +"You have?" growled Colonel Woodville, "and how does it happen that you +and my nephew have anything in common?" + +"I could scarcely put it that way," replied Dick, refusing to be +angered, "unless you call an encounter with fists something in common. +He and I had a great fight at his father's plantation of Bellevue." + +"He might have been in a better business, taking part in a common brawl +with a common Yankee." + +"But, sir, while I may be common, I'm not a Yankee. I was born and grew +up south of the Ohio River in Kentucky." + +"Then you're a traitor. All you Kentuckians ought to be fighting with +us." + +"Difference of opinion, but I hope your nephew is well." + +The deep eyes under the thick white thatch glared in a manner that Dick +considered wholly unnecessary. But Colonel Woodville made no reply, +merely turning his face to the wall as if he were weary. + +Dick hurried into the hall, closing the door gently behind him. The +others, not missing him, were already some yards away, and he quickly +rejoined Pennington and Warner. The younger men would have been glad +to leave the house, but Colonel Winchester's blood was up, and he was +resolved to stay. The little party was eight in number, and they were +soon quartered in four rooms on the lower floor. Miss Woodville promptly +disappeared, and one of the camp cooks arrived with supplies, which he +took to the kitchen. + +Dick and Warner were in one of the rooms, and, removing their belts +and coats, they made themselves easy. It was a large bedroom with high +ceilings and wicker furniture. There were several good paintings on the +walls and a bookcase contained Walter Scott's novels and many of the +eighteenth century classics. + +"I think this must have been a guest chamber," said Dick, "but for us +coming from the rain and mud it's a real palace." + +"Then it's fulfilling its true function," said Warner, "because it has +guests now. What a strange household! Did you ever see such a peppery +pair as that swearing old colonel and his acid daughter?" + +"I don't know that I blame them. I think, sometimes, George, that +you New Englanders are the most selfish of people. You're too truly +righteous. You're always denouncing the faults of others, but you never +see any of your own. Away back in the Revolution when Boston called, +the Southern provinces came to her help, but Boston and New England have +spent a large part of their time since then denouncing the South." + +"What's struck you, Dick? Are you weakening in the good cause?" + +"Not for a moment. But suppose Mississippi troops walked into your +own father's house in Vermont, and, as conquerors, demanded food and +shelter! Would you rejoice over them, and ask them why they hadn't come +sooner?" + +"I suppose not, Dick. But, stop it, and come back to your normal +temperature. I won't quarrel with you." + +"I won't give you a chance, George. I'm through. But remember that while +I'm red hot for the Union, I was born south of the Ohio River myself, +and I have lots of sympathy for the people against whom I'm fighting." + +"For the matter of that, so've I, Dick, and I was born north of the +Ohio River. But I'm getting tremendously hungry. I hope that cook will +hurry." + +They were called soon, and eight officers sat at the table. The cook +himself served them. Miss Woodville had vanished, and not a servant was +visible about the great house. Despite their hunger and the good quality +of the food the group felt constraint. The feeling that they were +intruders, in a sense brigands, was forced upon them. Dick was sure +that the old man with the great bald head was swearing fiercely and +incessantly under his breath. + +The dining-room was a large and splendid apartment, and the silver still +lay upon the great mahogany sideboard. The little city, now the camp +of an overwhelming army, had settled into silence, and the twilight was +coming. + +With the chill of unwelcome still upon them the officers said little. +As the twilight deepened Warner lighted several candles. The silver +glittered under the flame. Colonel Winchester presently ordered the cook +to take a plate of the most delicate food to Colonel Woodville. + +As the cook withdrew on his mission he left open the door of the +dining-room and they heard the sound of a voice, uplifted in a +thunderous roar. The cook hurried back, the untouched plate in his hand +and his face a little pale. + +"He cursed me, sir," he said to Colonel Winchester. "I was never cursed +so before by anybody. He said he would not touch the food. He was sure +that it had been poisoned by the Yankees, and even if it were not he'd +rather die than accept anything from their hands." + +Colonel Winchester laughed rather awkwardly. + +"At any rate, we've tendered our good offices," he said. "I suppose his +daughter will attend to his wants, and we'll not expose ourselves to +further insults." + +But the refusal had affected the spirits of them all, and as soon as +their hunger was satisfied they withdrew. The soldier who had acted as +cook was directed to put the dining-room back in order and then he might +sleep in a room near the kitchen. + +Dick and Warner returned to their own apartment. Neither had much to +say, and Warner, lying down on the bed, was soon fast asleep. Dick +sat by the window. The town was now almost lost in the obscurity. The +exhausted army slept, and the occasional glitter from the bayonet of a +sentinel was almost the only thing that told of its presence. + +Dick was troubled. In spite of will and reason, his conscience hurt +him. Theory was beautiful, but it was often shivered by practice. His +sympathies were strongly with the old colonel who had cursed him so +violently and the grim old maid who had given them only harsh words. +Besides, he had pleasant memories of Victor Woodville, and these were +his uncle and cousin. + +He sat for a long time at the window. The house was absolutely quiet, +and he was sure that everybody was asleep. There could be no doubt about +Warner, because he slumbered audibly. But Dick was still wide awake. +There was some tension of mind or muscle that kept sleep far from him. +So he remained at the window, casting up the events of the day and those +that might come. + +The evening was well advanced when he was quite sure that he heard a +light step in the hall. He would have paid little attention to it at an +ordinary time, but, in all that silence and desolation, it called +him like a drum-beat. Only a light step, and yet it filled him with +suspicion and alarm. He was in the heart of a great and victorious +Union army, but at the moment he felt that anything could happen in this +strange house. + +Slipping his pistol from his belt, he opened the door on noiseless +hinges and stepped into the hall. A figure was disappearing in its dim +space, but, as he saw clearly, it was that of a woman. He was sure that +it was Miss Woodville and he stepped forward. He had no intention +of following her, but his foot creaked on the floor, and, stopping +instantly, she faced about. Then he saw that she carried a tray of food. + +"Are we to have our house occupied and to be spied upon also?" she +asked. + +Dick flushed. Few people had ever spoken to him in such a manner, and it +was hard to remember that she was a woman. + +"I heard a footstep in the hall, and it was my duty to see who was +passing," he said. + +"I have prepared food and I am taking it to my father. He would not +accept it from Yankee hands." + +"Colonel Woodville sups late. I should think a wounded man would be +asleep at this hour, if he could." + +She gave him a glance full of venom. + +"What does it matter?" she said. + +Dick refused to be insulted. + +"Let me take the tray for you," he said, "at least to the door. Your +father need not know that my hands have touched it." + +She shrank back and her eyes blazed. + +"Let us alone!" she exclaimed. "Go back to your room! Isn't it +sufficient that this house shelters you?" + +She seemed to Dick to show a heat and hate out of all proportion to the +occasion, but he did not repeat the offer. + +"I meant well," he said, "but, since you do not care for my help, I'll +return to my room and go to sleep. Believe me, I'm sincere when I say I +hope your father will recover quickly from his wound." + +"He will," she replied briefly. + +Dick bowed with politeness and turned toward his own room. Nevertheless +his curiosity did not keep him from standing a moment or two in the dark +against the wall and looking back at the woman who bore the tray. +He drew a long breath of astonishment when he saw her pass Colonel +Woodville's door, and hurry forward now with footsteps that made no +sound. + +The suspicion which had lain deep in his mind sprang at once into life. +Keeping close to the wall, he followed swiftly and saw her disappear up +a stairway. There he let the pursuit end and returned thoughtfully to +his room. + +Dick was much troubled. An ethical question had presented itself to him. +He believed that he had divined everything. The solution had come to him +with such suddenness and force that he was as fully convinced as if he +had seen with his own eyes. Military duty demanded that he invade the +second floor of the Woodville house. But there were feelings of humanity +and mercy, moral issues not less powerful than military duty, and maybe +more so. + +He was pulled back and forth with great mental violence. He was sorry +that he had seen Miss Woodville with the tray. And then he wasn't. +Nevertheless, he stayed in his own room, and Warner, waking for a +moment, regarded him with wonder as he sat outlined against the window +which they had left unshuttered and opened to admit air. + +"What's the matter, Dick? Have you got a fever?" he asked. "Why haven't +you gone to bed?" + +"I'm going to do so right away. Don't bother yourself about me, George. +My nerves have been strained pretty hard, and I had to wait until they +were quiet until I could go to sleep." + +"Don't have nerves," said Warner, as he turned back on his side and +returned to slumber. + +Dick undressed and got into bed. It was the first time in many nights +that he had not slept in his clothes, and beds had been unknown for many +weeks. It was a luxury so penetrating and powerful that it affected +him like an opiate. Such questions as military and moral duty floated +swiftly away, and he slept the sleep of youth and a good heart. + +Breakfast was almost a repetition of supper. The army cook prepared and +served it, and the Woodvilles remained invisible. Colonel Winchester +informed the young officers that they would remain in Jackson two or +three days, and then great events might be expected. All felt sure +that he was predicting aright. Pemberton must be approaching with the +Vicksburg army. The wary and skillful Johnston had another army, and he +could not be far away. Moreover, this was the heart of the Confederacy +and other unknown forces might be gathering. + +They felt the greatness of the hour, Grant's daring stroke, and the +possibility that he might yet be surrounded and overwhelmed. Their minds +were attuned, too, to other and yet mightier deeds, but they were glad, +nevertheless, of a little rest. The Woodville house was a splendid +place, and in the morning they did not feel so much the chill of +embarrassment that had been created for them the night before. + +Dick went straight to the room of Colonel Woodville, opened the door +without knocking, and closed it behind him quickly but noiselessly. + +The colonel was propped up in his bed and a tray bearing light and +delicate food lay on a chair. His daughter stood beside the bed, +speechless with anger at this intrusion. Dick lifted his hand, and the +look upon his face checked one of the mightiest oaths that had ever +welled up from the throat of Colonel Charles Woodville, king of +swearers. + +"Stop!" said Dick in a voice not loud, but sharp with command. + +"Can't we at least have privacy in the room of an old and wounded man?" +asked Miss Woodville. + +"You can hereafter," replied Dick quietly. "I shall not come again, but +I tell you now to get him out of the house to-night, unless he's too +badly hurt to be moved." + +"Why should my father be taken away?" demanded Miss Woodville. + +"I'm not speaking of your father." + +"Of whom, then?" + +Dick did not answer, but he met her gaze steadily, and her face fell. +Then he turned, walked out of the room without a word, and again closed +the door behind him. When he went out on the piazza he saw excitement +among his comrades. The moment for great action was coming even sooner +than Colonel Winchester had expected. + +"Johnston is communicating with Pemberton," said Warner, "and he has +ordered Pemberton to unite with him. Then they will attack us. He sent +the same order by three messengers, but one of them was in reality a +spy of ours, and he came straight to General Grant with it. We're +forewarned, and the trap can't shut down on us, because General Grant +means to go at once for Pemberton." + +Dick understood the situation, which was both critical and thrilling. +Grant was still in the heart of the Confederacy, and its forces were +converging fast upon him. But the grim and silent man, instead of merely +trying to escape, intended to strike a blow that would make escape +unnecessary. All the young officers saw the plan and their hearts +leaped. + +Dick, in the excitement of the day, forgot about the Woodville house +and its inmates. Troops were already marching out of Jackson to meet the +enemy, but the Winchester regiment would not leave until early the next +morning. They were to spend a second night, or at least a part of it, in +Colonel Woodville's house. + +It was the same group that ate supper there and the same army cook +served them. They did not go to the bedrooms afterward, but strolled +about, belted, expecting to receive the marching call at any moment. + +Dick went into the library, where a single candle burned, and while he +was there Miss Woodville appeared at the door and beckoned to him. She +had abated her severity of manner so much that he was astonished, but he +followed without a word. + +She saw that the hall was clear and then she led quickly into her +father's room. Colonel Woodville was propped up against the pillows, and +there was color in his face. + +"Young man," he said, "come here. You can afford to obey me, although +I'm a prisoner, because I'm so much older than you are. You have a heart +and breeding, young sir, and I wish to shake your hand." + +He thrust a large hand from the cover, and Dick shook it warmly. + +"I wouldn't have shaken it if you had been born north of the Ohio +River," said Colonel Woodville. + +Dick laughed. + +"My chief purpose in having you brought here," said Colonel Woodville, +"was to relate to you an incident, of which I heard once. Did I read +about it, or was it told to me, Margaret?" + +"I think, sir, that some one told you of it." + +"Ah, well, it doesn't matter. A few words will tell it. In an old, +forgotten war a young soldier quartered in the house of his defeated +enemy--but defeated only for the time, remember--saw something which +made him believe that a wounded nephew of the house was hid in an upper +room. But he was generous and he did not search further. The second +night, while the young officer and his comrades were at supper, the +nephew, who was not hurt badly, was slipped out of the house and escaped +from the city in the darkness. It's not apropos of anything, and I don't +know why I'm relating it to you, but I suppose this terrible war we are +fighting is responsible for an old man's whim." + +"I've found it very interesting, sir," said Dick, "and I think it's +relevant, because it shows that even in war men may remain Christian +human beings." + +"Perhaps you're right, and I trust, young sir, that you will not be +killed in this defeat to which you are surely marching." + +Dick bowed to both, and left them to their fears and hopes. The glow was +still about his heart when he rode forth with the Winchester regiment +after midnight. But, owing to the need of horses for the regular +cavalry, it had become an infantry regiment once more. Only the officers +rode. + +At dawn they were with Grant approaching a ridge called Champion Hill. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. CHAMPION HILL + + +Dick on that momentous morning did not appreciate the full magnitude of +the event about to occur, nor did he until long afterward. He knew +it was of high importance, and yet it might have ranked as one of the +decisive battles of history. There were no such numbers as at Shiloh and +Chancellorsville, but the results were infinitely greater. + +Nor was it likely that such thoughts would float through the head of a +lad who had ridden far, and who at dawn was looking for an enemy. + +The scouts had already brought word that the Southerners were in strong +force, and that they occupied Champion Hill, the crest of which was +bare, but with sides dark with forests and thickets. They were riding at +present through forests themselves, and they felt that their ignorance +of the country might take them at any moment into an ambush. + +"We know what army we're going against, don't we?" asked Pennington. + +"Why, Pemberton's, of course," replied Dick. + +"I'm glad of that. I'd rather fight him than Joe Johnston." + +"They've been trying to unite, but we hear they haven't succeeded." + +Pemberton, in truth, had been suffering from the most painful doubt. +Having failed to do what Johnston had expected of him, he had got +himself into a more dangerous position than ever. Then, after listening +to a divided council of his generals, he had undertaken a movement which +brought him within striking distance of Grant, while Johnston was yet +too far away to help him. + +Dick did not know how much fortune was favoring the daring that morning, +but he and his comrades were sanguine. They felt all the time the +strong hand over them. Like the soldiers, they had acquired the utmost +confidence in Grant. He might make mistakes, but he would not doubt and +hesitate and draw back. Where he led the enemy could not win anything +without having to fight hard for it. + +The early summer dawn had deepened, bright and hot, and the sun was now +clear of the trees, turning the green of the forests to gold. Coffee and +warm food were served to them during a momentary stop among the trees, +and then the Winchester regiment moved forward again toward Champion +Hill. + +Rifle shots were now heard ahead of them. They were scattered, but the +lads knew that the hostile skirmishers had come in contact. Presently +the reports increased and through the woods they saw puffs of smoke. +Trumpets to right and left were calling up the brigades. + +"Open up for the guns!" cried an aide, and a battery lumbered through, +the men swearing at their panting horses. But the Southern cannon were +already at work. From the bare crest of Champion Hill they were sending +shells which crashed in the ranks of the advancing foe. Two or three +of the Winchesters were hit, and a wounded horse, losing its rider, ran +screaming through the wood. + +The forest and thickets now grew so dense that the officers dismounted, +giving their horses to an orderly, and led on foot. The country before +them was most difficult. Besides the trees and brush it was seared with +ravines. A swarm of skirmishers in front whom they could not see now +poured bullets among them, and the shells, curving over the heads of +the ambushed sharpshooters, fell in the Union ranks. On either flank the +battle opened and swelled rapidly. + +"We may have got Pemberton trapped," said Pennington, "but he's got so +many bristles that we can't reach in a hand and pull out our captive. My +God, Dick, are you killed?" + +He was pulling Dick to his feet and examining him anxiously. + +"I'm all right," said Dick in a moment. "It was the wind of a big round +shot that knocked me down. Just now I'm thanking God it was the wind and +not the shot." + +"I wish we could get through these thickets!" exclaimed Warner. "Our +comrades must be engaged much more heavily than we are. What an uproar!" + +The combat swelled to great proportions. The Southern army, being +compelled to fight, fought now with all its might. The crest of the long +hill blazed with fire. The men in gray used every advantage of position. +Cannon and rifles raked the woods and thickets, and at many points the +Union attack was driven back. The sun rose slowly and they still held +the hill, fighting with all the fire and valor characteristic of the +South. They were cheered at times by the expectation of victory, but the +stubborn Grant brought up his remaining forces and continually pressed +the battle. + +The Winchester regiment crossed a ravine and knelt among the thickets. +Its losses had not yet been heavy, as most of the cannon fire was +passing over their heads. Grape and canister were whistling among the +woods, and Dick was devoutly grateful that these deadly missiles were +going so high. Yet if they did not hurt they made one shiver, and it +was not worth while to recall that when he heard the sound the shot had +passed already. One shivered anyhow. + +As well as Dick could judge from the volume of sound the battle seemed +to be concentrated directly upon the hill. He knew that Grant expected +to make a general attack in full force, and he surmised that one of the +commanders under him was not pushing forward with the expected zeal. His +surmise was correct. A general with fifteen thousand men was standing +almost passive in front of a much smaller force, but other generals were +showing great fire and energy. + +The Winchester regiment contained many excellent riflemen and they were +so close now that they could use the weapons for which the Kentuckians +were famous. Firing deliberately, they began to cut gaps in the first +ranks of the defenders on the slope. Then they rose and with other +regiments pushed forward again. + +But they came to a road in the side of the hill defended powerfully by +infantry and artillery, and a heavy fire, killing and wounding many, was +poured upon them. They sought to cross the road and attack the defenders +with the bayonet, but they were driven back and their losses were so +heavy that they were compelled to take cover in the nearest thickets. + +The men, gasping with heat and exhaustion, threw themselves down, a +sleet of shells and bullets passing over their heads. Dick had a sense +of failure, but it lasted only a moment or two. From both left and right +came the fierce crash of battle, and he knew that, if they had been +driven back before the road, their comrades were maintaining the combat +elsewhere. + +"It's merely a delay. We pause to make a stronger attack," said Colonel +Winchester, as if he were apologizing to himself. "Are you all right, +Dick?" + +"Unhurt, sir, and so are Warner and Pennington, who are lying here +beside me." + +"Unhurt, but uneasy," said Warner. "I don't like the way twigs and +leaves are raining down on me. It shows that if they were to depress +their fire they would be shearing limbs off of us instead of boughs off +the trees." + +The sun was high and brilliant now, but it could not dispel the clouds +of smoke gathering in the thickets. It floated everywhere, and Dick felt +it stinging his mouth and throat. Murmurs began to run along the lines. +They did not like being held there. They wanted to charge again. They +were still confident of victory. + +Dick was sent toward another part of the army for orders, and he saw +that all along the hill the battle was raging fiercely. But Grant could +not yet hear the roar of guns which should indicate the advance of +McClernand and his fifteen thousand. The silent leader was filled with +anger, but he reserved the expression of it for a later time. + +Dick saw the fiery and impetuous Logan, noticeable for his long +coal-black hair, lead a headlong and successful charge, which carried +the Union troops higher up the hill. But another general was driven +back, losing cannon, although he retook them in a second and desperate +charge. Still no news from McClernand and his fifteen thousand! There +was silence where his guns ought to have been thundering, and Grant +burned with silent anger. + +It was noon, and a half-hour past. The Union plans, made with so much +care and judgment, and the movements begun with so much skill and +daring seemed to be going awry. Yet Grant with the tenacity, rather +than lightning intuition, that made him a great general, held on. His +lieutenants clung to their ground and prepared anew for attack. + +Dick hurried back to his own regiment, which was still lying in the +thickets, bearing an order for its advance in full strength. Colonel +Winchester, who was standing erect, walking among his men and +encouraging them, received it with joy. Word was speedily passed to all +that the time to win or lose had come. Above the cannon and rifles the +music of the calling trumpets sounded. The fire of both sides suddenly +doubled and tripled in volume. + +"Now, boys," shouted Colonel Winchester, waving his sword, "up the hill +and beat 'em!" + +Uttering a deep-throated roar the Winchesters rushed forward, firing +as they charged. Dick was carried on the top wave of enthusiasm. He +discharged his pistol into the bank of fire and smoke in front of them +and shouted incessantly. He heard the bullets and every form of missile +from the cannon whining all about them. Leaves and twigs fell upon him. +Many men went down under the deadly fire, but the rush of the regiment +was not checked for an instant. + +They passed out of the thicket, swept across the road, and drove the +defenders up the hill. Along the whole line the Union army, fired with +the prospect of success, rushed to the attack. Grant threw every man +possible into the charge. + +The Southern army was borne back by the weight of its enemy. All of the +front lines were driven in and the divisions were cut apart. There +was lack of coordination among the generals, who were often unable to +communicate with one another, and Pemberton gave the order to retreat. +The battle was lost to the South, and with it the chance to crush Grant +between two forces. + +The Union army uttered a great shout of victory, and Grant urged forward +the pursuit. Bowen, one of the South's bravest generals, was the last to +give way. The Winchester regiment was a part of the force that followed +him, both fighting hard. Dick found himself with his comrades, wading +a creek, and they plunged into the woods and thickets which blazed with +the fire of South and North. A Confederate general was killed here, but +the brave Bowen still kept his division in order, and made the pursuit +pay a heavy cost for all its gain. + +Dick saw besides the Confederate column many irregulars in the woods, +skilled sharpshooters, who began to sting them on the flank and bring +down many a good soldier. He caught a glimpse of a man who was urging +on the riflemen and who seemed to be their leader. He recognized Slade, +and, without a moment's hesitation, fired at him with his pistol. But +the man was unhurt and Slade's return bullet clipped a lock of Dick's +hair. + +Then they lost each other in the smoke and turmoil of the battle, and, +despite the energy of the pursuit by the Union leaders, they could not +break up the command of Bowen. The valiant Southerner not only made good +his retreat, but broke down behind him the bridge over a deep river, +thus saving for a time the fragments of Pemberton's army. + +The Winchester regiment marched back to the battlefield, and Dick saw +that the victory had been overwhelming. Nearly a third of the Southern +army had been lost and thirty cannon were the trophies of Grant. Yet the +fighting had been desperate. The dead and wounded were so numerous that +the veteran soldiers who had been at Shiloh and Stone River called it +"The Hill of Death." + +Dick saw Grant walking over the field and he wondered what his feelings +were. Although its full result was beyond him he knew, nevertheless, +that Champion Hill was a great victory. At one stroke of his sword Grant +had cut apart the circle of his foes. + +Dick came back from the pursuit with Colonel Winchester. He had lost +sight of Warner and Pennington in the turmoil, but he believed that they +would reappear unhurt. They had passed through so many battles now that +it did not occur to him that any of the three would be killed. They +might be wounded, of course, as they had been already, but fate would +play them no such scurvy trick as to slay them. + +"What will be the next step, Colonel?" asked Dick, as they stood +together upon the victorious hill. + +"Depends upon what Johnston and Pemberton do. Pemberton, I'm sure, will +retreat to Vicksburg, but Johnston, if he can prevent it, won't let his +army be shut up there. Still, they may not be able to communicate, and +if they should Pemberton may disobey the far abler Johnston and stay in +Vicksburg anyhow. At any rate, I think we're sure to march at once on +Vicksburg." + +A figure approaching in the dusk greeted Dick with a shout of delight. +Another just behind repeated the shout with equal fervor. Warner and +Pennington had come, unharmed as he had expected, and they were exultant +over the victory. + +"Come over here," said Warner to Dick. "Sergeant Whitley has cooked a +glorious supper and we're waiting for you." + +Dick joined them eagerly, and the sergeant received them with his +benevolent smile. They were commissioned officers, and he gave them all +the respect due to rank, but in his mind they were only his boys, whom +he must watch and protect. + +While the fires sprang up about them and they ate and talked of the +victory, Washington was knowing its darkest moments. Lee had already +been marching thirteen days toward Gettysburg, and he seemed unbeatable. +Grant, who had won for the North about all the real success of which +it could yet boast, was lost somewhere in the Southern wilderness. The +messages seeking him ran to the end of the telegraph wires and no answer +came back. The click of the key could not reach him. Many a spirit, bold +at most times, despaired of the Union. + +But the old and hackneyed saying about the darkest hour just before the +dawn was never more true. The flame of success was already lighted in +the far South, and Lincoln was soon to receive the message, telling him +that Grant had not disappeared in the wilderness for nothing. Thereafter +he was to trust the silent and tenacious general through everything. + +They were up and away at dawn. Dick was glad enough to leave the hill, +on which many of the dead yet lay unburied, and he was eager for the new +field of conflict, which he was sure would be before Vicksburg. Warner +and Pennington were as sanguine as he. Grant was now inspiring in them +the confidence that Lee and Jackson inspired in their young officers. + +"How big is this city of Vicksburg?" asked Pennington. + +"Not big at all," replied Warner. "There are no big cities in the South +except New Orleans, but it's big as a fortress. It's surrounded by +earthworks, Frank, from which the Johnnies can pot you any time." + +"Well, at any rate, I'll be glad to see it--from a safe distance. I +wouldn't mind sitting down before a town. There's too much wet country +around here to suit me." + +"It's likely that you'll have a chance to sit for a long time. We won't +take Vicksburg easily." + +But the time for sitting down had not yet come. The confidence of the +soldiers in their leader was justified continually. He advanced rapidly +toward Vicksburg, and in pursuit of Pemberton's defeated men. The +victory at Champion Hill had been so complete that the Southern army +was broken into detached fragments, and the Southern generals were now +having the greatest difficulty in getting them together again. + +Grant, with his loyal subordinate, Sherman, continued to push upon the +enemy with the greatest vigor. Sherman had not believed in the success +of the campaign, had even filed his written protest, but when Grant +insisted he had cooperated with skill and energy. He and Grant stood +together on a hill looking toward the future field of conflict, and he +told Grant now that he expected continued success. + +It was the fortune of the young officers of the Winchester regiment +sitting near on their horses to see the two generals who were in such +earnest consultation, and who examined the whole circle of the country +so long and so carefully through powerful glasses. + +The effects of the victory deep in the South were growing hourly in +Dick's mind, and the two figures standing there on the hill were full +of significance to him. He had a premonition that they were the men more +than any others who would achieve the success of the Union, if it were +achieved at all. They had dismounted and stood side by side, the figure +of Grant short, thick and sturdy, that of Sherman, taller and more +slender. They spoke only at intervals, and few words then, but nothing +in the country about them escaped their attention. + +Dick had glasses of his own, and he, too, began to look. He saw a region +much wooded and cut by deep streams. Before them lay the sluggish waters +of Chickasaw Bayou, where Sherman had sustained a severe defeat at an +earlier time, and farther away flowed the deep, muddy Yazoo. + +"See the smoke, George, rising above that line of trees along the +river?" said Dick. + +"Yes, Dick," replied Warner, "and I notice that the smoke rises in +puffs." + +"It has a right to go up that way, because it's expelled violently from +the smoke-stacks of steamers. And those steamers are ours, George, our +warships. Our navy in this war hasn't much chance to do the spectacular, +but we can never give it enough credit." + +"That's right, Dick. It keeps the enemy surrounded and cuts off his +supplies, while our army fights him on land. Whatever happens the waters +are ours." + +"And the Mississippi has become a Union river, splitting apart the +Confederacy." + +"Right you are, Dick, and we're already in touch with our fleet there. +The boats do more than fight for us. They're unloading supplies in vast +quantities from Chickasaw Bayou. We'll have good food, blankets, tents +to shelter us from the rain, and unlimited ammunition to batter the +enemy's works." + +The investment of Vicksburg had been so rapid and complete that +Johnston, the man whom Grant had the most cause to fear, could not unite +with Pemberton, and he had retired toward Jackson, hoping to form a new +army. Only three days after Champion Hill Grant had drawn his semicircle +of steel around Vicksburg and its thirty thousand men, and the navy in +the rivers completed the dead line. + +Dick rode with Colonel Winchester and took the best view they could get +of Vicksburg, the little city which had suddenly become of such vast +military importance. + +Now and then on the long, lower course of the Mississippi, bluffs rise, +although at far intervals. Memphis stands on one group and hundreds +of miles south Vicksburg stands on another. The Vicksburg plateau runs +southward to the Big Bayou, which curves around them on the south and +east, and the eastern slope of the uplift has been cut and gulleyed by +many torrents. So strong has been the effect of the rushing water upon +the soft soil that these cuts have become deep winding ravines, often +with perpendicular banks. One of the ravines is ten miles long. Another +cuts the plateau itself for six miles, and a permanent stream flows +through it. + +The colonel and Dick saw everywhere rivers, brooks, bayous, hills, +marshes and thickets, the whole turned by the Southern engineers into +a vast and most difficult line of intrenchments. Grant now had forty +thousand men for the attack or siege, but he and his generals did +not yet know that most of the scattered Confederate army had gathered +together again, and was inside. They believed that Vicksburg was held by +fifteen thousand men at the utmost. + +"What do you think of it, Colonel?" asked Dick, as they sat horseback on +one of the highest hills. + +"It will be hard to take, despite the help of the navy. Did you ever see +another country cut up so much by nature and offering such natural help +to defenders?" + +"I've heard a lot of Vicksburg. I remember, Colonel, that, despite its +smallness, it is one of the great river towns of the South." + +"So it is, Dick. I was here once, when I was a boy before the Mexican +war. Down on the bar, the low place between the bluffs and the river, +was the dueling ground, and it was also the place for sudden fights. It +and Natchez, I suppose, were rivals for the wild and violent life of the +great river." + +"Well, sir, it has a bigger fight on its hands now than was ever dreamed +of by any of those men." + +"I think you're right, Dick, but the general means to attack at once. We +may carry it by storm." + +Dick looked again at the vast entanglement of creeks, bayous, ravines, +forests and thickets. Like other young officers, he had his opinion, but +he had the good sense to keep it to himself. He and the colonel rejoined +the regiment, and presently the trumpets were calling again for battle. +The men of Champion Hill, sanguine of success, marched straight upon +Vicksburg. All the officers of the Winchester regiment were dismounted, +as their portion of the line was too difficult for horses. + +Their advance, as at Champion Hill, was over ground wooded heavily and +they soon heard the reports of the rifles before them. Bullets began to +cut the leaves and twigs, carrying away the bushes, scarring the trees +and now and then taking human life. The Winchester men fired +whenever they saw an enemy, and with them it was largely an affair +of sharpshooters, but on both left and right the battle rolled more +heavily. The Southerners, behind their powerful fortifications at the +heads of the ravines and on the plateau, beat back every attack. + +Before long the trumpets sounded the recall and the short battle ceased. +Grant had discovered that he could not carry Vicksburg by a sudden +rush and he recoiled for a greater effort. He discovered, too, from the +resistance and the news brought later by his scouts that an army almost +as numerous as his own was in the town. + +The Winchester regiment made camp on a solid, dry piece of ground beyond +the range of the Southern works, and the men, veterans now, prepared +for their comfort. The comrades ate supper to the slow booming of great +guns, where the advanced cannon of either side engaged in desultory +duel. + +The distant reports did not disturb Dick. They were rather soothing. He +was glad enough to rest after so much exertion and so much danger and +excitement. + +"I feel as if I were an empty shell," he said, "and I've got to wait +until nature comes along and fills up the shell again with a human +being." + +"In my school in Vermont," said Warner, "they'd call that a considerable +abuse of metaphor, but all metaphors are fair in war. Besides, it's just +the way I feel, too. Do you think, Dick, we'll settle down to a regular +siege?" + +"Knowing General Grant as we do, not from what he tells us, since he +hasn't taken Pennington and you and me into his confidence as he ought +to, but from our observation of his works, I should say that he would +soon attack again in full force." + +"I agree with you, Knight of the Penetrating Mind, but meanwhile I'm +going to enjoy myself." + +"What do you mean, George?" + +"A mail has come through by means of the river, and my good father and +mother--God bless 'em--have sent me what they knew I would value most, +something which is at once an intellectual exercise, an entertainment, +and a consolation in bereavement." + +Dick and Pennington sat up. Warner's words were earnest and portentous. +Besides, they were very long, which indicated that he was not jesting. + +"Go ahead, George. Show us what it is!" said Dick eagerly. + +Warner drew from the inside pocket of his waist coat a worn volume which +he handled lovingly. + +"This," he said, "is the algebra, with which I won the highest honors +in our academy. I have missed it many and many a time since I came into +this war. It is filled with the most beautiful problems, Dick, questions +which will take many a good man a whole night to solve. When I think of +the joyous hours I've spent over it some of the tenderest chords in my +nature are touched." + +Pennington uttered a deep groan and buried his face in the grass. Then +he raised it again and said mournfully: + +"Let's make a solemn agreement, Dick, to watch over our poor comrade. +I always knew that something was wrong with his mind, although he means +well, and his heart is in the right place. As for me, as soon as I +finished my algebra I sold it, and took a solemn oath never to look +inside one again. That I call the finest proof of sanity anybody could +give. Oh, look at him, Dick! He's studying his blessed algebra and +doesn't hear a word I say!" + +Warner was buried deep in the pages of a plus b and x minus y, and Dick +and Pennington, rising solemnly, walked noiselessly from the presence +around to the other side of the little opening where they lay down +again. The bit of nonsense relieved them, but it was far from being +nonsense to Warner. His soul was alight. As he dived into the intricate +problems memories came with them. Lying there in the Southern thickets +in the close damp heat of summer he saw again his Vermont mountains with +their slopes deep in green and their crests covered with snow. The sharp +air of the northern winter blew down upon him, and he saw the clear +waters of the little rivers, cold as ice, foaming over the stones. That +air was sharp and vital, but, after a while, he came back to himself and +closed his book with a sigh. + +"Pardon me for inattention, boys," he said, "but while I was enjoying +my algebra I was also thinking of old times back there in Vermont, when +nobody was shooting at anybody else." + +Dick and Pennington walked solemnly back and sat down beside him again. + +"Returned to his right mind. Quite sane now," said Pennington. "But +don't you think, Dick, we ought to take that exciting book away from +him? The mind of youth in its tender formative state can be inflamed +easily by light literature." + +Warner smiled and put his beloved book in his pocket. + +"No, boys," he said, "you won't take it away from me, but as soon +as this war is over I shall advance from it to studies of a somewhat +similar nature, but much higher in character, and so difficult that +solving them will afford a pleasure keener and more penetrating than +anything else I know." + +"What is your greatest ambition, Warner?" asked Pennington. "Do you, +like all the rest of us, want to be President of the United States?" + +"Not for a moment. I've already been in training several years to be +president of Harvard University. What higher place could mortal ask? +None, because there is none to ask for." + +"I can understand you, George," said Dick. "My great-grandfather became +the finest scholar ever known in the West. There was something of the +poet in him too. He had a wonderful feeling for nature and the forest. +He had a remarkable chance for observation as he grew up on the border, +and was the close comrade in the long years of Indian fighting of Henry +Ware, who was the greatest governor of Kentucky. As I think I've +told you fellows, Harry Kenton, Governor Ware's great-grandson and my +comrade, is fighting on the other side." + +"I knew of the great Dr. Cotter long before I met you, Dick," replied +Warner. "I read his book on the Indians of the Northern Mississippi +Valley. Not merely their history and habits, but their legends, their +folk lore, and the wonderful poetic glow so rich and fine that he threw +over everything. There was something almost Homeric in his description +of the great young Wyandot chieftain Timmendiquas or White Lightning, +whom he acclaimed as the finest type of savage man the age had known." + +"He and Henry Ware fought Timmendiquas for years, and after the great +peace they were friends throughout their long lives." + +"And I've studied, too, his wonderful book on the Birds and Mammals +of North America," continued Warner with growing enthusiasm. "What +marvelous stores of observation and memory! Ah, Dick, those were +exciting days, and a man had opportunities for real and vital +experiences!" + +Dick and Pennington laughed. + +"What about Vicksburg, old praiser of past times?" asked Frank. "Don't +you think we'll have some lively experiences trying to take it? And +wasn't there something real and vital about Bull Run and Shiloh and +Perryville and Stone River and all the rest? Don't you worry, George. +You're living in exciting times yourself." + +"That's so," said Warner calmly. "I had forgotten it for the moment. +We've been readers of history and now we're makers of it. It's +funny--and maybe it isn't funny--but the makers of history often +know little about what they're making. The people who come along long +afterward put them in their places and size up what they have done." + +"They can give all the reasons they please why I won this war," said +Pennington, "but even history-makers are entitled to a rest. Since +there's no order to the contrary I mean to stretch out and go to sleep. +Dick, you and George can discuss your problems all night." + +But they went to sleep also. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. THE OPEN DOOR + + +"Dick," said Colonel Winchester the next morning, "I think you are the +best scout and trailer among my young officers. Mr. Pennington, you are +probably the best on the plains, and I've no doubt, Warner, that you +would do well in the mountains, but for the hills, forests and rivers +I'll have to choose Dick. I've another errand for you, my boy. You're +to go on foot, and you're to take this dispatch to Admiral Porter, who +commands the iron-clads in the river near the city. Conceal it carefully +about you, but I anticipate no great danger for you, as Vicksburg is +pretty well surrounded by our forces." + +The dispatch was written on thin, oiled paper. Dick hid it away in the +lining of his coat and departed upon another important mission, full +of pride that he should be chosen for it. He had all the passwords and +carried two good pistols in his belt. Rich in experience, he felt able +to care for himself, even should the peril be greater than Colonel +Winchester had expected. + +The sun was not far above the horizon but it was warm and brilliant, +and it lighted up the earth, throwing a golden glow over the plateau of +Vicksburg, the great maze of ravines and thickets and the many waters. + +He passed along the lines, walking rapidly southward, and saw more than +one officer of his acquaintance. Hertford's cavalry were in a field, and +the colonel himself sat on a portion of the rail fence that had enclosed +it. He hailed the lad pleasantly. + +"Into the forest again, Dick," he said. + +"Not this time, sir," Dick replied. "It's just a little trip, down the +river." + +"Success to the trip and a speedy return." + +Dick nodded and walked on. He was quite sure that his dispatch was an +order from Grant for Porter to come up the stream and join in a general +attack which everybody felt sure was planned for an early date. + +As he passed through the regiments and brigades he received much +good-humored chaff. The great war of America differed widely from the +great wars of Europe. The officers and men were more nearly on a plane +of equality. The vast majority of them had been volunteers in the +beginning and perhaps this feeling of comradeship made them fight all +the better. North and South were alike in it. + +"Which way, sonny?" called a voice from a group. "You don't find the +fighting down there. It's back toward Vicksburg." + +Dick nodded and smiled. + +"Maybe he's out walking for exercise. These officers ride too much." + +Dick walked on with a steady swinging step. He regarded the sunbrowned, +careless youths with the genuine affection of a brother. Many of them +were as young as he or younger, but they were now veterans of battle +and march. Napoleon's soldiers themselves could not have boasted of more +experience than they. + +He was coming to the last link in the steel chain, and the colonel of +a regiment, an old man, warned him to be careful as he approached the +river. + +"Southern sharpshooters are among the ravines and thickets," he said. +"They fired on our lads about dawn and then escaped easily in the thick +cover." + +"Thank you, sir," said Dick, "I'll be on my guard." Yet he did not feel +the presence of danger. Youth perhaps becomes more easily hardened in +war than middle age, or perhaps it thinks less of consequences. The +Union cannon, many of great weight and power, had begun already to +fire upon Vicksburg. Huge shells and shot were rained upon the city. +Pemberton had two hundred guns facing the river and the army, but to +spare his ammunition they made little reply. + +Dick looked back now and then. He saw flakes of fire on the northern +horizon, puffs of smoke and the curving shells. He felt that Vicksburg +was no pleasant place to be in just now, and yet it must be full of +civilians, many of them women and children. He was sorry for them. It +was Dick's nature to see both sides of a quarrel. He could never hate +the Southerners, because they saw one way and he another. + +It was a passing emotion. It was too fine a morning for youth to grieve. +At the distance the plumes of smoke made by the shells became decorative +rather than deadly. From a crest he saw upon the plateau of Vicksburg +and even discerned the dim outline of houses. Looking the other way, +he saw the smoke of the iron-clads down the river, and he also caught +glimpses of the Mississippi, gold in the morning sun over its vast +breadth. + +Then he entered the thickets, and, bearing in mind the kindly warning +of the old colonel, proceeded slowly and with extreme caution. The +Southerners knew every inch of the ground here and he knew none. He +came to a ravine and to his dismay found that a considerable stream was +flowing through it toward the bayou. It was yellow water, and he thought +he might find a tree, fallen across the stream, which would serve him as +a foot log, but a hunt of a few minutes disclosed none, and, hesitating +no longer, he prepared to wade. + +He put his belt with the pistols in it around his neck and stepped in +boldly. His feet sank in the mud. The water rose to his knees and then +to his waist. It was, in truth, deeper than he had expected--one could +never tell about these yellow, opaque streams. He took another step and +plunged into a hole up to his shoulders. + +Angry that he should be wet through and through, and with such muddy +water too, he crossed the stream. + +He looked down with dismay at his uniform. The sun would soon dry it, +but until he got a chance to clean it, it would remain discolored and +yellow, like the jeans clothes which the poorer farmers of the South +often wore. And yet the accident that he bemoaned, the bath in water +thick with mud, was to prove his salvation. + +Dick shook himself like a big dog, throwing off as much of the water as +he could. He had kept his pistols dry and he rebuckled his belt around +his waist. Then he returned to his errand. Among the thickets he saw but +little. Vicksburg, the Mississippi, and the Union camp disappeared. He +beheld only a soft soil, many bushes and scrub forest. After going a +little distance he was compelled to stop again and consider. It was +curious how one could lose direction in so small a space. + +He paused and listened, intending to regain his course through the sense +of hearing. From the north and east came the thunder of the siege guns. +It had grown heavier and was continuous now. Once more he was sorry for +Vicksburg, because the Union gunners were unsurpassed and he was sure +that bombs and shells were raining upon the devoted town. + +Now he knew that he must go west by south, and he made his way over +difficult country, crossing ravines, climbing hills, and picking his +path now and then through soft ground, the most exhausting labor of all. +The sun poured down upon him and his uniform dried fast. He had just +crossed one of the ravines and was climbing into the thicket beyond when +a voice asked: + +"See any of the Yanks in front?" + +Dick's heart stood still, and then all his presence of mind came +back. Not in vain had the kindly colonel warned him of the Southern +sharpshooters in the bush. + +"No," he replied. "They seem to be farther up. One of our fellows told +me he saw a whole regiment of them off there to the right." + +He plunged deeper into the bush and walked on as if he were among his +own comrades. He realized that his faded uniform with its dye of yellow +mud had caused him to be mistaken for one of Pemberton's men. His +accent, which was Kentuckian and therefore Southern, had helped him +also. He passed three or four other men, bent over, rifle in hand and +watching, and he nodded to them familiarly. In such a crisis he knew +that boldness and ease were his best cards, and he said to one of the +men, with a laugh: + +"You'll have to tell us Tennesseeans about all your bayous and creeks. +I've just fallen into one that had no right to be there." + +"You Tennesseeans need a bath anyhow," replied the man, chuckling. + +"We'd never choose a Mississippi stream for it," said Dick in the +same vein, and passed on leaving the rifleman in high good humor. How +wonderfully these Southerners were like the Northerners! He noticed +presently a half-dozen other sharpshooters in the Confederate butternut, +prowling among the bushes, and through an opening he saw his own people +to the west, but too far away to be reached by anything but artillery. +The slow, deep music of the Northern guns came steadily to his ear, but +their fire was always turned toward Vicksburg. + +Dick knew that his position was extremely critical. Perhaps it was +growing more so all the while, but he was never cooler. A quiet lad, he +always rose wonderfully to an emergency. He was quite sure that he +was among Mississippi troops, and they could not possibly know all the +soldiers from the other states gathered for the defense of Vicksburg. He +did not differ from those around him in any respect, except that he did +not carry a rifle. + +He paused and looked back thoughtfully at the distant Union troops. + +"Can you tell me how they're posted?" he said to a tall, thin +middle-aged man who had a chew of tobacco in his cheek. "I carry +dispatches to General Pemberton, and the more information I can give him +the better." + +"Yes, I kin tell you," replied the man, somewhat flattered. "They're +posted everywhere. What, with their army and them boats of theirs in the +river, they've got a high fence around us, all staked and ridered." + +"It doesn't take any more work to tear a fence down than it does to +build it up." + +"I reckon you're right thar, stranger. But was you at Champion Hill?" + +"No, I missed that." + +"Then it was a good thing for you that you did. I didn't set much store +by the Yanks when this war began. One good Southerner could whip five of +'em any time, our rip-roarin', fire-eatin' speech-makers said. I knowed +then, too, that they was right, but I was up thar in Kentucky a while, +an' after Donelson I reckoned that four was about as many as I wanted +to tackle all to oncet. Then thar was Shiloh, an' I kinder had a thought +that if three of 'em jumped on me at one time I'd hev my hands purty +full to lick 'em. Then come Corinth, an,' reasonin' with myself, I said +I wouldn't take on more'n two Yanks at the same time. An' now, since +I've been at Champion Hill, I know that the Yank is a pow'ful good +fighter, an' I reckon one to one jest about suits me, an' even then I'd +like to have a leetle advantage in the draw." + +"I feel that way about it, too. The Yankees are going to make a heap +of trouble for us here. But I must be going. What's the best path into +Vicksburg?" + +"See that little openin' in the bushes. Follow it. Jest over the hill +you'll run into a passel of our fellers, but pay no 'tention to 'em. If +they ask you who you are an' whar you're boun' tell 'em to go straight +to blazes, while you go to Vicksburg." + +"Thank you," said Dick, "I like to meet an obliging and polite man like +you. It helps even in war." + +"Don't mention it. When I wuz a little shaver my ma told me always to +mind my manners, an' when I didn't she whaled the life out of me. An', +do you know, stranger, she's just a leetle, withered old woman, but if +she could 'pear here right now I'd be willin' to set down right in these +bushes an' say, 'Ma, take up that stick over thar an' beat me across the +shoulders an' back with it as hard as you kin.' I'd feel good all over." + +"I believe you," said Dick, who thought of his own mother. + +He followed the indicated path until he was out of sight of everybody, +and then he plunged into the bushes and marsh toward the river. When he +was well hidden he stopped and considered. + +It was quite evident that he had wandered from the right road, but +it was no easy task to get back into it. There was an unconscious +Confederate cordon about him and he must pass through it somewhere. He +moved farther toward the river, but only went deeper into the swamp. + +He turned to the south and soon reached firm ground, but he heard +Confederate pickets talking in front of him. Then he caught glimpses of +two or three men watching among the trees, and he lay down in a clump of +bushes. He might pass them as he had passed the others, but he thought +it wiser not to take the risk. + +He was willing also to rest a little, as he had done a lot of hard +walking. His clothing was now dry, and the mud had dried upon it. + +He turned aside into one of the deep ravines and then into a smaller one +leading from it. The bushes were dense there and he lay down among them, +so completely hidden that he was invisible ten feet away. Here he still +heard the mutter of the guns, which came in a long, droning sound, and +occasionally a rifle cracked at some point closer by. The Union army +was still busy and he felt a few moments of despondency. His dispatch +undoubtedly was of great importance, and yet he was not able to deliver +it. It was highly probable that for precaution's sake other messengers +bore the same dispatch, but he was anxious to arrive with his +nevertheless, and he wanted, too, to arrive first. The last now seemed +impossible and the first improbable. + +The crackling fire came nearer. Owing to the lack of percussion caps, +Pemberton had ordered his men to use their rifles sparingly, but +evidently a considerable body of sharpshooters near Dick were attempting +a flanking movement of some kind, and meant to carry it out with +bullets. He was impatient to see, but prudence kept him in his covert, a +prudence that was soon justified, as presently he heard voices very near +him and then the sound of footsteps. + +He rose up a little and saw several hundred Confederate soldiers passing +on the slopes not more than a hundred yards away. They went south of +him, and he recognized with growing alarm that the wall across his way +was growing higher. When they were gone and he could no longer hear +their tread among the bushes he slipped from his hiding place and went +directly toward Vicksburg. Being within an iron ring he thought that +perhaps he would be safer somewhere near the center. He might make his +way without much trouble through the vast confused crowd in Vicksburg, +and then in the night go down the river's edge and to the fleet. + +It was a daring idea, so very daring that it appealed to the strain of +high adventure in the lad. He was encouraged, too, by his earlier and +easy success in passing among the Confederate soldiers. But in order not +to appear reckless and to satisfy his own conscience he tried once more +for the way to the south. But the soldiers entirely barred the path +there, and, being on some duty that required extreme vigilance, they +were likely to prove exacting. + +He advanced with a clear mind toward Vicksburg, picking his way among +the forests and ravines, but, after long walking over most difficult +ground, he saw before him extensive earthworks thronged with Southern +troops. When he turned westward the result was the same, and then it +became evident that there was no flaw in the iron ring. He could not go +through to Porter, he could not go back to his own army, but Vicksburg +invited him as a guest. + +He would make the trial at night. It was a long wait, but he dared not +risk it by day, and, going back into one of the ravines, he sought +a secluded and sheltered place. Threshing the bushes to drive away +possible snakes, he crawled into a clump and lay there. Resolved to be +patient in spite of everything, he did not stir, but listened to the far +throbbing of the cannon which poured an incessant storm of missiles upon +unhappy Vicksburg. + +The warmth and the heavy air in the ravine were relaxing. His brain grew +so dull and heavy that he fell asleep, and when he awoke the twilight +was coming. And yet he had lost nothing. He had gained rather. The time +had passed. His body had been strengthened and his nerves steadied while +he slept. + +The distant booming of the guns still came. He had expected it. That was +Grant. He had wrapped the coil of steel around Vicksburg and he would +never relax. Dick felt that there was no hope for the town, unless +Johnston outside could gather a powerful army and fight Grant on even +terms. But he considered it impossible, and there, too, was the great +artery of the river along which flowed men and supplies of every kind +for the Union. + +The Southern twilight turned swiftly into night and, coming from his +lair, Dick walked boldly toward the town. He had eaten nothing since +morning, but he had not noticed it, until this moment, when he began to +feel a little faintness. He resolved that Vicksburg should supply him. +It was curious how much help he expected of Vicksburg, a hostile town. + +He saw lights soon both to right and to left and he strengthened his +soul. He knew that he must be calm, but alert and quick with the right +answer. With his singular capacity for meeting a crisis he advanced into +the thick of danger with a smiling face, even as his great ancestor, +Paul Cotter, had often done. + +His calm was of short duration. There was a rushing sound, something +struck violently, and a tremendous explosion followed. Fire flashed +before Dick's eyes, pieces of red hot metal whistled past his head, +earth spattered him and he was thrown to the ground. + +He sprang up again, understanding all instantly. A shell from his own +army had burst near him, and he had been thrown down by the concussion. +But he had not been hurt, and in a few seconds his pulse beat steadily. + +He heard a shout of laughter as he stood, brushing the fresh dirt from +his clothing. He glanced up in some anger, but he saw at once that the +arrival of the shell had been most fortunate for his plan. To come near +annihilation by a Federal gun certainly invested him with a Confederate +character. + +It was a group of young soldiers who were laughing and their amusement +was entirely good-natured. They would have laughed the same way had the +harmless adventure befallen one of their own number. Dick judged that +they were from the Southwest. + +"Close call," he said, smiling that attractive smile, which was visible +even in the twilight. + +"It was a friendly shell," said one of the youths, "and it concluded +not to come too close to you. These Yankee shells are so loving that +sometimes they spray themselves in little pieces all over a fellow, like +a shower of rice over a bride at a wedding." + +"How long do you think the Yankees will keep it up?" asked Dick, putting +indignation in his tone. "Haven't they any respect for the night?" + +"Not a bit. That fellow Grant is a pounder. They say he'll blow away the +whole plateau of Vicksburg if we don't drive him off." + +"Well, we'll do it. You wait till old Joe Johnston comes up. Then we'll +shut him between the jaws of a vise and squeeze the life out of him." + +"Hope so. Where've you been?" + +"Down below the town. I'm coming back with messages." + +"So long. Good luck. Keep straight ahead, and you'll find all the +generals you want." + +The lights increased and he went into a small tavern, where he bought +food and a cup of coffee, paying in gold. The tavern keeper asked no +questions, but his eyes gleamed at sight of the yellow coin. + +"Mighty little of this comes my way now," he said frankly, "and our +own money is worth less and less every day. If things keep on the way +they're headed it'll take a bale of it as big as a bale of cotton to pay +for one good, square meal." + +Dick laughed. + +"Not so bad as that," he said. "You wait until we've given Grant a big +thrashing and have cleared their boats out of the river. Then you'll see +our money becoming real." + +The man shook his head. + +"Seein' will be believin'," he said, "an' as I ain't seein' I ain't +believin'." + +Dick with a friendly good night went out. Grant, the persistent, was +still at work. His cannon flared on the dark horizon and the shells +crashed in Vicksburg. Scarcely any portion of the town was safe. Now and +then a house was smashed in and often the shells found victims. + +The town was full of terror and confusion. Many of the rich planters had +come there with their families for refuge. Women and children hid from +the terrible fire, and the civilians already had begun to burrow. Caves +had been dug deep into the sides of the ravines and hundreds found in +them a rude but safe shelter. + +Dick now found that his plans were going wrong. He could wander about +almost at will and to any one to whom he spoke he still claimed to be +a Tennesseean, but he knew that it could not last forever. Sooner or +later, some officer would question him closely, and then his tale would +be too thin for truth. + +Unable to make a way toward the river, he returned to the slopes and +ravines, where they were digging the caves, and then fortune which had +been smiling upon him turned its face the other way. A small man in +butternut and an enormous felt hat passed near. He did not see Dick, +but his very presence gave the lad a shiver. He believed afterward that +before he saw him he had felt the proximity of Slade. + +The man, carrying a rifle, was hurrying toward the center of the town, +and Dick, after one long look, hurried at equal speed the other way. He +knew that Slade, if he saw him, would recognize him at once. Dusk and a +muddy uniform would not protect him. + +It was his idea now to go down through the ravines and make another +trial toward the South. He saw ahead of him a line of intrenchments, +which he was resolved to pass in some fashion, but the face of fortune +was still away from him. The unknown officers who at any time might ask +too many questions appeared. + +A captain, a sunbrowned, alert man, stopped him at the edge of the +bushes which clothed the slopes of the ravine. + +"Your regiment?" he asked sharply. + +"Tennessee regiment, sir," replied Dick, afraid to mention any number, +since this officer might be a Tennesseean himself, and would want +further identification. But the man was not to be put off--Dick judged +from his uniform that he was a colonel--and demanded sharply his +regiment's number and his business. + +The lad mumbled something under his breath, hopeful that he would pass +on, but the officer stepped forward, looked at him closely and then +suddenly turned back the collar of his army jacket, disclosing a bit of +the under side yet blue. + +"Thunderation, a Yankee spy!" he exclaimed. + +Dick always believed that his life was due to a sudden and violent +impulse, or rather a convulsive jerk, because he had no time to think. +He threw off the officer's hand, dashed his fist into his face, and, +without waiting to see the effect, ran headlong among the bushes down +the side of the ravine. He heard a shouting behind him, the reports of +several shots, the rapid tread of feet, and he knew that the man-hunt +was on. + +He had all the instincts of the hunted to seek cover, and the night was +his friend. But few lights glimmered in that portion of Vicksburg, and +in many parts of the ravine the bushes were thick. He darted down the +slope at great speed, then turned and ran along its side, still keeping +well under cover. Where the shadows were darkest and the bushes thickest +he paused panting. + +He heard his pursuers calling to one another, and he also heard the +excited voices of people in the ravine. The civilians had been aroused +by the shots so close by and he thought the confusion would help him. He +stood in the deep shadow, his breath gradually growing easier, and then +he started down the ravine, coming to a little path that led along +the side of the slope. He noticed a dark opening, and as the voices of +pursuers were now coming nearer, he popped into it, trusting to blind +luck. + +Dick had thought it was a mere wash-out or deep recess, but at the third +step his foot struck upon a carpet and he saw ahead a dim light. He +paused, amazed, and then he remembered that he had heard about the +civilians digging caves for shelter from the shells and bombs. Evidently +some forethoughtful man had prepared his cave early. + +Uncertain what to do he did nothing, pressing his back against the earth +and listening. No sound came, and the dim light still flickering ahead +reassured him. + +The opening through which he had come was large, and admitted plenty +of fresh air. As he stood four or five feet from the entrance he saw +several soldiers hurrying along the path, and he knew they were hunting +for him. He realized then his fortune in finding this improvised +cave-house. After the soldiers passed he walked gently toward the light. +Apparently the regular occupants were gone away for the time, and he +might find a hiding place there until it was safe to go out. + +The passage was narrow, but the carpet was still under his feet, and +further in, the sides and roof of the earthen walls had been covered +with planks. The light grew brighter and he was quite sure that a room +of some size was just ahead. His curiosity became so great that it +smothered all apprehension, and he stepped boldly into the room, where +the lamp burned on a table. + +He would have stepped back as quickly, but a pair of great burning eyes +caught his and held them. A bed was standing against the board wall of +the cave, and in this bed lay an old man with a huge bald head, immense +white eyebrows and eyes of extraordinary intensity. + +Once more did Colonel Charles Woodville and Richard Mason stare into the +eyes of each other, and for a long time neither spoke. + +"I managed to escape from Jackson with my little family," said the +colonel at length, "and I thought that in this, so to say, sylvan +retreat I might drop all undesirable acquaintances that I made there." + +The whole scene was grotesque and wild to Dick. It was like a passage +out of the Arabian Nights, and an extraordinary spirit of recklessness +seized him. + +"I appreciate your words, sir," he said, "and I can understand your +feelings. I have felt myself that it was never wise to go where one +might not be welcome, and yet chance plays us such tricks that neither +your wish nor mine is granted." + +The old man then raised his head a little higher on the pillow. A spark +leaped from the burning eyes. + +"A lad of spirit," he said. "I would not withhold praise where praise +is due. I recall meeting some one who resembled you very much. Perhaps a +brother of yours, eh?" + +"No, he was not my brother." + +"Well, it does not matter and we will not pursue the subject. How does +it happen that you have come into this hillside castle of mine?" + +Young Mason saw a flicker of amusement in the eyes of the old man. He +was aware that in his muddy uniform he made no imposing figure, but +his spirit was as high as ever, and the touch of recklessness was still +there. + +"I saw some men coming down the path," he replied; "men with whom I do +not care to associate, and I turned aside to avoid them. I beheld +the open door and stepped within, but I did not know the chamber was +occupied, and it was far from my purpose to intrude upon you or any one. +I trust, sir, that you will believe me." + +The lad took off his cap and bowed. His face was now revealed more +clearly, and it was a fine one, splendidly molded, intellectual, and +with noble blue eyes. After all, despite the mud and stains, he made a +graceful figure as he stood there, so obviously confident of himself, +but respectful. + +The spark leaped again from the eyes of Colonel Woodville, and, +remembering something, there was a slight warmth about the heart which +lately had been so cold and bitter. + +"I do not blame you," he said. "A lad, one in his formative years, +cannot be too careful about his associates. Doubtless you were justified +in taking advantage of the open door. But now that you are here may I +ask you what you purpose next to do?" + +"I admit, sir, that the question is natural," replied Dick, suiting his +tone and manner to those of the old man. "I have scarcely had time yet +to form a purpose, but, since the danger of contamination of which we +spoke still exists, it occurs to me that perhaps I might stay here a +while. Is there some nook or a cover in which I might rest? I hope I do +not trespass too much upon your hospitality." + +Colonel Woodville pondered. His great white eyebrows were drawn together +and, for a moment or two, he gazed down the beak of his nose. + +"I confess," he said, "that the appeal to hospitality moves me. I am +stirred somewhat, too, by pleasant recollections of the lad who looked +like you. But wait, my daughter is coming. We will confer with her. +Margaret is a most capable woman." + +Dick heard a light step in the passage and he wheeled quickly. Miss +Woodville was before him, a plain, elderly figure in a plain black +dress, with a basket on her arm. The basket contained a fowl and some +eggs which she had just bought at a great price. When she saw Dick her +hand flew to her throat, but when the pulse ceased to beat so hard it +came away and she looked at him fixedly. Then a slow smile like the dawn +spread over the severe, worn face. + +"Come in, Margaret, and put down your basket," said the colonel in a +genial tone. "Meanwhile bid welcome to our unexpected guest, a young man +of spirit and quality with whom I was holding converse before you came. +He does not wish to go out to-night, because there are many violent men +abroad, and he would avoid them." + +Then he turned to Dick, and asked in a tone, sharp and commanding: + +"I have your word, young sir, that your unexpected visit to our city was +not of a secret nature; that is, it was not of a lawless character?" + +"An accident, sir, an accident pure and simple. I answer you on my +honor. I have seen nothing and I shall not seek to see anything which I +should not see." + +"Margaret," continued the colonel, and now his tone became deferential +as behooved a gentleman speaking to a lady, "shall we ask him to share +our simple quarters to-night?" + +The lad slowly turned his gaze to the face of the woman. He felt with +all the power of intuition that his fate rested on her decision. But she +was a woman. And she was, too, a true daughter of her father. A kindred +spark leaped up in her own soul, and she met Dick's gaze. She noted +his fearless poise, and she saw the gallant spirit in his eye. Then she +turned to her father. + +"I think you wish him to stay, sir," she said, "and the wish seems right +to me. Our narrow quarters limit our hospitality in quality, but not +in intent. We can offer him nothing but the little alcove behind the +blanket." + +She inclined her head toward the blanket, which Dick had not noticed +before. It hung near the bed and, wishing to cause this household little +trouble, he said: + +"Then I assume that you will shelter me for the night, and, if I may, I +will go at once to my room." + +Colonel Woodville lowered his head upon the pillow and laughed softly. + +"A lad of spirit. A lad of spirit, I repeat," he said. "No, Margaret, +you and I could not have turned him from our earthen roof." + +Dick bowed to Miss Woodville, and that little ghost of a tender smile +flitted about her thin lips. Then he lifted the blanket, stepped into +the dark, and let the curtain fall behind him. + +He stood for a space until his eyes, used to the dusk, could see dimly. +It was a tiny room evidently used as a place of storage for clothing and +bedding, but there was space enough for him to lie down, if he bent his +knees a little. + +The strain upon both muscle and nerve had been very great, and now came +collapse. Removing his shoes and outer clothing he dropped upon a +roll of bedding and closed his eyes. But he was grateful, deeply and +lastingly grateful. The bread that he had cast upon the waters was +returning to him fourfold. + +He heard low voices beyond the blanket, and he did not doubt that they +were those of Colonel Woodville and his daughter. The woman in plain +black, with the basket on her arm, had seemed a pathetic figure to him. +He could not blame them for feeling such intense bitterness. What were +the causes of the war to people who had been driven from a luxurious +home to a hole in the side of a ravine? + +He slept, and when he woke it seemed to be only a moment later, but he +knew from the slender edge of light appearing where the blanket just +failed to touch the floor that morning had come. He moved gently lest +he disturb his host in the larger room without, and then he heard the +distant thunder, which he knew was the booming of Grant's great guns. +And so the night had not stopped them! All through the hours that he +slept the cannon had rained steel and death on Vicksburg. Then came a +great explosion telling him that a shell had burst somewhere near. It +was followed by the voice of Colonel Woodville raised in high, indignant +tones: + +"Can't they let a gentleman sleep? Must they wake him with one of their +infernal shells?" + +He heard a slight rustling sound and he knew that it was the great bald +head moving impatiently on the pillows. Inferring that it was early, he +would have gone back to sleep himself, but slumber would not come. He +remained a while, thoughtful, for his future lay very heavy upon him, +and then he heard the sound of several voices beyond the blanket. + +He listened closely, trying to number and distinguish them. There were +three and two belonged to Colonel Woodville and his daughter. The third +repelled and puzzled him. It seemed to have in it a faint quality of the +fox. It was not loud, and yet that light, snarling, sinister note was +evident. + +The sensitive, attuned mind can be easily affected by a voice, and the +menace of the unknown beyond the blanket deepened. Dick felt a curious +prickling at the roots of his hair. He listened intently, but he could +not understand anything that was spoken, and then he drew himself +forward with great caution. + +They must be talking about something of importance, because the voices +were earnest, and sometimes all three spoke at once. He reached a slow +hand toward the blanket. The danger would be great, but he must see. + +He drew back the blanket slightly, a quarter of an inch, maybe, and +looked within the room. Then he saw the owner of the sinister voice, and +he felt that he might have known from the first. + +Slade, standing before Colonel Woodville's bed, his hat in his hand, was +talking eagerly. + + + + +CHAPTER X. THE GREAT ASSAULT + + +The light from the door that was always open illumined the room. The +rising sun must have struck full upon it, because it was almost as +bright as day there. Slade was in his butternut uniform, and his rifle +leaned against the wall. Now that he had made the slight opening Dick +could understand their words. + +"There are spies within Vicksburg, sir," said Slade. "Colonel Dustin +detected one last night, but in the darkness he escaped down this +ravine. The alarm was spread and he could not have got outside our +lines. I must catch him. It will be a credit to me to do so. I was under +your command, and, although not in active service owing to your wound, +your word will go far. I want you to get me an order to search every +house or place in which he could hide." + +"Not too much zeal, my worthy Slade. Talleyrand said that, but you never +heard of him. Excessive suspicion is not a good thing. It was your chief +fault as an overseer, although I willingly pay tribute to your energy +and attention to detail. This business of hunting spies is greatly +overdone. The fate of Vicksburg will be settled by the cannon and the +rifles." + +"But, sir, they can do us great harm." + +"Listen to that, my good Slade." + +The deep booming note of the distant cannon entered the cave. + +"That is the sound of Grant's guns. He can fight better with those +weapons than with spies." + +But Slade persisted, and Colonel Woodville, with an occasional word +from his daughter, fenced with him, always using a light bantering tone, +while the lad who lay so near listened, his pulses beating hard in his +temples and throat. + +"Your vigilance is to be commended, my good Slade," Dick heard Colonel +Woodville say, "but to-day at least I cannot secure such a commission +for you from General Pemberton. We hear that Grant is massing his troops +for a grand attack, and there is little time to thresh up all our own +quarters for spies. We must think more of our battle line. To-morrow we +may have a plan. Come back to me then, and we will talk further on these +matters." + +"But think, sir, what a day may cost us!" + +"You show impatience, not to say haste, Slade, and little is ever +achieved by thoughtless haste. The enemy is closing in upon us, and it +must be our chief effort to break his iron ring. Ah, here is my nephew! +He may give us further news on these grave matters." + +Dick saw the entrance darken for a moment, then lighten again, and +that gallant youth, Victor Woodville, with whom he had fought so good a +fight, stood in the room. He was still pale and he carried his left arm +in a sling, but it was evident that his recovery from his wound had been +rapid. Dick saw the stern face of the old colonel brighten a bit, while +the tender smile curved again about the thin lips of the spinster. + +Young Woodville gave a warm greeting to his uncle and elderly cousin, +and nodded to Slade. Dick believed from his gesture that he did not like +the guerilla leader, or at least he hoped so. + +"Victor," said the colonel, "what word do you bring?" + +"Grant is advancing his batteries, and they seem to be massing for +attack. It will surely come in a day or two." + +"As I thought. Then we shall need all our energies for immediate battle. +And now, Mr. Slade, as I said before, I will see you again to-morrow +about the matter of which we were speaking. I am old, wounded, and I +grow weary. I would rest." + +Slade rose to go. He was not a pleasant sight. His clothes were soiled +and stained, and his face was covered with ragged beard. The eyes were +full of venom and malice. + +"Good day, Colonel Woodville," he said, "but I feel that I must bring +the matter up again. As a scout and leader of irregulars for the +Confederacy. I must be active in order to cope with the enemy's own +scouts and spies. I shall return early to-morrow morning." + +Colonel Woodville waved his hand and Slade, bowing, withdrew. + +"Why was he so persistent, Uncle Charles?" asked Victor. "He seemed to +have some underlying motive." + +"He always has such a motive, Victor. He is a man who suspects everybody +because he knows everybody has a right to suspect him. He may even have +been suspecting me, his old, and, I fear, too generous employer. He has +a mania about a spy hidden somewhere in Vicksburg." + +Young Victor Woodville laughed gayly. + +"What folly," he said, "for your old overseer, a man of Northern origin +to boot, to suspect you, of all men, of helping a Yankee in any way. +Why, Uncle Charles, everybody knows that you'd annihilate 'em if you +could, and that you were making good progress with the task until you +got that wound." + +Colonel Woodville drew his great, white eyebrows together in his +characteristic way. + +"I admit, Victor, that I'm the prince of Yankee haters," he said. +"They've ruined me, and if they succeed they'll ruin our state and the +whole South, too. We've fled for refuge to a hole in the ground, and yet +they come thundering at the door of so poor an abode. Listen!" + +They heard plainly the far rumble of the cannon. The intensity of the +fire increased with the growing day. Shells and bombs were falling +rapidly on Vicksburg. The face of Colonel Woodville darkened and the +eyes under the white thatch burned. + +"Nevertheless, Victor," he said, "hate the Yankees as I do, and I hate +them with all my heart and soul, there are some things a gentleman +cannot do." + +"What for instance, Uncle?" + +"He cannot break faith. He cannot do evil to those who have done good to +him. He must repay benefits with benefits. He cannot permit the burden +of obligation to remain upon him. Go to the door, Victor, and see if any +one is lurking there." + +Young Woodville went to the entrance and returned with word that no one +was near. + +"Victor," resumed Colonel Woodville, "this man Slade, who was so +preposterously wrong, this common overseer from the hostile section +which seeks with force to put us down, this miserable fellow who had +the presumption to suspect me, lying here with a wound, received in the +defense of the Confederacy, was nevertheless right." + +Victor stared, not understanding, and Colonel Woodville raised himself a +little higher on his pillows. + +"Since when," he asked of all the world, "has a Woodville refused to +pay his debts? Since when has a Woodville refused asylum to one who +protected him and his in the hour of danger? Margaret, lift the blanket +and invite our young friend in." + +Dick was on his feet in an instant, and came into the chamber, uttering +thanks to the man who, in spite of so much bitterness against his cause, +could yet shelter him. + +Young Woodville exclaimed in surprise. + +"The Yankee with whom I fought at Bellevue!" he said. + +"And the one who ignored your presence at Jackson," said Miss Woodville. + +The two lads shook hands. + +"And now," said Colonel Woodville, his old sharpness returning, +"we shall be on even terms, young sir. Your uniform bears a faint +resemblance to that of your own army, and Slade, cunning and cruel, may +have had you shot as a spy. You would be taken within our lines and this +is no time for long examinations." + +"I know how much I owe you, sir," said Dick, "and I know how much danger +my presence here brings upon you. I will leave as soon as the ravine is +clear. The gathering of the troops for battle will give me a chance." + +"You will do nothing of the kind. Having begun the task we will carry it +through. Our cave home rambles. There is a little apartment belonging +to Victor, in which you may put yourself in shape. I advise you to lie +quiet here for a day or two, and then if I am still able to put my hand +on you I may turn you over with full explanations to the authorities." + +Dick noted the significance of the words, "if I am still able to put my +hand on you," but he merely spoke of his gratitude and went with young +Woodville into the little apartment. It was on the right side of the +hall, and a round shutterless hole opened into the ravine, admitting +light and air. The "window," which was not more than a foot in diameter +faced toward the east and gave a view of earthworks, and the region +beyond, where the Union army stood. + +The room itself contained but little, a cot, some blankets, clothing, +and articles of the toilet. + +"Mason," said Woodville, "make yourself as comfortable as you can here. +I did not know until I escaped from Jackson that it was you who ignored +my presence there. You seem in some manner to have won the good opinion +of my uncle, and, in any event, he could not bear to remain in debt to a +Yankee. If you're careful you're safe here for the day, although you may +be lonesome. I must go at once to our lines. Cousin Margaret will bring +you something to eat." + +They shook hands again. + +"I can't do much fighting," said Woodville, "owing to this wounded arm +of mine, but I can carry messages, and the line is so long many are to +be taken." + +He went out and Miss Woodville came soon with food on a tray. Dick +suspected that they could ill spare it, but he must eat and he feared to +offer pay. It embarrassed him, too, that she should wait upon him, but, +in their situation, it was absolutely necessary that she do so, even +were there a servant somewhere, which he doubted. But she left the tray, +and when she returned for it an hour later she had only a few words to +say. + +Dick stood at the round hole that served as a window. There were +bushes about it, and, at that point, the cliff seemed to be almost +perpendicular. He was safe from observation and he looked over a +vast expanse of country. The morning was dazzlingly clear, and he saw +sections of the Confederate earthworks with their men and guns, and far +beyond them other earthworks and other guns, which he knew were those of +his own people. + +While he stood there alone, free from the tension that had lasted +while Slade was present, he realized the great volume of fire that the +Northern cannon were pouring without ceasing upon Vicksburg. The deep +rumble was continually in his ears, and at times his imagination made +the earth shake. He saw two shells burst in the air, and a shattering +explosion told that a third struck near by. To the eastward smoke was +always drifting. The Southern cannon seldom replied. + +He resolved to attempt escape during the coming night. It hurt him to +bring danger upon the Woodvilles and he wished, too, to fulfill his +mission. Others, beyond question, would reach the fleet with the +message, but he wished to reach it also. + +Yet nothing new occurred during all the long day. Miss Woodville brought +him more food at noon, but scarcely spoke. Then he returned to the hole +in the cliff, and remained there until twilight. Young Woodville +came, and he gathered from his manner that there had been no important +movement of the armies, that all as yet was preparation. But he inferred +that the storm was coming, and he told Victor that he meant to leave +that night. + +He was opposed vehemently. The line of Southern sentinels watched +everywhere. Slade was most vigilant. He might come at any time into the +ravine. No, he must wait. The next night, perhaps, but in any event he +must remain a while. + +Nor did he depart the next night either. Instead, two or three days +passed, and he was still in the house dug in the hillside, a guest and +yet a captive. The bombardment had gone on, his food was still brought +to him by Miss Woodville, and once or twice Victor came, but Dick, as he +was in honor bound, asked him no question about the armies. + +The waiting, the loneliness and the suspense were terrible to one so +young, and so ambitious. And yet he had fared better than he had a right +to expect, a fact, however, that did not relieve his situation. + +Another night came, and he went to sleep in his lonely cell in the wall, +but he was awakened while it was yet intensely dark by a cannonade far +surpassing in violence any that had gone before. He rushed to the hole, +but he could see nothing in the ravine. Yet the whole plateau seemed to +shake with the violence of the concussions and the crash of exploding +shells. + +The fire came from all sides, from the river as well as the land. The +boom of the huge mortars on the boats there sounded above everything. +Dick knew absolutely now that the message he was to carry had been +delivered by somebody else. + +He heard under the continued thunder of the guns sharp commands, and the +tread of many troops moving. He knew that the Southern forces were going +into position, and he felt himself that the tremendous fire was the +prelude to a great attack. His excitement grew. He strained his eyes, +but he could see nothing in the dark ravine, or out there where the +cannon roared, save the rapid, red flashes under the dim horizon. He had +his watch and he had kept it running. Now he was able to make out that +it was only three o'clock in the morning. A long time until day and +he must wait until then to know what such a furious convulsion would +achieve. + +The slow time passed, and there was no decrease of the fire. Once or +twice he came away from the window and listened at the entrance to his +little room, but he could hear nothing stirring in the larger chamber. +Yet it was incredible that Colonel Woodville and his daughter should not +be awake. They would certainly be listening with an anxiety and suspense +not less than his. + +Dawn came after painful ages, and slowly the region out there where the +Union army lay rose into the light. But it was a red dawn, a dawn in +flame and smoke. Scores of guns crashed in front, and behind the heavy +booming of the mortars on the boats formed the overnote of the storm. + +The opening was not large, but it afforded the lad a good view, and he +thrust his head out as far as he could, every nerve in him leaping at +the deep roar of the cannonade. He had no doubt that the assault was +about to be made. He was wild with eagerness to see it, and it was a +cruel hurt to his spirit that he was held there, and could not take a +part in it. + +He thought of rushing from the place, and of seeking a way through the +lines to his own army, but a little reflection showed him that it would +be folly. He must merely be a witness, while Colonel Winchester, Warner, +Pennington, the sergeant, Colonel Hertford, all whom he knew and the +tens of thousands whom he did not know, fought the battle. + +A tremendous sound, distant and steady, would not blot out much smaller +sounds nearby, and now he heard noises in the larger chamber. The voice +of Colonel Woodville was raised in sharp command. + +"Lift me up!" he said, "I must see! Must I lie here, eating my soul out, +when a great battle is going on! Help me up, I say! Wound or no wound, I +will go to the door!" + +Then the voice of Miss Woodville attempting to soothe was heard, but +the colonel broke forth more furiously than ever, not at her, but at his +unhappy fate. + +Dick, spurred by impulse, left his alcove and entered the room. + +"Sir," he said respectfully to Colonel Woodville, "you are eager to see, +and so am I. May I help you?" + +Colonel Woodville turned a red eye upon him. + +"Young man," he said, "you have shown before a sense of fitness, and +your appearance now is most welcome. You shall help me to the door, +and I will lean upon you. Together we will see what is going to happen, +although I wish for one result, and you for another. No, Margaret, it +is not worth while to protest any further. My young Yankee and I will +manage it very well between us." + +Miss Woodville stepped aside and smiled wanly. + +"I think it is best, Miss Woodville," Dick said in a low tone. + +"Perhaps," she replied. + +Colonel Woodville impatiently threw off the cover. He wore a long purple +dressing gown, and his wound was in the leg, but it was partly healed. +Dick helped him out of the bed and then supported him with his arm under +his shoulder. Within that singular abode the roar of the guns was a +steady and sinister mutter, but beneath it now appeared another note. + +Colonel Woodville had begun to swear. It was not the torrent of loud +imprecation that Dick had heard in Jackson, but subdued, and all the +more fierce because it was so like the ferocious whine of a powerful and +hurt wild animal. Swearing was common enough among the older men of the +South, even among the educated, but Colonel Woodville now surpassed them +all. + +Dick heard oaths, ripe and rich, entirely new to him, and he heard the +old ones in new arrangements and with new inflections. And yet there was +no blasphemy about it. It seemed a part of time and place, and, what was +more, it seemed natural coming from the lips of the old colonel. + +They reached the door, the cut in the side of the ravine, and at once a +wide portion of the battlefield sprang into the light, while the roar +of the guns was redoubled. Dick would have stepped back now, but Colonel +Woodville's hand rested on his shoulder and his support was needed. + +"My glasses, Margaret!" said the colonel. "I must see! I will see! If +I am but an old hound, lying here while the pack is in full cry, I will +nevertheless see the chase! And even if I am an old hound I could run +with the best of them if that infernal Yankee bullet had not taken me in +the leg!" + +Miss Woodville brought him the glasses, a powerful pair, and he glued +them instantly to his eyes. Dick saw only the field of battle, dark +lines and blurs, the red flare of cannon and rifle fire, and towers and +banks of smoke, but the colonel saw individual human beings, and, with +his trained military eye, he knew what the movements meant. Dick felt +the hand upon his shoulder trembling with excitement. He was excited +himself. Miss Woodville stood just behind them, and a faint tinge of +color appeared in her pale face. + +"The Yankees are getting ready to charge," said the colonel. "At the +point we see they will not yet rush forward. They will, of course, wait +for a preconcerted signal, and then their whole army will attack at +once. But the woods and ravines are filled with their skirmishers, +trying to clear the way. I can see them in hundreds and hundreds, and +their rifles make sheets of flame. All the time the cannon are firing +over their heads. Heavens, what a bombardment! I've never before +listened to its like!" + +"What are our troops doing, father?" asked Miss Woodville. + +"Very little yet, and they should do little. Pemberton is showing more +judgment than I expected of him. The defense should hold its fire until +the enemy is well within range and that's what we're doing!" + +The colonel leaned a little more heavily upon him, but Dick steadied +himself. The old man still kept the glasses to his eyes, and swept them +back and forth in as wide an arc as their position permitted. The hills +shook with the thunder of the cannon, and the brilliant sun, piercing +through the smoke, lighted up the vast battle line. + +"The attack of the skirmishers grows hotter," said the old man. "The +thickets blaze with the fire of their rifles. Heavy masses of infantry +are moving forward. Now they stop and lie on their arms. They are +awaiting the word from other parts of the field, and it shows with +certainty that a grand attack is coming. Two batteries of eight guns +each have come nearer. I did not think it possible for the fire of their +cannon to increase, but it has done so. Young sir, would you care to +look through the glasses?" + +"I believe not, Colonel. I will trust to the naked eye and your report." + +It was an odd feeling that made Dick decline the glasses. If he looked +he must tell to the others what he saw, and he wished to show neither +exultation nor depression. The colonel, the duty of courtesy discharged, +resumed his own position of witness and herald. + +"The columns of infantry are getting up again," he said. "I see a man in +what I take to be a general's uniform riding along their front. He +must be making a speech. No doubt he knows the desperate nature of +the attack, and would inspire them. Now he is gone and other officers, +colonels and majors are moving about." + +"What are the skirmishers doing, Colonel?" + +"Their fire is not so hot. They must be drawing back. They have made +the prelude, and the importance of their role has passed. The masses +of infantry are drawing together again. Now I see men on horseback with +trumpets to their lips. Yes, the charge is coming. Ah-h! That burnt +them!" + +There was a terrific crash much nearer, and Dick knew that it was the +Southern batteries opening fire. The shoulder upon which the colonel's +hand rested shook a little, but it was from excitement. He said nothing +and Colonel Woodville continued: + +"The smoke is so heavy I can't see what damage was done! Now it has +cleared away! There are gaps in the Yankee lines, but the men have +closed up, and they come on at the double quick with their cannon still +firing over their heads!" + +In his excitement he took his hand off Dick's shoulder and leaned +forward a little farther, supporting himself now against the earthen +wall. Dick stood just behind him, shielded from the sight of any one +who might be passing in the ravine, although there was little danger now +from searchers with a great battle going on. Meanwhile he watched the +combat with an eagerness fully equal to that of the old colonel. + +The mighty crash of cannon and rifles together continued, but for a +little while the smoke banked up in front so densely that the whole +combat was hidden from them. Then a wind slowly rolled the smoke away. +The figures of the men began to appear like shadowy tracery, and then +emerged, distinct and separate from the haze. + +"They are nearer now," said the Colonel. "I can plainly see their long +lines moving and their light guns coming with them. But our batteries +are raking them horribly. Their men are falling by the scores and +hundreds." + +Miss Woodville uttered a deep sigh and turned her face away. But she +looked again in a few moments. The terrible spell was upon her, too. + +Dick's nerves were quivering. His heart was with the assailants and +theirs with the assailed, but he would not speak aloud against the hopes +of Colonel Woodville and his daughter, since he was in their house, such +as it was, and, in a measure, under their protection. + +"Their charge is splendid," continued the colonel, "and I hope Pemberton +has made full use of the ground for defense! He will need all the help +he can get! Oh, to be out of the battle on such a day! The smoke is in +the way again and I can see nothing. Now it has passed and the enemy is +still advancing, but our fire grows hotter and hotter! The shells and +the grape and the canister and the bullets are smashing through them. +They cannot live under it! They must go back!" + +Nevertheless the blue lines came steadily toward the Southern +earthworks. Dick saw officers, some ahorse, and some afoot, rushing +about and encouraging the men, and he saw many fall and lie still while +the regiments passed on. + +"They are in the nearer thickets," cried the colonel, "and now they're +climbing the slopes! Ah, you riflemen, your target is there!" + +The Northern army was so near now that the Southern rifle fire was +beating upon it like a storm. Never flinching, the men of the west and +northwest hurled themselves upon the powerful fortified positions. Some +reached shelves of the plateau almost at the mouths of the guns and hung +there, their comrades falling dead or dying around them, but now the +rebel yell began to swell along the vast line, and reached the ears of +those in the ravine. + +"The omen of victory!" exclaimed the colonel exultantly. "Our brave lads +feel that they're about to triumph! Grant can't break through our line! +Why doesn't he call off his men? It's slaughter!" + +Dick's heart sank. He knew that the colonel's words were true. The +Southern army, posted in its defenses, was breaking the ring of steel +that sought to crush it to death. Groups of men in blue who had seized +ground in the very front of the defenses either died there or were +gradually driven back. The inner ring along its front of miles thundered +incessantly on the outer ring, and repelled every attempt to crush it. + +"They yield," said the colonel, after a long time. "The Northern fire +has sunk at many points, and there! and there! they're retreating! The +attack has failed and the South has won a victory!" + +"But Grant will come again," said Dick, speaking his opinion for the +first time. + +"No doubt of it," said Colonel Woodville, "but likely he will come to +the same fate." + +He spoke wholly without animosity. The battle now died fast. The men +in gray had been invincible. Their cannon and rifles had made an +impenetrable barrier of fire, and Grant, despite the valor of his +troops, had been forced to draw off. Many thousands had fallen and the +Southern generals were exultant. Johnston would come up, and Grant, +having such heavy losses, would be unable to withstand the united +Confederate armies. + +But Grant, as Colonel Woodville foresaw, had no idea of retreating. +Fresh troops were pouring down the great river for him, and while he +would not again attempt to storm Vicksburg, the ring of steel around it +would be made so broad and strong that Pemberton could not get out nor +could Johnston get in. + +When the last cannon shot echoed over the far hills Colonel Woodville +turned away from the door of his hillside home. + +"I must ask your shoulder again, young sir," he said to Dick. "What I +have seen rejoices me greatly, but I do not say it to taunt you. In +war if one wins the other must lose, and bear in mind that you are the +invader." + +"May I help you back to your bed, sir?" asked Dick. + +"You may. You are a good young man. I'm glad I saved you from that +scoundrel, Slade. As the score between us is even I wish that you were +out of Vicksburg and with your own people." + +"I was thinking, too, sir, that I ought to go. I may take a quick +departure." + +"Then if you do go I wish you a speedy and safe journey, but I tell you +to beware of one, Slade, who has a malicious heart and a long memory." + +Dick withdrew to his own cell, as he called it, and he passed bitter +hours there. The repulse had struck him a hard blow. Was it possible +that Grant could not win? And if he could not win what terrible risks +he would run in the heart of the Confederacy, with perhaps two armies to +fight! He felt that only the Mississippi, that life-line connecting him +with the North, could save him. + +But as dusk came gradually in the ravine he resolved that he would go. +His supper, as usual, was brought to him by Miss Woodville. She was as +taciturn as ever, speaking scarcely a half-dozen words. When he asked +her if Victor had gone through the battle unharmed she merely nodded, +and presently he was alone again, with the dusk deepening in the great +gully. + +Dick was confident that nobody but Colonel Woodville, his daughter, and +himself were in the cave-home. It was but a small place, and new callous +places on her hands indicated that she was doing the cooking and all +other work. His resolve to risk everything and go was strengthened. + +He waited patiently until the full night had come and only the usual +sounds of an army in camp arose. Then he made ready. He had surrendered +his holster and pistols to Colonel Woodville, and so he must issue forth +unarmed, but it could not be helped. He had several ten dollar gold +pieces in his pocket, and he put one of them on the tiny table in his +cell. He knew that it would be most welcome, and he could not calculate +how many hundreds in Confederacy currency it was worth. He was glad that +he could repay a little at least. + +Then he stepped lightly toward the larger chamber in which Colonel +Woodville lay. The usual candle was burning on the table near his bed, +but the great bald head lay motionless on the pillow, and the heavy +white eyebrows drooped over closed lids. Sound asleep! Dick was glad +of it. The colonel, with his strong loyalty to the South, might seek +to hold him, at least as his personal prisoner, and now the trouble was +avoided. + +He moved gently across the floor, and then passed toward the open door. +How good that puff of fresh air and freedom felt on his face! He did not +know that Colonel Woodville raised his head on the pillow, glanced after +him, and then let his head sink back and his eyes close again. A low +sigh came between the colonel's lips, and it would have been difficult +to say whether it was relief or regret. + +Dick stepped into the narrow path cut in the side of the ravine and +inhaled more draughts of the fresh air. How sweet and strong it was! How +it filled one's lungs and brought with it life, courage and confidence! +One had to live in a hole in a hill before he could appreciate fully the +blessed winds that blew about the world. He knew that the path ran +in front of other hollows dug in the earth, and he felt sorry for the +people who were compelled to burrow in them. He felt sorry, in truth, +for all Vicksburg, because now that he was outside his fears for Grant +disappeared, and he knew that he must win. + +While he remained in the path a deep boom came from the direction of the +Union army and a huge shell burst over the town. It was followed in a +moment by another and then by many others. While the besieged rejoiced +in victory the besiegers had begun anew the terrible bombardment, +sending a warning that the iron ring still held. + +Dick paused no longer, but ran rapidly along the path until he emerged +upon the open plateau and proceeded toward the center of the town. He +judged that in the hours following a great battle, while there was yet +much confusion, he would find his best chance. + +He had reckoned rightly. There was a great passing to and fro in +Vicksburg, but its lights were dim. Oil and candles alike were scarce, +and there was little but the moon's rays to disclose a town to the eye. +The rejoicings over the victory had brought more people than usual into +the streets, but the same exultation made them unsuspicious, and Dick +glided among them in the dusk, almost without fear. + +He had concluded that "the longest way around was the shortest way +through," and he directed his steps toward the river. He had formed a +clear plan at last, and he believed that it would succeed. Twisting and +turning, always keeping in the shadows, he made good progress, descended +the bluff, and at last stood behind the ruins of an old warehouse near +the stream. + +Southern batteries were not far away from him and he heard the men +talking. Then, strengthening his resolution, he came from behind the +ruins, flung himself almost flat on the ground, and crawled toward the +river, pushing in front of him a board, which some Northern gun had shot +from the warehouse. + +He knew that his task was difficult and dangerous, though in the last +resort he could rush to the water and spring in. But he was almost +at the edge before any sentinel saw the black shadow passing over the +ground. + +A hail came, and Dick flattened himself against the ground and lay +perfectly still. Evidently the sentinel was satisfied that his fancy had +been making merry with him, as he did not look further at the shadow, +and Dick, after waiting two or three minutes, resumed his slow creeping. + +He reached the edge, shoved the board into it, and dropped gently into +the water beside it, submerged to the head. Then, pushing his support +before him, he struck out for the middle of the stream. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. THE TAKING OF VICKSBURG + + +Dick was a fine swimmer, he had a good stout plank, and the waters of +the river were warm. He felt that the chief dangers were passed, and +that the muddy Mississippi would now bear him safely to the blockading +fleet below. He gave the plank another shove, sending it farther out +into the stream, and then raised himself up until his elbows rested upon +it. He could thus float gently with a little propulsion from his legs to +the place where he wanted to go. + +He saw lights along the bluff and the bar below, and then, with a sudden +shoot of alarm he noticed a dim shadow move slowly from the shore. It +was a long boat, holding a dozen rowers, and several men armed with +rifles, and it was coming toward him. He did not know whether it was +merely an ordinary patrol, or whether they had seen the darker blot on +the stream that he and the plank made, but in any event the result would +be the same. + +He slipped his arm off the plank and sank in the stream to the chin. +Then, propelling it gently and without any splashing of the water, he +continued to move down the stream. He was hopeful that the riflemen +would mistake him and his plank for one of those stumps or logs which +the Mississippi carries so often on its bosom. + +The head of the boat turned from him a little, and he felt sure now that +he would drift away unnoticed, but one of the soldiers suddenly raised +his rifle and fired. Dick heard the bullet clip the water close beside +him, and he swam as hard as he could for a few moments. Then he +settled again into quiet, as he saw the boat was not coming toward him. +Doubtless the man had merely fired the shot to satisfy himself that it +was really a log, and if Dick allowed it to float naturally he would be +convinced. + +It was a tremendous trial of nerves to run the gantlet in this way, but +as it was that or nothing he exerted all his will upon his body, and let +himself float slowly, sunk again to the mouth and with his head thrown +back, so it would present only a few inches above the surface. + +The boat turned, and seemed once upon the point of coming toward him. He +could hear the creaking of the oars and the men talking, but they turned +again suddenly and rowed up the stream. Again, his fate had hung on a +chance impulse. He drifted slowly on until the town and the bluffs sank +in the darkness. Then he drew himself upon his plank and swam, doubling +his speed. He knew that some of the Union gunboats lay not far below, +and, when he rounded a curve, he saw a light in the stream, but near the +shore. + +He approached cautiously, knowing that the men on the vessel would be on +guard against secret attack, and presently he discerned the outlines +of a sidewheel steamer, converted into a warship and bearing guns. He +dropped down by the side of his plank until he was quite close, and +then, raising himself upon it again, he shouted with all his voice: +"Ship ahoy!" + +He did not know whether that was the customary method of hailing on the +Mississippi, but it was a memory from his nautical reading, and so he +shouted a second and yet a third time at the top of his voice: "Ship +ahoy!" Figures bearing rifles appeared at the side, and a rough voice +demanded in language highly unparliamentary who was there and what he, +she or it wanted. + +Dick was in a genial mood. He had escaped with an ease that surprised +him, and the warmth of the water in which he was immersed had saved him +from cramp or chill. The spirit of recklessness seized him again. He +threw himself astride his plank, and called out: + +"A detachment of the army of the United States escaped from captivity in +Vicksburg, and wishing to rejoin it. It's infantry, not marines, and it +needs land." + +"Then advance infantry and give the countersign." + +"Grant and Victory," replied Dick in a loud, clear voice. + +A laugh came from the steamer, and the rough voice said again: + +"Let the detachment advance again, and holding up its hands, show +itself." + +Dick paddled closer and, steadying himself as well as he could, threw +up his hands. The light of a ship's lantern was thrown directly on his +face, and the same voice ordered men to take a small boat and get him. + +When Dick stepped upon the deck of the steamer, water streaming from +his clothes, several men looked at him curiously. One in a dingy blue +uniform he believed to be the owner of the rough voice. But his face was +not rough. + +"Who are you?" asked the man. + +"Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's regiment in the army +of General Grant, sent several days ago with a message to the fleet, but +driven by Confederate scouts and skirmishers into Vicksburg, where he +lay hidden, seeking a chance of escape." + +"And he found it to-night, coming down the river like a big catfish." + +"He did, sir. He could find no other way, and he arrived on the useful +board which is now floating away on the current." + +"What proof have you that you are what you say." + +"That I saw you before you saw me and hailed you." + +"It's not enough." + +"Then here is the message that I was to have delivered to the commander +of the fleet. It's pretty wet, but I think you can make it out." + +He drew the dispatch from the inside pocket of his waistcoat. It was +soaked through, but when they turned the ship's lantern upon it the +captain could make out its tenor and the names. Doubt could exist no +longer and he clapped his hands heartily upon the lad's shoulder. + +"Come into the cabin and have something to eat and dry clothes," he +said. "This is the converted steamer Union, and I'm its commander, +Captain William Hays. I judge that you've had an extraordinary time." + +"I have, captain, and the hardest of it all was when I saw our army +repulsed to-day." + +"It was bad and the wounded are still lying on the field, but it doesn't +mean that Vicksburg will have a single moment of rest. Listen to that, +will you, lieutenant?" + +The far boom of a cannon came, and Dick knew that its shell would break +over the unhappy town. But he had grown so used to the cannonade that +it made little impression upon him, and, shrugging his shoulders, he +descended the gangway with the captain. + +Clothing that would fit him well enough was found, and once more he was +dry and warm. Hot coffee and good food were brought him, and while he +ate and drank Captain Hays asked him many questions. What was the rebel +strength in Vicksburg? Were they exultant over their victory of the day? +Did they think they could hold out? What food supply did they have? + +Dick answered all the questions openly and frankly as far as he could. +He really knew little or nothing about those of importance, and, as for +himself, he merely said that he had hid in a cave, many of which had +been dug in Vicksburg. He did not mention Colonel Woodville or his +daughter. + +"Now," said Captain Hays, when he finished his supper, "you can have +a bunk. Yes, lieutenant, you must take it. I could put you ashore +to-night, but it's not worth while. Get a good night's sleep, and we'll +see to-morrow." + +Dick knew that he was right, and, quelling his impatience, he lay down +in one of the bunks and slept until morning. + +Then, after a solid breakfast, he went ashore with the good wishes of +Captain Hays, and, a few hours later, he was with the Union army and his +own regiment. Again he was welcomed as one dead and his own heart was +full of rejoicing because all of his friends were alive. Warner alone +had been wounded, a bullet cutting into his shoulder, but not hurting +him much. He wore a bandage, his face had a becoming pallor, and +Pennington charged that he was making the most of it. + +"But it was an awful day," said Warner, "and there's a lot of gloom +in the camp. Still, we're not moving away and the reinforcements are +coming." + +Dick explained to Colonel Winchester why he had failed in his mission, +and the colonel promised to report in turn to the commander that the +hand of God had intervened. Dick's conscience was now at rest, and he +resumed at once his duties with the regiment. + +Many days passed. While Grant did not make any other attack upon +Vicksburg his circle of steel grew tighter, and the rain of shells and +bombs upon the devoted town never ceased. Reinforcements poured forward. +His army rose to nearly eighty thousand men, and Johnston, hovering +near, gathering together what men he could, did not dare to strike. Dick +was reminded more than once of Caesar's famous siege of Alesia, about +which he had read not so long ago in Dr. Russell's academy at Pendleton. + +There were long, long days of intrenching, skirmishing and idleness. May +turned into June, and still the steel coil enclosed Vicksburg. Here the +Union men were hopeful, but the news from the East was bad. Not much +filtered through, and none of it struck a happy note. Lee, with +his invincible legions, was still sweeping northward. Doubtless the +Confederate hosts now trod the soil of a free State, and Dick and his +comrades feared in their very souls that Lee was marching to another +great victory. + +"I wish I could hear from Harry Kenton," said Dick to Warner. "I'd like +to know whether he passed through Chancellorsville safely." + +"Don't you worry about him," said Warner. "That rebel cousin of yours +has luck. He also has skill. Let x equal luck and y skill. Now x plus y +equals the combination of luck and skill, which is safety. That +proves to me mathematically that he is unharmed and that he is riding +northward--to defeat, I hope." + +"We've got to win here," said Dick. "If we don't, I'm thinking the +cause of the Union will be more than doubtful. We don't seem to have the +generals in the East that we have in the West. Our leaders hang on here +and they don't overestimate the enemy." + +"That's so," said Pennington. "Now, I wonder what 'Pap' Thomas is +doing." + +"He's somewhere in Tennessee, I suppose, watching Bragg," said Dick. +"That's a man I like, and, I think, after this affair here is over, we +may go back to his command. If we do succeed in taking Vicksburg, +it seems likely to me that the heavy fighting will be up there in +Tennessee, where Bragg's army is." + +"Do you know if your uncle, Colonel Kenton, is in Vicksburg?" + +"I don't think so. In fact, I'm sure he isn't. His regiment is with +Bragg. Well, George, what does your algebra tell us?" + +Warner had taken out his little volume again and was studying it +intently. But he raised his head long enough to reply. + +"I have just achieved the solution of a very important mathematical +problem," he answered in precise tones. "An army of about thirty-five +thousand men occupies a town located on a river. It is besieged by +another army of about seventy-five thousand men flushed with victory. +The besiegers occupy the river with a strong fleet. They are also led +by a general who has shown skill and extraordinary tenacity, while the +commander of the besieged has not shown much of either quality and must +feel great discouragement." + +"But you're only stating the side of the besieged." + +"Don't interrupt. It's impolite. I mean to be thoroughly fair. Now +come the factors favoring the besieged. The assailing army, despite its +superior numbers, is far in the enemy's country. It may be attacked at +any time by another army outside, small, but led by a very able general. +Now, you have both sides presented to you, but I have already arrived at +the determining factor. What would you say it is, Dick?" + +"I don't know." + +"You haven't used your reasoning powers. Remember that the man who not +merely thinks, but who thinks hard and continuously always wins. It's +very simple. The answer is in four letters, f-o-o-d, food. As we know +positively, Pemberton was able to provision Vicksburg for five or +six weeks. We can't break in and he can't break out. When his food +is exhausted, as it soon will be, he'll have to give up. The siege of +Vicksburg is over. I know everything, except the exact date." + +Dick was inclined to believe that Warner was right, but he forgot about +his prediction, because a mail came down the river that afternoon, and +he received a letter from his mother, his beautiful young mother, who +often seemed just like an elder sister. + +She was in Pendleton, she wrote, staying comfortably in their home. The +town was occupied by three companies of veteran Union troops who behaved +well. They were always glad to have a garrison of good soldiers whether +Federal or Confederate--sometimes it was one and sometimes the other. +But she thought the present Union force would remain quite a while, as +she did not look for the reappearance of the Southern army in Kentucky. +But if the town were left without troops she would go back to her +relatives in the Bluegrass, as Bill Skelly's band to the eastward in +the mountains was raiding and plundering and had become a great menace. +Guerillas were increasing in numbers in those doubtful regions. + +"The regular troops will have to deal with those fellows later on," said +Dick. + +"Dr. Russell has had a letter from Harry Kenton," continued Mrs. Mason. +"It was written from some point near the Pennsylvania line, and, while +Harry did not say so in his letter, I know that General Lee is expecting +a great victory in the North. Harry was not hurt at Chancellorsville, +but he says he does not see how he escaped, the fire of the cannon and +rifles being more awful than any that he had ever seen before. He was +present when General Jackson was mortally wounded, and he seems to have +been deeply affected by it. He writes that the Confederacy could better +have lost a hundred thousand men." + +There was more in the letter, but it was strictly personal to Dick, and +it closed with her heartfelt prayer that God, who had led him safely so +far, would lead him safely through all. + +After reading it several times he put it in a hidden pocket. Soldiers +did not receive many letters and they always treasured them. Ah, his +dear, beautiful young mother! How could anyone ever harm her! Yet the +thought of Skelly and his outlaws made him uneasy. He hoped that the +Union garrison would remain in Pendleton permanently. + +His mind was soon compelled to turn back to the siege. They were digging +trenches and creeping closer and closer. Warner had made no mistake +in his mathematics. The army and the people in Vicksburg had begun to +suffer from a lack of food. They were down to half rations. They had +neither tea nor coffee, and medicines were exhausted. Many and many a +time they looked forth from their hills and prayed for Johnston, but he +could not come. Always the Union flag floated before them, and the ring +of steel so strong and broad was contracting inch by inch. + +The Northern engineers ran mines under the Confederate works. They used +every device of ingenious minds to push the siege. Spies brought word +that all food would soon be gone in Vicksburg, and Grant, grim of +purpose, took another hitch in the steel belt about the hopeless town. +The hostile earthworks and trenches were now so near that the men could +hear one another talking. Sometimes in a lull of the firing they +would come out and exchange tobacco or news. It was impossible for the +officers to prevent it, and they really did not seek to do so, as the +men fought just as well when they returned to their works. + +June now drew to a close and the great heats of July were at hand. Dick +was convinced that the defense of Vicksburg was drawing to a like close. +They had proof that some of the irregulars in Vicksburg had escaped +through the lines and he was convinced that Slade would be among them. +They were the rats and Vicksburg was the sinking ship. + +They heard that Johnston had gathered together twenty-five thousand men +and was at last marching to the relief of the town. Dick believed that +Grant must have laughed one of his grimmest laughs. They knew that +Johnston's men were worn and half-starved, and had been harassed by +other Union troops. Johnston was skillful, but he would only be a lean +and hungry wolf attacking a grizzly bear. He was sure that all danger +from him had passed. + +Now, as they closed in the Northern guns increased their fire. It seemed +to Dick that they could have blown away the whole plateau of Vicksburg +by this time. The storm of shells raked the town, and he was glad that +the people had been able to dig caves for refuge. Colonel Woodville must +be doing some of his greatest swearing now. Dick thought of him with +sympathy and friendliness. + +"I don't think it can last much longer, Mr. Mason," said Sergeant Daniel +Whitley on the morning of the second of July. "Their guns don't answer +ours often and it means that they're out of ammunition, or almost. +Besides, you can stand shells and bullets easier than lack of food. +'Pears to me I can nearly feel 'em crumpling up before us." + +Trumpets blew the next morning. All the firing ceased suddenly and the +three lads saw a Southern general with several officers of lower rank, +riding forward under a white flag. It was Bowen, who came out to meet +Grant. + +Dick drew a deep, long breath. He knew that this was the end. So did his +comrades. A cheer started and swept part of the way along the lines, but +the officers quickly stopped it. + +"Vicksburg is ours," said Dick. + +"Looks like it," said Warner. + +But Grant told Bowen that he would treat only with Pemberton, and after +delays General Pemberton came out. General Grant went forward to meet +him. The two stood alone under a tree within seventy yards of the +Confederate lines and talked. + +Chance or fortune presented a startling coincidence. Almost at the very +moment that Grant and Pemberton met under the tree Pickett's men were +rising to their feet and preparing for the immortal but fatal charge at +Gettysburg. While the cannon had ceased suddenly at Vicksburg they were +thundering from many score mouths at Gettysburg. Fortune was launching +two thunderbolts upon the Confederacy at the same moment. They were to +strike upon fields a thousand miles apart, and the double blow was to be +mortal. + +But Dick knew nothing of Gettysburg then, nor was he to know anything +until days afterward. He certainly had no thought of the East while he +watched the two generals under the tree. Dick's comrades were with him, +but so intense was their curiosity that none of them spoke. Thousands +of men were gazing with the same eagerness, and the Southern earthworks +were covered with the defenders. + +It was one of the most dramatic scenes in Dick's life, the two men under +the tree, and the tens of thousands who watched. Nobody moved. It seemed +that they scarcely breathed. After the continuous roar of firing the +sudden silence was oppressive, and Dick felt the blood pounding in his +ears. + +The heat was close and heavy. Black clouds were floating up in the west, +and lightning glimmered now and then on the horizon. Although the storm +threatened no one noticed. All eyes were still for Grant and Pemberton. +After a while each returned to his own command, and there was an +armistice until the next day, when the full surrender was made, and +Grant and his officers rode into Vicksburg. At the same time Lee was +gathering his men for the retreat into the South from the stricken field +of Gettysburg. It was the Fourth of July, the eighty-seventh anniversary +of the Declaration of Independence, and no one could have possibly +conceived a more striking celebration. + +As soon as Dick was free for a little space he hurried to the ravine, +and, as before, found there the open door. He passed in without +hesitation. + +The light as of old filtered into the room, and Colonel Woodville lay +just as before in bed with his great bald head upon the pillow. Miss +Woodville sat beside the bed, reading aloud from Addison. Dick's step +was light, but the colonel heard him and held up a finger. The lad +paused until Miss Woodville, finishing a long sentence, closed the +book. Then the colonel, raising a little the great white thatch of his +eyebrows, said: + +"Young sir, you have returned again, and, personally, you are welcome, +but I do not conceive how you can stand the company you keep. My +daughter informs me that the Yankees are in Vicksburg, and I have no +reason to doubt the statement." + +He paused, and Dick said: + +"Yes, Colonel, it's true." + +"I suppose we must endure it. I should have gone myself and have offered +my sword to General Grant, but this confounded leg of mine is still +weak." + +"At least, sir, we come with something besides arms. May I bring you +rations?" + +"You are generous, young man, and my daughter and I appreciate the +obvious nature of your errand here. Speaking for both of us, a little +food will not be unwelcome." + +"Tell me first, what has become of your nephew. Has he escaped from the +city?" + +"He slipped out nearly a week ago, and will join his father's regiment +in Bragg's command. That scoundrel, Slade, is gone too. Since the city +had to be surrendered I would gladly have made you a present of Slade, +but it's out of my power now." + +Dick soon returned with ample food for them and helped them later, when +they moved to quarters outside in the shell-torn city. Dick saw that +they were comfortable, and then his mind turned toward Tennessee. +Detachments from Grant's army were to be sent to that of Rosecrans, who +was now heavily threatened by Bragg, and the Winchester regiment, which +really belonged with him, was sure to go. + +The order to march soon came, and it was welcome. The regiment, or +rather what was left of it, promptly embarked upon one of the river +steamers and started northward. + +As they stood on the deck and looked down at the yellow waters in which +Dick had swum on his trusty plank Warner said: + +"I've news of importance. It arrived in a telegram to General Grant, and +I heard it just as we were coming on board." + +"What is it?" asked Dick. + +"General Lee was defeated in a great battle at a little place called +Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, and has retreated into Virginia." + +"Gettysburg and Vicksburg!" exclaimed Dick. "The wheel has turned nearly +'round. The Confederacy is doomed now." + +"I think so, too," said Warner. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. AN AFFAIR OF THE MOUNTAINS + + +Although they were on board one of the fastest steamers in the Union +service, Dick and his comrades had a long journey by river. But it +was not unpleasant. They enjoyed the rest and ease after the weeks of +fighting and service in the trenches before Vicksburg. The absence of +war and the roar of cannon and rifles was like a happy dream between +days of fighting. As they went northward on the great river it almost +seemed as if peace had returned. + +Warner studied his algebra and two other books of mathematics which he +was lucky enough to find on board. Pennington slept a great deal of the +time. + +"I learned it on the plains from the Indians," he said. "When they don't +have anything to do they sleep and gather strength for the hour of need. +I think the time is coming soon when they won't let me sleep at all, and +then I can draw on the great supply I have in stock." + +"Likely enough it's near," said Dick dreamily. "They say Bragg has a +great army now, and you know that, while Rosecrans is slow he's pretty +sure. Thomas and McCook and the others are with him, too. I expect to +see 'Pap' Thomas again. He's a general to my liking." + +"And to mine, too," said Pennington, "but we can talk about him later +on, because I'm going to sleep again inside of a minute." + +Dick was not averse to silence, as he, too, was half asleep; that is, he +was in a dreamy stage, and he was at peace with the world and his fellow +men. From under drooping eyelids he was vaguely watching the low shores +of the Mississippi, and the great mass of yellow waters moving onward +from the far vague forests of the North in their journey of four +thousand miles to the gulf. + +Like all boys of the great valley, Dick always felt the romance and +spell of the Mississippi. It was to him and them one of the greatest +facts in the natural world, the grave of De Soto, the stream on which +their fathers and forefathers had explored and traded and fought since +their beginnings. Now it was fulfilling its titanic role again, and the +Union fleets upon its bosom were splitting the Confederacy asunder. + +He, too, fell asleep before long. Warner glanced at his comrades who +slept so well on a hard bench, and his look was rather envious. He +returned his beloved algebra to his pocket, leaned back on the bench +also, and, although he had not believed it possible, slept also inside +of five minutes. Colonel Winchester passing smiled sympathetically, but +his glance lingered longest on Dick. + +After days on the water the regiment disembarked, marched more days +across the country, joining other regiments on the way, and reached +the rear guard of the army of Rosecrans, which was already marching +southward in the direction of Chattanooga to meet that of Bragg. They +advanced now over the Cumberland mountains through a country wild +and thinly inhabited. The summer was waning, but it was cool on the +mountains and in the passes, nor was it so dry as the year before, when +they fought that terrible battle at Perryville in Kentucky. + +Dick was glad to be again in the high country, the land of firm soil and +of many clear, rushing streams. Heart and lungs expanded, when he looked +upon the long ridges, clothed in deep forest, and breathed the pure air +that blew down from their summits. Yet his dream of peace was over. +As they advanced through the forests and passes they were harassed +incessantly by sharpshooters on the slopes, who melted away before them, +but who returned on the very heels of the vain pursuit to vex them again +with bullets. + +They heard soon that the most daring of these bands was led by a man +named Slade, and Dick's pulse took a jump. He felt in a curious sort of +way that this man Slade was still following him. It seemed more than a +decree of chance that their fates should be intertwined. He hoped that +Slade would never hear how he had been hidden in that hole in the ravine +with the Woodvilles. Trouble could come of it for gallant young Victor +Woodville, and even for his uncle. He was sure that Victor was now with +Bragg and they might meet face to face again. + +As they rode through a defile and came into a wide valley they saw +before them an extensive Union camp, and they were overjoyed to learn +that it was the division of Thomas, the general to whom they were to +report. Dick had once received the personal thanks of Thomas, and +the grave, able man inspired him with immense respect, mingled with +affection. + +He stood before Thomas in his tent that evening, Colonel Winchester +having yielded to his request to take him with him when he reported the +arrival of his regiment. Thomas, usually so taciturn, delighted the soul +of the lad by remembering him at once. + +"It was you, Lieutenant Mason, who came to me there in the Kentucky +mountains with the dispatches," he said, "and you were also with us at +Perryville and Stone River." + +"I was, sir," said Dick, flushing with pride. + +"And you were with General Grant at the taking of Vicksburg! It was a +great exploit, and it has lifted us up mightily. But I'm glad to have +you back along with Colonel Winchester and the rest of his brave lads. +I think you'll see action before long, action perhaps on a greater scale +than any witnessed hitherto in the West." + +Dick saluted and withdrew. He knew that a young lieutenant must not stay +too long in the presence of a commanding general and he quickly rejoined +Warner and Pennington. + +"How's the old man?" asked Pennington, with the familiarity of youth, +which was not disrespectful in the absence of the "old man." + +"'Pap' Thomas is looking well," replied Dick. "I fancy that his +digestion was never better. He did not act in a belligerent way, but I +think he's hunting for a fight." + +"Since you and Warner and I have arrived he can begin it." + +"I think it's coming," said Dick earnestly. "Often you can feel when +things are moving to some end, and I'm sure that we'll measure strength +again with Bragg before the autumn has gone far." + +The valley in which the camp lay was green and beautiful, and a deep, +clear little river from the mountains, ran rushing, through it. The +three lads lay on their blankets near the bank and listened to the +musical sweep of the stream. Pennington suddenly sprang up and hailed: + +"Hey, Ohio, is that you? Come here!" + +A tall youth emerged from the dusk and looked at them inquiringly. + +"Ohio," said Pennington, "don't you remember your friends?" + +The long, lean lad looked again, and then he was enthusiastically +shaking hands with each in turn. + +"Remember you!" he exclaimed. "Of course I do. If it hadn't been so dark +I'd have seen you and called to you first. I'm glad you're alive. It's +a lot to live in these times. I tried to find out about you fellows but +couldn't. We came in a detachment ahead of you. But if you'll invite me, +I'll stay awhile with you and talk." + +They offered him a blanket and he stretched out upon it, turning his +eyes up to the sky, in which the stars were now coming. + +"What are you thinking about, Ohio?" asked Dick. + +"I'm thinking how fast I'm growing old. Two years and a half in the war, +but it's twenty-five years in fact. I hadn't finished school when I left +home and here I am, a veteran of more battles than any soldiers have +fought since the days of old Bonaparte. If I happen to live through +this war, which I mean to do, I wonder how I'll ever settle down at home +again. Father will say to me: 'Get the plough and break up the five-acre +field for corn,' and me, maybe a veteran of a dozen pitched battles in +every one of which anywhere from one hundred thousand to two hundred +thousand men have been engaged, not to mention fifty or a hundred +smaller battles and four or five hundred skirmishes. + +"When the flies begin to buzz around me I'll think they make a mighty +poor noise compared with the roar of three or four hundred big cannon +and a hundred thousand rifles that I've listened to so often. If a +yellow jacket should sting me, I'd say what a little thing it is, +compared with the piece of shrapnel that hit me at some battle not yet +fought. Maybe I'd find things so quiet I just couldn't stand it. Wars +are mighty unsettling." + +"I'm thinking," said Dick, "that before this war is over all of us will +get enough of it to last a lifetime. We've got the edge on 'em now, +since Vicksburg and Gettysburg, but the Graybacks are not yet beaten by +a long shot. We've heard how Lee drew off from Gettysburg carrying all +his guns and supplies, and even with Gettysburg we haven't been doing so +well in the East as we have in the West. You know that, Ohio?" + +"Of course, I do. But I think the Johnnies have made their high-water +mark. Great work our army did down there at Vicksburg, and we'll have +the chance to do just as well against Bragg. We'll defeat him, of +course. Now, Mason, notice that light flickering on the mountain up +there!" + +He pointed to the crest of a ridge two or three miles away, where Dick +saw a point of flame appearing and reappearing, and answered by another +point farther down, which flickered in the same manner. + +"Signals of some kind, I suppose," replied Dick, "but I don't know who +makes them or what they mean." + +"I don't know what they mean, either," said Ohio; "but I can guess +pretty well who's making them. That's Slade." + +"Slade!" said Dick. + +"Yes, you seem to have heard of him?" + +"So I have, and I've seen him, also. I heard, too, that he was up here +making things unhappy for our side. He was in Vicksburg, although you +may not have heard of him there, but he got out before the surrender. A +cunning fellow. A sort of land pirate." + +"He's all of that. Since we've been coming through the mountains he and +his band have picked off a lot of our men. Those signals must mean that +they're preparing for another raid. I shouldn't like to be a half-mile +from our lines to-night." + +"Why can't we smoke him out, Ohio?" + +"Because when we're half way up the slope he and his men are gone on the +other side. Besides, they can rake us with bullets from ambush, while +we're climbing up the ridge. And when we get there, they're gone. It's +these mountains that give the irregulars their chance. See, two lights +are winking at each other now!" + +"How far apart would you say they are, Ohio?" + +"A mile, maybe, but one is much higher than the other up the mountain. +The lower light, doubtless, is signaling information about us to the +higher. I see your colonel and our colonel talking together. Maybe we're +going to set a trap. It would be a good thing if we could clean out +those fellows." + +"I'm thinking that your guess is a good one," said Dick, as he rose to +his feet, "because Colonel Winchester is beckoning to me now." + +"And there's a call for me, too," said Ohio, rising. "Talk of a thing +and it happens. We're surely going for those lights." + +They had reckoned right. General Thomas, when he saw the signals, +had summoned some of his best officers and they had talked together +earnestly. The general had not said much before, but the incessant +sharpshooting from the bushes and slopes as they marched southward had +caused him intense annoyance, and, if continued, he knew that it would +hurt the spirit of the troops. + +"We shall try to trap Slade's band to-night," said Colonel Winchester to +Dick and the other young officers who gathered around him. "We think he +has three or four hundred men and my regiment can deal with that number. +We will defile to the right without noise and make our way up the +mountain. An Ohio regiment, which can also deal with Slade if it catches +him, will defile to the left. Maybe we can trap these irregulars between +us. Sergeant Whitley will guide my force." + +The sergeant stepped forward, proud of the honor and trust. Dick, +looking at him in the moonlight, said to himself for the hundredth time +that he was a magnificent specimen of American manhood, thick, powerful, +intelligent, respectful to his superior officers, who often knew less +than he did, a veteran from whom woods, hills, and plains hid few +secrets. He thought it a good thing that the sergeant was to be their +guide, because he would lead them into no ambush. + +As Dick turned away for departure Ohio said to him: + +"We'll meet on the mountain side, and I hope we'll catch our game, but +don't you fellows fire into us in the dark." + +Dick promised and his regiment marched away toward the slope. All were +on foot, of course, and they had received strict instructions to make no +noise. They turned northward, left the camp behind them, and were soon +hidden in the dark. + +Dick was at the head of the column with Colonel Winchester and the +sergeant. Warner and Pennington were further back. The darkness was +heavy in the shadow of the slope and among the bushes, but, looking +backward, Dick clearly saw the camp of General Thomas with its thousands +of men and dozens of fires. Figures passed and repassed before the +flames, and the fused noises of a great camp came from the valley. + +Dick took only a glance or two. His whole attention now was for the +sergeant, who was looking here and there and sniffing the air, like a +great hound seeking the trail. The soldier had melted into the scout, +and Colonel Winchester, knowing him so well, had, in effect, turned the +regiment over to him. + +Dick and other young officers were sent back through the column to see +that they marched without noise. It was not difficult to enforce the +orders, as the men were filled with the ardor of the hunt, and would do +everything to insure its success. When Dick came back to the head of the +column he merely heard the tread of feet and the rustling of uniforms +against the bushes behind them. + +The sergeant led on with unerring skill and instinct. They were rising +fast on the slope, and the great forest received and hid them as if they +were its wild children returned to their home. The foliage was so dense +that Dick caught only flitting glimpses of the camp below, although many +fires were yet burning there. + +The wisdom of putting the regiment into the hands of the sergeant +was now shown. Rising to the trust, he called up all his reserves of +wilderness lore. He listened attentively to the voice of every night +bird, because it might not be real, but instead the imitation call of +man to man. He searched in every opening under the moonlight for traces +of footsteps, which he alone could have seen, and, when at last he found +them, Dick, despite the dusk, saw his figure expand and his eyes flash. +He had been kneeling down examining the imprints and when he arose the +colonel asked: + +"What is it, Whitley?" + +"Men have passed here, sir, and, as they couldn't have been ours, they +were the enemy. The tracks lead south on the slope, and they must have +been going that way to join Slade's command." + +"Then you think, Sergeant, we should follow this trail?" + +"Undoubtedly, sir, but we must look out for an ambush. These men know +the mountains thoroughly, and if we were to walk into their trap they +might cut us to pieces." + +"Then we won't walk into it. Lead on, Sergeant. If the enemy is near, I +know that you will find him in time." + +The sergeant's brown face flushed with pride, but he followed on the +trail without a word and behind him came the whole regiment, implicit +in its trust, and winding without noise like a great coiling serpent +through the forest. + +Dick was a woodsman himself, and he kept close to the sergeant, watching +his methods, and seeking also what he could find. While they lost the +trail now and then, he saw the sergeant recover it in the openings. He +noted, too, that it was increasing in size. Little trails were flowing +into the big one like brooks into a river, and the main course was +uniformly south, but bearing slightly upward on the slope. + +The sergeant stopped at the melancholy cry of an owl, apparently three +or four hundred yards ahead. Both he and Dick raised their heads and +listened for the answer, which they felt sure was ready. The long, +sinister hoot in reply came from a point considerably farther away, but +at about the same height on the slope. + +"They have two forces, sir," said the sergeant to Colonel Winchester, +"and I think they're about to unite." + +"As a wilderness fighter, what would you suggest, Sergeant?" + +"To wait here a little and lie hidden in the brush. We're rightly afraid +of an ambush if we go on, then why not make the same danger theirs? I +think it likely that the other force is coming this way. Anyway, we can +tell in a minute or two, 'cause them owls are sure to hoot again. If I'm +right, we can catch 'em napping." + +"An excellent idea, Sergeant. Ah! there are the signals you predicted!" + +The owl hooted again from the same point directly in front, and then +came the reply of the other, now nearer. The sergeant drew a deep breath +of satisfaction. + +"Yes, sir, I was right," he said. "Their meeting place is straight in +front. Will you let me slip forward a little through the brush and see?" + +"Go ahead, Sergeant. We need all the information we can get, but don't +walk into any trap yourself, leaving us here without eyes or ears." + +"Never fear, sir. I won't be caught." + +Then he disappeared with a suddenness that made the colonel and Dick +gasp. He was with them, and then he was not. But he returned in ten +minutes, and, although Dick could not see it in his face, he was +triumphant. + +"There's a glade not more'n four hundred yards ahead," he whispered to +the colonel, "and about a hundred and fifty men, armed with long rifles, +are lying down in it waiting for a second force, which I judge from the +cry of the owl will be there inside of five minutes." + +"Then," said Colonel Winchester, breathing fast, "we'll wait ten minutes +and attack. It would be a great stroke to wipe out Slade's band. I'm +sorry for those Ohio fellows, but the luck's ours to-night, or I should +say that the sergeant's skill as a trailer has given us the chance." + +It was soon known along the black, winding line that the enemy was at +hand, and the men were eager to attack, but they were ordered to have +patience for a little while. Their leader wished to destroy Slade's +whole force at one stroke. + +Colonel Winchester took out his watch and held it before him in the +faint moonlight. He would not move until the ten minutes exactly had +passed. Then he closed the watch and gave the signal, but stationed +officers along the line to see that the men made as little noise as +possible. The long black column moved again through the forest and Dick, +full of excitement was at its head with the colonel and the sergeant. + +They reached a slope, crept up it, and then spread out, as they knew +that the valley and the enemy were within rifle shot. Dick, glancing +through the bushes, saw the glitter of steel and caught the murmur of +voices. He knew that their presence was not yet suspected, and he did +not like the idea of firing from ambush upon anybody, but there was no +occasion for testing his scruples, as the advance of so many men created +noise sufficient to reach the alert ears in the glade. + +"Up, men! The enemy!" he heard a voice shout. Colonel Winchester at the +same moment ordered his men to fire and charge with the bayonet. + +A terrible volley was poured into the valley, and it seemed to Dick that +half of Slade's force went down, but as they rushed forward to finish +the task they met a fire that caused many of the Union soldiers to drop. +Slade was evidently a man of ability. Dick saw him springing about and +blowing a little silver whistle, which he knew was a call to rally. + +But the surprise was too sudden and great. The irregulars, fighting +hard, were driven out of the valley and into the woods on the upper side +of the glade. Sheltered in the underbrush, they might have made a +good defense there, but a sudden tremendous cheer arose, and they were +charged in the flank by the Ohio regiment, coming up on the run. + +Spurred by emulation the Winchester men also rushed into the underbrush, +and those of Slade's men who had not fallen quickly threw down their +arms. But they did not catch the leader, nor did they know what had +become of him, until Dick caught sight of a little, weazened figure +under an enormous wide-brimmed hat running with three or four others +along the mountain-side. + +"Slade! Slade!" he cried, pointing, and instantly a score, Dick and the +sergeant among them, were hotfoot after the fugitives. Several shots +were fired, but none hit, and the chase lengthened out. + +Sergeant Whitley exclaimed to Dick: + +"We catch the pack, but if we don't catch the leader there'll be another +pack soon." + +"Right you are! We must have that little man under the big hat!" + +Dick heard panting breaths, and Warner and Pennington drew up by his +side. + +"Slade's about to escape!" exclaimed Dick. "We must get him!" + +"I'm running my best," said Warner. "Look out!" Slade suddenly faced +about and fired a heavy pistol. Dick had dropped down at Warner's +warning cry and the bullet sang over his head. The sergeant fired in +return, but the light was too faint, and Slade and the three who were +with him ran on unharmed. + +The pursuit, conducted with such vigor, soon led to the top of the +mountain, and they began the descent of the far side. Several more shots +were fired, but they did no damage, and neither side was able to gain. +Two of the fugitives turned aside into the woods, but the pursuit kept +straight after Slade, and his remaining companion, a slender, youthful +figure. + +"I think we'll get 'em," panted the sergeant. As he spoke one of the +little mountain rivers so numerous in that region came into view. It was +narrow, but deep, and without hesitating an instant the fugitives sprang +into it and shot down the stream, swimming with all their strength, and +helped by the powerful current. + +Slade was in advance, and he was already disappearing in the shadows on +the far bank, but his comrade, he of the slender figure, was still in +the moonlight, which fell across his face for a moment. A soldier raised +his rifle to fire, but Dick stumbled and fell against him and the bullet +went high in the air. + +The moment had been long enough for Dick to recognize Victor Woodville. +He did not know how he happened to be with Slade, but he did not intend +that he should be shot there in the water, and his impulse was quick +enough to save Victor's life. In another moment the young Mississippian +was gone also in the shadows, and although several of the Union men swam +the river they could discover no trace of either. + +"I'm sorry," said the sergeant as they walked back to the other side of +the mountain, "that they got away." + +"Yes," said Dick, "it was too bad that Slade escaped." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. THE RIVER OF DEATH + + +Dick knew that he had saved young Woodville's life, but his conscience +was quite dear. If he had the same chance he would do it over again, but +he was sorry they had not caught Slade. He felt no hostility toward the +regular soldiers of the Confederacy, but he knew there were guerillas on +their side, as well as his own, who would stop at nothing. He remembered +Skelly, who, claiming to be a Union partisan, nevertheless robbed and +even killed those of either party whenever he felt it safe to do so. +Slade was his Southern complement, and he would surely get together a +new force as venomous as the old. + +But Colonel Winchester and the commander of the Ohio regiment were full +of pride in their exploit, as they had a right to be. They had destroyed +a swarm of wasps which had been buzzing and stinging almost beyond +endurance, and they were still prouder when they received the thanks of +General Thomas. + +The corps moved forward the next day, and soon the whole army was united +under Rosecrans. It was a powerful force, about ninety thousand men, the +staunch fighters of the West, veterans of great battles and victories, +and to the young officers it appeared invincible. Their feeling that it +was marching to another triumph was confirmed by the news that Bragg was +retreating. + +Yet the two armies were so close to each other that the Northern +vanguard skirmished with the Southern rearguard as they passed through +the mountains. At one point in a gap of the Cumberland Mountains the +Southerners made a sharp resistance, but they were quickly driven from +their position and the Union mass rolled slowly on. Exultation among the +troops increased. + +"We'll drive Bragg away down into the South against Grant," said Ohio to +Dick, "and we'll crush him between the two arms of the vise. That will +finish everything in the West." + +While Dick was exultant, too, he had certain reservations. He had seen +a like confidence carried to disaster in the East, although it did not +seem possible that the result here could be similar. + +"I don't think they'll keep on retreating forever, Ohio," he said. "All +our supplies are coming from Nashville, and we are getting farther away +from our base every day." + +But Ohio laughed. + +"Our chief task is to catch Bragg," he said. "They said he was going +to occupy Chattanooga and wait for us. He's been in Chattanooga, but he +didn't wait for us there. He's left it already and gone on, anxious to +reach the Gulf before winter, I suppose." + +The Union army in its turn entered Chattanooga, a little town of which +Dick had seldom heard before, although he greatly admired its situation. +The country about it was bold and romantic. It stood in a sharp curve +of the great river, the Tennessee. Not far away was the lofty uplift of +Lookout Mountain, a half-mile high, and there were long ridges between +which creeks or little rivers flowed down to the Tennessee. + +One of these streams was the Chickamauga, which in the language of the +Cherokee Indians who had once owned this region means "the river of +death." Why they called it so no one knew, but the name was soon to have +a terrible fitness. Chattanooga itself meant in the Cherokee tongue "the +hawk's nest," and anybody could see the aptness of the term. + +While Lookout Mountain was the loftiest summit, some of the other ridges +rose almost as high, through the gaps of which the Northern army must +pass if it continued the pursuit of Bragg. + +September had now come and the winds were growing crisper in the high +country. The feel of autumn was in the air, and the coolness made the +marching brisker. The division to which Dick belonged was advancing +slowly. He often saw Thomas, and his admiration for the grave, silent +man grew. It was said that Thomas was slow, but that he never made +mistakes. Now the rumor was spreading that he had warned Rosecrans to be +cautious, that Bragg had a powerful army and when he reached favorable +positions, would certainly turn and fight. + +Not many were impressed by these reports. They merely said it was "Pap" +Thomas' way of looking at the dark side of things first. Hadn't they +driven Bragg through the Cumberland Mountains and out of Chattanooga, +and now they would soon be on his heels deep down in Georgia. But Dick, +noticing Colonel Winchester's serious face, surmised that he at least +shared the opinion of his chief. And when the lad looked up at the great +coils and ridges he felt that, in truth, they might go too far. If the +Northern men were veterans, so were the Southern, and neither had taken +much change of the other at Shiloh, Perryville and Stone River. + +The Winchester regiment was thrown forward as the vanguard of the +infantry, and the face of the colonel grew more serious than ever, when +the best scouts rode in with reports that the Southern retreat was now +very slow. There was news, too, that Slade had a new band much larger +than before, and they formed a rear guard of skirmishers which made +every moment of a Northern scout's life a moment of danger. The +Winchester regiment itself was often fired upon from ambush, and there +were vacant places in the ranks. + +Dick did not know whether it was his own intuition or the influence that +flowed from the opinions of Thomas and Winchester, but much of his high +exultation was abated. He regarded the lofty ridges and the deep gaps +with apprehension. It was a difficult country and the Southern leaders +must know that the Northern army was extended over a long line, with +Thomas holding the left. + +His premonitions had ample cause. Bragg as he fell back slowly had +gathered new forces. Rosecrans did not yet know it, but the army before +him was the most powerful that the South ever assembled in the West. +Polk and Cleburne and Breckinridge and Forrest and Fighting Joe Wheeler +and a whole long roll of famous Southern generals were there. Nor had +the vigilant eyes of the Confederacy in the East failed to note the +situation. + +Just as the armies were coming into touch a division of the Army of +Northern Virginia was passing by train over the mountains. It was led +by a thick-bearded, powerful man, no less a general than the renowned +Longstreet, sent to help Bragg. The veterans of the Army of Northern +Virginia would swell Bragg's ranks, and the great army, turning a +sanguine face northward, was eager for Rosecrans to come on. The +Southern force would number more than ninety thousand men, more numerous +than ever before or afterward in the West. + +It was now late in September, the eve of the eighteenth, and Dick +and his comrades lay near the little creek with the rhythmical name, +Chickamauga. It was the very night that a portion of the Army of +Northern Virginia had arrived in Bragg's camp. The preceding days had +been full of detached fighting, and the night had come heavy with omens +and presages. The least intelligent knew now that Bragg had stopped, but +they did not know that Longstreet was to be with him. + +Dick and his comrades sat by a smothered fire, and the vast tangle of +mountains and passes, of valleys and streams looked sinister to them. +There had been skirmishing throughout the day, and as the darkness +closed down they still heard occasional rifle shots on the slopes and +ridges. + +"Don't these mountains make you think of your native Vermont, George?" +asked Dick. + +"In a way, yes," replied Warner, "but my hills are not bristling with +steel as these are." + +"No, you New Englanders are fortunate. The war will never be carried on +on your soil. You shed your blood, but, after all, the states that are +trodden under foot by the armies suffer most." + +"There are lights winking on the mountains again," said Pennington. + +"Let 'em wink," said Dick. "Their signals can't amount to much now. We +know that Bragg is before us, and a great battle can't be delayed long. +Fellows, I'm not so sure about the result." + +"Come! Come, Dick!" said Warner. "It's not often you're downhearted. +What's struck you?" + +"Nothing, George, but, between you and me and the gate post, I wish that +our old 'Pap' Thomas commanded all the army, instead of the left merely. +I've learned a few things to-day. The enemy is spreading out, trying to +enfold us on both wings." + +"What of it?" + +"It means that they are sanguine of victory, and they want to stand +between us and Chattanooga, so they can cut off our retreat, after we're +beaten, as they think we surely will be. But their main force is not +far from us now, so a scout told me. It's massed heavily along the right +bank of the Chickamauga." + +"And if there's a battle to-morrow we're likely to receive the first +attack?" + +"Could it come any better than at the place where Thomas stands?" + +They sat long by the fire and Dick could not rest. Shiloh, his capture, +and his knowledge of the secret Southern advance, of which he could give +no warning, came back to him with uncommon vividness. He knew that +no such surprise could occur here, but they seemed to be lost in the +wilderness. The mountains and forests oppressed him. + +"Well, Dick," said Warner, "we're posted strongly. We've rows of +sentinels as thick as hedges, and I've the colonel's permission to go to +sleep. I'll be slumbering in ten minutes, and I'd advise you to do the +same." + +He lay on a blanket and soon slept. Pennington followed him to +slumberland, but Dick lingered. He saw lights still flashing on the +mountains, and he heard now and then reports from the rifles of the +skirmishers, who yet sought each other despite the darkness. But he +yielded at last and he, too, slept until the dawn, which should bring +nearly two hundred thousand men face to face in mortal combat. + +Dick was awake early. The September morning came, crisp and clear, the +sun showing red gleams over the mountains. He heard already the sound of +distant rifle shots in front, and, through his glasses, he saw far away +faint puffs of smoke. But it was a familiar sound in this mighty war, +and he found himself singularly calm. He never knew how he was going to +feel on the eve of battle. Sometimes the constriction at his heart was +painful, and sometimes its beat was smooth and regular. + +All the officers of the Winchester regiment were dismounted owing to the +rough nature of the country in which they were stationed. They held the +most uneven part of the center, where thickets and ravines were many. +Hot food and coffee were served to them, and new warmth and courage +flowed through their bodies. + +The distant fire increased, and, standing on a hillock, Dick looked +long through his glasses. A faint haze which had hung in the south was +clearing away. The rays of the sun were intensely bright. The brown +of autumn glowed like gold, and the red splashes here and there burned +scarlet. He saw pink dots appearing on a long line and he knew that the +skirmishers were active and wary. + +"There can be no doubt of the advance!" he said to Warner. "A strong +body of our cavalry disclosed their forward movement, and there are +the skirmishers signaling that Bragg is near. Wonderful fellows, those +sharpshooters! They're the eyes of the army. We stand in mass and fight +together, but every one of them individually takes his life in his own +hands. The firing is coming nearer. I think we'll be attacked first." + +After a little pause Warner said: + +"I'm sorry our line is extended so much. What if they should cut through +and get behind us?" + +"They'll never do it while General Thomas is here. I believe they called +him 'Old Slow Top' at West Point, but if he's slow in advance he's still +slower in retreat. I'd rather have him commanding us just now than any +other general in the world." + +"I think you're right, and here he comes! Listen to the cheering!" + +General Thomas rode slowly along his line, inspecting the position +of every regiment and making some changes. He showed no trace of +excitement. The face was calm and the heavy jaw was set firmly. If Grant +was a bulldog Thomas was another. The men knew him. They had seen him +stand like a rock before, and the thrill of confidence and courage which +help so much to win ran through them all. + +Dick saw the general speak to Colonel Winchester and then ride on and +out of sight. All the men in the regiment were lying down, but the +officers walked back and forth in front of the line. It was the especial +pride of the younger ones to appear unconcerned, and some were able to +make a brave pretense. + +But all the while the battle was rolling nearer. It was no longer an +affair of scouting parties. The skirmishers were driven in on either +side and the mighty Southern advance was coming forward in full battle +array. Shells began to shriek and fall among the Northern masses, and +the fire of cannon and rifles mingled in a sinister crash. But the Union +regiments, although not yet replying, remained steady, although the +shower of steel that was beginning to beat upon them found many a mark. +Vast columns of smoke pierced by fire rose in front. + +It seemed to Dick's vivid fancy that the earth was shaking with the +tread of the advancing brigades and the thunder of their artillery. +But he was still able to preserve his air of indifference, although his +heart was now beating hard and fast. Now and then when the smoke eddied +or the banks of it broke apart he raised his glasses and with their +powerful vision saw the long and deep Southern columns advancing, the +field batteries in the intervals pouring a storm of death. + +It was a sinister and terrible sight. The South presented here an army +outnumbering its force at Shiloh two to one, and they were veterans +now, led by veteran commanders. Moreover, they had Longstreet and his +matchless fighters from Lee's army to bear them up. + +"What do you see, Dick?" asked Pennington, his voice distinctly audible +through the steady roar. + +"Johnnies! Johnnies! Johnnies! Thousands and thousands of them and then +many thousands more. They're going to strike full upon us here!" + +"Let 'em come. We're taking root, growing deep into the ground and old +'Pap' Thomas has grown deepest of us all! It'll be impossible to move +us!" + +"I hope so. There go our own cannon, too, and it's a welcome sound! +I can see the gaps smashed in their ranks by our fire, and ah, I see, +too--" + +He stopped short in amazed surprise, and Pennington in wonder asked: + +"What is it you see, Dick?" + +"There's a heavy cavalry force on their flank, and I caught a glimpse +of a man on a great horse leading it. I know him. He's Colonel George +Kenton, father of Harry Kenton, that cousin of mine, of whom I've spoken +to you so often." + +"And here he comes charging you! But it's happened hundreds and hundreds +of times in this war that relatives have come face to face in battle, +and it'll happen hundreds of times more. Are they within rifle shot, +Dick?" + +"Not yet, but they soon will be." + +He slung the glasses back over his shoulder. The eye alone was +sufficient now to watch the charging columns. All the artillery on both +sides was coming into action, and the ripping crash of so many cannon +became so great that the officers could no longer hear one another +unless they shouted. The gorges and hills caught up the sound and gave +it back in increased volume. + +Dick heard a new note in the thunder. It was made by the swift beat +of hoofs, thousands of them, and the hair on his neck prickled at the +roots. Forrest and the wild cavalry of the South were charging on their +flanks. He felt a sudden horror lest he be trampled under the hoofs of +horses. By some curious twist of the mind his dread of such a fate was +far more acute at that moment than his fear of shells and bullets. + +Colonel Winchester, shouting imperiously, ordered him and all the +other young officers to step back now and lie down. Dick obeyed, and he +crouched by the side of Warner and Pennington. The great bank of +fire and smoke was rolling nearer and yet nearer, and the cannon were +fighting one another with all the speed and power of the gunners. Off on +the flank the ominous tread of Southern horsemen was coming fast. + +Bullets began now to rain among them. The regiment would have been swept +away bodily had the men not been lying down. But their time to wait and +hold their fire was at an end. The colonel gave the word, and a sheet of +light leaped from the mouths of their rifles. A vast gap appeared in the +Southern line before them, but in a minute or two it closed up, and +the Southern masses came on again, as menacing as ever. Again Dick's +regiment poured its shattering fire upon the Southern columns and their +front lines were blown away. Colonel Winchester at once wheeled his men +into a new position to meet the mass of Forrest's cavalry rushing down +upon their flank. He was just in time to help other troops, not in +numbers enough to withstand the shock. + +There were few moments in the lives of these lads as terrifying as those +when they turned to face the fierce Forrest, the uneducated mountaineer +who had intuitively mastered Napoleon's chief maxim of war, to pour the +greatest force upon the enemy's weakest point. + +The hurricane sweeping down upon them sent a chill to their hearts. Dick +saw a long line of foaming mouths, the lips drawn back from the cruel +white teeth, and manes flying wildly. Above them rose the faces of the +riders, their own eyes bloodshot, their sabers held aloft for the deadly +sweep. And the thunder of galloping hoofs was more menacing than that of +the cannon. + +Dick looked around him and saw faces turning pale. His own might be +whiter than any of theirs for all he knew, but he shouted with the other +officers: + +"Steady! Steady! Now pour it into 'em!" + +It was well that most of the men in the regiment had become +sharpshooters, and that despite the thumping of their hearts, they were +able to stand firm. Their sleet of bullets emptied a hundred saddles, +and slipping in the cartridges they fired again at close range. The +cavalry charge seemed to stop dead in its tracks, and in an instant a +scene of terrible confusion occurred. Wounded horses screaming in pain +rushed wildly back upon their own comrades or through the ranks of the +foe. Injured men, shot from their saddles, were seeking to crawl out of +the way. Whirling eddies of smoke alternately hid and disclosed enemies, +and from both left and right came the continuous and deafening crash of +infantry in battle. + +But Forrest's men paused only a moment or two. A great mass of them +galloped out of the smoke, over the bodies of their dead comrades and +directly into the Winchester regiment, shouting and slashing with their +great sabers. It was well for the men that their leader had so wisely +chosen ground rough and covered with bushes. Using every inch of +protection, they fired at horses and riders and thrust at them with +their bayonets. + +The battle became wild and confused, a turmoil of mingled horse and +foot, of firing and shouting and of glittering swords and bayonets. A +man on a huge horse made a great sweep at Dick's head with a red saber. +The boy dropped to his knees, and felt the broad blade whistle where his +head had been. + +The swordsman was borne on by the impetus of his horse, and Dick caught +one horrified glimpse of his face. It was Colonel Kenton, but Dick knew +that he did not know, nor did he ever know. It was never in the lad's +heart to tell his uncle how near he had come unwittingly to shearing off +the head of his own nephew. + +The charge of the cavalrymen carried them clear through the Winchester +regiment, but a regiment coming up to the relief drove them back, and +the great mass turning aside a little attacked anew and elsewhere. A +few moments of rest were permitted Dick and his comrades, although the +mighty battle wheeled and thundered all about them. + +But their regiment was a melancholy sight. A third of its numbers were +killed or wounded. The ground was torn and trampled, as if it had been +swept by a hurricane of wind and red rain. Dick had one slight wound +on his shoulder and another on his arm, but he did not feel them. +Pennington and Warner both had scratches, but the colonel was unharmed. + +"My God," exclaimed Warner, "how did we happen to survive it!" + +"I live to boast that I've been ridden over by old Forrest himself," +said Pennington. + +"How do you know it was Forrest?" + +"Because his horse was eight feet high and his sword was ten feet long. +He slashed at me with it a hundred times. I counted the strokes." + +Then Pennington stopped and laughed hysterically, Dick seized him by the +arm and shook him roughly. + +"Stop it, Frank! Stop it!" he cried. "You're yourself, and you're all +right!" + +Pennington shook his body, brushed his hands over his eyes and said: + +"Thanks, Dick, old man; you've brought me back to myself." + +"Get ready!" exclaimed Warner. "The cavalry have sheered off, but the +infantry are coming, a million strong! I can hear their tread shaking +the earth!" + +The broken regiment reloaded, drew its lines together and faced the +enemy anew. It seemed to their bloodshot eyes that the whole Southern +army was bearing down upon them. The Southern generals, skillful and +daring, were resolved to break through the Northern left, and the attack +attained all the violence of a convulsion. + +The great Southern line, blazing with fire and steel, advanced, never +stopping for a moment, while the fire of their cannon beat incessantly +upon the devoted brigades. It was well for the Northern army, well for +the Union that here was the Rock of Chickamauga. Amid all the terrible +uproar and the yet more terrible danger, Thomas never lost his courage +and presence of mind for a moment. Dick saw him more than once, and he +knew how he doubly and triply earned the famous name which that day and +the next were to give him. + +But the weight was so tremendous that they began to give ground. They +went back slowly, but they went back. Dick felt as if the whole weight +were pressing upon his own chest, and when he tried to shout no words +would come. + +Back they went, inch by inch, leaving the ground covered with their +dead. Dick was conscious only of a vast roar and shouting and the +continuous blaze of cannon and rifles in his very face. But he +understood the immensity of the crisis. By a huge victory in the West +the Confederacy would redress the loss of Gettysburg in the East. And +now it seemed that they were gaining it. For the first and only time in +the war they had the larger numbers in a great battle, and the ground +was of their own choosing. + +Elated over success gained and greater success hoped, the Southern +leaders poured their troops continually upon Thomas. If they could break +that wing, cut it off in fact, and rush in at the gap, they would be +between Rosecrans and Chattanooga and the Northern army would be doomed. +They made gigantic efforts. The cavalry charged again and again. Huge +masses of infantry hurled themselves upon the brigades of Thomas, and +every gun that could be brought into action poured shot and shell into +his lines. + +Many of the young as well as the old officers in Thomas' corps felt the +terrible nature of the crisis. Dick knew despite the hideous turmoil +that Thomas was the chief target of the Southern army. He divined that +the fortunes of the Union were swinging in the balance there among those +Tennessee hills and valleys. If Thomas were shattered the turn of Grant +farther south would come next. Vicksburg would have been won in vain and +the Union would be broken in the West. + +Order and cohesion were lost among many of the regiments, but the men +stood firm. The superb, democratic soldier fought for himself and he, +too, understood the crisis. They re-formed without orders and fought +continuously against overwhelming might. Ground and guns were lost, +but they made their enemy pay high for everything, and the slow retreat +never became a panic. + +"We're going back," shouted Warner in Dick's ear. "Yes, we're going +back, but we'll come forward again. They'll never crush the old man." + +Yet the pressure upon them never ceased. Bragg and his staff had the +right idea. Had anyone but Thomas stood before them they would have +shattered the Union left long since, but his slow, calm mind rose to its +greatest heights in the greatest danger. He understood everything and +he was resolved that his wing should not be broken. Wherever the line +seemed weakest he thrust in a veteran regiment, and he went quickly back +and forth, observing with a measuring eye every shift and change of the +battle. + +The Winchester regiment in its new position was still among the gullies +and bushes, and they were thankful for such shelter. Although veterans +now, most were lads, and they did not scorn to take cover whenever they +could. For a little while they did not reply to the enemy's fire, but +lay waiting and seeking to get back the breath which seemed to be driven +from their bodies by the very violence of the concussion. Shrapnel, +grape and canister whistled incessantly over their heads, and on either +flank the thunder of the battle swelled rapidly. + +The Southern attack was spreading along the whole front, and it was made +with unexampled vigor. It even excelled the fiery rush at Stone River, +and the generals on both sides were largely the same that had fought the +earlier great battle. Polk, the bishop-general, still led one wing for +the South, Buckner massed Kentuckians who faced Kentuckians on the other +side, and Longstreet and Hill were to play their great part for the +South. Resolved to win a victory, the veteran generals spared nothing, +and the little Chickamauga, so singularly named by the Indians "the +river of death," was running red. + +Dick crouched lower as the storm of shells swept over him. Despite all +his experience impulse made him bow his head while the whistling death +passed by. He felt a little shame that he, an officer, should seek +protection, but when he stole a look he saw that all the others, Colonel +Winchester included, were doing the same. Sergeant Whitley had sunk down +the lowest of them all, and, catching Dick's glance, he said in clear, +low tones audible under the storm: + +"Pardon me for saying it to you, an officer, Mr. Mason, but it's +our business not to get killed when it's not needed, so we can save +ourselves to be killed when it is needed." + +"I suppose you're right, Sergeant. At any rate I'm glad enough to keep +under cover, but do you see anything in those woods over there? We're on +the extreme left flank here, and maybe they're trying to overlap us." + +"I think I do. Men with rifles are in there. I'll speak to the colonel." + +He crawled to Colonel Winchester, who was crouched a dozen feet away, +and pointed to the wood, or rather thicket of scrub. But Dick meanwhile +saw increasing numbers of men there. They were beyond the line of battle +and were not obscured by the clouds of smoke. As he stared he saw a +weazened figure under an enormous, broad-brimmed hat, and, although he +could not discern the face at the distance, he knew that it was Slade, +come with a new and perhaps larger body of riflemen to burn away the +extreme left flank of the Union force. + +As the colonel and the sergeant crawled back Dick told them what he had +seen, and they recognized at once the imminence of the danger. Colonel +Winchester looked at the great columns of fire and smoke in front of +him. He did not know when the main attack would sweep down upon them +again, but he took his resolution at once. + +He ordered his men to wheel about, and, using Slade's own tactics, to +creep forward with their rifles. Most of his men were sharpshooters and +he felt that they would be a match for those whom the guerrilla led. +Sergeant Whitley kept by his side, and out of a vast experience in +border warfare advised him. + +Dick, Warner and Pennington armed themselves with rifles of the fallen, +and they felt fierce thrills of joy as they crept forward. Burning with +the battle fever, and enraged against this man Slade, Dick put all his +soul in the man-hunt. He merely hoped that Victor Woodville was not +there. He would fire willingly at any of the rest. + +Before they had gone far Slade and his riflemen began to fire. Bullets +pattered all about them, clipping twigs and leaves and striking sparks +from stones. + +Had the fire been unexpected it would have done deadly damage, but all +of the Winchesters, as they liked to call themselves, had kept under +cover, and were advancing Indian fashion. And now a consuming rage +seized them all. They felt as if an advantage had been taken of them. +While they were fighting a great battle in front a sly foe sought to +ambush them. They did not hate the Southern army which charged directly +upon them, but they did hate this band of sharpshooters which had +come creeping through the woods to pick them off, and they hated them +collectively and individually. + +It was Dick's single and fierce desire at that moment to catch sight +of Slade, whom he would shoot without hesitation if the chance came. +He looked for him continually as he crept from bush to bush, and he +withheld his fire until fortune might bring into his view the flaps of +that enormous hat. The whole vast battle of Chickamauga passed from his +mind. He was concentrated, heart and soul, upon this affair of outposts +in the thickets. + +Men around him were firing, and the bullets in return were knocking up +the leaves about him, but Dick's finger did not yet press the trigger. +The great hat was still hidden from view, but he heard Slade's whistle +calling to his men. Sergeant Whitley was by the lad's side, and he +glanced at him now and then. The wise sergeant read the youth's face, +and he knew that he was upon a quest, a deadly one. + +"Is it Slade you're looking for, Mr. Mason?" he asked. + +"Yes, I want him!" + +"Well, if we see him, and you miss him, I think I'll take a shot at him +myself." + +But Slade, crafty and cunning, kept himself well hidden. The two bands +fighting this Indian combat, while the great battle raged so near them, +were now very near to each other, but as they had both thickets and a +rocky outcrop for refuge, they fought from hiding. Nevertheless many +fell. Dick, the ferocity of the man-hunt continuing to burn his brain, +sought everywhere for Slade. Often he heard his silver whistle directing +his troop, but the man himself remained invisible. In his eagerness the +lad rose too high, but the sergeant pulled him down in time, a bullet +whistling a second later through the air where his head had been. + +"Careful, Mr. Mason! Careful!" said Sergeant Whitley. "It won't do you +much good for one of his men to get you while you are trying to get +him!" + +Dick became more cautious. At last he caught a glimpse of the great hat +that he could not mistake, and, aiming very carefully, he fired. Then he +uttered an angry cry. He had missed, and when the sergeant was ready to +pull the trigger also Slade was gone. + +Now, the colonel called to his men, and rising they charged into the +wood. It was evidently no part of Slade's plan to risk destruction as he +blew a long high call on his whistle, and then he and all his men save +the dead melted away like shadows. The Winchesters stood among the +trees, gasping and staunching their wounds, but victorious. + +Now they had only a few moments for rest. Bugles called and they rushed +back to their old position just as the Southern cavalry, sabers circling +aloft swept down upon them again. They went once more through that +terrible turmoil of fire and flashing steel, and a second time the +Winchesters were victorious. But they could have stood no more, and +Thomas watching everything hurried to their relief a regiment, which +formed up before them to give them breathing time. + +The young soldiers threw themselves panting upon the ground, and were +assailed by a burning thirst. The canteens were soon emptied, and still +their lips and throats were parched. Exhausted by their tremendous +exertions, many of them sank into a stupor, although the battle was at +its zenith and the earth shook with the crash of the heavy batteries. + +"General Thomas has had news that we're driven in elsewhere," said Dick. + +"And we've yielded ground here, too," said Warner. + +"But so slowly that it's been only a glacial movement. We've made 'em +pay such a high price that I think old 'Pap' can boast he has held his +ground." + +Dick did not know it then nor did the general himself, but 'Pap' Thomas +could boast of far more than having held his ground. His long and +stubborn resistance, his skill in moving his troops from point to point +at the right time, his coolness and judgment in weighing and measuring +everything right, in all the vast turmoil, confusion and uncertainty of +a great battle, had saved the Northern army from destruction. + +Now, as the Winchester men lay gasping behind the fresh regiment, +Thomas, who continually passed along the line of battle, came among +them. He was a soldier's soldier, a soldier's general, and he spoke +encouraging words, most of which they could not hear amid the roar of +the battle, but his calm face told their import, and fresh courage came +into their hearts. + +The news spread gradually that Thomas only was holding fast, but now his +men instead of being discouraged were filled with pride. It was they and +they alone whom the Southerners could not overwhelm, and Thomas and his +generals inspired them with the belief that they were invincible. Charge +after charge broke against them. More ground was yielded, but at the +same immense price, and the corps, sullen, indomitable, maintained its +order, always presenting a front to the foe, blazing with death. + +Thomas stood all day, while the Southern masses, flushed by victory +everywhere else, pressed harder. Terrible reports of defeat and +destruction came to him continually, but he did not flinch. He turned +the same calm face to everything, and said to the generals that whatever +happened they would keep their own front unbroken. + +The day closed with the men of Thomas still grim and defiant. The dead +lay in heaps along their front, but as the darkness settled down on the +unfinished battle they meant to fight with equal valor and tenacity on +the morrow. The first day had favored the South, had favored it largely, +but on the Union left hope still flamed high. + +Darkness swept over the sanguinary field. A cold wind of autumn blew off +the hills and mountains, and the men shivered as they lay on the ground, +but Thomas allowed no fires to be lighted. Food was brought in the +darkness, and those who could find them wrapped themselves in blankets. +Between the two armies lay the hecatombs of dead and the thousands of +wounded. + +Dick, his comrades and the rest of the regiment sat together in a +little open space behind a thicket. It was to be their position for +the fighting next day. Thomas, passing by, had merely given them an +approving look, and then had gone on to re-form his lines elsewhere. +Dick knew that all through the night he would be conferring with his +commander, Rosecrans, McCook and the others, and he knew, too, that +many of the Union soldiers would be at work, fortifying, throwing up +earthworks, and cutting down trees for abattis. He heard already the +ring of the axes. + +But the Winchester men rested for the present. Nature had made their own +position strong with a low hill, and a thicket in front. They lay upon +the ground, sheltering themselves from the cold wind, which cut through +bodies relaxed and almost bloodless after such vast physical exertions +and excitement so tremendous. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + + +Dick, after eating the cold food which was served to him, sank into a +state which was neither sleep nor stupor. It was a mystic region between +the conscious and the unconscious, in which all things were out of +proportion, and some abnormal. + +He saw before him a vast stretch of dead blackness which he knew +nevertheless was peopled by armed hosts ready to spring upon them at +dawn. The darkness and silence were more oppressive than sound and +light, even made by foes, would have been. It numbed him to think there +was so little of stirring life, where nearly two hundred thousand men +had fought. + +Then a voice arose that made him shiver. But it was only the cold wind +from the mountains whistling a dirge. Nevertheless it seemed human to +Dick. It was at once a lament and a rebuke. He edged over a little and +touched Warner. + +"Is that you, Dick?" asked the Vermonter. + +"What's left of me. I've one or two wounds, mere scratches, George, but +I feel all pumped out. I'm like one of those empty wine-skins that you +read about, empty, all dried up, and ready to be thrown away." + +"Something of the same feeling myself, Dick. I'm empty and dried up, +too, but I'm not ready to be thrown away. Nor are you. We'll fill up in +the night. Our hearts will pump all our veins full of blood again, +and we'll be ready to go out in the morning, and try once more to get +killed." + +"I don't see how you and Pennington and I, all three of us, came out of +it alive to-day." + +"That question is bothering me, too, Dick. A million bullets were fired +at each of us, not to count thousands of pieces of shell, shrapnel, +canister, grape, and slashes of swords. Take any ratio of percentage +you please and something should have got us. According to every rule of +algebra, not more than one of us three should be alive now. Yet here we +are." + +"Maybe your algebra is wrong?" + +"Impossible. Algebra is the most exact of all sciences. It does not +admit of error. Both by algebra and by the immutable law of averages at +least two of us are dead." + +"But we don't know which two." + +"That's true. Nevertheless it's certain that those two, whoever they may +be, are here on borrowed time. What do your wounds amount to, Dick?" + +"Nothing, I had forgotten 'em. I've lost a little blood, but what does +it amount to on a day like this, when blood is shed in rivers?" + +"That's true. My own skin has been broken, but just barely, four times +by bullets. I've a notion that those bullets were coming straight for +some vital part of me, but seeing who it was, and knowing that such a +noble character ought not to be slain, they turned aside as quickly as +possible, but not so quickly that they could avoid grazing my skin." + +Dick and Pennington laughed. Warner's fooling amused them and relieved +the painful tension of their minds. + +"But, George," said Pennington, "suppose one of the bullets failed to +turn aside and killed you. What could we say then for you?" + +"That it was a silly, ignorant bullet not knowing whence it came, or +where it was going. Ah, there's light in the darkness! Look across the +hill and see that shining flame!" + +Dick rose and then the three walked to the brow of the hill, where +Colonel Winchester stood, using his glasses as well as he could in the +dusk. + +"It's the pine forest on fire in places," he said. "The shells did it, +and it's been burning for some time, spreading until it has now come +into our own sight." + +But they were detached fires, and they did not fuse into a general mass +at any time. Clumps of trees burnt steadily like vast torches and sent +up high flames. Bands of men from either side worked silently, removing +as many of the wounded as they could. It was a spontaneous movement, as +happened so often in this war, and Dick and his comrades took a part in +it. + +North and South met in friendliness in the darkness or by the light of +the burning pines, and talked freely as they lifted up their wounded. +Dick asked often about Colonel Kenton, meeting at last some Kentuckians, +who told him that the colonel had gone through the day without a wound, +and was with Buckner. Then Dick asked if any Mississippians were along +the line. + +"What do you want with 'em?" asked a long, lank man with a bilious +yellow face. + +"I've got a friend among 'em. Woodville is his name, and he's about my +own age." + +"I've heard of the Woodvilles. Big an' rich family in Missip. 'Roun' +Vicksburg and Jackson mostly. I'm from the Yazoo valley myself, an' if +I hear of the young fellow I'll send him down this way. But I can't stay +out long, 'cause it'll soon be time for me to have my chill. Comes every +other night reg'lar. But I'll be all right for battle to-morrow, when +we lick you Yankees out of the other boot, having licked you out of one +to-day." + +"All right, old Yazoo," laughed Dick. "Go on and have your chill, but if +you see Woodville tell him Mason is waiting down here by the wood." + +"I'll shorely do it, if the chill don't git me fust," said the yellow +Mississippian as he strolled away, and Dick knew that he would keep his +word. + +The lad lingered at the spot where he had met the man, hoping that by +some lucky chance Woodville might come, and fortune gave him his wish. A +slender figure emerged from the dark, and a voice called softly: + +"Is that you, Mason?" + +"Nobody else," replied Dick gladly, stepping forward and offering his +hand, which young Woodville shook warmly. "I was hoping that I might +meet you, and I see, too, that you can't be hurt much, if at all." + +"I haven't been touched. It's my lucky day, I suppose." + +"Where's your uncle? I hope he's in some safe place, recovering from his +wound." + +Victor Woodville laughed softly. + +"Uncle Charles is recovering from his wound perhaps faster than you +hope," he said, "but he's not in a safe place. Far from it." + +"I don't understand." + +"His wound is so much better that he can walk, though with a hop, and +he's right here in the thick of this battle, leading his own Mississippi +regiment. His horse was killed under him early this morning, and he's +fought all day on foot, swearing in the strange and melodious fashion +that you know. It's hop! swear! hop! swear! in beautiful alternation!" + +"Good old colonel!" + +"That's what he is, and he's also one of the bravest men that ever +lived, if he is my uncle. His regiment did prodigies to-day and they'll +do greater prodigies to-morrow. The Woodvilles are well represented +here. My father is present, leading his regiment, and there are a dozen +Woodville cousins of mine whom you've never met." + +"And I hope I won't meet 'em on this field. What about your aunt?" + +"She's well, and in a safe place." + +"I'm glad of that. Now, tell me, Victor, how did you happen to be +with Slade on that raid? Of course it's no business of mine, but I was +surprised." + +"I don't mind answering. I suppose it was a taste for adventure, and a +desire to serve our cause. After I got up the bank and climbed into the +bushes, I looked back, and I think, Mason, that you may have saved me +from a bullet. I don't know, but I think so." + +Dick said nothing, but despite the dusk Woodville read the truth in his +eyes. + +"I shan't forget," said the young Mississippian as he moved away. + +Dick turned back to his own group. They had noticed him talking to +the lad in gray, but they paid no attention, nor thought it anything +unusual. It was common enough in the great battles of the American civil +war, most of which lasted more than one day, for the opposing soldiers +to become friendly in the nights between. + +"I think, sir," said Sergeant Whitley, "that we won't be able to get any +more of our wounded to-night. Now, pardon me for saying it, Lieutenant, +but we ought to have some rest, because when day comes there's going +to be the most awful attack you ever saw. Some of our spies say that +Longstreet and the last of the Virginians did not come until night or +nearly night and that Longstreet himself will lead the attack on us." + +"Do you think, Sergeant, that it will be made first on our own corps?" + +"I don't know, Mr. Mason. We've stood firmest, and them rebel generals +are no fools. They'll crash in where we've shown the most weakness." + +The sergeant walked on, carrying the corner of a litter. Warner, who had +stood by, whispered to Dick: + +"There goes a general, but he'll never have the title. He's got a +general's head on his shoulders, and he thinks and talks like a general, +but he hasn't any education, and men with much poorer brains go past +him. Let it be a lesson to you, Dick, my son. After this war, go to +school, and learn something." + +"Good advice, George, and I'll take it," laughed Dick. "But he isn't so +badly off. I wonder if those fires in the pine forest are going to burn +all night?" + +"Several of 'em will. The big one on our left will be blazing when +day comes, and I'm glad of it since no wounded are now in its way. The +night's cold. That's a sharp and searching wind, and the sight of flames +makes one feel warm even if they are far away." + +It would not be long until day now, and the axes ceased to ring in the +forest. A long and formidable line of abattis had been made, but the men +were compelled to seek some rest. Despite the cold they suffered from a +burning thirst, and they could reach no water, not even the red +stream of the Chickamauga. Dick suffered like the rest, but he was +philosophical. + +"I fancy that after sunrise we won't have time to think about water," he +said. + +But Dick was not destined to sleep. He lay down for a while, and he saw +hundreds of others around him lying motionless as if dead. Warner and +Pennington were among them, but he could not close his own eyes. His +brain was still hot and excited, and to calm himself if possible he +walked along the slope until he saw a faint light in the valley behind +it. A tall figure, which he recognized as that of Colonel Winchester, +was going toward the light. + +Dick, being on such good terms with his colonel, would have followed +him, but when he came to the edge of the glade he drew back. General +Thomas was sitting on the huge, upthrust root of an oak, and he was +writing dispatches by the light of a flickering candle held by an aide. +Officers of high rank, one of whom Dick recognized as the young general, +Garfield, stood around him. Colonel Winchester joined the group, and +stood waiting in silence to receive orders, too, Dick supposed. + +The lad withdrew hastily, but driven by an overmastering curiosity, +and knowing that he was doing no harm, he turned back and watched for a +little space beside a bush. + +The flame of the candle wavered under the wind, and sometimes the light +shone full upon the face of Thomas. It was the same face that Dick had +first beheld when he carried the dispatches to him in Kentucky. He was +calm, inscrutable at this, the most desperate crisis the Union cause +ever knew in the west. Dick could not see that his hand trembled a +particle as he wrote, although lieutenant and general alike knew that +they would soon be attacked by a superior force, flushed with all the +high enthusiasm of victory. And lieutenant and general alike also knew +that their supreme commander, Rosecrans, was no genius like Lee or +Jackson, who could set numbers at naught, and choose time and place to +suit themselves. Only stubborn courage to fight and die could avail. + +But Dick drew courage from the strong, thick figure sitting there so +impassively and apparently impervious to alarm. When he quit writing +and began to give verbal orders, he spoke in even tones, in which no +one could detect a trace of excitement. When the name, "The Rock of +Chickamauga," became general, Dick remembered that night and knew how +well it was deserved. + +Thomas gave his last order and his generals went to their commands. Dick +slipped back to his regiment, and lay down, but again could not sleep. + +He waited in painful anxiety for the day. He had never before been +in such a highly nervous state, not at Shiloh, nor Stone River, nor +anywhere else. In those battles the chances were with the Union, but +here they were against it. He recognized that once more, save for +Thomas, the North had been outgeneraled. The army of Rosecrans had +marched from Chattanooga directly upon the positions chosen by Bragg, +where he was awaiting them with superior numbers. And the Confederate +government in the East had been quick enough to seize the opportunity +and quick enough to send the stalwart fighter, Longstreet, and his corps +to help close down the trap. + +He wondered with many a painful throbbing of the heart what the dawn +would bring, and, unable to keep still any longer, he rose and went to +the brow of the low hill, behind which they lay. Colonel Winchester was +there walking through the scrub and trying to pick out something in +the opposing forest with his glasses. The cold wind still blew from +the mountains, and there were three high but distant torches, where the +clumps of pines still burned. + +"Restless, Dick?" said the Colonel. "Well, so am I." + +"We have cause to be so, sir." + +"So we have, my lad. We thought the danger to the Union had passed with +Vicksburg and Gettysburg, but the day so soon to come may shatter all +our hopes. They must have a hundred thousand men out there, and they've +chosen time and place. What's more, they've succeeded so far. I don't +hesitate to talk to you in this way, Dick, but you mustn't repeat what I +say." + +"I shouldn't dream of doing so, sir." + +"I know you would not, but General Thomas apprehends a tremendous and +terrible attack. Whatever happens, we have not long to wait for it. I +think I feel the touch of the dawn in the wind." + +"It's coming, sir. I can see a faint tinge of gray in that cleft between +the hills toward the east." + +"You have a good eye, Dick. I see it now, too. It's growing and +turning to the color of silver. But I think we'll have time to get our +breakfasts. General Thomas does not believe the first attack will be +made upon our wing." + +The wind was freshening, as if it brought the dawn upon its edge. +The night had been uncommonly cold for the time of the year in that +latitude, and there was no sun yet to give warmth. But the men of Thomas +were being awakened, and, as no fires were allowed, cold food was served +to them. + +"What's happened, Dick, while I was asleep?" asked Pennington. + +"Nothing. The two armies are ready, and I think to-day will decide it." + +"I hope so. Two days are enough for any battle." + +Pennington's tone was jocular, but his words were not. His face was +grave as he regarded the opposing forest. He had the feeling of youth +that others might be killed, but not he. Nevertheless he was already +mourning many a good comrade who would be lost before the night came +again. + +"There are the wasps!" said Warner, bending a listening ear. "You can +always hear them as they begin to sting. I wonder if skirmishers ever +sleep?" + +The shots were on the right, but they came from points far away. In +front of them the forest and hills were silent. + +"It's just as General Thomas thought," said Dick. "The main volume of +their attack will be on our right and center. They know that Thomas +stands here and that he's a mighty rock, hard to move. They expect to +shatter all the rest of the line, and then whirl and annihilate us." + +"Let 'em come!" exclaimed Warner, with heightening color. "Who's +afraid?" + +The dawn was spreading. The heavy mists that hung over the Chickamauga +floated away. All the east was silver, and the darkness rolled back like +a blanket. The west became silver in its turn, and the sun burned red +fire in the east. The wind still blew fresh and cool off the mountains. +The faint sound of trumpets came from far points on the Southern line. +The crackling fire of the skirmishers increased. + +"It's a wait for us," said Colonel Winchester, standing amid his +youthful staff. "I can see them advancing in great columns against our +right and center. Now their artillery opens!" + +Dick put up his glasses and he, too, saw the mighty Southern army +advancing. Their guns were already clearing the way for the advance, +and the valleys echoed with the great concussion. Longstreet and Hill, +anxious to show what the veterans of the East could do, were pouring +them forward alive with all the fire and courage that had distinguished +them in the Army of Northern Virginia. + +The battle swelled fast. It seemed to the waiting veterans of Thomas +that it had burst forth suddenly like a volcano. They saw the vast +clouds of smoke gather again off there where their comrades stood, and, +knowing the immense weight about to be hurled upon them, they feared for +those men who had fought so often by their side. + +Yet Thomas had been confident that the first attack would be made upon +his own part of the line, that Bragg with an overwhelming force would +seek to roll up his left. Nor had he reckoned wrong. The lingering of +the bishop-general, Polk, over a late breakfast saved him from the first +shock, and upset the plans of the Southern commander, who had given him +strict orders to advance. + +Dawn was long past, and to Bragg's great astonishment Polk had not +moved. It seems incredible that the fate of great events can turn upon +such trifles, and yet one wonders what would have happened had not Polk +eaten breakfast so late the morning of the second day of Chickamauga. +But when he did advance he attacked with the energy and vigor of +those great churchmen of the Middle Ages, who were at once princes and +warriors, leading their hosts to battle. + +Portions of the men of Thomas were now coming into the combat, but the +Winchesters were not yet engaged. They were lying down just behind the +crest of their low hill and many murmurs were running through the ranks. +It was the hardest of all things to wait, while shells now and then +struck among them. They saw to their right the vast volume of fire and +smoke, while the roaring of the cannon and rifles was like the continued +sweep of a storm. + +The youthful soldier may be nervous and excited, or he may be calm. This +was one of Dick's calm moments, and, while he watched and listened and +tried to measure all that he saw and heard, he noted that the crash of +the battle was moving slowly backward. He knew then that the Southern +advance was succeeding, succeeding so far at least. He was quite sure +now that the attack upon Thomas would be made soon and that it would +come with the greatest violence. + +He rose and rejoined Colonel Winchester again, and the two looked with +awe at the gigantic combat, raging in a vast canopy of smoke, rent +continuously by flashes of fire. Dick observed that the colonel was +depressed and he knew the reason. + +"Our men are being driven back," he said. + +"So they are," said the colonel, "and I fear that there is confusion +among them, too." + +"But we'll hold fast here as we did yesterday!" + +"I hope so. Yes, I know so, Dick. I've seen General Thomas twice this +morning, and I know that this corps will never be routed. He's made up +his mind to hold on or die. He's the Rock of Chickamauga." + +It was a name that Dick was to hear often afterward, and he repeated +under his breath: "The Rock of Chickamauga! The Rock of Chickamauga!" It +rolled resoundingly off the tongue, and he liked it. + +Then came a beat of hoofs and a cavalry regiment galloped into open +ground beside them. It was Colonel Hertford's, numbering about three +hundred men, some of whom were wounded. Their leader was excited, and, +springing to the ground, he ran to Colonel Winchester. The two talked in +quick, short sentences. + +"Colonel," exclaimed Hertford, "we've just had a sharp brush with that +demon, Forrest, and we've left some good men back there. But I've come +both to help and to warn you. We're being driven back everywhere else, +and now they're gathering an immense mass of troops for a gigantic +attack on Thomas!" + +Dick heard and his breath came fast. Colonel Hertford would bring +no false news, and he could see with his own eyes that the storm was +curving toward them. The two men hurried to Thomas, but in a few minutes +returned. Colonel Hertford sprang into the saddle and formed his cavalry +on the flank as a screen against the dreaded sweep of Forrest. + +There was a lull for a moment in the tremendous uproar, and, Colonel +Winchester walking back and forth before his men, spoke to them briefly. +He was erect, pale and handsome, and his words came without a quiver. +Dick had never admired him more. + +"Men," he said, "you have never been beaten in battle, but your greatest +test is now at hand. Within a few minutes you will be attacked by a +force outnumbering you more than two to one. But these are the odds we +love. We would not have them less. I tell you, speaking as a man to men +who understand and fear not, that the fate of the day may rest with you. +Many gallant comrades of ours have gone already to the far shore, and +if we must go, too, to-day, let our journey be not less gallant than +theirs. We can die but once, and if we must die, let us die here where +we can serve our country most." + +His manner was quiet, but his words were thrilling, and the men of the +regiment, springing to their feet, uttered a deep, full-throated cheer. +Then sinking down again at the motion of his hand, they turned their +faces to the enemy. The time had come. + +The vast Southern front rushed from the wood, and the gray horsemen of +Forrest, careless of death, swept down. It was a terrifying sight, +that army coming on amid the thunder and lightning of battle, tens of +thousands of rifle muzzles, tens of thousands of fierce brown faces +showing through the smoke, and the tremendous battle yell of the South +swelling over everything. + +Dick felt a quiver, and then his body stiffened, as if it were about to +receive a physical shock. The whole regiment fired as one man, and a gap +appeared in the charging Southern column. Hertford and his horse +charged upon the hostile cavalry, and all the brigades of Thomas met the +Southern attack with a fire so heavy and deadly that the army of Bragg +reeled back. + +Then ensued the most tremendous scene through which Dick had yet passed. +The Southern army came again. Bragg, Breckinridge, Buckner, Longstreet, +Hill, Cleburne and the others urged on the attacks. They had been +victors everywhere else and they knew that they must drive back Thomas +or the triumph would not be complete. They struck and spared not, least +of all their own men. They poured them, Kentuckians, Tennesseeans, +Georgians, Mississippians and all the rest upon Thomas without regard to +life. + +Kentuckians on the opposing sides met once again face to face. Dick did +not know it then, but a regiment drawn from neighboring counties charged +the Winchesters thrice and left their dead almost at his feet. He had +little time to notice or measure anything amid the awful din and the +continued shock of battle in which thousands of men were falling. + +The clouds of smoke enveloped them at times, and at other times floated +away. New clumps of pines, set on fire by the shells, burned brightly +like torches, lighting the way to death. Smoke, thick with the odors of +burned gunpowder clogged eye, nose and throat. Dick and the lads around +him gasped for breath, but they fired so fast into the dense Southern +masses that their rifle barrels grew hot to the touch. + +The South was making her supreme effort. Her western sons were +performing prodigies of valor, and Longstreet and the Virginians were +fighting with all the courage that had distinguished them in the East. + +But however violent the charge, and however tremendous the fire of +cannon and rifles, the Rock of Chickamauga merely sank deeper in the +soil, and nothing could drive him from his base. The Union dead heaped +up, regiments were shattered by the Southern fire, but Thomas, calm, +and, inspiring courage as on the day before, passed here and there, +strengthening the weak points, and sending many great guns to the crest +of Missionary Ridge, whence they swept the front of the enemy with a +devastating fire. + +The hail of death from the heights enabled the infantry and cavalry +below to gather breath and strength for the new attacks of the enemy. +They knew, too, that their cannon were now giving them more help than +before, and defiant cheers swept along the line in answer to the mighty +battle cry of the South. The Rock of Chickamauga had not moved a foot. + +Dick caught gleams of the sun through the smoky canopy, but he did not +know how far the day had advanced. He seemed to have been in battle +many hours, but in such moments one had little knowledge of time. He was +aware that the battle had been lost in the center and on the right, but +he had sublime faith in Thomas. The left would stand, and while it stood +the South could win but a barren triumph. + +The peril was imminent and deadly. A strong Southern force, having cut +through another portion of the line, was endeavoring to take Thomas +on the flank. Rosecrans, seeing the danger and almost in despair, sent +Thomas orders which his stern lieutenant fortunately could not obey. The +rock did not move. + +Bragg, an able leader, increased the attack upon Thomas. His generals +gathered around him, and seconded his efforts. Their view was better +than that of the Union commanders, and they knew it was vital to them +to move the rock from their path. Brigades, already victorious on other +parts of the field, came up, and were hurled, shouting their triumphant +battle cry against Thomas, only to be hurled back again. + +The resolution of the defenders increased with their success. A sort of +fever seized upon them all. Death had become a little thing, or it was +forgotten. The blood in their veins was fire, and, transported out of +themselves, they rained shells and bullets upon men whom in their calm +moments they did not hate at all. + +Dick's regiment had suffered with the rest, but Pennington and Warner +and the colonel were alive, and he caught a few glimpses of Hertford +with his gallant horsemen beating back every attack upon their flank. +But nothing stood out with sharp precision. The whole was a huge turmoil +of fire, smoke, confusion and death. The weight upon them seemed at +last to become overwhelming. In spite of courage the most heroic, and +dreadful losses, the right of Thomas was driven back, his center was +compelled to wheel about, but his left where the Winchester regiment +stood with others held on. Thomas himself was there among them, still +cool and impassive in face of threatened ruin. + +About twenty thousand men were around Thomas, and they alone stood +between the Union army and destruction. At all other points it had been +not only defeated, but routed. Vast masses of fugitives were fleeing +toward Chattanooga. Rosecrans himself withdrew, and, now wholly in +despair, telegraphed at four o'clock in the afternoon to Washington: "My +army has been whipped and routed." + +But Thomas was neither routed nor whipped. Many of the brave generals +elsewhere refused to flee with the troops, but gathering as many +soldiers as possible joined Thomas. Among them was young Sheridan, +destined to so great a fame, who brought almost all his own division and +stood beside the Rock of Chickamauga, refusing to yield any further to +the terrible pressure. + +The line of Thomas' army was now almost a semicircle. Polk was leading +violent attacks upon his left and center. Longstreet, used to victory, +was upon his right and behind him, and the veterans from the Army of +Northern Virginia had never fought better. + +Dick saw the enemy all around him, and he began to lose hope. How could +they stand against such numbers? And if they tried to retreat there was +Longstreet to cut off the way. He bumped against Sergeant Whitley in the +smoke and gasped out: + +"We're done for, Sergeant! We're done for!" + +"No, we're not!" shouted the sergeant, firing into the advancing mass. +"We'll beat 'em back. They can't run over us!" + +The sergeant, usually so cool, was a little mad. He was wounded in the +head, and the blood had run down over his face, dyeing it scarlet. His +brain was hot as with fire, and he hurled epithets at the enemy. His +life on the plains came back to him, and, for the time, he was like a +hurt Sioux chief who defies his foes. He called them names. He dared +them to come on. He mocked them. He told them how they had attacked +in vain all day long. He counted the number of their repulses and then +exaggerated them. He reminded them it was yet a long time until dark, +and asked them why they hesitated, why they did not come forward and +meet the death that was ready for them. + +Dick gazed at him in astonishment. He heard many of his words through +the roar of the guns, and he saw his ensanguined face, through which +his eyes burned like two red-hot coals. Was this the quiet and kindly +Sergeant Whitley whom he had known so long? No, it was a raging tiger. +Still waters run deep, and, enveloped, at last, with the fury of battle +the sergeant welcomed wounds, death or anything else it might bring. + +He shouted and fired his rifle again. Then he fell like a log. Dick +rushed to him at once, but he saw that he had only fainted from loss of +blood. He bound up the sergeant's head as best he could, and, easing him +against a bank, returned to the battle front. + +A shout suddenly arose. Officers had seen through their glasses a column +of dust rising far behind them. It was so vast that it could only be +made by a great body of marching troops. But who were the men that were +making it? In all the frightful din and excitement of the battle the +question ran through the army of Thomas. If fresh enemies were coming +upon their rear they were lost! If friends there was yet hope! + +But they could not watch the tower of dust long. The enemy in front gave +them no chance. Polk was still beating upon them, and Longstreet, +having seized a ridge, was pouring an increased fire from his advanced +position. + +"If that cloud of dust encloses gray uniforms we're lost!" shouted +Warner in Dick's ear. + +"But it mustn't enclose 'em," Dick shouted back. "Fate wouldn't play us +such an awful trick! We can't lose, after having done and suffered so +much!" + +Fate would not say which. They could not send men to see, but as they +fought they watched the cloud coming nearer and nearer, and Dick, +whose lips had been moving for some time, realized suddenly that he was +praying. "O God, save us! save us!" he was saying over and over. "Send +the help to us who need it so sorely. Make us strong, O God, to meet our +enemies!" + +He and all his comrades wore masks of dust and burned gunpowder, often +stained with scarlet. Their clothing was torn by bullets and reddened +by dripping wounds. When they shouted to one another their voices came +strained and husky from painful throats. Half the time they were blinded +by the smoke and blaze of the firing. The crash did not seem so loud to +them now, because they were partly deafened for the time by a cannonade +of such violence and length. + +Dick looked back once more at the great cloud of dust which was now much +nearer, but there was nothing yet to indicate what it bore within, the +bayonets of the North or those of the South. His anxiety became almost +intolerable. + +Thomas himself stood at that moment entirely alone in a clump of trees +on the elevation called Horseshoe Ridge, watching the battle, seeing the +enemy in overpowering numbers on both his flanks and even in his +rear. Apparently everything was lost. Taciturn, he never described his +feelings then, but in his soul he must have admired the magnificent +courage with which his troops stood around him, and repelled the +desperate assaults of a foe resolved to win. Although his face +grew grimmer and his teeth set hard, he, too, must have watched the +approaching cloud of dust with the most terrible anxiety. If it bore +enemies in its bosom, then in very truth everything would be lost. + +Down a road some miles from the battlefield a force of eight thousand +men had been left as a reserve for one of the armies. They had long +heard the terrific cannonade which was sending shattering echoes through +the mountains, and both their chief and his second in command were eager +to rush to the titanic combat. They could not obtain orders from their +commander, but, at last, they marched swiftly to the field, all the +eight thousand on fire with zeal to do their part. + +It was the eight thousand who were making the great cloud of dust, +and, as they came nearer and nearer, the suspense of Thomas' shattered +brigades grew more terrible. Dick, reckless of shell and bullets, tried +to pierce the cloud with his eyes. He caught a glimpse of a flag and +uttered a wild shout of joy. It was the stars and stripes. The eight +thousand were eight thousand of the North! He danced up and down on the +stump, and shouted at the top of his voice: + +"They're our own men! Help is here! Help is here!" + +A vast shout of relief rose from Thomas' army as the eight thousand +still coming swiftly joined them. Granger was their leader, but +Steedman, his lieutenant, galloped at once to Thomas, who still stood in +the clump of trees, and asked him what he wanted him to do. The general, +calm and taciturn as ever, pointed toward a long hill that flamed with +the enemy's guns, and said three words: + +"Take that ridge!" + +Steedman galloped back and the eight thousand charged at once. The +battle in front sank a little, as if the others wished to watch the new +combat. Dick had been dragged down from the stump by Warner, but the two +stood erect with Pennington, their eyes turned toward the ridge. Colonel +Winchester was near them, his attention fixed upon the same place. + +The eight thousand firing their rifles and supported by artillery +charged at a great pace. The whole ridge blazed with fire, and the +dead and wounded went down in sheaves. But Dick could not see that they +faltered. Hoarse shouts came again from his dry and blackened lips: + +"They will take it! they will take it! Look how they face the guns!" he +was crying. + +"So they will!" said Warner. "See what a splendid charge! Now they're +hidden! What a column of smoke! It floats aside, and, look, our men are +still going on! Nothing can stop them! They must have lost thousands, +but they reach the slope, and as sure as there's a sun in the heavens +they're going up it!" + +That tremendous cheer burst again from the beleaguered Union army. +Granger and Steedman, with their fresh troops, were rushing up the +slopes of the formidable ridge, and though three thousand of the eight +thousand fell, they took it, hurling back the advancing columns of the +South, and securing the rear of Thomas. + +Then the Winchester men and others about them went wild with joy. They +leaped, they danced, they sang, until they were commanded to make ready +for a new attack. Rosecrans in Chattanooga, with the most of his army +there also in wild confusion, had sent word to Thomas to retire, to +which Thomas had replied tersely: "It will ruin the army to withdraw it +now; this position must be held till night." + +And he made good his resolve. The Southern masses attacked once more +with frightful violence, and once more Thomas withstood them. The field +was now darkening in the twilight, and, having saved the Union army +from rout and wreck, Thomas, impervious to attack, fell back slowly to +Chattanooga. + +The greatest battle of the West, one of the most desperate ever fought, +came to a close. Thirty-five thousand men, killed or wounded, had fallen +upon the field. The South had won a great but barren victory. She had +not been able to reap the fruits of so much skill and courage, because +Thomas and his men, like the Spartans at Thermopylae, had stood in the +way. Never had a man more thoroughly earned the title of honor that he +bore throughout the rest of his life, "The Rock of Chickamauga." + +Chickamauga, though, was a sinister word to the North. Gettysburg and +Vicksburg had stemmed the high tide of the Confederacy, and many had +thought the end in sight. But the news from "The River of Death" told +them that the road to crowning success was still long and terrible. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. BESIDE THE BROOK + + +When the slow retreat began Dick looked for the sergeant. But a stalwart +figure, a red bandage around the head, rose up and confronted him. It +was Sergeant Whitley himself, a little unsteady yet on his feet, but +soon to be as good as ever. + +"Thank you for looking for me, Mr. Mason," he said, "but I came to, some +time ago. I guess the bullet found my skull too hard, 'cause it just ran +'roun' it, and came out on the other side. I won't even be scarred, as +my hair covers up the place." + +"Can you walk all right?" asked Dick, overjoyed to find the sergeant was +not hurt badly. + +"Of course I can, Mr. Mason, an' I'm proud to have been with General +Thomas in such a battle. I didn't think human bein's could do what our +men have done." + +"Nor did I. It was impossible, but we've done it all the same." + +Colonel Winchester rejoiced no less than the lads over the sergeant's +escape. All the officers of the regiment liked him, and they had an +infinite respect for his wisdom, particularly when danger was running +high. They were glad for his own sake that he was alive, and they were +glad to have him with them as they retreated into Chattanooga, because +the night still had its perils. + +The moon, though clouded, was out as they withdrew slowly. On their +flanks there was still firing, as strong detachments skirmished with one +another, but the Winchester men as yet paid little attention to it. They +said grimly to one another that two days in the infernal regions were +enough for one time. They looked back at the vast battlefield and the +clumps of pines burning now like funeral torches, and shuddered. + +The retreat of Thomas was harried incessantly. Longstreet and Forrest +were eager to push the attack that night and the next day and make the +victory complete. They and men of less rank dreamed of a triumph which +should restore the fortunes of the Confederacy to the full, but Bragg +was cautious. He did not wish to incur the uttermost risk, and the roll +of his vast losses might well give him pause also. + +Nevertheless Southern infantry and cavalry hung on the flanks and rear +of the withdrawing Union force. The cloudy moon gave sufficient light +for the sharpshooters, whose rifles flashed continuously. The lighter +field guns moved from the forests and bushes, and the troops of Thomas +were compelled to turn again and again to fight them off. + +The Winchester regiment was on the extreme flank, where the men were +exposed to the fiercest attacks, but fortunately the thickets and hills +gave them much shelter. At times they lay down and returned the fire +of the enemy until they beat him off. Then they would rise and march on +again. + +All the officers had lost their horses, and Colonel Winchester strode +at the head of his men. Just behind were Dick, Pennington and some other +members of his staff. The rest had fallen. Further back was Sergeant +Whitley, his head in a red bandage, but all his faculties returned. +In this dire emergency he was taking upon himself the duties of a +commissioned officer, and there was none to disobey him. Once more was +the wise veteran showing himself a very bulwark of strength. + +Despite the coolness of the night, they had all suffered on the second +day of the battle from a burning thirst. And now after their immense +exertions it grew fiercer than ever. Dick's throat and mouth were +parched, and he felt as if he were breathing fire. He felt that he must +have water or die. All the men around him were panting, and he knew they +were suffering the same torture. + +"This country ought to be full of brooks and creeks," he said to +Pennington. "If I see water I mean to make a dash for it, Johnnies or no +Johnnies. I'm perfectly willing to risk my life for a drink." + +"So am I," said Warner, who overheard him, "and so are all who are left +in this regiment. If they see the flash of water nothing can hold them +back, not even Bragg's whole army. How those skirmishers hang on to us! +Whizz-z! there went their bullets right over our head!" + +The Winchesters turned, delivered a heavy volley into a thicket, whence +the bullets had come, and marched on, looking eagerly now for water. +They began to talk about it. They spoke of the cool brooks, "branches" +they called them, that they had known at home, and they told how, when +they found one, they would first drink of it, and then lie down in its +bed and let its water flow over them. + +But Dick's thirst could not wholly take his mind from the tremendous +scenes accompanying that sullen and defiant retreat. Hills and mountains +were in deepest gloom, save when the signal lights of the Southern +armies flashed back and forth. The clouded moon touched everything +nearer by with somber gray. The fire of cannon rolled through the forest +and gorges with redoubled echoes. + +A shout suddenly came from the head of the Winchester column. + +"Water! Water!" they cried. A young boy had caught a glimpse of silver +through some bushes, and he knew that it was made by the swift current +of a brook. In an instant the regiment broke into a run for the water. +Colonel Winchester could not have stopped them if he had tried, and he +did not try. He knew how great was their need. + +"We're off!" cried Pennington. + +"I see it! The water!" shouted Dick. + +"I do, too!" exclaimed Warner, "and it's the most beautiful water that +ever flowed!" + +But they stopped in their rush and dropped down in the thickets. +Sergeant Whitley had given the warning shout, and fortunately most of a +volley from a point about a hundred yards beyond the stream swept over +their heads. A few men were wounded, and they not badly. + +Dick crawled to the head of the column. The sergeant was already there, +whispering to Colonel Winchester. + +"They've taken to cover, too, sir," said the sergeant. + +"How many do you suppose they are?" asked the colonel. + +"Not more than we are, sir." + +"They run a great risk when they attack us in this manner." + +"Maybe, sir," said Dick, "they, too, were coming for the water." + +Colonel Winchester looked at Sergeant Whitley. + +"I'm of the opinion, sir," said the sergeant, "that Mr. Mason is right." + +"I think so, too," said Colonel Winchester. "It's a pity that men should +kill each other over a drink of water when there's enough for all. Has +any man a handkerchief?" + +"Here, sir," said Warner; "it's ragged and not very clean, but I hope it +will do." + +The Colonel raised the handkerchief on the point of his sword and gave +a hail. The bulk of the two armies had passed on, and now there was +silence in the woods as the two little forces confronted each other +across the stream. + +Dick saw a tall form in Confederate gray rise up from the bushes on the +other side of the brook. + +"Are you wanting to surrender?" the man called in a long, soft drawl. + +"Not by any means. We want a drink of water, and we're just bound to +have it." + +"You don't want it any more than we do, and you're not any more bound to +have it than we are." + +The colonel hesitated a moment, and then, influenced by a generous +impulse, said: + +"If you won't fire, we won't." + +The tall, elderly Southerner, evidently a colonel, also said: + +"It's a fair proposition, sir. My men have been working so hard the last +two days licking you Yanks that they're plum' burnt up with thirst." + +"I don't admit the licking, although it's obvious that you've gained +the advantage so far, but is it agreed that we shall have a truce for a +quarter of an hour?" + +"It is, sir; the truce of the water, and may we drink well! Come on, +boys!" + +Colonel Winchester gave a similar order to his men, and each side rose +from the thickets, and made a rush for the brook. It was a beautiful +little stream, the most beautiful in the world just then to Dick and his +friends. Clear and cold, the color of silver in the moonlight, it rushed +down from the mountains. On one side knelt the men in blue, and on the +other the men in gray, and the pure water was like the elixir of heaven +to their parched and burning throats. + +Dick drank long, and then as he raised his face from the stream he saw +opposite him a tall, lean youth, evidently from the far South, Louisiana +perhaps, a lad with a tanned face and a wide mouth stretched in a +friendly grin. + +"Tastes good, doesn't it, Yank?" he said. + +"Yes, it does, Reb," replied Dick. "I felt that I was drying up and just +crumbling away like old dead wood. As soon as the gallon that I've drunk +has percolated thoroughly through my system I intend to hoist aboard +another gallon." + +"I don't know what percolate means, but I reckon it has something to +do with travelin' about through your system. I think I need a couple of +gallons myself. Say, will you give a fair answer to a fair question?" + +"Yes, go ahead." + +"Don't you Yanks feel powerful bad over the thrashing we've given you?" + +"Not so bad. Besides I wouldn't call it a thrashing. It's just a +temporary advantage. And you wait. We'll take it away from you." + +"I don't know about that, but I can't argue with you now. I'm due for my +second gallon." + +"So am I." + +Each bent down and drank again a long, life-giving draught from the +rushing stream. For a distance of a hundred yards or more heads black, +brown and sometimes yellow were bent over the brook. Far off, both +to east and west, the cannon thundered in the darkness, but with the +drinkers it was a peaceful interlude of a quarter of an hour. Such +moments often occurred in this war when the men on both sides were blood +brethren. + +Colonel Winchester stood up, and the grizzled Confederate colonel stood +up on the other side of the stream, facing him. Their hands rose in a +simultaneous salute of respect. + +"Sir," said Colonel Winchester, "I'm happy to have met you in this +manner." + +"Sir," said the Southern colonel ornately, "we are happy to have drunk +from the same stream with such brave foes, and now, sir, I propose as +we retire that neither regiment shall fire a shot within the next five +minutes." + +"Agreed," said Colonel Winchester, and then as the colonels gave the +signals the two regiments withdrew beyond their respective thickets. +The truce of the water was over, but these foes did not meet again that +night. + +The regiment had left a great proportion of its numbers dead upon the +field. Half the others were wounded more or less, but the slightly +wounded marched on with the unhurt. Many of them were now barely +conscious. They were either asleep upon their feet or in a daze. +Nevertheless they soon rejoined the main command. + +Dick, having his pride as an officer, sought to keep himself active and +alert. He passed among the lads of his own age, and encouraged them. He +told them how the older men were already speaking of the wonders they +had done, and presently he saw Thomas himself riding along with the +young general, Garfield, who had been with him throughout the afternoon. +All the Winchester men saw their commander, and, worn as they were, they +stopped and gave a mighty cheer. Thomas was moved. Under the cloudy moon +Dick saw him show emotion for the first time. He took off his hat. + +"Gentlemen, comrades," he said, "we have lost the battle of Chickamauga, +but if all our regiments fight as you fought to-day the war is won." + +Another cheer, enthusiastic and spontaneous, burst from the regiment, +and Thomas rode on. Dick had never heard him make another speech so +long. + +When they reached the little town of Chattanooga within its mountains +they began to realize the full grandeur of their exploit. The remainder +of the army of Rosecrans was almost a mob, and brave as he undoubtedly +was he was soon removed to another field, leaving Thomas in supreme +command until Grant should come. + +Dick had no rest until the next night, when tents were set for the +battered remains of the Winchester regiment. He, Warner, Pennington +and three others were assigned to one of the larger tents. He had been +without sleep for two days and two nights, and the tremendous tension +that had kept him up so long was relaxing fast. He felt that he must +sleep or die. Yet they talked together a little before they stretched +themselves upon their blankets. + +"Do you think Bragg will attack us in Chattanooga, Dick?" asked +Pennington. + +"I don't. Our position here is too strong, and, as he was the assailant, +his losses must be something awful. Moreover, the rivers are always ours +and reinforcements will soon pour in to us. I think that General Thomas +saved the Union. What have you to say, George?" + +"Just about what you are saying, Dick. We've been beaten, but not enough +to suit the Johnnies. They have on their side present victory. We have +on ours present but not total defeat. You might say they have x, while +we have x + y. Wait until I look into my algebra, and I can find further +mathematical and beautiful propositions proving my contention beyond the +shadow of a doubt." + +He took out his algebra and opened it. A bullet fell from the leaves +into his lap. Warner picked it up and examined it carefully. Then he +looked at the book. + +"It went half way through," he said in tones of genuine solemnity. "If +it had gone all the way it would have pierced my heart and I could never +have known how this war is going to end. It has saved my life, and I +shall always keep it over my heart until we go back home." + +Dick was asleep the next minute, and they did not wake him for twelve +hours. When he came from the tent he stood blinking in the sun, and a +tall lean youth hailed him with a joyous shout: + +"Why, it's Mason--Mason of Kentucky!" exclaimed the lad, extending a +hardened hand. "I'm glad you're alive. How are those friends of yours, +Warner and Pennington?" + +"Well, save for scratches, Ohio. They're about somewhere." + +They shook hands again, hunted up the others, and celebrated their +escape from death. + +Dick learned later that all the Woodvilles were still alive and that +Colonel Kenton, although wounded, was recovering fast. Slade, with +troublesome raids, soon gave evidence of his own continued existence. + +Then, as they expected, reinforcements poured in. Grant came, and Dick +and his comrades took part in the fight at Missionary Ridge and the +battle "above the clouds" on Lookout Mountain. He witnessed great +triumphs and he had a share in them. + +He saw Bragg's army broken up, and he rejoiced with the others when the +news came that Grant for his brilliant successes had been made commander +of all the armies of the Union, and would go east to match himself +against the mighty Lee. The Winchester regiment would go with him +and Dick, Warner, Pennington and Sergeant Whitley, who was entirely +recovered, talked of it gravely: + +"We've been in the East before," said Pennington, "but we won't be under +any doubting general now." + +"I fancy it will be the death grapple," said Warner. + +"And the continent will shake with it," said Dick. + +The three, as if by the same impulse, turned and faced the distant East, +where the shades were already gathering over the Wilderness. + + + + +Appendix: Transcription notes: + +This etext was transcribed from a volume of the 14th printing. + + +The following modifications were applied while transcribing the printed +book to etext: + + Chapter 1 + Page 30, para 1, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 2 + Page 39, para 1, add missing close-quotes + Page 48, para 4, change "its" to "it's" + + Chapter 3 + Page 72, para 1, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 8 + Page 174, para 2, add a badly-needed comma + Page 182, para 3, change "replied Pennington" to "replied Warner" + Page 185, para 5, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 10 + Page 216, para 2, move a badly-misplaced comma + Page 217, para 5, add a badly-needed comma + + Chapter 12 + Page 258, para 2, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 14 + Page 297, para 1, fixed typo "Mississipians" + + + Chapter 15 + Page 320, para 2, remove an extra comma + + + + Limitations imposed by converting to plain ASCII: + + - The word "cooperated" in chapter 8 was presented in the printed + book with an accented "o" + - In chapter 11, "Caesar" was presented with the "ae" ligature + - In chapter 11, the ship's name "Union" was presented in italics + - In chapter 14, "Thermopylae" was presented with the "ae" ligature + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Rock of Chickamauga, by Joseph A. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!**** + + +Title: The Rock of Chickamauga + +Author: Joseph A. Altsheler + +Release Date: January, 2006 [EBook #9745] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on October 15, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA *** + + + + +This ebook was produced by Ken Reeder <kreeder@mailsnare.net> + + + + +THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA +A STORY OF THE WESTERN CRISIS + +by JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER + + + + +FOREWORD + + +"The Rock of Chickamauga," presenting a critical phase of the great +struggle in the west, is the sixth volume in the series, dealing with the +Civil War, of which its predecessors have been "The Guns of Bull Run," +"The Guns of Shiloh," "The Scouts of Stonewall," "The Sword of Antietam" +and "The Star of Gettysburg." Dick Mason who fights on the Northern side, +is the hero of this romance, and his friends reappear also. + + + + +THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + + VOLUMES IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + THE GUNS OF BULL RUN. + THE GUNS OF SHILOH. + THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL. + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM. + THE STAR OF GETTYSBURG. + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA. + THE SHADES OF THE WILDERNESS. + THE TREE OF APPOMATTOX. + + + PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + HARRY KENTON, A Lad Who Fights on the Southern Side. + DICK MASON, Cousin of Harry Kenton, Who Fights on the Northern Side. + COLONEL GEORGE KENTON, Father of Harry Kenton. + MRS. MASON, Mother of Dick Mason. + JULIANA, Mrs. Mason's Devoted Colored Servant. + COLONEL ARTHUR WINCHESTER, Dick Mason's Regimental Commander. + COLONEL LEONIDAS TALBOT, Commander of the Invincibles, + a Southern Regiment. + LIEUTENANT COLONEL HECTOR ST. HILAIRE, Second in Command of the + Invincibles. + ALAN HERTFORD, A Northern Cavalry Leader. + PHILIP SHERBURNE, A Southern Cavalry Leader. + WILLIAM J. SHEPARD, A Northern Spy. + DANIEL WHITLEY, A Northern Sergeant and Veteran of the Plains. + GEORGE WARNER, A Vermont Youth Who Loves Mathematics. + FRANK PENNINGTON, A Nebraska Youth, Friend of Dick Mason. + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, A Native of Charleston, Friend of Harry Kenton. + TOM LANGDON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + GEORGE DALTON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + BILL SKELLY, Mountaineer and Guerrilla. + TOM SLADE, A Guerrilla Chief. + SAM JARVIS, The Singing Mountaineer. + IKE SIMMONS, Jarvis' Nephew. + AUNT "SUSE," A Centenarian and Prophetess. + BILL PETTY, A Mountaineer and Guide. + JULIEN DE LANGEAIS, A Musician and Soldier from Louisiana. + JOHN CARRINGTON, Famous Northern Artillery Officer. + DR. RUSSELL, Principal of the Pendleton School. + ARTHUR TRAVERS, A Lawyer. + JAMES BERTRAND, A Messenger from the South. + JOHN NEWCOMB, A Pennsylvania Colonel. + JOHN MARKHAM, A Northern Officer. + JOHN WATSON, A Northern Contractor. + WILLIAM CURTIS, A Southern Merchant and Blockade Runner. + MRS. CURTIS, Wife of William Curtis. + HENRIETTA GARDEN, A Seamstress in Richmond. + DICK JONES, A North Carolina Mountaineer. + VICTOR WOODVILLE, A Young Mississippi Officer. + JOHN WOODVILLE, Father of Victor Woodville. + CHARLES WOODVILLE, Uncle of Victor Woodville. + COLONEL BEDFORD, A Northern Officer. + CHARLES GORDON, A Southern Staff Officer. + JOHN LANHAM, An Editor. + JUDGE KENDRICK, A Lawyer. + MR. CULVER, A State Senator. + MR. BRACKEN, A Tobacco Grower. + ARTHUR WHITRIDGE, A State Senator. + + + HISTORICAL CHARACTERS + + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. + JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Southern Confederacy. + JUDAH P. BENJAMIN, Member of the Confederate Cabinet. + U. S. GRANT, Northern Commander. + ROBERT B. LEE, Southern Commander. + STONEWALL JACKSON, Southern General. + PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, Northern General. + GEORGE H. THOMAS, "The Rock of Chickamauga." + ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Southern General. + A. P. HILL, Southern General. + W. S. HANCOCK, Northern General. + GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Northern General. + AMBROSE B. BURNSIDE, Northern General. + TURNER ASHBY, Southern Cavalry Leader. + J. E. B. STUART, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOSEPH HOOKER, Northern General. + RICHARD S. EWELL, Southern General. + JUBAL EARLY, Southern General. + WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, Northern General. + SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, Southern General. + LEONIDAS POLK, Southern General and Bishop. + BRAXTON BRAGG, Southern General. + NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOHN MORGAN, Southern Cavalry Leader. + GEORGE J. MEADE, Northern General. + DON CARLOS BUELL, Northern General. + W. T. SHERMAN, Northern General. + JAMES LONGSTREET, Southern General. + P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Southern General. + WILLIAM L. YANCEY, Alabama Orator. + JAMES A. GARFIELD, Northern General, afterwards President of + the United States. + + And many others + + + IMPORTANT BATTLES DESCRIBED IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + BULL RUN + KERNSTOWN + CROSS KEYS + WINCHESTER + PORT REPUBLIC + THE SEVEN DAYS + MILL SPRING + FORT DONELSON + SHILOH + PERRYVILLE + STONE RIVER + THE SECOND MANASSAS + ANTIETAM + FREDERICKSBURG + CHANCELLORSVILLE + GETTYSBURG + CHAMPION HILL + VICKSBURG + CHICKAMAUGA + MISSIONARY RIDGE + THE WILDERNESS + SPOTTSYLVANIA + COLD HARBOR + FISHER'S HILL + CEDAR CREEK + APPOMATTOX + + + +CONTENTS + + I. AT BELLEVUE + + II. FORREST + + III. GRANT MOVES + + IV. DICK'S MISSION + + V. HUNTED + + VI. A BOLD ATTACK + + VII. THE LITTLE CAPITAL + + VIII. CHAMPION HILL + + IX. THE OPEN DOOR + + X. THE GREAT ASSAULT + + XI. THE TAKING OF VICKSBURG + + XII. AN AFFAIR OF THE MOUNTAINS + + XIII. THE RIVER OF DEATH + + XIV. THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + + XV. BESIDE THE BROOK + + + + +THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + + +CHAPTER I + +AT BELLEVUE + + +"You have the keenest eyes in the troop. Can you see anything ahead?" +asked Colonel Winchester. + +"Nothing living, sir," replied Dick Mason, as he swept his powerful +glasses in a half-curve. "There are hills on the right and in the center, +covered with thick, green forest, and on the left, where the land lies +low, the forest is thick and green too, although I think I catch a flash +of water in it." + +"That should be the little river of which our map tells. And you, Warner, +what do your eyes tell you?" + +"The same tale they tell to Dick, sir. It looks to me like a wilderness." + +"And so it is. It's a low-lying region of vast forests and thickets, +of slow deep rivers and creeks, and of lagoons and bayous. If Northern +troops want to be ambushed they couldn't come to a finer place for it. +Forrest and five thousand of his wild riders might hide within rifle shot +of us in this endless mass of vegetation. And so, my lads, it behooves +us to be cautious with a very great caution. You will recall how we got +cut up by Forrest in the Shiloh time." + +"I do, sir," said Dick and he shuddered as he recalled those terrible +moments. "This is Mississippi, isn't it?" + +Colonel Winchester took a small map from his pocket, and, unfolding it, +examined it with minute care. + +"If this is right, and I'm sure it is," he replied, "we're far down in +Mississippi in the sunken regions that border the sluggish tributaries of +the Father of Waters. The vegetation is magnificent, but for a home give +me higher ground, Dick." + +"Me too, sir," said Warner. "The finest state in this Union is Vermont. +I like to live on firm soil, even if it isn't so fertile, and I like to +see the clear, pure water running everywhere, brooks and rivers." + +"I'll admit that Vermont is a good state for two months in the year," +said Dick. + +"Why not the other ten?" + +"Because then it's frozen up, solid and hard, so I've heard." + +The other boys laughed and kept up their chaff, but Colonel Winchester +rode soberly ahead. Behind him trailed the Winchester regiment, now +reorganized and mounted. Fresh troops had come from Kentucky, and +fragments of old regiments practically destroyed at Perryville and Stone +River had been joined to it. + +It was a splendid body of men, but of those who had gone to Shiloh only +about two hundred remained. The great conflicts of the West, and the +minor battles had accounted for the others. But it was perhaps one of +the reliefs of the Civil War that it gave the lads who fought it little +time to think of those who fell. Four years crowded with battles, +great and small, sieges and marches absorbed their whole attention. + +Now two men, the dreaded Forrest and fierce little Joe Wheeler, occupied +the minds of Winchester and his officers. It was impossible to keep +track of these wild horsemen here in their own section. They had a habit +of appearing two or three hundred miles from the place at which they were +expected. + +But the young lieutenants while they watched too for their redoubtable +foes had an eye also for the country. It was a new kind of region for +all of them. The feet of their horses sank deep in the soft black soil, +and there was often a sound of many splashings as the regiment rode +across a wide, muddy brook. + +Dick noted with interest the magnolias and the live oaks, and the great +stalks of the sunflower. Here in this Southern state, which bathed +its feet in the warm waters of the Gulf, spring was already far along, +although snows still lingered in the North. + +The vegetation was extravagant in its luxuriance and splendor. The +enormous forest was broken by openings like prairies, and in every one +of them the grass grew thick and tall, interspersed with sunflowers and +blossoming wild plants. Through the woods ran vast networks of vines, +and birds of brilliant plumage chattered in the trees. Twice, deer +sprang up before them and raced away in the forest. It was the +wilderness almost as De Soto had traversed it nearly four centuries +before, and it had a majesty which in its wildness was not without its +sinister note. + +They approached a creek, deeper and wider than usual, flowing in slow, +yellow coils, and, as they descended into the marsh that enclosed its +waters, there was a sharp crackling sound, followed quickly by another +and then by many others. The reports did not cease, and, although +blood was shed freely, no man fell from his horse, nor was any wounded +mortally. But the assault was vicious and it was pushed home with the +utmost courage and tenacity, although many of the assailants fell never +to rise again. Cries of pain and anger, and imprecations arose from the +stricken regiment. + +"Slap! Slap!" + +"Bang! Bang!" + +"Ouch! He's got his bayonet in my cheek!" + +"Heavens, that struck me like a minie ball! And it came, whistling and +shrieking, too, just like one!" + +"Phew, how they sting! and my neck is bleeding in three places!" + +"By thunder, Bill, I hit that fellow, fair and square! He'll never +trouble an honest Yankee soldier again!" + +The fierce buzzing increased all around them and Colonel Winchester +shouted to his trumpeter: + +"Blow the charge at once!" + +The man, full willing, put the trumpet to his lips and blew loud and +long. The whole regiment went across the creek at a gallop--the water +flying in yellow showers--and did not stop until, emerging from the marsh, +they reached the crest of a low hill a mile beyond. Here, stung, +bleeding and completely defeated by the enemy they stopped for repairs. +An occasional angry buzz showed that they were not yet safe from the +skirmishers, but their attack seemed a light matter after the full +assault of the determined foe. + +"I suppose we're all wounded," said Dick as he wiped a bleeding cheek. +"At least as far as I can see they're hurt. The last fellow who got his +bayonet in my face turned his weapon around and around and sang merrily +at every revolution." + +"We were afraid of being ambushed by Forrest," said Warner, speaking +from a swollen countenance. "Instead we struck something worse; we rode +straight into an ambush of ten billion high-powered mosquitoes, every one +tipped with fire. Have we got enemies like these to fight all the way +down here?" + +"They sting the rebels, too," said Pennington. + +"Yes, but they like newcomers best, the unacclimated. When we rode down +into that swamp I could hear them shouting, to one another: 'That fat +fellow is mine, I saw him first! I've marked the rosy-cheeked boy for +mine. Keep away the rest of you fellows!' I feel as if I'd been through +a battle. No more marshes for me." + +Some of the provident produced bottles of oil of pennyroyal. Sergeant +Daniel Whitley, who rode a giant bay horse, was one of the most +foreseeing in this respect, and, after the boys had used his soothing +liniment freely, the fiery torment left by the mosquito's sting passed +away. + +The sergeant seemed to have grown bigger and broader than ever. His +shoulders were about to swell through his faded blue coat, and the hand +resting easily on the rein had the grip and power of a bear's paw. +His rugged face had been tanned by the sun of the far south to the color +of an Indian's. He was formidable to a foe, and yet no gentler heart +beat than that under his old blue uniform. Secretly he regarded the +young lieutenants, his superiors in military rank and education, as brave +children, and often he cared for them where his knowledge and skill were +greater than theirs or even than that of colonels and generals. + +"God bless you, Sergeant," said Dick, "you don't look like an angel, +but you are one--that is, of the double-fisted, fighting type." + +The sergeant merely smiled and replaced the bottle carefully in his +pocket, knowing that they would have good use for it again. + +The regiment after salving its wounds resumed its watchful march. + +"Do you know where we're going?" Pennington asked Dick. + +"I think we're likely if we live long enough to land in the end before +Vicksburg, the great Southern fortress, but as I gather it we mean to +curve and curl and twist about a lot before then. Grant, they say, +intends to close in on Vicksburg, while Rosecrans farther north is +watching Bragg at Chattanooga. We're a flying column, gathering up +information, and ready for anything." + +"It's funny," said Warner thoughtfully, "that we've already got so far +south in the western field. We can't be more than two or three hundred +miles from the Gulf. Besides, we've already taken New Orleans, the +biggest city of the South, and our fleet is coming up the river to meet +us. Yet in the East we don't seem to make any progress at all. We lose +great battles there and Fredericksburg they say was just a slaughter of +our men. How do you make it out, Dick?" + +"I've thought of several reasons for it. Our generals in the West are +better than our generals in the East, or their generals in the East are +better than their generals in the West. And then there are the rivers. +In the East they mostly run eastward between the two armies, and they +are no help to us, but a hindrance rather. Here in the West the rivers, +and they are many and great, mostly run southward, the way we want to go, +and they bring our gunboats on their bosoms. Excuse my poetry, but it's +what I mean." + +"You must be right. I think that all the reasons you give apply +together. But our command of the water has surely been a tremendous +help. And then we've got to remember, Dick, that there was never a +navy like ours. It goes everywhere and it does everything. Why, if +Admiral Farragut should tell one of those gunboats to steam across the +Mississippi bottoms it would turn its saucy nose, steer right out of the +water into the mud, and blow up with all hands aboard before it quit +trying." + +"You two fellows talk too much," said Pennington. "You won't let +President Lincoln and Grant and Halleck manage the war, but you want to +run it yourselves." + +"I don't want to run anything just now, Frank," rejoined Dick. "What I'm +thinking about most is rest and something to eat. I'd like to get rid, +too, of about ten pounds of Mississippi mud that I'm carrying." + +"Well, I can catch a glint of white pillars through those trees. It +means the 'big house' of a plantation, and you'll probably find somewhere +back of it the long rows of cabins, inhabited by the dark people, whom +we've come to raise to the level of their masters, if not above them. +I can see right now the joyous welcome we'll receive from the owners of +the big house. They'll be standing on the great piazza, waving Union +flags and shouting to us that they have ready cooling drinks and +luxurious food for us all." + +"It's hardly a joke to me. Whatever the cause of the war, it's the +bitterness of death for these people to be overrun. Besides, I remember +the words of that old fellow in the blacksmith shop before we fought the +battle of Stone River. He said that even if they were beaten they'd +still be there holding the land and running things." + +"That's true," said Warner. "I've been wondering how this war would end, +and now I'm wondering what will happen after it does end. But here we +are at the gate. What big grounds! These great planters certainly had +space!" + +"And what silence!" said Dick. "It's uncanny, George. A place like this +must have had a thousand slaves, and I don't see any of them rushing +forward to welcome their liberators." + +"Probably contraband, gone long ago to Ben Butler at New Orleans. +I don't believe there's a soul here." + +"Remember that lone house in Tennessee where a slip of a girl brought +Forrest down on us and had us cut pretty nearly to pieces." + +"I couldn't forget it." + +Nor could Colonel Winchester. The house, large and low, stood in grounds +covering an area of several acres, enclosed by a paling fence, now +sagging in many places. Great stone posts stood on either side of the +gateway, but the gate was opened, and it, too, sagged. + +The grounds had evidently been magnificent, both with flowers and forest +trees. Already many of the flowers were blooming in great luxuriance and +brilliancy, but the walks and borders were untrimmed. The house was of +wood, painted white with green shutters, and as they drew nearer they +appreciated its great size, although it was only two stories in height. +A hundred persons could have slept there, and twice as many could have +found shade in the wide piazzas which stretched the full length of the +four sides. + +But all the doors and shutters were closed and no smoke rose from any +chimney. They caught a glimpse of the cabins for the slaves, on lower +ground some distance behind the great house. The whole regiment reined +up as they approached the carriage entrance, and, although they were +eight hundred strong, there was plenty of room without putting a single +hoof upon a flower. + +It was a great place. That leaped to the eye, but it was not marked upon +Colonel Winchester's map, nor had he heard of it. + +"It's a grand house," he said to his aides, "and it's a pity that it +should go to ruin after the slaves are freed, as they certainly will be." + +"But it was built upon slave labor," said Warner. + +"So it was, and so were many of the most famous buildings in the world. +But here, I'm not going to get into an argument about such questions with +young men under my command. Besides, I'm fighting to destroy slavery, +not to study its history. Sergeant Whitley, you're an experienced +trailer: do you see any signs that troops have passed here?" + +"None at all, sir. Down near the gate where the drive is out of repair +I noticed wheel tracks, but they were several days old. The freshest of +them were light, as if made by buggies. I judge, sir, that it was the +family, the last to leave." + +"And the wagons containing their valuables had gone on ahead?" + +"It would seem so, sir." + +Colonel Winchester sighed. + +"An invader is always feared and hated," he said. + +"But we do come as enemies," said Dick, "and this feeling toward us can't +be helped." + +"That's true. No matter what we do we'll never make any friends here in +one of the Gulf states, the very core of Southern feeling. Dick, take +a squad of men and enter the house. Pennington, you and Warner go with +him." + +Dick sprang down instantly, chose Sergeant Whitley first and with the +others entered the great portico. The front door was locked but it was +easy enough to force it with a gun butt, and they went in, but not before +Dick had noticed over the door in large letters the name, "Bellevue." +So this was Bellevue, one of the great cotton plantations of Mississippi. +He now vaguely remembered that he had once heard his uncle, Colonel +Kenton, speak of having stopped a week here. But he could not recall the +name of the owner. Strong for the Union as he was Dick was glad that the +family had gone before the Northern cavalry came. + +The house was on a splendid scale inside also, but all the rugs and +curtains were gone. As they entered the great parlor Dick saw a large +piece of paper, and he flushed as he read written upon it in tall letters: + + TO THE YANKEE RAIDERS: + YOU NEED NOT LOOK FOR THE SILVER. + IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO VICKSBURG. + + +"Look at that!" he said indignantly to Warner. "See how they taunt us!" + +But Warner laughed. + +"Maybe some of our men at New Orleans have laid us open to such a stab," +he said. Then he added whimsically: + +"We'll go to Vicksburg with Grant, Dick, and get that silver yet." + +"The writing's fresh," said Sergeant Whitley, who also looked at the +notification. "The paper hasn't begun to twist and curl yet. It's not +been posted up there many hours." + +Colonel Winchester entered at that moment and the notice was handed to +him. He, too, flushed a little when he read it, but the next instant he +laughed. Dick then called his attention to the apparent fact that it had +been put there recently. + +"May I speak a word, Colonel," said Warner, who had been thinking so hard +that there was a line the full length of his forehead. + +"Yes, George, a dozen if you like. Go ahead. What is it?" + +"The sergeant, who has had much experience as a trailer, told us that +the tracks made by the buggy wheels were several days old. The slaves +probably had been sent southward before that time. Now some one who +saw our advance has come back, and, whoever it was, he was thoroughly +familiar with the house. He couldn't have been a servant. Servants +don't leave taunts of that kind. It must have been somebody who felt our +coming deeply, and if it had been an elderly man he would have waited for +action, he wouldn't have used saucy words. So, sir, I think it must have +been a boy. Just like Pennington there, for instance." + +"Good, George, go on with your reasonings." + +"As surely, sir, as z plus y equals the total of the two, the one who put +up the placard was a son of the owner. He alone would feel deeply enough +to take so great a risk. The conditions absolutely demand that the owner +has such a son and that he has done it." + +"Very good, George. I think you're right, and this youth in giving way +to a natural burst of anger, although he did not mean to do so, has +posted up for us a warning. A lad of his spirit would go in search +of Forrest, and we cannot forget our experience with that general in +Tennessee. Now, boys, we'll make ready for the night, which is not far +away." + +The house was built for a Southern climate, although Dick had learned +that it could be cold enough in Central Mississippi in midwinter. +But it was spring now and they opened all the doors and windows, letting +the pleasant air rush through the musty house. + +"It may rain," said Colonel Winchester, "and the officers will sleep +inside. The men will spread their blankets on the piazzas, and the +horses will be tethered in the grounds. I hate to see the flowers and +grass trodden down, but nature will restore them." + +Some of the soldiers gathered wood from heaps nearby and fires were +kindled in the kitchen, and also on the hearths in the slave quarters. +Colonel Winchester had been truly called the father of his regiment. +He was invariably particular about its health and comfort, and, as he +always led it in person in battle, there was no finer body of men in the +Union service. + +Now he meant for his men to have coffee, and warm food after this long +and trying ride and soon savory odors arose, although the cooking was not +begun until after dark, lest the smoke carry a signal to a lurking enemy. +The cavalrymen cut the thick grass which grew everywhere, and fed it to +their horses, eight hundred massive jaws munching in content. The beasts +stirred but little after their long ride and now and then one uttered a +satisfied groan. + +The officers drank their coffee and ate their food on the eastern piazza, +which overlooked a sharp dip toward a creek three or four hundred yards +away. The night had rushed down suddenly after the fashion of the far +South, and from the creek they heard faintly the hoarse frogs calling. +Beyond the grounds a close ring of sentinels watched, because Colonel +Winchester had no mind to be surprised again by Forrest or by Fighting +Joe Wheeler or anybody else. + +The night was thick and dark and moist with clouds. Dick, despite the +peace that seemed to hang over everything, was oppressed. The desolate +house, even more than the sight of the field after the battle was over, +brought home to him the meaning of war. It was not alone the death +of men but the uprooting of a country for their children and their +children's children as well. Then his mind traveled back to his uncle, +Colonel Kenton, and suddenly he smote his knee. + +"What is it, Dick," asked Colonel Winchester, who sat only two or three +yards away. + +"Now I remember, sir. When I was only seven or eight years old I heard +my uncle tell of stopping, as I told you, at a great plantation in +Mississippi called Bellevue, but I couldn't recall the name of its owner. +I know him now." + +"What is the name, Dick?" + +"Woodville, John Woodville. He was a member of the Mississippi Senate, +and he was probably the richest man in the State." + +"I think I have heard the name. He is a Confederate colonel now, with +Pemberton's army. No doubt we'll have to fight him later on." + +"Meanwhile, we're using his house." + +"Fortune of war. But all war is in a sense unfair, because it's usually +a question of the greater force. At any rate, Dick, we won't harm +Colonel Woodville's home." + +"Yet in the end, sir, a lot of these great old country places will go, +and what will take their place? You and I, coming from a border state, +know that the colored race is not made up of Uncle Toms." + +"Well, Dick, we haven't won yet, and until we do we won't bother +ourselves about the aftermath of war. I'm glad we found so large a +place as this. At the last moment I sent part of the men to the cabins, +but at least three or four hundred must lie here on the piazzas. And +most of them are already asleep. It's lucky they have roofs. Look how +the clouds are gathering!" + +As much more room had been made upon the piazzas by the assignment of men +to the cabins, Colonel Winchester and some of his officers also rested +there. Dick, lying between the two blankets which he always carried in a +roll tied to his saddle, was very comfortable now, with his head on his +knapsack. The night had turned cooler, and, save when faint and far +lightning quivered, it was heavy and dark with clouds. But the young +lieutenants, hardened by two years of war and life in the open, felt snug +and cosy on the broad, sheltered piazza. It was not often they found +such good quarters, and Dick, like Colonel Winchester, was truly thankful +that they had reached Bellevue before the coming storm. + +It was evident now that the night was going to be wild. The lightning +grew brighter and came nearer, cutting fiercely across the southern sky. +The ominous rumble of thunder, which reminded Dick so much of the mutter +of distant battle, came from the horizon on which the lightning was +flashing. + +Colonel Winchester, Pennington and Warner had gone to sleep, but Dick was +wakeful. He had again that feeling of pity for the people who had been +compelled to flee from such a house, and who might lose it forever. +It seemed to him that all the men, save himself and the sentinels, +were asleep, sleeping with the soundness and indifference to surroundings +shown by men who took their sleep when they could. + +The horses stamped and moved uneasily beneath the threat of the advancing +storm, but the men slept heavily on. + +Dick knew that the sentinels were awake and watchful. They had a +wholesome dread of Forrest and Wheeler, those wild riders of the South. +Some of them had been present at that terrible surprise in Tennessee, +and they were not likely to be careless when they were sure that Forrest +might be near, but he remained uneasy nevertheless, and, although he +closed his eyes and sought a soft place for his head on the saddle, +sleep did not come. + +He was sure that his apprehension did not come from any fear of an attack +by Forrest or Wheeler. It was deeper-seated. The inherited sense +that belonged to his great grandfather, who had lived his life in the +wilderness, was warning him. It was not superstition. It seemed to +Dick merely the palpable result of an inheritance that had gone into the +blood. His famous great-grandfather, Paul Cotter, and his famous friend, +Henry Ware, had lived so much and so long among dangers that the very air +indicated to them when they were at hand. + +Dick looked down the long piazza, so long that the men at either end of +it were hidden by darkness. The tall trees in the grounds were nodding +before the wind, and the lightning flashed incessantly in the southwest. +The thunder was not loud, but it kept up a continuous muttering and +rumbling. The rain was coming in fitful gusts, but he knew that it would +soon drive hard and for a long time. + +Everybody within Dick's area of vision was sound asleep, except himself. +Colonel Winchester lay with his head on his arm and his slumber was so +deep that he was like one dead. Warner had not stirred a particle in the +last half-hour. Dick was angry at himself because he could not sleep. +Let the storm burst! It might drive on the wide roof of the piazza +and the steady beating sound would make his sleep all the sounder and +sweeter. He recalled, as millions of American lads have done, the days +when he lay in his bed just under the roof and heard hail and sleet drive +against it, merely to make him feel all the snugger in the bed with his +covers drawn around him. + +The fitful gusts of rain ceased, and then it came with a steady pour and +roar, driving directly down, thus leaving the men on the outer edges of +the piazzas untouched and dry. Still, Dick did not sleep, and at last he +arose and walked softly into the house. Here the sense of danger grew +stronger. He was reminded again of his early boyhood, when some one +blindfolded was told to find a given object, and the others called "hot" +when he was near or "cold" when he was away. He was feeling hot now. +That inherited sense, the magnetic feeling out of the past, was warning +him. + +Dick felt sure that some one not of their regiment was in the building. +He neither saw nor heard the least sign of a presence, but he was +absolutely certain that he was not alone within Bellevue. Since the +lightning had ceased it was pitchy dark inside. There was a wide hall +running through the building, with windows above the exits, but he saw +nothing through them save the driving rain and the dim outline of the +threshing trees. + +He turned into one of the side rooms, and then he paused and pushed +himself against the wall. He was sure now that he heard a soft footstep. +The darkness was so intense that it could be felt like a mist. He waited +but he did not hear it again, and then he began to make his way around +the wall, stepping as lightly as he could. + +He had gone through most of the rooms at their arrival and he still +retained a clear idea of the interior of the house. He knew that there +was another door on the far side of the chamber in which he stood, +and he meant to follow the wall until he reached it. Some one had been +in the room with him and Dick believed that he was leaving by the far +door. + +While he heard no further footsteps he felt a sudden light draught on his +face and he knew that the door had been opened and shut. He might go to +Colonel Winchester and tell him that a lurking spy or somebody of that +character was in the house, but what good would it do? A spy at such +a time and in such a place could not harm them, and the whole regiment +would be disturbed for nothing. He would follow the chase alone. + +He found the door and passed into the next room. Its windows opened upon +the southern piazza and two or three shutters were thrown back. A faint +light entered and Dick saw that no one was there but himself. He could +discern the dim figures of the soldiers sleeping on the piazza and beyond +a cluster of the small pines grown on lawns. + +Dick felt that he had lost the trail for the time, but he did not intend +to give it up. Doubtless the intruder was some one who knew the house +and who was also aware of his presence inside. He also felt that he +would not be fired upon, because the stranger himself would not wish to +bring the soldiers down upon him. So, with a hand upon his pistol butt, +he opened the side door and followed once more into the darkness. + +The ghostly chase went on for a full half-hour, Dick having nothing to +serve him save an occasional light footfall. There was one period of +more than half an hour when he lost the fugitive entirely. He wandered +up to the second floor and then back again. There, in a room that had +been the library, he caught a glimpse of the man. But the figure was so +shadowy that he could tell nothing about him. + +"Halt!" cried Dick, snatching out his pistol. But when he leveled it +there was nothing to aim at. The figure had melted away, or rather +it had flitted through another door. Dick followed, chagrined. The +stranger seemed to be playing with him. Obviously, it was some one +thoroughly acquainted with the house, and that brought to Dick's mind the +thought that he himself, instead of the other man, was the stranger there. + +He came at last to a passage which led to the kitchen, a great room, +because many people were often guests at Bellevue, and here he stopped +short, while his heart suddenly beat hard. A distinct odor coming from +different points suddenly assailed his nostrils. He had smelled it too +often in the last two years to be mistaken. It was smoke, and Bellevue +had been set on fire in several places. + +He inhaled it once or twice and then he saw again the shadowy figure +flitting down to the passage and to a small door that, unnoticed by the +soldiers, opened on the kitchen garden in the rear of the house. + +Dick never acted more promptly. Instantly he fired his pistol into the +ceiling, the report roaring in the confined spaces of the house, and then +shouting with all his might: "Fire! Fire! Fire!" as he dashed down the +passage he ran through the little door, which the intruder had left open, +and pursued him in the darkness and rain into the garden. There was a +flash ahead of him and a bullet whistled past his ear, but he merely +increased his speed and raced in the direction of the flash. As he ran +he heard behind him a tremendous uproar, the voices and tread of hundreds +of soldiers, awakened suddenly, and he knew that they would rush through +Bellevue in search of the fires. + +But it was Dick's impulse to capture the daring intruder who would +destroy the house over their heads. Built of wood, it would burn so fast, +once the torches were set, that the rain would have little effect +upon the leaping flames, unless measures were taken at once, which he +knew that the regiment would do, under such a capable man as Colonel +Winchester. Meanwhile he was hot in pursuit. + +The trail which was not that of footsteps, but of a shadowy figure, +ran between tall and close rows of grapevines so high on wooden framework +that they hid any one who passed. The suspicion that Dick had held at +first was confirmed. This was no stranger, no intruder. He knew every +inch of both house and grounds, and, after having set the house on fire, +he had selected the only line of retreat, but a safe one, through the +thick and lofty vegetation of the garden, which ran down to the edge of +the ravine in the rear, where he could slip quietly under the fence, +drop through the thick grass into the ravine unseen by the pickets, +and escape at his leisure in the darkness. + +Dick was so sure of his theory that he strained every effort to overtake +the figure which was flitting before him like a ghost. In his eagerness +he had forgotten to shout any alarm about the pickets, but it would have +been of no avail, as most of them, under the impulse of alarm, had rushed +forward to help extinguish the fires. + +He saw the fugitive reach the end of the garden, drop almost flat, +and then slip under a broken place in the palings. At an ordinary time +he would have stopped there, but all the instincts of the hunter were +aroused. It was still raining, and he was already soaked. Wet branches +and leaves struck him in the face as he passed, but his energy and +eagerness were undimmed. + +He, too, dropped at the hole under the broken palings and slid forward +face foremost. The wet grass was as slippery as ice, and after he +passed through the hole Dick kept going. Moreover, his speed increased. +He had not realized that the garden went to the very edge of the ravine, +and he was shooting down a steep slope to the depth of thirty feet. +He grasped instinctively at weeds and grass as he made his downward +plunge and fetched up easily at the bottom. + +He sprang to his feet and saw the shadowy fugitive running down the +ravine. In an instant he followed headlong, tripped once or twice on the +wet grass, but was up every time like lightning, and once more in swift +pursuit. The fugitive turned once, raised his pistol and pulled the +trigger again, evidently forgetful that it was empty. When the hammer +snapped on the trigger he uttered a low cry of anger and hurled the +useless weapon into the grass. Then he whirled around and faced Dick, +who was coming on, eager and panting. + +Dick's own pistol was empty and he did not carry his small sword. +He stopped abruptly when the other turned, and, in the dim light and rain, +he saw that his opponent was a young man or rather youth of about his own +size and age. When he saw the lad cast the pistol aside Dick, moved by +some chivalrous impulse, dropped his own in the grass. + +Then the two stared at each other. They were far beyond the line of the +pickets, and as they stood in the deep ravine there was no chance that +any one would either see or hear them. As Dick gazed intently, the face +and figure of his antagonist shaped themselves more distinctly in the dim +light. He beheld before him a tall youth, extremely well built, fair of +face, his brown hair slightly long. He wore rain-soaked civilian's garb. + +He saw that the youth was panting like himself, but it was not wholly the +result of flight. His face expressed savage anger and indignation. + +"You dirty Yankee!" he said. + +Dick started. No one had ever before addressed him with such venom. + +"If by Yankee you mean loyalty to the Union then I'm one," he said, +"and I'm proud of it. What's more I'm willing to tell who I am. My +name is Richard Mason. I'm from Kentucky, and I'm a lieutenant in the +regiment of Colonel Arthur Winchester, which occupies the building behind +us." + +"From Kentucky and consorting with Yankees! A lot of you are doing it, +and you ought to be on our side! We hate you for it more than we do the +real Yankees!" + +"It's our right to choose, and we've chosen. And now, since you're +talking so much about right and wrong, who may you be, Mr. Firebug?" + +Even in the dark Dick saw his opponent's face flush, and his eyes flash +with deadly hostility. + +"My name is Victor Woodville," he replied, "and my father is Colonel John +Woodville, C.S.A. He is the owner of the house in which your infamous +Yankee regiment is encamped." + +"And which you have tried to burn?" + +"I'd rather see it burn than shelter Yankees. You'd burn it anyway later +on. Grant's troops have already begun to use the torch." + +"At any rate you'll go before our colonel. He'll want to ask you a lot +of questions." + +"I'm not going before your colonel." + +"Oh, yes, you are." + +"Who's going to take me?" + +"I am." + +"Then come on and do it." + +Dick advanced warily. Both had regained their breath and strength now. +Dick with two years of active service in the army had the size and +muscles of a man. But so had his opponent. Each measured the other, +and they were formidable antagonists, well matched. + +Dick had learned boxing at the Pendleton Academy, and, as he approached +slowly, looking straight into the eyes of his enemy, he suddenly shot his +right straight for Woodville's chin. The Mississippian, as light on his +feet as a leopard, leaped away and countered with his left, a blow so +quick and hard that Dick, although he threw his head to one side, caught +a part of its force just above his ear. But, guarding himself, he sprang +back, while Woodville faced him, laughing lightly. + +Dick shook his head a little and the singing departed. Just above his +ear he felt a great soreness, but he was cool now. Moreover, he was +losing his anger. + +"First blow for you," he said. "I see that you know how to use your +fists." + +"I hope to prove it." + +Woodville, stepping lightly on his toes and feinting with his left, +caught Dick on his cheek bone with his right. Then he sought to spring +away, but Dick, although staggered, swung heavily and struck Woodville on +the forehead. The Mississippian went down full length on the slippery +grass but jumped to his feet in an instant. Blood was flowing from his +forehead, whence it ran down his nose and fell to the earth, drop by +drop. Dick himself was bleeding from the cut on his cheek bone. + +The two faced each other, cool, smiling, but resolute enemies. + +"First knockdown for you," said Woodville, "but I mean that the second +shall be mine." + +"Go in and try." + +But Woodville drew back a little, and as Dick followed, looking for +an opening he was caught again a heavy clip on the side of the head. +He saw stars and was not able to return the blow, but he sprang back and +protected himself once more with his full guard, while he regained his +balance and strength. + +"Am I a firebug?" asked Woodville tauntingly. + +Dick considered. This youth interested him. There was no denying that +Woodville had great cause for anger, when he found his father's house +occupied by a regiment of the enemy. He considered it defilement. +The right or wrong of the war had nothing to do with it. It was to him +a matter of emotion. + +"I'll take back the epithet 'firebug,'" he said, "but I must stick to my +purpose of carrying you to Colonel Winchester." + +"Always provided you can: Look out for yourself." + +The Mississippian, who was wonderfully agile, suddenly danced in--on his +toes it seemed to Dick--and landed savagely on his opponent's left ear. +Then he was away so quickly and lightly that Dick's return merely cut the +air. + +The Kentuckian felt the blood dripping from another point. His ear, +moreover, was very sore and began to swell rapidly. One less enduring +would have given up, but he had a splendid frame, toughened by incessant +hardship. And, above all, enclosed within that frame was a lion heart. +He shook his head slightly, because a buzzing was going on there, but in +a moment or two it stopped. + +"Are you satisfied?" asked young Woodville. + +"You remember what Paul Jones said: 'I've just begun to fight.'" + +"Was it Paul Jones? Well, I suppose it was. Anyhow, if you feel that +way about it, so do I. Then come on again, Mr. Richard Mason." + +Dick's blood was up. The half-minute or so of talk had enabled him to +regain his breath. Although he felt that incessant pain and swelling in +his left ear, his resolution to win was unshaken. Pride was now added to +his other motives. + +He took a step forward, feinted, parried skillfully, and then stepped +back. Woodville, always agile as a panther, followed him and swung for +the chin, but Dick, swerving slightly to one side, landed with great +force on Woodville's jaw. The young Mississippian fell, but, while Dick +stood looking at him, he sprang to his feet and faced his foe defiantly. +The blood was running down his cheek and dyeing the whole side of his +face. But Dick saw the spirit in his eye and knew that he was far from +conquered. + +Woodville smiled and threw back his long hair from his face. + +"A good one for you. You shook me up," he admitted, "but I don't see any +sign of your ability to carry me to that Yankee colonel, as you boasted +you would do." + +"But I'm going to do it." + +The rain increased and washed the blood from both their faces. It was +dark within the ravine, but they had been face to face so long that they +could read the eyes of each other. Those of Woodville like those of Dick +ceased to express great anger. In the mind of each was growing a respect +for his antagonist. The will to conquer remained, but not the desire to +hate. + +"If you're going to do it, then why don't you?" said Woodville. + +Dick moved slowly forward, still watching the eyes of the Mississippian. +He believed now that Woodville, agile and alert though he might be, +had not fully recovered his strength. There was terrific steam in that +last punch and the head of the man who had received it might well be +buzzing yet. + +Dick then moved in with confidence, but a lightning blow crashed through +his guard, caught him on the chin and sent him to earth. He rose, +though still half-stunned, and saw that the confident, taunting look had +returned to Woodville's face. Fortunate now for Dick that the pure blood +of great woods rangers flowed in his veins, and that he had inherited +from them too an iron frame. His chin was cut and he had seen a thousand +stars. But his eyes cleared and steadily he faced his foe. + +"Do I go with you to your colonel?" asked Woodville, ironically. + +"You do," replied Dick firmly. + +He looked his enemy steadily in the eye again, and he felt a great sense +of triumph. After such severe punishment he was stronger than ever and +he knew it. + +Therefore he must win. He struck heavily, straight for the angle of +Woodville's chin. The Mississippian evaded the blow and flashed in with +his left. But Dick, who was learning to be very wary, dodged it and came +back so swiftly that Woodville was caught and beaten to his knees. + +But the son of the house of Bellevue was still so agile that he was able +to recover his feet and spring away. Dick saw, however, that he was +panting heavily. The blow had taken a considerable part of his remaining +strength. He also saw that his antagonist was regarding him with a +curious eye. + +"You fight well, Yank," said Woodville, "although I ought not to call you +Yank, but rather a traitor, as you're a Kentuckian. Still, I've put my +marks on you. You're bleeding a lot and you'd be a sight if it weren't +for this cleansing rain." + +"I've been putting the map of Kentucky on your own face. You don't look +as much like Mississippi as you did. You'll take notice too that you +didn't burn the house. If you'll glance up the side of this ravine +you'll see just a little dying smoke. Eight hundred soldiers put it out +in short order." + +Woodville's face flushed, and his eyes for the first time since the +beginning of the encounter shone with an angry gleam. But the wrathful +fire quickly died. + +"On the whole, I'm not sorry," he said. "It was an impulse that made me +do it. Our army will come and drive you away, and our house will be our +own again." + +"That's putting it fairly. What's the use of burning such a fine place +as Bellevue? Still, we want you. Our colonel has many questions to ask +you." + +"You can't take me." + +Dick judged that the crucial moment had now come. Woodville was +breathing much more heavily than he was, and seemed to be near +exhaustion. Dick darted boldly in, received a swinging right and left on +either jaw that cut his cheeks and made the blood flow. But he sent his +right to Woodville's chin and the young Mississippian without a sound +dropped to the ground, lying relaxed and flat upon his back, his white +face, streaked with red, upturned to the rain. + +He was so still that Dick was seized with fear lest he had killed him. +He liked this boy who had fought him so well and, grasping him by both +shoulders, he shook him hard. But when he loosed him Woodville fell back +flat and inert. + +Dick heard the waters of a brook trickling down the ravine, and, +snatching off his cap, he ran to it. He filled the cap and returned just +in time to see Woodville leap lightly to his feet and disappear with the +speed of a deer among the bushes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +FORREST + + +Dick dashed after the fugitive, but he had disappeared utterly, and the +dense bushes impeded the pursuer. He was hot and angry that he had been +deluded so cleverly, but then came the consolation that, after all, +he had won in the fistic encounter with an antagonist worthy of anybody. +And after this came a second thought that caused him to halt abruptly. + +He and Woodville had fought it out fairly. Their fists had printed upon +the faces of each other the stamp of a mutual liking. Why should he +strive to take young Woodville before Colonel Winchester? Nothing was +to be gained by it, and, as the Mississippian was in civilian's garb, +he might incur the punishment of a spy. He realized in a flash that, +since he had vindicated his own prowess, he was glad of Woodville's +escape. + +He turned and walked thoughtfully back up the ravine. Very little +noise came from the house and the thin spires of smoke had disappeared. +He knew now that the fires had been put out with ease, thanks to his +quick warning. Before starting he had recovered both his own pistol and +Woodville's, and he was particularly glad to find the latter because it +would be proof of his story, if proof were needed. The rain had not +ceased nor had the heavy darkness lifted, but the looming shadow of the +big house was sufficient guide. He found the place where he had slipped +down the bank and the torn bushes and grass showed that he had made a +fine trail. He pulled himself back up by the bushes and reentered the +garden, where he was halted at once by two watchful sentries. + +"Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's staff," he said, +"returning from the pursuit of a fugitive." + +The men knew him and they said promptly: + +"Pass Lieutenant Mason." + +But despite the dark they stared at him very curiously, and when he +walked on toward the piazza one of them muttered to the other: + +"I guess he must have overtook that fugitive he was chasin'." + +Dick walked up the steps upon the piazza, where some one had lighted a +small lamp, near which stood Colonel Winchester and his staff. + +"Here's Dick!" exclaimed Warner in a tone of great relief. + +"And we thought we had lost him," said Colonel Winchester, gladness +showing in his voice. Then he added: "My God, Dick, what have you been +doing to yourself?" + +"Yes, what kind of a transformation is this?" added a major. "You've +certainly come back with a face very different from the one with which +you left us!" + +Dick turned fiery red. He suddenly became conscious that he had a left +ear of enormous size, purple and swollen, that his left eye was closing +fast, that the blood was dripping from cuts on either cheek, that the +blood had flowed down the middle of his forehead and had formed a little +stalactite on the end of his nose, that his chin had been gashed in five +places by a strong fist, and that he had contributed his share to the +bloodshed of the war. + +"If I didn't know these were modern times," said Warner, "I'd say that +he had just emerged from a sanguinary encounter bare-handed in the Roman +arena with a leopard." + +Dick glared at him. + +"It was you who gave the alarm of fire, was it not?" asked Colonel +Winchester. + +"Yes, sir. I saw the man who set the fires and I pursued him through the +garden and into the ravine that runs behind it." + +"Your appearance indicates that you overtook him." + +Dick flushed again. + +"I did, sir," he replied. "I know I'm no beauty at present, but neither +is he." + +"It looks as if it had been a matter of fists?" + +"It was, sir. Both of us fired our pistols, but missed. Then we threw +our weapons to one side and clashed. It was a hard and long fight, sir. +He hit like a pile driver, and he was as active as a deer. But I was +lucky enough to knock him out at last." + +"Then why does your face look like a huge piece of pickled beef?" asked +the incorrigible Warner mischievously. + +"You wait and I'll make yours look the same!" retorted Dick. + +"Shut up," said Colonel Winchester. "If I catch you two fighting I may +have you both shot as an example." + +Dick and Warner grinned good-naturedly at each other. They knew that +Colonel Winchester did not dream of carrying out such a threat, and they +knew also that they had no intention of fighting. + +"And after you knocked him out what happened?" asked the colonel. + +Dick looked sheepish. + +"He lay so still I was afraid he was dead," he replied. "I ran down to +a brook, filled my cap with water, and returned with it in the hope of +reviving him. I got there just in time to see him vanishing in the +bushes. Pursuit was hopeless." + +"He was clever," said the Colonel. "Have you any idea who he was?" + +"He told me. He was Victor Woodville, the son of Colonel John Woodville, +C.S.A., the owner of this house." + +"Ah!" said Colonel Winchester, and then after a moment's thought he added: +"It's just as well he escaped. I should not have known what to do with +him. But we have you, Dick, to thank for giving the alarm. Now, go +inside and change to some dry clothes, if you have any in your baggage, +and if not dry yourself before a fire they're going to build in the +kitchen." + +"Will you pardon me for speaking of something, sir?" + +"Certainly. Go ahead." + +"I think the appearance of young Woodville here indicates the nearness of +Forrest or some other strong cavalry force." + +"You're right, Dick, my officers and I are agreed upon it. I have +doubled the watch, but now get yourself to that fire and then to sleep." + +Dick obeyed gladly enough. The night had turned raw and chill, and the +cold water dripped from his clothes as he walked. But first he produced +Woodville's pistol and handed it to Colonel Winchester. + +"There's my antagonist's pistol, sir," he said. "You'll see his initials +on it." + +"Yes, here they are," said Colonel Winchester: "'V.W., C.S.A.' It's a +fine weapon, but it's yours, Dick, as you captured it." + +Dick took it and went to the kitchen, where the big fire had just begun +to blaze. He was lucky enough to be the possessor of an extra uniform, +and before he changed into it--they slept with their clothes on--he +roasted himself before those glorious coals. Then, as he was putting on +the fresh uniform, Warner and Pennington appeared. + +"What would you recommend as best for the patient, Doctor," said Warner +gravely to Pennington. + +"I think such a distinguished surgeon as you will agree with me that his +wounds should first be washed and bathed thoroughly in cold water." + +"And after that a plentiful application of soothing liniment." + +"Yes, Doctor. That is the best we can do with the simple medicines we +have, but it especially behooves us to reduce the size of that left ear, +or some of the boys will say that we have a case of elephantiasis on our +hands." + +"While you're reducing the size of it you might also reduce the pain in +it," said Dick. + +"We will," said Pennington; "we've got some fine horse liniment here. +I brought it all the way from Nebraska with me, and if it's good for +horses it ought to be good for prize fighters, too. That was surely a +hefty chap who fought you. If you didn't have his pistol as proof I'd +say that he gave you a durned good licking. Isn't this a pretty cut down +the right cheek bone, George?" + +"Undoubtedly, but nothing can take away the glory of that left ear. +Why, if Dick could only work his ears he could fan himself with it +beautifully. When I meet that Woodville boy I'm going to congratulate +him. He was certainly handy with his fists." + +"Go on, fellows," said Dick, good-naturedly. "In a week I won't have a +wound or a sign of a scar. Then I'll remember what you've said to me and +I'll lick you both, one after the other." + +"Patient is growing delirious, don't you think so, Doctor?" said Warner +to Pennington. + +"Beyond a doubt. Violent talk is always proof of it. Better put him to +bed. Spread his two blankets before the fire, and he can sleep there, +while every particle of cold and stiffness is being roasted out of him." + +"You boys are very good to me," said Dick gratefully. + +"It's done merely in the hope that your gratitude will keep you from +giving us the licking you promised," said Pennington. + +Then they left him and Dick slept soundly until he was awakened the next +day by Warner. The fire was out, the rain had ceased long since and the +sun was shining brilliantly. + +"Hop up, Dick," said Warner briskly. "Breakfast's ready. Owing to your +wound we let you sleep until the last moment. Come now, take the foaming +coffee and the luscious bacon, and we'll be off, leaving Bellevue again +to its masters, if they will come and claim it." + +"Has anything happened in the night?" + +"Nothing since you ran your face against a pile driver, but Sergeant +Daniel Whitley, who reads the signs of earth and air and wood and water, +thinks that something is going to happen." + +"Is it Forrest?" + +"Don't know, but it's somebody or something. As soon as we can eat +our luxurious breakfasts we mean to mount and ride hard toward Grant. +We're scouts, but according to Whitley the scouts are scouted, and this +is a bad country to be trapped in." + +Dick was so strong and his blood was so pure that he felt his wounds but +little now. The cuts and bruises were healing fast and he ate with a +keen appetite. He heard then of the signs that Whitley had seen. +He had found two broad trails, one three miles from the house, and the +other about four miles. Each indicated the passage of several hundred +men, but he had no way of knowing whether they belonged to the same +force. They were bound to be Confederate cavalry as Colonel Winchester's +regiment was known to be the only Union force in that section. + +Dick knew their position to be dangerous. Colonel Winchester had done +his duty in discovering that Forrest and Wheeler were raiding through +Mississippi, and that a heavy force was gathering in the rear of Grant, +who intended the siege of Vicksburg. It behooved him now to reach Grant +as soon as he could with his news. + +Refreshed and watchful, the regiment rode away from Bellevue. Dick +looked back at the broad roof and the great piazzas, and then he thought +of young Woodville with a certain sympathy. They had fought a good fight +against each other, and he hoped they would meet after the war and be +friends. + +It was about an hour after sunrise, and the day was bright and warm. +The beads of water that stood on every leaf and blade of grass were +drying fast, and the air, despite its warmth, was pure and bracing. +Dick, as he looked at the eight hundred men, tanned, experienced and +thoroughly armed, under capable leaders, felt that they were a match for +any roving Southern force. + +"Just let Forrest come on," he said. "I know that the Colonel is aching +to get back at him for that surprise in Tennessee, and I believe we could +whip him." + +"You're showing great spirit for a man who was beaten up in the prize +ring as you were last night. I thought you'd want to rest for a few +days." + +"Drop it, George. I did get some pretty severe cuts and bruises, but I +was lucky enough to have the services of two very skillful and devoted +young physicians. Their treatment was so fine that I'm all right to-day." + +"Unless I miss my guess, we'll need the services of doctors again before +night comes. No mountains are here, but this is a great country for +ambush. It's mostly in forest, and even in the open the grass is already +very tall. Besides, there are so many streams, bayous, and ponds. +Notice how far out on the flanks the skirmishers and scouts are riding, +and others ride just as far ahead." + +Two miles from Bellevue and they came to a small hill, covered with +forest, from the protection of which the officers examined the country +long and minutely, while their men remained hidden among the deep +foliaged trees. Dick had glasses of his own which he put to his eyes, +bringing nearer the wilderness, broken here and there by open spaces that +indicated cotton fields. Yet the forest was so dense and there was so +much of it that a great force might easily be hidden within its depths +only a mile away. + +"Have we any information at all about Forrest's strength?" whispered +Pennington to Dick. + +"His full force isn't down here. It is believed he has not more than a +thousand or twelve hundred men. But he and his officers know the country +thoroughly, and of course the inhabitants, being in full sympathy with +them, will give them all the information they need. The news of every +movement of ours has been carried straight to the rebel general." + +"And yet the country seems to have no people at all. We come to but few +houses, and those few are deserted." + +"So they are. What was that? Did you see it, Frank?" + +"What was what?" + +"I forgot that you are not using glasses. I caught a momentary glitter +in the woods. I think it was a sunbeam passing through the leaves and +striking upon the polished barrel of a rifle. Ah! there it is again! +And Colonel Winchester has seen it too." + +The colonel and his senior officers were now gazing intently at the point +in the wood where Dick had twice seen the gleam, and, keener-eyed than +they, he continued to search the leafy screen through his own glasses. +Soon he saw bayonets, rifles, horses and men advancing swiftly, and then +came two of their own scouts galloping. + +"The enemy is advancing!" they cried. "It's Forrest!" + +A thrill shot through Dick. The name of Forrest was redoubtable, but +he knew that every man in the regiment was glad to meet him again. He +glanced at Colonel Winchester and saw that his face had flushed. He knew +that the colonel was more than gratified at this chance. + +"We'll make our stand here," said Colonel Winchester. "The hill runs to +the right, and, as you see over there, it is covered with forest without +undergrowth. Thus we can secure protection, and at the same time be able +to maneuver, mounted." + +The regiment was posted rapidly in two long lines, the second to fire +between the intervals of the first. They carried carbines and heavy +cavalry sabers, and they were the best mounted regiment in the Northern +service. + +Yet these men, brave and skillful as they were, were bound to feel +trepidation, although they did not show it. They were far in the +Southern forest, cut off from their army, and Forrest, in addition to his +own cavalry, might have brought with him fresh reserves of the enemy. + +Dick, Warner, and Pennington, as usual, remained close to their colonel, +and Sergeant Daniel Whitley was not far away. But Colonel Winchester +presently rode along the double line of his veterans, and he spoke to +them quietly but with emphasis and conviction: + +"My lads," he said, "you see Forrest's men coming through the woods to +attack us. Forrest is the greatest cavalry leader the South has, west +of the Alleghanies. Some of you were with me when we were surprised and +cut up by him in Tennessee. But you will not be surprised by him now, +nor will you be cut up by him. All of you have become great riders, +a match for Forrest's own, and as I look upon your faces here I know that +there is no fear in a single heart. You have served under Grant, and you +have served under Thomas. They are two generals who always set their +faces toward the front and never turn them toward the rear. You will +this day prove yourselves worthy of Grant and Thomas." + +They were about to cheer, but he checked it with the simple gesture of +a raised hand. Then they did a thing that only a beloved leader could +inspire. Every man in the regiment, resting his carbine across the +pommel of his saddle, drew his heavy cavalry saber and made it whirl in +coils of glittering light about his head. + +The great pulse in Dick's throat leaped as he saw. The long double +line seemed to give back a double flash of flame. Not a word was said, +and then eight hundred sabers rattled together as they were dropped back +into their scabbards. Colonel Winchester's face flushed deeply at the +splendid salute, but he did not speak either. He took off his cap and +swept it in a wide curve to all his men. Then he turned his face toward +the enemy. + +The Southern trumpet was singing in the forest, and the force of Forrest, +about twelve hundred strong, was emerging into view. Dick, through his +glasses, saw and recognized the famous leader, a powerful, bearded man, +riding a great bay horse. He had heard many descriptions of him and he +knew him instinctively. He also recognized the fact that the Winchester +regiment had before it the most desperate work any men could do, if it +beat off Forrest when he came in his own country with superior numbers. + +Neither side had artillery, not even the light guns that could be carried +horse- or muleback. It must be left to carbine and saber. Colonel +Winchester carefully watched his formidable foe, trying to divine every +trick and expedient that he might use. He had a memory to avenge. +He had news to carry to Grant, and Forrest must not keep him from +carrying it. Moreover, his regiment and he would gain great prestige if +they could beat off Forrest. There would be glory for the whole Union +cavalry if they drove back the Southern attack. Dick saw the glitter of +his colonel's eye and the sharp compression of his lips. + +But the men of Forrest, although nearly within rifle shot, did not +charge. Their bugle sang again, but Dick did not know what the tune +meant. Then they melted away into the deep forest on their flank, +and some of the troop thought they had gone, daunted by the firm front +of their foe. + +But Dick knew better. Forrest would never retreat before an inferior +force, and he was full of wiles and stratagems. Dick felt like a +primitive man who knew that he was being stalked by a saber-toothed tiger +through the dense forest. + +Colonel Winchester beckoned to Sergeant Whitley. "Pick a half-dozen +sharp-eyed men," he said, "and ride into those woods. You're experienced +in this kind of war, Whitley, and before you go tell me what you think." + +"General Forrest, sir, besides fighting as a white man fights, fights +like an Indian, too; that is, he uses an Indian's cunning, which is +always meant for ambush and surprise. He isn't dreaming of going away. +They're coming back through the thick woods." + +"So I think. But let me know as soon as you can." + +Ten minutes after the sergeant had ridden forward with his comrades they +heard the sound of rapid rifle shots, and then they saw the little band +galloping back. + +"They're coming, sir," reported the sergeant. "Forrest has dismounted +several hundred of his men, and they are creeping forward from tree to +tree with their rifles, while the others hold their horses in the rear." + +"Then it's an Indian fight for the present," said Colonel Winchester. +"We'll do the same." + +He rapidly changed his lines of battle. The entire front rank was +dismounted, while those behind held their horses. The four hundred in +front, spreading out in as long a line as possible in order to protect +their flanks, took shelter behind the trees and awaited the onset. + +The attack was not long in coming. The Southern sharpshooters, creeping +from tree to tree, began to fire. Scores of rifles cracked and Dick, +from a convenient place behind a tree, saw the spouts of flame appearing +along a line of four or five hundred yards. Bullets whizzed about him, +and, knowing that he would not be needed at present for any message, +he hugged the friendly bark more tightly. + +"It's lucky we have plenty of trees," said a voice from the shelter of +the tree next to him. "We have at least one for every officer and man." + +It was Warner who spoke and he was quite cheerful. Like Colonel +Winchester, he seemed to look forward to the combat with a certain joy, +and he added: + +"You'll take notice, Dick, old man, that we've not been surprised. +Forrest hasn't galloped over us as he did before. He's taking the +trouble to make the approach with protected riflemen. Now what is the +sergeant up to?" + +Sergeant Whitley, after whispering a little with Colonel Winchester, +had stolen off toward the right with fifty picked riflemen. When they +reached the verge of the open space that lay between the two sides they +threw themselves down in the thick, tall grass. Neither Dick nor Warner +could see them now. They beheld only the stems of the grass waving as if +under a gentle wind. But Dick knew that the rippling movement marked the +passage of the riflemen. + +Meanwhile the attack in their front was growing hotter. At least six +or seven hundred sharpshooters were sending a fire which would have +annihilated them if it had not been for the trees. As it was, fragments +of bark, twigs, and leaves showered about them. The whistling of the +bullets and their chugging as they struck the trees made a continuous +sinister note. + +The Union men were not silent under this fire. Their own rifles were +replying fast, but Colonel Winchester continually urged them to take aim, +and, while death and wounds were inflicted on the Union ranks, the +Southern were suffering in the same manner. + +Dick turned his eyes toward the right flank, where the fifty picked +riflemen, Sergeant Whitley at their head, were crawling through the tall +grass. He knew that they were making toward a little corner of the +forest, thrust farther forward than the rest, and presently when the +rippling in the grass ceased he was sure that they had reached it. +Then the fifty rifles cracked together and the Southern flank was swept +by fifty well-aimed bullets. Lying in their covert, Whitley's men +reloaded their breech-loading rifles and again sent in a deadly fire. + +The main Northern force redoubled its efforts at the same time. The men +in blue sent in swarms of whistling bullets and Dick saw the front line +of the South retreating. + +"We're rousing the wolves from their lairs," explained Pennington +exultantly as he sprang from his tree, just in time for a bullet to send +his hat flying from his head. Fortunately, it clipped only a lock of +hair, but he received in a good spirit Warner's admonishing words: + +"Don't go wild, Frank. We've merely repelled the present attack. +You don't think that Forrest with superior forces is going to let us +alone, do you?" + +"No, I don't," replied Pennington, "and don't you get behind that tree. +It's mine, and I'm coming back to it. I've earned it. I held it against +all kinds of bullets. Look at the scars made on each side of it by rebel +lead." + +The firing now died. Whitley's flank movement had proved wholly +successful, and Colonel Winchester reinforced him in the little forest +peninsula with fifty more picked men, where they lay well hidden, a +formidable force for any assailant. + +The silence now became complete, save for the stamping of the impatient +horses and the drone of insects in the woods and grass. Dick, lying on +his stomach and using his glasses, could see nothing in the forest before +them. It was to him in all its aspects an Indian battle, and he believed +in spite of what Warner had said that the enemy had retired permanently. + +Colonel Winchester and all the officers rose to their feet presently and +walked among the trees. No bullets came to tell them that they were +rash and then the senior officers held a conference, while all the men +remounted, save a dozen or so who would ride no more. But the colonel +did not abate one whit of his craft or caution. + +They resumed the march toward Grant, but they avoided every field or open +space. They would make curves and lose time in order to keep in the +dense wood, but, as Dick knew, Colonel Winchester still suspected that +Forrest was hovering somewhere on his flank, covered by the great forest +and awaiting a favorable opportunity to attack. + +They approached one of the deep and narrow streams that ultimately find +their way to the Mississippi. It had only one ford, and the scouts +galloping back informed them that the farther shore was held by a +powerful force of cavalry. + +"It's Forrest," said Colonel Winchester with quiet conviction. "Knowing +every path of the woods, they've gone ahead of us, and they mean to cut +us off from Grant. Nevertheless we'll make a way." + +He spoke firmly, but the junior officers of the staff did not exactly +see how they were going to force a ford defended by a larger number of +cavalry under the redoubtable Forrest. + +"I didn't think Forrest would let us alone, and he hasn't," said +Pennington. + +"No, he hasn't," said Warner, "and it seems that he's checkmated us, too. +Why, that river is swollen by the rains so much that it's a hard job to +cross it if no enemy were on the other side. But you'll note, also, +that the enemy, having got to the other side, can't come back again in +our face to attack us." + +"But we want to go on and they don't," said Dick. "They're satisfied +with the enforced status quo, and we're not. Am I right, Professor?" + +"You certainly are," replied Warner. "Now, our colonel is puzzled, +as you can tell by his looks, and so would I be, despite my great natural +military talents." + +The Winchester regiment fell back into the woods, leaving the two +forces out of rifle shot of each other. Sentinels were posted by both +commanders not far from the river and the rest, dismounting, took their +ease, save the officers, who again went into close conference. + +Afterward they sat among the trees and waited. It was low ground, +with the earth yet soaked from the heavy rain of the night before, +and the heat grew heavy and intense. The insects began to drone again, +and once more mosquitoes made life miserable. But the soldiers did not +complain. It was noon now, and they ate food from their knapsacks. +Two springs of clear water were found a little distance from the river +and all drank there. Then they went back to their weary waiting. + +On the other side of the river they could see the dismounted troopers, +playing cards, sleeping or currying their horses. They seemed to be in +no hurry at all. Colonel Winchester sent divisions of scouts up and down +the stream, and, both returning after a while, reported that the river +was not fordable anywhere. + +Colonel Winchester sat down under a tree and smoked his pipe. The longer +he smoked the more corrugated his brow became. He looked angrily at the +ford, but it would be folly to attempt a passage there, and, containing +himself as best he could, he waited while the long afternoon waned. +His men at least would get a good rest. + +Dick and his comrades, selecting the dryest place they could find, +spread their blankets and lay down. Protecting their faces from the +mosquitoes with green leaves, they sank into a deep quiet. Dick even +drowsed for a while. He could not think of a way out of the trap, +and he was glad it was the duty of older men like Colonel Winchester and +the majors and captains to save them. + +The heat of the day increased with the coming of afternoon, and Dick's +eyelids grew heavier. He had become so thoroughly hardened to march and +battle that the presence of the enemy on the other side of a river did +not disturb him. What was the use of bothering about the rebels as long +as they did not wish to fire upon one? + +His eyes closed for a few minutes, and then his dreaming mind traversed +space with incredible rapidity. He was back in Pendleton, sitting on +the portico with his mother, watching the flowers on the lawn nod in the +gentle wind. His cousin Harry Kenton saluted him with a halloo and came +bounding toward the porch, and the halloo caused Dick to awake and sit +up. He rubbed his eyes violently and looked around a little bit ashamed. +But two captains older than himself were sound asleep with their backs +against trees. + +Dick stood up and shook himself violently. Whatever others might do he +must not allow himself to relax so much. He saw that the sun was slowly +descending and that the full heat of the afternoon was passing. Colonel +Winchester had withdrawn somewhat among the trees and he beckoned to him. +Sergeant Whitley was standing beside the colonel. + +"Dick," said Colonel Winchester, "colored men have brought us news that +Colonel Grierson of our army, with a strong raiding force of nearly two +thousand cavalry is less than a day's march away and on the same side of +this river that we are. We have received the news from three separate +sources and it must be true. Probably Forrest's men know it, too, +but expect Grierson to pass on, wholly ignorant that we're here. I have +chosen you and Sergeant Whitley to bring Grierson to our relief. The +horses are ready. Now go, and God speed you. The sergeant will tell you +what we know as you ride." + +Dick sprang at once into the saddle, and with a brief good-bye he and the +sergeant were soon in the forest riding toward the southeast. Dick was +alive and energetic again. All that laziness of mind and body was gone. +He rode on a great ride and every sense was alert. + +"Tell me," he said, "just about what the news is." + +"Three men," replied the sergeant, "came in at different times with tales, +but the three tales agree. Grierson has made a great raid, even further +down than we have gone. He has more than double our numbers, and if we +can unite with him it's likely that we can turn Forrest into the pursued +instead of the pursuer. They say we can hit his trail about twenty-five +miles from here, and if that's so we'll bring him up to the ford by noon +to-morrow. Doesn't it look promising to you, Lieutenant Mason?" + +"It does look promising, Sergeant Whitley, if we don't happen to be taken +by the Johnnies who infest this region. Besides, you'll have to guide +through the dark to-night. You're trained to that sort of thing." + +"You can see pretty well in the dark yourself, sir; and since our way +lies almost wholly through forest I see no reason why we should be +captured." + +"That's so, sergeant. I'm just as much of an optimist as you are. +You keep the course, and I'm with you to the finish." + +They rode rather fast at first as the sun had not yet set, picking +their way through the woods, and soon left their comrades out of sight. +The twilight now came fast, adding a mournful and somber red to the vast +expanse of wilderness. The simile of an Indian fight returned to Dick +with increased force. This was not like any battle with white men in +the open fields. It was a combat of raiders who advanced secretly under +cover of the vast wilderness. + +The twilight died with the rapidity of the South, and the darkness, +thick at the early hours, passed over the curve of the earth. For a time +Dick and the sergeant could not see many yards in front and they rode +very slowly. After a while, as the sky lightened somewhat and their eyes +also grew keen, they made better speed. Then they struck a path through +the woods leading in the right direction, and they broke into a trot. + +The earth was so soft that their horses' feet gave back but little sound, +and both were confident they would not meet any enemy in the night at +least. + +"Straight southeast," said the sergeant, "and we're bound to strike +Grierson's tracks. After that we'd be blind if we couldn't follow the +trail made by nearly two thousand horsemen." + +The path still led in the direction they wished and they rode on silently +for hours. Once they saw a farmhouse set back in the woods, and they +were in fear lest dogs come out and bark alarm, but there was no sound +and they soon left it far behind. + +They passed many streams, some of which were up to their saddle girths, +and then they entered a road which was often so deep in mud that they +were compelled to turn into the woods on the side. But no human being +had interfered with their journey, and their hopes rose to the zenith. + +They came, finally, into an open region of cotton fields, and the +sergeant now began to watch closely for the great trail they hoped to +find. A force as large as Grierson's would not attempt a passage through +the woods, but would seek some broad road and Sergeant Whitley expected +to find it long before morning. + +It was now an hour after midnight and they reckoned that they had come +about the right distance. There was a good moon and plenty of stars and +the sergeant gave himself only a half-hour to find the trail. + +"There's bound to be a wide road somewhere among these fields, the kind +we call a county road." + +"It's over there beyond that rail fence," said Dick. They urged their +horses into a trot, and soon found that Dick was right. A road of red +clay soft from the rains stretched before them. + +"A man doesn't have to look twice here for a trail. See," said the +sergeant. + +The road from side to side was plowed deep with the hoofs of horses, +every footprint pointing northward. + +"Grierson's cavalry," said Dick. + +"I take it that it can't be anything else. There is certainly in these +parts no rebel force of cavalry large enough to make this trail." + +"How old would you say these tracks are?" + +"Hard to tell, but they can't have been made many hours ago. We'll press +forward, lieutenant, and we can save time going through the fields on the +edge of the road." + +Although they had to take down fences they made good speed and just as +the sun was rising they saw the light of a low campfire among some trees, +lining either bank of a small creek. They approached warily, until they +saw the faded blue uniforms. Then they galloped forward, shouting that +they were friends, and in a few minutes were in the presence of Grierson +himself. + +He had been making a great raid, but he was eager now for the opportunity +to strike at Forrest. He must give his horses a short rest, and then +Dick and the sergeant should guide him at speed to the ford where the +opposing forces stood. + +"It's twenty-five miles, you tell me?" said Grierson to Dick. + +"As nearly as I can calculate, sir. It's through swampy country, but I +think we ought to be there in three or four hours." + +"Then lead the way," said Grierson. "Like your colonel, I'll be glad to +have a try at Forrest." + +Sergeant Whitley rode in advance. A lumberman first and then a soldier +of the plains, he had noted even in the darkness every landmark and he +could lead the way back infallibly. But he warned Grierson that such a +man as Forrest would be likely to have out scouts, even if they had to +swim the river. It was likely that they could not get nearer by three +or four miles to Colonel Winchester without being seen. + +"Then," said Grierson, who had the spirit of a Stuart or a Forrest, +"we'll ride straight on, brushing these watchers out of our way, and if +by any chance their whole force should cross, we'll just meet and fight +it." + +"The little river is falling fast," said the sergeant. "It's likely that +it'll be fordable almost anywhere by noon." + +"Then," said Grierson, "it'll be all the easier for us to get at the +enemy." + +Dick, just behind Grierson, heard these words and he liked them. Here +was a spirit like Colonel Winchester's own, or like that of the great +Southern cavalry leaders. The Southerners were born on horseback, +but the Northern men were acquiring the same trick of hard riding. +Dick glanced back at the long column. Armed with carbine and saber the +men were riding their trained horses like Comanches. Eager and resolute +it was a formidable force, and his heart swelled with pride and +anticipation. He believed that they were going to give Forrest all he +wanted and maybe a little more. + +Up rose the sun. Hot beams poured over forest and field, but the +cavalrymen still rode fast, the scent of battle in their nostrils. +Dick knew that these Southern streams, flooded by torrents of rain, +rose fast and also fell fast. + +"How much further now, sergeant?" asked Grierson, as they turned from a +path into the deep woods. + +"Not more than three miles, sir." + +"And they know we're coming. Listen to that!" + +Several rifles cracked among the trees and bullets whizzed by them. +Forrest's skirmishers and scouts were on the south side of the stream. +As they had foreseen, the river had sunk so much that it was fordable now +at many points. Dick was devoutly grateful that they had found Grierson. +Otherwise the Winchester regiment would have been flanked, and its +destruction would have followed. + +Skirmishers were detached from Grierson's command and drove off the +Southern riflemen. Dick heard the rattling fire of their rifles in the +deep wood, but he seldom saw a figure. Then he heard another fire, +heavy and continuous, in their front, coming quite clearly on a breeze +that blew toward them. + +"Your whole regiment is engaged," exclaimed Grierson. "Forrest must have +forded the river elsewhere!" + +He turned and shook aloft his saber. + +"Forward, lads!" he shouted. "Gallant men of our own army will be +overwhelmed unless we get up in time!" + +The whole force broke into a gallop through the woods, the fire in their +front rapidly growing heavier. In ten minutes they would be there, +but rifles suddenly blazed from the forest on their flank and many +saddles were emptied. Nothing upsets like surprise, and for a few +moments the whole command was in disorder. It was evident that Forrest +was attacking Winchester with only a part of his force, while he formed +an ambush for Grierson. + +But the Northern cavalrymen had not learned in vain through disaster and +experience. Grierson quickly restored order and drew his men back into +the forest. As the enemy followed the Northern carbines began to flash +fast. The troopers in gray were unable to flank them or drive them back. +Grierson, sure of his superior numbers, pushed on toward Winchester, +while fighting off the foe at the same time. + +Dick and the sergeant kept in the van, and presently they came within +sight of Colonel Winchester's men, who, dismounted, were holding off as +best they could the overwhelming attack of Forrest. The Southern leader, +after sending the majority of his men to a new crossing lower down had +forced the ford before the Winchester regiment, and would have crushed it +if it had not been for the opportune arrival of Grierson. + +But a tremendous cheer arose as the Northern cavalry leader, who was +already proving his greatness, charged into the battle with his grim +troopers. The men in blue were now more numerous, and, fighting with the +resolve to win or die, they gradually forced back Forrest. Dick began +to foresee a victory won over the great Southern cavalryman. + +But the astute Forrest, seeing that the odds were now heavily against him, +ordered a retreat. The trumpets sang the recall and suddenly the +Southern horsemen, carrying their dead with them, vanished in the forest, +where the Northern cavalry, fearful of ambushes and new forces, did not +dare to pursue. + +But Winchester and Grierson were shaking hands, and Winchester thanked +the other in brief but emphatic words. + +"Say no more, colonel," exclaimed Grierson. "We're all trying to serve +our common country. You'd help me just the same if we had the chance, +and I think you'll find the road clear to Grant. While the siege of +Vicksburg was determined on long ago, as you know, I believe that he is +now moving toward Grand Gulf. You know he has to deal with the armies +of Johnston and Pemberton." + +"We'll find him," said Winchester. + +A quarter of an hour later his regiment was galloping toward Grant, +while Grierson's command rode eastward to deal with other forces of the +Confederacy. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +GRANT MOVES + + +The Winchester regiment had not suffered greatly. A dozen men who had +fallen were given speedy burial, and all the wounded were taken away on +horseback by their friends. Dick rejoiced greatly at their escape from +Forrest, and the daring and skill of Grierson. He felt anew that he was +in stronger hands in the West than he had been in the East. In the East +things seemed to go wrong nearly always, and the West they seemed to +go right nearly always. It could not be chance continued so long. He +believed in his soul that it was Grant, the heroic Thomas, and the great +fighting powers of the western men, used to all the roughness of life +out-of-doors and on the border. + +They turned their course toward the Mississippi and that afternoon they +met a Union scout who told them that Grant, now in the very heart of the +far South, was gathering his forces for a daring attack upon Grand Gulf, +a Confederate fortress on the Mississippi. In the North and at +Washington his venture was regarded with alarm. There was a telegram +to him to stop, but it was sent too late. He had disappeared in the +Southern wilderness. + +But Dick understood. He had both knowledge and intuition. Colonel +Winchester on his long and daring scout had learned that the Confederate +forces in the South were scattered and their leaders in doubt. Grant, +taking a daring offensive and hiding his movements, had put them on the +defensive, and there were so many points to defend that they did not know +which to choose. Joe Johnston, just recovered from his wound at Fair +Oaks the year before, and a general of the first rank, was coming, +but he was not yet here. + +Meanwhile Pemberton held the chief command, but he seemed to lack energy +and decision. There were forces under other generals scattered along the +river, including eight thousand commanded by Bowen, who held Grand Gulf, +but concert of action did not exist among them. + +This knowledge was not Dick's alone. It extended to every man in the +regiment, and when the colonel urged them to greater speed they responded +gladly. + +"If we don't ride faster," he said, "we won't be up in time for the +taking of Grand Gulf." + +No greater spur was needed and the Winchester regiment went forward as +fast as horses could carry them. + +"I take it that Grant means to scoop in the Johnnies in detail," said +Warner. + +"It seems so," said Pennington. "This is a big country down here, +and we can fight one Confederate army while another is mired up a hundred +miles away. + +"That's General Grant's plan. He doesn't look like any hero of romance, +but he acts like one. He plunges into the middle of the enemy, and if he +gets licked he's up and at 'em again right away." + +Night closed in, and they stopped at an abandoned plantation--it seemed +to Dick that the houses were abandoned everywhere--where they spent the +night. The troopers would have willingly pushed on through the darkness, +but the horses were so near exhaustion that another hour or two would +have broken them down permanently. Moreover, Colonel Winchester did not +feel much apprehension of an attack now. Forrest had certainly turned +in another direction, and they were too close to the Union lines to be +attacked by any other foe. + +The house on this plantation was not by any means so large and fine as +Bellevue, but, like the other, it had broad piazzas all about it, and +Dick, in view of his strenuous experience, was allowed to take his +saddle as a pillow and his blankets and go to sleep soon after dark in a +comfortable place against the wall. + +Never was slumber quicker or sweeter. There was not an unhealthy tissue +in his body, and most of his nerves had disappeared in a life amid +battles, scoutings, and marchings. He slept heavily all through the +night, inhaling new strength and vitality with every breath of the crisp, +fresh air. There was no interruption this time, and early in the morning +the regiment was up and away. + +They descended now into lower grounds near the Mississippi. All around +them was a vast and luxuriant vegetation, cut by sluggish streams and +bayous. But the same desolation reigned everywhere. The people had fled +before the advance of the armies. Late in the afternoon they saw pickets +in blue, then the Mississippi, and a little later they rode into a Union +camp. + +"Dick," said Colonel Winchester, "I shall want you to go with the senior +officers and myself to report to General Grant on the other side of the +Mississippi. You rode on that mission to Grierson and he may want to ask +you questions." + +Dick was glad to go with them. He was eager to see once more the man who +had taken Henry and Donelson and who had hung on at Shiloh until Buell +came. The general's tent was in a grove on a bit of high ground, and +he was sitting before it on a little camp stool, smoking a short cigar, +and gazing reflectively in the direction of Grand Gulf. + +He greeted the three officers quietly but with warmth and then he +listened to Colonel Winchester's detailed account of what he had seen and +learned in his raid toward Jackson. It was a long narrative, showing how +the Southern forces were scattered, and, as he listened, Grant's face +began to show satisfaction. + +But he seldom interrupted. + +"And you think they have no large force at Jackson?" he said. + +"I'm quite sure of it," replied Colonel Winchester. + +Grant chewed his cigar a little while and then said: + +"Grierson is doing well. It was an achievement for you and him to beat +off Forrest. It will raise the prestige of our cavalry, which needs it. +I believe it was you, Lieutenant Mason, who brought Grierson." + +"It was chiefly, sir, a sergeant named Whitley. I rode with him and +outranked him, but he is a veteran of the plains, and it was he who did +the real work." + +The general's stern features were lightened by a smile. + +"I'm glad you give the sergeant credit," he said. "Not many officers +would do it." + +He listened a while longer and then the three were permitted to withdraw +to their regiment, which was posted back of Grand Gulf, and which had +quickly become a part of an army flushed with victory and eager for +further action. + +Before sunset Dick, Warner, and Pennington looked at Grand Gulf, a little +village standing on high cliffs overlooking the Mississippi, just below +the point where the dark stream known as the Big Black River empties into +the Father of Waters. Around the crown of the heights was a ring of +batteries and lower down, enclosing the town, was another ring. + +Far off on the Mississippi the three saw puffing black smoke marking +the presence of a Union fleet, which never for one instant in the whole +course of the war relaxed its grip of steel upon the Confederacy. +Dick's heart thrilled at the sight of the brave ships. He felt then, +as most of us have felt since, that whatever happened the American navy +would never fail. + +"I hear the ships are going to bombard," said Warner. + +"I heard so, too," said Pennington, "and I heard also that they will have +to do it under the most difficult circumstances. The water in front +of Grand Gulf is so deep that the ships can't anchor. It has a swift +current, too, making at that point more than six knots an hour. There +are powerful eddies, too, and the batteries crowning the cliffs are so +high that the cannon of the gunboats will have trouble in reaching them." + +"Still, Mr. Pessimist," said Dick, "remember what the gunboats did at +Fort Henry. You'll find the same kind of men here." + +"I wasn't trying to discourage you. I was merely telling the worst +first. We're going to win. We nearly always win here in the West, +but it seems to me the country is against us now. This doesn't look much +like the plains, Dick, with its big, deep rivers, its high bluffs along +the banks, and its miles and miles of swamp or wet lowlands. How wide +would you say the Mississippi is here?" + +"Somewhere between a mile and a mile and a half." + +"And they say it's two or three hundred feet deep. Look at the steamers, +boys. How many are there?" + +"I count seven pyramids of smoke," said Warner, "four in one group and +three in another. All the pyramids are becoming a little faint as the +twilight is advancing. Dick, you call me a cold mathematical person, +but this vast river flowing in its deep channel, the dark bluffs up there, +and the vast forests would make me feel mighty lonely if you fellows were +not here. It's a long way to Vermont." + +"Fifteen hundred or maybe two thousand miles," said Dick, "but look how +fast the dark is coming. I was wrong in saying it's coming. It just +drops down. The smoke of the steamers has melted into the night, and you +don't see them any more. The surface of the river has turned black as +ink, the bluffs of Grand Gulf have gone, and we've turned back three or +four hundred years." + +"What do you mean by going back three or four hundred years?" asked +Warner, looking curiously at Dick. + +"Why, don't you see them out there?" + +"See them out there? See what?" + +"Why, the queer little ships with the high sides and prows! On my soul, +George, they're the caravels of Spain! Look, they're stopping! Now they +lower something in black over the side of the first caravel. I see a man +in a black robe like a priest, holding a cross in his hand and standing +at the ship's edge saying something. I think he's praying, boys. +Now sailors cut the ropes that hold the dark object. It falls into the +river and disappears. It's the burial of De Soto in the Father of Waters +which he discovered!" + +"Dick, you're dreaming," exclaimed Pennington. + +"Yes, I know, but once there was a Chinaman who dreamed that he was a +lily. When he woke up he didn't know whether he was a Chinaman who had +dreamed he was a lily or a lily now dreaming he was a Chinaman." + +"I like that story, Dick, but you've got too much imagination. The tale +of the death and burial of De Soto has always been so vivid to you that +you just stood there and re-created the scene for yourself." + +"Of course that's it," said Pennington, "but why can't a fellow create +things with his mind, when things that don't exist jump right up before +his eyes? I've often seen the mirage, generally about dark, far out on +the western plains. I've seen a beautiful lake and green gardens where +there was nothing but the brown swells rolling on." + +"I concede all you say," said Dick readily. "I have flashes sometimes, +and so does Harry Kenton and others I know." + +"Flashes! What do you mean?" asked Warner. + +"Why, a sort of lightning stroke out of the past. Something that lasts +only a second, but in which you have a share. Boys, one day I saw myself +a Carthaginian soldier following Hannibal over the Alps." + +"Maybe," said Pennington, "we have lived other lives on this earth, +and sometimes a faint glimpse of them comes to us. It's just a guess." + +"That's so," said Warner, "and we'd better be getting back to the +regiment. Grand Gulf defended by Bowen and eight thousand good men is +really enough for us. I think we're going to see some lively fighting +here." + +The heavy boom of a cannon from the upper circle of batteries swept over +the vast sheet of water flowing so swiftly toward the Gulf. The sound +came back in dying echoes, and then there was complete silence among +besieged and besiegers. + +The Winchesters had found a good solid place, a little hill among the +marshes, and they were encamped there with their horses. Dick had no +messages to carry, but he remained awake, while his comrades slept +soundly. He had slept so much the night before that he had no desire for +sleep now. + +From his position he could see the Confederate bluffs and a few lights +moving there, but otherwise the two armies were under a blanket of +darkness. He again felt deeply the sense of isolation and loneliness, +not for himself alone, but for the whole army. Grant had certainly shown +supreme daring in pushing far into the South, and the government at +Washington had cause for alarm lest he be reckless. If there were any +strong hand to draw together the forces of the Confederacy they could +surely crush him. But he had already learned in this war that those who +struck swift and hard were sure to win. That was Stonewall Jackson's way, +and it seemed to be Grant's way, too. + +Still unable to sleep, he walked to a better position, where he could see +the shimmering dark of the river and the misty heights with their two +circles of cannon. A tall figure standing there turned at his tread and +he recognized Colonel Winchester. + +"Uneasy at our position, Dick?" said the colonel, fathoming his mind at +once. + +"A little, sir, but I think General Grant will pull us through." + +"He will, Dick, and he'll take this fort, too. Grant's the hammer we've +been looking for. Look at his record. He's had backsets, but in the end +he's succeeded in everything he's tried. The Confederate government and +leaders have made a mess of their affairs in the West and Southwest, +and General Grant is taking full advantage of it." + +"Do we attack in the morning, sir?" + +"We do, Dick, though not by land. Porter, with his seven gunboats, +is going to open on the fort, but it will be a hazardous undertaking." + +"Because of the nature of the river, sir?" + +"That's it. They can't anchor, and with full steam up, caught in all the +violent eddies that the river makes rounding the point, they'll have to +fire as best they can." + +"But the gunboats did great work at Fort Henry, sir." + +"So they did, Dick, and we've come a long way South since then, which +means that we're making progress and a lot of it here in the West. +Well, we'll see to-morrow." + +They walked back to their own camp and sleep came to Dick at last. +But he awoke early and found that the thrill of expectation was running +through the whole army. Their position did not yet enable them to attack +on land, but far out on the river they saw the gunboats moving. Porter, +the commander, divided them into two groups. Four of the gunboats were +to attack the lower circle of batteries and three were to pour their fire +upon the upper ring. + +Dick by day even more than by night recognized the difficulty of the +task. Before them flowed the vast swift current of the Mississippi, +gleaming now in the sunshine, and beyond were the frowning bluffs, +crested and ringed with cannon. Grant had with him twenty thousand men +and his seven gunboats, and Bowen, eight thousand troops. But if the +affair lasted long other Southern armies would surely come. + +Dick and his comrades had little to do but watch and thousands watched +with them. When the sun was fully risen the seven boats steamed out in +two groups, four farther down the river in order to attack the lower +batteries, while the other three up the stream would launch their fire +against those on the summit. + +He watched the crest of the cliffs. He saw plainly through his glasses +the muzzles of cannon and men moving about the batteries. Then there +was a sudden blaze of fire and column of smoke and a shell struck in the +water near one of the gunboats. The boat replied and its comrades also +sent shot and shell toward the frowning summit. Then the batteries, +both lower and upper, replied with full vigor and all the cliffs were +wrapped in fire and smoke. + +The boats steamed in closer and closer, pouring an incessant fire from +their heavy guns, and both rings of batteries on the cliffs responded. +The water of the river spouted up in innumerable little geysers and now +and then a boat was struck. Over both cliffs and river a great cloud of +smoke lowered. It grew so dense that Dick and his comrades, watching +with eagerness, were unable to tell much of what was happening. + +Yet as the smoke lifted or was shot through with the blaze of cannon fire +they saw that their prophecies were coming true. The boats in water too +deep for anchorage were caught in the powerful eddies and their captains +had to show their best seamanship while they steamed back and forth. + +The battle between ship and shore went on for a long time. It seemed at +last to the watching Union soldiers that the fire from the lower line of +batteries was diminishing. + +"We're making some way," said Warner. + +"It looks like it," said Dick. "Their lower batteries are not so well +protected as the upper." + +"If we were only over there, helping with our own guns." + +"But there's a big river in between, and we've got to leave it to the +boats for to-day, anyhow." + +"Look again at those lower batteries. Their fire is certainly +decreasing. I can see it die down." + +"Yes, and now it's stopped entirely. The boats have done good work!" + +A tremendous cheer burst from the troops on the west shore as they saw +how much their gallant little gunboats had achieved. Every gun in the +lower batteries was silent now, but the top of the cliffs was still alive +with flame. The batteries there were far from silent. Instead their +fire was increasing in volume and power. + +The four gunboats that had silenced the lower batteries now moved up to +the aid of their comrades, and the seven made a united effort, steaming +forward in a sort of half-moon, and raining shot and shell upon the +summits. But the guns there, well-sheltered and having every advantage +over rocking steamers, maintained an accurate and deadly fire. The decks +of the gunboats were swept more than once. Many men were killed or +wounded. Heavy shot crashed through their sides, and Dick expected every +instant to see some one of them sunk by a huge exploding shell. + +"They can't win! They can't win!" he exclaimed. "They'd better draw off +before they're sunk!" + +"So they had," said Warner sadly. "Boats are at a disadvantage fighting +batteries. The old darky was right when he preferred a train wreck to a +boat wreck, 'ef the train's smashed, thar you are on the solid ground, +but ef the boat blows up, whar is you?' That's sense. The boats are +retiring! It's sad, but it's sense. A boat that steams away will live +to fight another day." + +Dick was dejected. He fancied he could hear the cheering of their foes +at what looked like a Union defeat, but he recalled that Grant, the +bulldog, led them. He would never think of retiring, and he was sure to +be ready with some new attempt. + +The gunboats drew off to the far western shore and lay there, puffing +smoke defiantly. Their fight with the batteries had lasted five hours +and they had suffered severely. It seemed strange to Dick that none of +them had been sunk, and in fact it was strange. All had been hit many +times, and one had been pierced by nearly fifty shot or shell. Their +killed or wounded were numerous, but their commanders and crews were +still resolute, and ready to go into action whenever General Grant wished. + +"Spunky little fellows," said Pennington. "We don't have many boats out +where I live, but I must hand a bunch of laurel to the navy every time." + +"And you can bind wreaths around the hair of those navy fellows, too," +said Warner, "and sing songs in their honor whether they win or lose." + +"Now I wonder what's next," said Dick. + +To their surprise the gunboats opened fire again just before sundown, +and the batteries replied fiercely. Rolling clouds of smoke mingled +with the advancing twilight, and the great guns from either side flashed +through the coming darkness. Then from a stray word or two dropped +by Colonel Winchester Dick surmised the reason of this new and rather +distant cannonade. + +He knew that General Grant had transports up the river above Grand Gulf, +and he believed that they were now coming down the stream under cover +of the bombardment and the darkness. He confided his belief to Warner, +who agreed with him. Presently they saw new coils of smoke in the +darkness and knew they were right. The transports, steaming swiftly, +were soon beyond the range of the batteries, and then the gun boats, +drawing off, dropped down the river with them. + +Long before the boats reached a point level with Grant's camp the army +was being formed in line for embarkation on the gunboats and transports. +The horses were to be placed on one or two of the transports and the men +filled all the other vessels. + +"You can't down Grant," said Pennington. "A failure with him merely +means that he's going to try again." + +"But don't forget the navy and the Father of Waters," said Dick, as their +transports swung from the shore upon the dark surface of the river. +"The mighty rivers help us. Look how we went up the Cumberland and the +Tennessee and now we've harnessed a flowing ocean for our service." + +"Getting poetical, Dick," said Warner. + +"I feel it and so do you. You can't see the bluffs any more. There's +nothing in sight, but the lights of the steamers and the transports. +We must be somewhere near the middle of the stream, because I can't make +out either shore." + +There were two regiments aboard the transport, the Winchester and one +from Ohio, which had fought by their side at both Perryville and Stone +River. Usually these boys chattered much, but now they were silent, +permeated by the same feelings that had overwhelmed Dick. In the +darkness--all lights were concealed as much as possible--with both banks +of the vast river hidden from them, they felt that they were in very +truth afloat upon a flowing ocean. + +They knew little about their journey, except that they were destined for +the eastern shore, the same upon which Grand Gulf stood, but they did not +worry about this lack of knowledge. They were willing to trust to Grant, +and most of them were already asleep, upon the decks, in the cabins, +or in any place in which a human body could secure a position. + +Dick did not sleep. The feeling of mystery and might made by the +tremendous river remained longer in his sensitive and imaginative nature. +His mind, too, looked backward. He knew that the great grandfathers +of Harry Kenton and himself, the famous Henry Ware and the famous Paul +Cotter, had passed up and down this monarch of streams. He knew of their +adventures. How often had he and his cousin, who now, alas! was on the +other side, listened to the stories of those mighty days as they were +handed from father to son! Those lads had floated in little boats and +he was on a steamer, but it seemed to him that the river with its mighty +depths took no account of either, steamer or canoe being all the same to +its vast volume of water. + +He was standing by the rail looking over, when happening to glance +back he saw by the ship's lantern what he thought was a familiar face. +A second glance and he was sure. He remembered that fair-haired Ohio lad, +and, smiling, he said: + +"You're one of those Ohio boys who, marching southward from its mouth +in the Ohio, drank the tributary river dry clear to its source, the +mightiest achievement in quenching thirst the world has ever known. +You're the boy, too, who told about it." + +The youth moved forward, gazed at him and said: + +"Now I remember you, too. You're Dick Mason of the Winchester regiment. +I heard the Winchesters were on board, but I haven't had time to look +around. It was hot when we drank up the river, but it was hotter that +afternoon at Perryville. God! what a battle! And again at Stone River, +when the Johnnies surprised us and took us in flank. It was you +Kentuckians then who saved us." + +"Just as you would have saved us, if it had been the other way." + +"I hope so. But, Mason, we left a lot of the boys behind. A big crowd +stopped forever at Perryville, and a bigger at Stone River." + +"And we left many of ours, too. I suppose we'll land soon, won't we, +and then take these Grand Gulf forts with troops." + +"Yes, that's the ticket, but I hear, Mason, it's hard to find a landing +on the east side. The banks are low there and the river spreads out to a +vast distance. After the boats go as far as they can we'll have to get +off in water up to our waists and wade through treacherous floods." + +The question of landing was worrying Grant at that time and worrying him +terribly. The water spread far out over the sunken lands and he might +have to drop down the river many miles before he could find a landing +on solid ground, a fact which would scatter his army along a long line, +and expose it to defeat by the Southern land forces. But his anxieties +were relieved early in the morning when a colored man taken aboard from +a canoe told him of a bayou not five miles below Grand Gulf up which his +gunboats and transports could go and find a landing for the troops on +solid ground. + +Dick was asleep when the boats entered the bayou, but he was soon +awakened by the noise of landing. It was then that most of the +Winchester and of the Ohio regiment discovered that they were comrades, +thrown together again by the chances of war, and there was a mighty +welcome and shaking of hands. But it did not interfere with the rapidity +of the landing. The Winchester regiment was promptly ordered forward and, +advancing on solid ground, took a little village without firing a shot. + +All that day troops came up and Grant's army, after having gone away from +Grand Gulf in darkness, was coming back to it in daylight. + +"They say that Pemberton at Vicksburg could gather together fifty +thousand men and strike us, while we've only twenty thousand here," +said Pennington. + +"But he isn't going to do it," said Warner. "How do I know? No, I'm not +a prophet nor the son of a prophet. There's nothing mysterious about it. +This man Grant who leads us knows the value of time. He makes up his +mind fast and he acts fast. The Confederate commander doesn't do either. +So Grant is bound to win. Let z equal resolution and y equal speed and +we have z plus y which equals resolution and speed, that is victory." + +"I hope it will work out that way," said Dick, "but war isn't altogether +mathematics." + +"Not altogether, but that beautiful study plays a great part in every +campaign. People are apt to abuse mathematics, when they don't know what +they're talking about. The science of mathematics is the very basis of +music, divine melody, heaven's harmony." + +"You needn't tell me," said Pennington, "that a plus b and z minus y +lie at the basis of 'Home, Sweet Home' and the 'Star Spangled Banner.' +I accept a lot of your tales because you come from an old state like +Vermont, but there's a limit, George." + +Warner looked at him pityingly. + +"Frank," he said, "I'm not arguing with you. I'm telling you. Haven't +you known me long enough to accept whatever I say as a fact, and to +accept it at once and without question? Not to do so is an insult to me +and to the truth. Now say over slowly with me: 'The basis of music is +mathematics.'" + +They said slowly together: + +"The basis of music is mathematics." + +"Now I accept your apologies," said Warner loftily. + +Pennington laughed. + +"You're a queer fellow, George," he said. "When this war is over and I +receive my general's uniform I'm coming up into the Vermont mountains and +look your people over. Will it be safe?" + +"Of course, if you learn to read and write by then, and don't come +wearing your buffalo robe. We're strong on education and manners." + +"Why, George," said Pennington in the same light tone, "I could read when +I was two years old, and, as for writing, I wrote a lot of text-books for +the Vermont schools before I came to the war." + +"Shut up, you two," said Dick. "Don't you know that this is a war and +not a talking match?" + +"It's not a war just now, or at least there are a few moments between +battles," retorted Warner, "and the best way I can use them is in +instructing our ignorant young friend from Nebraska." + +Their conversation was interrupted by Colonel Winchester, who ordered the +regiment to move to a new point. General Grant had decided to attack a +little town called Port Gibson, which commanded the various approaches to +Grand Gulf. If he could take that he might shut up Bowen and his force +in Grand Gulf. On the other hand, if he failed he might be shut in +himself by Confederate armies gathering from Jackson, Vicksburg, and +elsewhere. The region, moreover, was complicated for both armies by +the mighty Mississippi and the Big Black River, itself a large stream, +and there were deep and often unfordable bayous. + +But Grant showed great qualities, and Dick, who was experienced enough +now to see and know, admired him more than ever. He pushed forward with +the utmost resolution and courage. His vanguard, led by McClernand, +and including the Winchester regiment, seized solid ground near Port +Gibson, but found themselves confronted by a formidable Southern force. +Bowen, who commanded in Grand Gulf, was brave and able. Seeing the Union +army marching toward his rear, and knowing that if Grant took it he would +be surrounded, both on land and water, by a force outnumbering his nearly +three to one, he marched out at once and took station two miles in front +of Port Gibson. + +Dick was by the side of Colonel Winchester as he rode forward. The faint +echo of shots from the skirmishers far in front showed that they had +roused up an enemy. Glasses were put in use at once. + +"The Confederates are before us," said Colonel Winchester. + +"So they are, and we're going to have hard fighting," said a major. +"Look what a position!" + +Dick said nothing, but he was using his glasses, too. He saw before him +rough ground, thickly sown with underbrush. There was also a deep ravine +or rather marsh choked with vines, bushes, reeds, and trees that like a +watery soil. The narrow road divided and went around either end of the +long work, where the two divisions united again on a ridge, on which +Bowen had placed his fine troops and artillery. + +"I don't see their men yet, except a few skirmishers," said Dick. + +"No, but we'll find them in some good place beyond it," replied Colonel +Winchester, divining Bowen's plan. + +It was night when the army in two divisions, one turning to the right +and the other to the left, began the circuit of the great marshy ravine. +Dick noticed that the troops who had struggled so long in mud and water +were eager. Here, west of the Alleghanies, the men in blue were always +expecting to win. + +The sky was sown with stars, casting a filmy light over the marching +columns. Dick was with the troops passing to the right, and he observed +again their springy and eager tread. + +Nor was the night without a lively note. Skirmishers, eager riflemen +prowling among the bushes, fired often at one another, and now and then +a Union cannon sent a shell screaming into some thick clump of forest, +lest a foe be lurking there for ambush. + +The reports of the rifles and cannon kept every one alert and watchful. +Early in the night while it was yet clear Dick often saw the flashes from +the firing, but, as the morning hours approached, heavy mists began to +rise from that region of damp earth and great waters. He shivered more +than once, and on the advice of Sergeant Whitley wrapped his cavalry +cloak about him. + +"Chills and fever," said the sergeant sententiously. "So much water and +marsh it's hard to escape it. The sooner we fight the better." + +"Well, that's what General Grant thinks already," said Dick; "so I +suppose he doesn't need chills and fever to drive him on. All the same, +Sergeant, I'll wrap up as you say." + +All the men in the Winchester regiment were soon doing the same. The +mists of the Mississippi, the Big Black and the bayous were raw and cold, +although it would be hot later on. But the period of coldness did not +last long. Soon the low sun showed in the east and the warm daylight +came. In the new light they saw the Confederate forces strongly posted +on the ridge where the halves of the road rejoined. As the Union column +came into view a cannon boomed and a shell burst in the road so near +that dirt was thrown upon them as it exploded and one man was wounded. +At the same time the column on the left under Osterhaus appeared, having +performed its semicircle about the marsh, and the whole Union army, +weary of body but eager of soul, pressed forward. The Winchester +regiment and the Ohio regiment beside it charged hotly, but were received +with a fire of great volume and accuracy that swept them from the road. +Another battery on their far left also raked them with a cross fire, +and so terrible was their reception that they were compelled to abandon +some of their own cannon and seek shelter. + +The Winchester regiment, except the officers, were not mounted in this +march, as Grant would not wait for their horses, which were on another +transport. The very fact saved from death many who would have made a +more shining target. Dick's own horse was killed at the first fire, +and as he leaped clear to escape he went down to his waist in a marsh, +another fact which saved his life a second time as the new volleys swept +over his head. The horses of other officers also were killed, and the +remainder, finding themselves such conspicuous targets, sprang to the +ground. The frightened animals, tearing the reins from their hands, +raced through the thickets or fell into the marsh. + +All the time Dick heard the shells and bullets shrieking and whining over +his head. But, regaining his courage and presence of mind, he slowly +pulled himself out of the marsh, taking shelter behind a huge cypress +that grew at its very edge. As he dashed the mud out of his eyes he +heard a voice saying: + +"Don't push! There's room enough here for the three of us. In fact, +there's room enough behind the big trees for all the officers." + +It was Warner who was speaking with such grim irony, and Pennington by +his side was hugging the tree. Shells and shot shrieked over their heads +and countless bullets hummed about them. The soldiers also had taken +shelter behind the trees, and Warner's jest about the officers was a jest +only. Nevertheless the Southern fire was great in volume and accuracy. +Bowen was an able commander with excellent men, and from his position +that covered the meeting of the roads he swept both Union columns with a +continuous hail of death. + +"We must get out of this somehow," said Dick. "If we're held here in +these swamps and thickets any longer the Johnnies can shoot us down at +their leisure." + +"But we won't be held!" exclaimed Pennington. "Look! One of our +brigades is through, and it's charging the enemy on the right!" + +It was Hovey who had forced his way through a thicket, supposed to be +impenetrable, and who now, with a full brigade behind him, was rushing +upon Bowen's flank. Then, while the Southern defense was diverted to +this new attack, the Winchester and the Ohio regiment attacked in front, +shouting with triumph. + +Hovey's rush was overpowering. He drove in the Southern flank, taking +four cannon and hundreds of prisoners, but the dauntless Confederate +commander, withdrawing his men in perfect order, retreated to a second +ridge, where he took up a stronger position than the first. + +Resolute and dangerous, the men in gray turned their faces anew to the +enemy and sent back a withering fire that burned away the front ranks of +the Union army. Osterhaus, in spite of every effort, was driven back, +and the Winchesters and their Ohio friends were compelled to give ground +too. It seemed that the utmost of human effort and defiance of death +could not force the narrow passage. + +But a new man, a host in himself, came upon the field. Grant, who had +been on foot for two days, endeavoring to get his army through the +thickets and morasses, heard the booming of the cannon and he knew that +the vanguards had clashed. He borrowed a cavalry horse and, galloping +toward the sound of the guns, reached the field at mid-morning. Grant +was not impressive in either figure or manner, but the soldiers had +learned to believe in him as they always believe in one who leads them +to victory. + +A tremendous shout greeted his coming and the men, snatching off their +hats and caps, waved them aloft. Grant took no notice but rapidly +disposed his troops for a new and heavier battle. Dick felt the strong +and sure hand over them. The Union fire grew in might and rapidity. +McPherson arrived with two brigades to help Osterhaus, and the +strengthened division was able to send a brigade across a ravine, where +it passed further around Bowen's flank and assailed him with fury. + +Dick felt that their own division under McClernand was also making +progress. Although many men were falling they pressed slowly forward, +and Grant brought up help for them too. For a long time the struggle was +carried on. It was one of the little battles of the war, but its results +were important and few were fought with more courage and resolution. +Bowen, with only eight thousand against twenty thousand, held fast +throughout all the long hot hours of the afternoon. Grant, owing to the +nature of the field, was unable to get all his numbers into battle at +once. + +But when the twilight began to show Dick believed that victory was at +hand. They had not yet driven Bowen out, but they were pressing him so +close and hard, and Grant was securing so many new positions of advantage, +that the Southern leader could not make another such fight against +superior numbers in the morning. + +Twilight turned into night and Bowen and his men, who had shown so much +heroism, retreated in the dark, leaving six guns and many prisoners as +trophies of the victors. + +It was night when the battle ceased. Cannon and rifles flashed at fitful +intervals, warning skirmishers to keep away, but after a while they too +ceased and the Union army, exhausted by the long march of the night +before and the battle of the day, threw itself panting upon the ground. +The officers posted the sentinels in triple force, but let the remainder +of the men rest. + +As Dick lay down in the long grass two or three bullets dropped from +his clothes and he became conscious, too, that a bullet had grazed his +shoulder. But these trifles did not disturb him. It was so sweet to +rest! Nothing could be more heavenly than merely to lie there in the +long, soft grass and gaze up at the luminous sky, into which the stars +now stole to twinkle down at him peacefully. + +"Don't go to sleep, Dick," said a voice near him. "I admit the +temptation is strong. I feel it myself, but General Grant may have to +send you and me forward to-night to win another battle." + +"George, I'm glad to hear your preachy voice over there. Hurt any?" + +"No. A million cannon balls brushed my right cheek and another million +brushed my left cheek, but they didn't touch me. They scared me to death, +but in the last few minutes I've begun to come back to life. In a +quarter of an hour I'll be just as much alive as I ever was." + +"Do you know anything of Pennington?" + +"Yes. The rascal is lying about six feet beyond me, sound asleep. +In spite of all I could do he wouldn't stay awake. I've punched him all +over to see if he was wounded, but as he didn't groan at a single punch, +he's all right." + +"That being the case, I'm going to follow Pennington's example. You may +lecture me as much as you please, George, but you'll lecture only the +night, because I'll be far away from here in a land of sweet dreams." + +"All right, if you're going to do it, I will too. You'll hear my snore +before I hear yours." + +Both sank in a few minutes into a deep slumber, and when they awoke the +next morning they found that Bowen had abandoned Port Gibson and had +retreated into Grand Gulf again. There was great elation among the lads +and Dick began to feel that the position of the Union army in the far +South was strengthened immeasurably. He heard that Sherman, who had +stood so staunchly at Shiloh, was on his way to join Grant. Their united +forces would press the siege of Grand Gulf and would also turn to strike +at any foe who might approach from the rear. + +Never since the war began had Dick felt so elated as he did that morning. +When he saw the short, thick-set figure of Grant riding by he believed +that the Union, in the West at least, had found its man at last. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +DICK'S MISSION + + +The night came down warm and heavy. Spring was far advanced in that +Southern region, and foliage and grass were already rich and heavy. +Dick, from his dozing position beside a camp fire, saw a great mass of +tall grass and green bushes beyond which lay the deep waters of a still +creek or bayou. The air, although thick and close, conduced to rest and +the peace that reigned after the battle was soothing to his soul. + +His friends, the two lads, who were knitted to him by so many hardships +and dangers shared, were sound asleep, and he could see their tanned +faces when the light of the flickering fires fell upon them. Good old +Warner! Good old Pennington! The comradeship of war knitted youth +together with ties that never could be broken. + +He moved into an easier position. He lay upon the soft turf and he had +doubled his blanket under his head as a pillow. At first the droning +noises of camp or preparation had come from afar, but soon they ceased +and now the frogs down by the sluggish waters began to croak. + +It was a musical sound, one that he had heard often in his native state, +and, singularly enough, the lad drew encouragement from it. "Be of good +cheer! Be of good cheer! Trust in the future! Trust in the future!" +said all those voices down among the swamps and reeds. And then Dick +said to himself: "I will trust and I will have hope!" He remembered his +last glimpse of Grant's short, strong figure and the confidence that +this man inspired in him. He, with tens of thousands of others, Abraham +Lincoln at their head, had been looking for a man, they had looked long +and in vain for such a man, but Dick was beginning to believe that they +had found him at last. + +It would take much of a man to stand before the genius of Lee, but it +might be Grant. Dick's faith in the star of his country, shattered so +often for the moment, began to rise that night and never sank again. + +He fell asleep to the homely music of the frogs among the reeds, and +slept without stir until nearly dawn. + +Just as the first strip of gray showed in the east Colonel Winchester +walked toward the spot where Dick and his comrades lay. The colonel had +not slept that night. His fine face was worn and thin, but the blue eyes +were alight with strength and energy. He had just left a conference of +high officers, and he came upon a mission. He reached the three lads, +and looked down at them with a sort of pity. He knew that it was his +duty to awake them at once and send them upon a perilous errand, but +they were so young, and they had already been through so much that he +hesitated. + +He put his hand upon Dick's shoulder and shook him. But it took more +than one shake to awaken the lad, and it was fully a minute before he +opened his eyes and sat up. Dick conscious but partly and rubbing his +sleepy eyes, asked: + +"What is it? Are we to go into battle again? Yes, sir! Yes, sir! +I'm ready!" + +"Not that, Dick, but I've orders for you." + +Dick now awoke completely and saw that it was Colonel Winchester. +He sprang to his feet and saluted. + +"We'll wake up Warner and Pennington next," said the colonel, "because +they go also on the kind of duty to which you're assigned." + +"I'm glad of that," said Dick warmly. + +Warner and Pennington were aroused with difficulty, but, as soon as they +realized that Colonel Winchester was before them and that they were +selected for a grave duty, they became at once keen and alert. + +"Lads," said the colonel briefly, "you've all felt that we're now led by +a great commander. But energy and daring on the part of a leader demand +energy and daring on the part of his men. General Grant is about to +undertake a great enterprise, one that demands the concentration of his +troops. I want you, Warner, to go to General Sherman with this dispatch, +and here is one for you, Pennington, to take to General Banks." + +He paused a moment and Dick asked: + +"Am I to be left out?" + +Colonel Winchester smiled. + +He liked this eagerness on the part of his boys, and yet there was +sadness in his smile, too. Young lieutenants who rode forth on errands +often failed to come back. + +"You're included, Dick," he said, "and I think that yours is the most +perilous mission of them all. Pennington, you and Warner can be making +ready and I'll tell Dick what he's to do." + +The Vermonter and the Nebraskan hurried away and Colonel Winchester, +taking Dick by the arm, walked with him beyond the circle of firelight. + +"Dick," he said gently, "they asked me to choose the one in my command +whom I thought most fit for this duty to be done, and I've selected you, +although I'm sending you into a great peril." + +Dick flushed with pride at the trust. Youth blinded him at present to +its perils. + +"Thank you, sir," he said simply. + +"You will recall Major Hertford, who was with us in Kentucky before the +Shiloh days?" + +"I could not forget him, sir. One of our most gallant officers." + +"You speak truly. He is one of our bravest, and also one of our ablest. +I speak of him as Major Hertford, but he has lately been promoted to the +rank of colonel, and he is operating toward the East with a large body of +cavalry, partly in conjunction with Grierson, who saved us at the ford." + +"And you want me to reach him, sir!" + +"You've divined it. He is near Jackson, the capital of this state, and, +incidentally, you're to discover as much as you can about Jackson and the +Confederate dispositions in that direction. We wish Hertford to join +General Grant's advance, which will presently move toward Jackson, +and we rely upon you to find him." + +"I'll do it, if he's to be found at all," said Dick fervently. + +"I knew it, but, Dick, you're to go in your uniform. I'll not have you +executed as a spy in case you're taken. Nor are you to carry any written +message to Colonel Hertford. He knows you well, and he'll accept your +word at once as truth. Now, this is a ride that will call for woodcraft +as well as soldiership." + +"I start at once, do I not, sir?" + +"You do. Warner and Pennington are ready now, and your own horse is +waiting for you. Here is a small map which I have reason to believe is +accurate, at least fairly so, although few of our men know much of this +country. But use it, lad, as best you can." + +It was a sheet of thick fibrous paper about six inches square and, +after a hasty glance at it, Dick folded it up carefully and put it in his +pocket. Warner and Pennington appeared then, mounted and armed and ready +to tell him good-bye. He and Colonel Winchester watched them a moment or +two as they rode away, and then an orderly appeared with Dick's own horse, +a fine bay, saddled, bridled, saddlebags filled with food, pistols in +holsters, and a breech-loading rifle strapped to the saddle. + +"I've made your equipment the best I could," said Colonel Winchester, +"and after you start, lad, you must use your own judgment." + +He wrung the hand of the boy, for whom his affection was genuine and deep, +and Dick sprang into the saddle. + +"Good-bye, colonel," he said, "I thank you for this trust, and I won't +fail." + +It was not a boast. It was courage speaking from the heart of youth and, +as Dick rode out of the camp on his good horse, he considered himself +equal to any task. He felt an enormous pride because he was chosen for +such an important and perilous mission, and he summoned every faculty to +meet its hardships and dangers. + +He had the password, and the sentinels wished him good luck. So did the +men who were gathering firewood. One, a small, weazened fellow, gave him +an envious look. + +"Wish I was going riding with you," he said. "It's fine in the woods +now." + +Dick laughed through sheer exuberance of spirits. + +"Maybe it is and maybe it isn't," he said. "Perhaps the forest is filled +with rebel sharpshooters." + +"If you ride toward Jackson you're likely to strike Confederate bands." + +"I didn't say where I'm going, but you may be certain I'll keep a watch +for those bands wherever I may be." + +The little man was uncommonly strong nevertheless, as he carried on his +shoulder a heavy log which he threw down by one of the fires, but Dick, +absorbed in his journey, forgot the desire of the soldier to be riding +through the forest too. + +He soon left the camp behind. He looked back at it only once, and beheld +the luminous glow of the campfires. Then the forest shut it out and he +rode on through a region almost abandoned by its people owing to the +converging armies. He did not yet look at his map, because he knew that +he would soon come into the main road to Jackson. It would be sufficient +to determine his course then. + +Dick was not familiar with the farther South, which was a very different +region from his own Kentucky. His home was a region of firm land, +hills and clear streams, but here the ground lay low, the soil was soft +and the waters dark and sluggish. But his instincts as a woodsman were +fortified by much youthful training, and he felt that he could find the +way. + +It gave him now great joy to leave the army and ride away through the +deep woods. He was tired of battle and the sight of wounds and death. +The noises of the camp were painful to his ear, and in the forest he +found peace. + +He was absolutely alone in his world, and glad of it. The woods were in +all the depth and richness of a Southern spring. Vast masses of green +foliage billowed away to right and left. Great festoons of moss hung +from the oaks, and trailing vines wrapped many of the trees almost to +their tops. Wild flowers, pink, yellow and blue, unknown by name to Dick, +bloomed in the open spaces. + +The air of early morning was crisp with the breath of life. He had come +upon a low ridge of hard ground, away from the vast current and low, +sodden shores of the Mississippi. Here was a clean atmosphere, and the +forest, the forest everywhere. A mockingbird, perched on a bough almost +over his head, began to pour forth his liquid song, and from another far +away came the same song like an echo. Dick looked up but he could not +see the bird among the branches. Nevertheless he waved his hand toward +the place from which the melody came and gave a little trill in reply. +Then he said aloud: + +"It's a happy omen that you give me. I march away to the sound of +innocent music." + +Then he increased his speed a little and rode without stopping until he +came to the main road to Jackson. There he examined his map upon which +were marked many rivers, creeks, lagoons and bayous, with extensive +shaded areas meaning forests. In the southeastern corner of the map was +Jackson, close to which he meant to go. + +He rode on at a fair pace, keeping an extremely careful watch ahead and +on either side of the road. He meant to turn aside soon into the woods, +but for the present he thought himself safe in the road--it was not +likely that Southern raiders would come so near to the Union camp. + +His feeling of peace deepened. He was so far away now that no warlike +sound could reach him. Instead the song of the mockingbird pursued him. +Dick, full of youth and life, began to whistle the tune with the songster, +and his horse perhaps soothed too by the rhythm broke into the gentle +pace which is so easy for the rider. + +It was early dawn, and the west was not yet wholly light. The east was +full of gold, but the silver lingered on the opposite horizon, and the +hot sun of Mississippi did not yet shed its rays over the earth. Instead, +a cool breeze blew on Dick's face, and the quick blood was still leaping +in his veins. The road dipped down and he came to a brook, which was +clear despite its proximity to the mighty yellow trench of the +Mississippi. + +He let his horse drink freely, and, while he drank, he surveyed the +country as well as he could. On his left he saw through a fringe of +woods a field of young corn and showing dimly beyond it a small house. +Unbroken forest stretched away on his right, but in field as well as +forest there was no sign of a human being. + +He studied his map again, noting the great number of water courses, +which in the spring season were likely to be at the flood, and, for +the first time, he realized the extreme difficulty of his mission. +Mississippi was in the very heart of the Confederacy. He could not +expect any sympathetic farmers to help him or show him the way. More +likely as he advanced toward Jackson he would find the country swarming +with the friends of the Confederacy, and to pass through them would +demand the last resource of skill and courage. Perhaps it would have +been wiser had he put on citizens clothes and taken his chances as a spy! +He did not know that Colonel Winchester would have ordered the disguise +had the one who rode on this most perilous mission been any other than he. + +The realization brought with it extreme caution. Growing up in a country +which was still mainly in forest, not differing much from its primitive +condition, save for the absence of Indians and big game, he had learned +to be at home in the woods, and now he turned from the path, riding among +the trees. + +He kept a course some distance from the road, where he was sheltered by +the deep foliage and could yet see what was passing along the main artery +of travel. The ground at times was spongy, making traveling hard, +and twice his horse swam deep creeks. He would have turned into the road +at these points but the bridges were broken down and he had no other +choice. + +The morning waned, and the coolness departed. The sun hung overhead, +blazing hot, and the air in the forest grew dense and heavy. He would +have been glad to turn back into the road, in the hope of finding a +breeze in the open space, but caution still kept him in the forest. +He soon saw two men in brown jeans riding mules, farmers perhaps, but +carrying rifles on their shoulders, and, drawing his horse behind a big +tree, he waited until they passed. + +They rode on unseeing and he resumed his journey, to stop an hour later +and eat cold food, while he permitted his horse to graze in an opening. +He had seen only three houses, one a large colonial mansion, with the +smoke rising from several chimneys, and the others small log structures +inhabited by poor farmers, but nobody was at work in the fields. + +When he resumed the journey he was thankful that he had kept to the woods +as a body of Confederate cavalry, coming out of a path from the north, +turned into the main road and advanced at a good pace toward Jackson. +They seemed to be in good spirits, as he could hear them talking and +laughing, but he was glad when they were out of sight as these +Southerners had keen eyes and a pair of them might have discerned him in +the brush. + +He went deeper into the woods and made another long study of his map. +It seemed to him now that he knew every hill and lagoon and road and path, +and he resolved to ride a straight course through the forest. There +was a point, distinctly marked north of Jackson, where he was to find +Hertford if he arrived in time, or to wait for him if he got there ahead +of time, and he believed that with the aid of the map he could reach it +through the woods. + +He rode now by the sun and he saw neither path nor fields. He was in the +deep wilderness once more. The mockingbirds sang around him again and +through the rifts in the leaves he saw the sailing hawks seeking their +prey. Three huge owls sitting in a row on a bough slept undisturbed +while he passed. He took it as an omen that the wilderness was deserted, +and his confidence was strong. + +But the firm ground ceased and he rode through a region of swamps. +The hoofs of his horse splashed through mud and water. Now and then a +snake drew away its slimy length and Dick shuddered. He could not help +it. Snakes, even the harmless, always gave him shivers. + +The wilderness now had an evil beauty. The vegetation was almost +tropical in its luxuriance, but Dick liked better the tender green of +his more northern state. Great beds of sunflowers nodded in the light +breeze. Vast masses of vines and creepers pulled down the trees, and +on many of the vines deep red roses were blooming. Then came areas of +solemn live oaks and gloomy cypresses, where no mockingbirds were singing. + +He rode for half a mile along a deep lagoon or bayou, he did not know +which, and saw hawks swoop down and draw fish from its dark surface. +The whole scene was ugly and cruel, and he was glad when he left it and +entered the woods again. Once he thought he heard the mellow voice of a +negro singing, but that was the only sound, save the flitting of small +wild animals through the undergrowth. + +He came, mid-afternoon, to a river, which he made his horse swim boldly +and then entered forest that seemed more dense than ever. But the ground +here was firmer and he was glad of a chance to rest both himself and his +mount. He dismounted, tethered the horse and stretched his own limbs, +weary from riding. + +It was a pretty little glade, surrounded by high forest, fitted for +rest and peace, but his horse reared suddenly and tried to break loose. +There was a heavy crashing in the undergrowth and a deer, wild with alarm, +darting within a dozen feet of Dick, disappeared in the forest, running +madly. + +He knew there were many deer in the Mississippi woods, but he was +observant and the flight aroused his attention. His first thought that +he and his horse had scared the deer could not be true, because it had +come from a point directly behind and had rushed past them. Then its +alarm must have been caused by some other human being near by in the +forest or by a panther. His theory inclined to the human being. + +Dick was troubled. The more he thought of the incident the less he liked +it. He made no effort to hide from himself the dangers that surrounded +him in the land of the enemy, and remounting he rode briskly forward. +As the ground was firm and the forest was free enough from undergrowth to +permit of speed he finally broke into a gallop which he maintained for a +half-hour. + +He struck marsh again and was a long time in passing through it. But +when he was a half-mile on the other side he drew into a dense cluster of +bushes and waited. He could not get the flight of the deer out of his +mind, and knowing that it was well in the wilderness to obey premonitions +he watched more closely. + +Dick sat on his horse behind the bush a full five minutes, and presently +he became conscious that his heart was pounding heavily. He exerted his +will and called himself foolish, but in vain. The flight of the deer +persisted in his mind. It was a warning that somebody else was in the +woods not far behind him, and, while he waited, he saw a shadow among the +trees. + +It was only a shadow, but it was like the figure of a man. A single +glimpse and he was gone. The stranger, whoever he was, had darted back +in the undergrowth. Dick waited another five minutes, but the shadow did +not reappear. He felt a measure of relief because all doubts were gone +now. He was sure that he was followed, but by whom? + +He knew that his danger had increased manifold. Some Southern scout or +skirmisher had discovered his presence and, in such a quest, the trailer +had the advantage of the trailed. Yet he did not hesitate. He knew his +general direction and, shifting the pistols from the saddle-holsters to +his belt he again urged his horse forward. + +When they came to good ground he walked, leading his mount, as the animal +was much exhausted by the effort the marshes needed. But whenever the +undergrowth grew dense he stopped to look and listen. He did not see +the shadow and he heard nothing save the ordinary sounds of the woods, +but either instinct or imagination told him that the stranger still +followed. + +The sun was far down the westward slope, but it was still very hot in the +woods. There was no breeze. Not a leaf, nor a blade of grass stirred. +Dick heard his heart still pounding. The unseen pursuit--he had no +doubt it was there--was becoming a terrible strain upon his nerves. The +perspiration ran down his face, and he sought with angry eyes for a sight +of the fellow who presumed to hang upon his tracks. + +He began to wonder what he would do when the night came. There would be +no rest, no sleep for him, even in the darkness. Twice he curved from +his course and hid in the undergrowth to see his pursuer come up, but +there was nothing. Then he reasoned with himself. He had not really +seen the flitting figure of a man. It was merely the effect of an +alarmed imagination, and he told himself to ride straight on, looking +ahead, not back. But reason again yielded to instinct and he curved once +more into the deep forest, where the tangle of vines and undergrowth also +was so thick that it would take a keen eye to find him. + +Dick looked back along the path which he had come and he was confident +that he saw some of the tall bushes shake a little. It could not be wind, +because the air was absolutely still, and soon he was convinced that his +instinct had been right all the time. Fancy had played him no trick and +the shadow that he had seen was a human figure. + +He felt with all the force of conviction that he was in great danger, +but he did not know what to do. So he did nothing, but sat quietly on +his horse among the bushes. The heat was intense there and innumerable +flies, gnats, and mosquitoes assailed him. The mosquitoes were so fierce +that they drew blood from his face a half-dozen times. + +Alone in the heat of the deep marshy wilderness he felt fear more than in +battle. Danger threatened here in a mysterious, invisible fashion and he +could only wait. + +He saw a bush move again, but much nearer, and then came the crack of +a rifle. If his horse, alarmed perhaps, had not thrown up his head +suddenly, and received the bullet himself the lad's career would have +ended there. + +The horse made a convulsive leap, then staggered for a few seconds, +giving his rider time to spring clear, and fell among the bushes. +Dick dropped down behind him and quickly unstrapped the rifle from the +saddle, meaning to use the animal's body as a breastwork against renewed +attack. + +His fear, the kind of fear that the bravest feel, had been driven away +by rage. The killing of his innocent horse, although the bullet was +intended for him, angered him as much as if he had received a wound +himself. The spirit of his ancestor, the shrewd and wary Indian fighter, +descended upon him again, and, lying upon his stomach behind the horse, +with the rifle ready he was anxious for the attack to come. + +Dick was firmly convinced that he had but a single enemy. Otherwise he +would have been attacked in force earlier, and more than one shot would +have been fired. But the report of the rifle was succeeded by deep +silence. The forest was absolutely still, not a breath of wind stirring. +His enemy remained invisible, but the besieged youth was confident that +he was lying quiet, awaiting another chance. Dick, still hot with anger, +would wait too. + +But other enemies were far more reckless than the hidden marksman. +The swarm of gnats, flies, and mosquitoes assailed him again and he could +have cried out in pain. His only consolation lay in the fact that the +other man might be suffering just as much. + +He was aware that his enemy might try a circling movement in order to +reach him on the flank or from behind, but he believed that his ear would +be keen enough to detect him if he came near. Moreover he lay in a +slight dip with the body of the horse in front of him, and it would +require an uncommon sharpshooter to reach him with a bullet. If he could +only stand those terrible mosquitoes an hour he felt that he might get +away, because then the night would be at hand. + +He saw with immense relief that the sun was already very low. The heat, +gathered in the woods, was at its worst, and over his head the mosquitoes +buzzed and buzzed incessantly. It seemed to him a horrible sort of irony +that he might presently be forced from his shelter by mosquitoes and be +killed in flight to another refuge. + +But he was endowed with great patience and tenacity and he clung to his +shelter, relying rather upon ear than eye to note the approach of an +enemy. Meanwhile the sun sank down to the rim of the wood, and the +twilight thickened rapidly in the east. Then a shot was fired from the +point from which the first had come. Dick heard the bullet singing over +his head, but it gave him satisfaction because he was able to locate his +enemy. + +He sought no return fire, but lay in the dip, wary and patient. The sun +sank beyond the rim, the western sky flamed blood red for a few moments, +and then the Southern night swept down so suddenly that it seemed to come +with violence. Dick believed that his escape was now at hand, but he +still showed an infinite patience. + +He did not stir from his place until the night was almost black, and then, +carrying his weapons and the saddlebag of provisions, he crept among the +thickets. + +When he stood up he found himself stiff from lying long in a cramped +position. His face burned from the bites of the mosquitoes, which still +hung in swarms about him, and he felt dizzy. + +But Dick remembered his mission, and his resolve to perform it was not +shaken a particle. He had lost his horse, but he could walk. Perhaps +his chance of success would be greater on foot in such a dangerous +country. + +He advanced now with extreme caution, feeling the way carefully and +testing the ground before he put his foot down solidly. Still trusting +to his ears he stopped now and then, and listened for some sound from his +enemy in pursuit. But nothing came, and soon he became quite sure that +he had shaken him off. He was merely a dot in the wilderness in the dark, +and, feeling secure now, he pressed forward with more speed. + +He was hoping to get to a piece of firm, high ground, where he might +secure a measure of protection from those terrible mosquitoes which still +buzzed angrily about his head. In an hour chance favored him, as he +reached a low ridge much rockier than usual in that region. He would +have built a little smudge fire to protect himself from the mosquitoes, +but it would be sure to draw the lurking sharpshooter, and instead he +found a nook in the ridge, under the low boughs of a great oak. Then he +took a light blanket which he carried tied to his saddlebags, and wrapped +it around his neck and face, covering everything but his mouth and eyes. + +He sank into the nook with his back against the turf, and the reclining +position was wonderfully easy. The mosquitoes, apparently finding the +points of exposure too small, left him alone and went away. His face +still burned from numerous stings, but he forgot it in present comfort. +There was food in the saddlebags, and he ate enough for his needs. +Then he laid the saddlebags beside him and the rifle across his knees and +stared out into the darkness. + +He felt a great relief after his extreme danger and long exertions. +It was both physical and mental, and sitting there alone in a sunken +wilderness he was nevertheless happy. Believing that the mosquitoes +would not come back, he wrapped the blanket about his whole body by and +by, and pulled his cap down over his eyes. + +Dick had no plans for the night. He did not know whether he intended to +remain there long or not, but nature settled doubts for him. His head +drooped, and soon he slept as easily and peacefully as if he had been at +home at Pendleton in his own bed. + +Then the wilderness blotted him out for the time. The little wild +animals scurried through the grass or ran up trees. In the far distance +an owl hooted solemnly at nothing, and he slept the mighty sleep of +exhaustion. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +HUNTED + + +Dick slept the whole night through, which was a very good thing for him, +because he needed it, and because he could have made no progress in the +thick darkness through the marshy wilderness. No human beings saw him, +but the wild animals took more than one look. Not all were little. +One big clumsy brute, wagging his head in a curious, comic way, shuffled +up from the edge of the swamp, sniffed the strange human odor, and, +still wagging his comic head, came rather close to the sleeping boy. +Then the black bear decided to be afraid, and lumbered back into the +bushes. + +An owl perched on a bough almost over Dick's head, but this was game far +too large for Mr. Owl's beak and talons, and he soon flew away in search +of something nearer his size. A raccoon on a bough stared with glowing +eyes and then slid out of sight. + +Man, although he had just come, became king of this swamp, king for the +night. The prowling beasts and birds of prey, after their first look, +gave Dick all the berth he needed, and he did not awake until a bright +sun was well above the edge of the earth. Then he rose, shook himself, +much like an animal coming from its lair, and bathed his face in a little +stream which ran down the hill into the swamp. It was swollen and +painful from the mosquito bites, but he resolved not to think of them, +and ate breakfast from the saddlebags, after which he studied his map a +little. + +Baggage and rifle on shoulder, he pursued a course south by east. +There was a strong breeze which gave him a rest from the dreaded insects, +and he pushed on with vigorous footsteps. The country remained +thoroughly wild, and he soon had proof of it. Another deer, this time +obviously started up by himself, sprang from the canebrake and darted +away in the woods. He noted tracks of bear and resolved some day when +the war was over to come there hunting. + +His course led him again from firm ground into a region of marshes and +lagoons, which he crossed with difficulty, arriving about an hour before +noon at a considerable river, one that would require swimming unless he +found a ford somewhere near. He was very weary from the journey through +the marsh and, sitting on a log, he scraped from his clothes a portion of +the mud they had accumulated on the way. + +He was a good swimmer, but he had his arms and ammunition to keep dry, +and he did not wish to trust himself afloat on the deep current. Wading +would be far better, and, when his strength was restored, he walked up +the bank in search of a shallower place. + +He came soon to a point, where the cliff was rather high, although it was +clothed in dense forest here as elsewhere, and when he reached the crest +he heard a sound like the swishing of waters. Alert and suspicious he +sank down among the trees and peered over the bank. Two men in a canoe +were paddling in a leisurely manner along the stream. + +The men were in faded and worn Confederate uniforms, and Dick saw their +rifles lying in the bottom of the boat. He also saw that they had strong, +resolute faces. They were almost opposite him and they were closely +scanning the forest on his side of the river. He was glad that he had +not tried to swim the stream, and he was glad too that he had kept so +well under cover. The men in the canoe were surely keen of eye, and they +must be a patrol. + +He sank closer to the earth and did not stir. One of the watchers drew +in his paddle and took up his rifle, while the other propelled the canoe +very slowly. It seemed that they expected something or somebody, and it +suddenly occurred to him that it might be he. He felt a little shiver of +apprehension. How could they know he was coming? It was mysterious and +alarming. + +He waited for them to pass down the river and out of sight, but at the +curve they turned and came back against the stream, the man with the +rifle in his hand still keenly watching the western shore, where Dick lay +hidden. Neither of them spoke, and the only sound was the swishing of +the paddle. The hoot of an owl came from the depths of the forest behind +him and he knew that it was a signal. The hair of his head lifted. + +He felt the touch of the supernatural. The invisible pursuer was behind +him again, and the silent soldiers held the crossing. The hoot of the +owl came again, a little nearer now. He was tempted to rise and run, +but his will held him back from such folly. His unknown enemy could +pursue, because his boots left a deep trail in the soft earth. That was +why he had been able to follow again in the morning. + +He crept back some distance from the river and then, rising, retreated +cautiously up the stream. He caught glimpses of the water twice through +the bushes, and each time the canoe was moving up the river also, one man +paddling and the other, rifle on his arm, watching the western shore. + +Dick had a feeling that he was trapped. Colonel Winchester had been wise +to make him wear his uniform, because it was now certain that he was +going to be taken, and death had always been the punishment of a captured +spy. He put down the thought resolutely, and began to run through the +forest parallel with the river. If it were only the firm hard ground of +the North he could hide his trail from the man behind him, but here the +soil was so soft that every footstep left a deep mark. Yet he might find +fallen trees thrown down by hurricanes, and in a few minutes he came to a +mass of them. He ran deftly from trunk to trunk, and then continued his +flight among the bushes. It broke his trail less than a rod, but it +might take his pursuer ten minutes to recover it, and now ten minutes +were precious. + +The soil grew harder and he made better speed, but when he looked through +the foliage he saw the canoe still opposite him. It was easy for them, +on the smooth surface of the river, to keep pace with him, if such was +their object. Furious anger took hold of him. He knew that he must +soon become exhausted, while the men in the canoe would scarcely feel +weariness. Then came the idea. + +The canoe was light and thin almost like the birch bark Indian canoe of +the north, and he was a good marksman. It was a last chance, but raising +his rifle he fired the heavy bullet directly at the bottom of the canoe. +As the echo of the first shot was dying he slipped in a cartridge and +sent a second at the same target. He did not seek to kill the men, +his object was the canoe, and as he ran rapidly away he saw it fill +with water and sink, the two soldiers in the stream swimming toward the +western shore. + +Dick laughed to himself. He had won a triumph, although he did not yet +know that it would amount to anything. At any rate the men could no +longer glide up and down the river at their leisure looking for him to +come forth from the forest. + +He knew that the shots would bring the single pursuer at full speed, and, +as he had saved some ounces of strength, he now ran at his utmost speed. +The river curved again and just beyond the curve it seemed shallow to +him. He plunged in at once, and waded rapidly, holding his rifle, +pistols and saddlebags above his head. He was in dread lest he receive +a bullet in his back, but he made the farther shore, ran into the dense +undergrowth and sank down dripping and panting. + +He had made the crossing but he did not forget to be ready. He rapidly +reloaded his rifle, and fastened the pistols at his belt. Then he looked +through the bushes at the river. The two canoemen, water running from +them in streams, were on the other bank, though a little farther down the +stream. He believed that they were no longer silent. He fondly imagined +that they were cursing hard, if not loud. + +His relief was so great that, forgetting his own bedraggled condition, +he laughed. Then he looked again to see what they were going to do. +A small man, his face shaded by the broad brim of a hat, emerged from +the woods and joined them. Dick was too far away to see his face, even +had it been uncovered, but his figure looked familiar. Nevertheless, +although he tried hard, he could not recall where he had seen him before. +But, as he carried a long-barreled rifle, Dick was sure that this was his +unknown pursuer. There had certainly been collusion also between him and +the men in the boat, as the three began to talk earnestly, and to point +toward the woods on the other side. + +Dick felt that he had avenged himself upon the boatmen, but his rage rose +high against the little man under the broad-brimmed hat. It was he who +had followed him so long, and who had tried ruthlessly to kill him. +The lad's rifle was of the most improved make and a bullet would reach. +He was tempted to try it, but prudence came to his rescue. Still lying +close he watched them. He felt sure that they would soon be hunting for +his footprints, but he resolved to stay in his covert, until they began +the crossing of the river, to which his trail would lead when they found +it. + +He saw them cease talking and begin searching among the woods. It might +be at least a half-hour before they found the trail and his strength +would be restored fully then. His sinking of the canoe had been in +reality a triumph, and so he remained at ease, watching the ford. + +He was quite sure that when his trail was found the little man would +be the one to find it, and sure enough at the end of a half-hour the +weazened figure led down to the ford. Dick might have shot one of them +in the water, but he had no desire to take life. It would serve no +purpose, and, refreshed and strengthened, he set out through the forest +toward Jackson. + +He came to a brook soon, and, remembering the old device of Indian times, +he waded in it at least a half-mile. When he left it he passed through a +stretch of wood, crossed an old cotton field and entered the woods again. +Then he sat down and ate from his store, feeling that he had shaken off +his pursuers. Another examination of his map followed. He had kept +fixed in his mind the point at which he was to find Hertford, and, +being a good judge of direction, he felt sure that he could yet reach it. + +The sun, now high and warm, had dried his clothing, and, after the food, +he was ready for another long march. He struck into a path and walked +along it, coming soon to a house which stood back a little distance from +a road into which the path merged. A man and two women standing on +the porch stared at him curiously, but he pretended to take no notice. +After long exposure to weather, blue uniforms did not differ much from +gray, and his own was now covered with mud. He could readily pass as a +soldier of the Confederacy unless they chose to ask too many questions. + +"From General Pemberton's army?" called the man, when he was opposite the +house. + +Dick nodded and stepped a little faster. + +"Won't you stop for a bite and fresh water with friends of the cause?" + +"Thanks, but important dispatches. Must hurry." They repeated the +invitation. He shook his head, and went on. He did not look back, +but he was sure that they stared at him as long as he was in sight. +Then, for safety's sake, he left the road and entered the wood once more. + +He had now come to country comparatively free from swamp and marsh, +and pursued his way through a great forest, beautiful with live oaks and +magnolias. In the afternoon he took a long rest by the side of a clear +spring, where he drew further upon the store of food in his saddlebags, +which he calculated held enough for another day. After that he would +have to forage upon the country. + +He would sleep the second night in the forest, his blanket being +sufficient protection, unless rain came, which he would have to endure +as best he could. Another look at his map and he believed that on the +following afternoon he could reach Hertford. + +He took the remaining food from his saddlebags, wrapped it in his blanket, +and strapped the pack on his back. Then, in order to lighten his burden, +he hung the saddlebags on the bough of a tree and abandoned them, after +which he pressed forward through the woods with renewed speed. + +He came at times to the edge of the forest and saw houses in the fields, +but he always turned back among the trees. He could find only enemies +here, and he knew that it was his plan to avoid all human beings. +Precept and example are of great power and he recalled again much that +he had heard of his famous ancestor, Paul Cotter. He had been compelled +to fight often for his life and again to flee for it from an enemy who +reserved torture and death for the captured. Dick felt that he must do +as well, and the feeling increased his vigor and courage. + +A little later he heard a note, low, faint and musical. It was behind +him, but he was sure at first that it was made by negroes singing. +It was a pleasing sound. The negro had a great capacity for happiness, +and Dick as a young lad had played with and liked the young colored lads +of his age. + +But as he walked on he heard the low, musical note once more and, as +before, directly behind him. It seemed a little nearer. He paused and +listened. It came again, always nearer and nearer, and now it did not +seem as musical as before. There was a sinister thread in that flowing +note, and suddenly Dick remembered. + +He was a daring horseman and with his uncle and cousin and others at +Pendleton he had often ridden after the fox. It was the note of the +hounds, but of bloodhounds, and this time they were following him. +From the first he had not the slightest doubt of it. Somebody, some +traitor in the Union camp, knew the nature of his errand, and was hanging +on to the pursuit like death. + +Dick knew it was the little man whom he had seen by the river, and +perhaps the canoemen were with him--he would certainly have comrades, +or his own danger would be too great--and they had probably obtained the +bloodhounds at a farmhouse. Nearly everybody in Mississippi kept hounds. + +The long whining note came again and much nearer. Now all music was gone +from it for Dick. It was ferocious, like the howl of the wolf seeking +prey, and he could not restrain a shudder. His danger had returned with +twofold force, because the hounds would unerringly lead his pursuers +through the forest as fast as they could follow. + +He did not yet despair. A new resolution was drawn from the depths +of his courage. He did not forget that he was a good marksman and he +had both rifle and pistols. He tried to calculate from that whining, +ferocious note how many hounds were pursuing, and he believed they were +not many. Now he prepared for battle, and, as he ran, he kept his eye +on the ground in order that he might choose his own field. + +He saw it presently, a mass of fallen timber thrown together by a great +storm, and he took his place on the highest log, out of reach of a +leaping hound. Then, lying almost flat on the log and with his rifle +ready, he waited, his heart beating hard with anger that he should be +pursued thus like an animal. + +The howling of the hounds grew more ferocious, and it was tinged with +joy. The trail had suddenly grown very hot, and they knew that the +quarry was just before them. Dick caught a good view of a long, lean, +racing figure bounding among the trees, and he fired straight at a spot +between the blazing eyes. The hound fell without a sound, and with equal +ease he slew the second. The third and last drew back, although the lad +heard the distant halloo of men seeking to drive him on. + +Dick sprang from his log and ran through the forest again. He knew +that the lone hound after his first recoil would follow, but he had his +reloaded rifle and he had proved that he knew how to shoot. It would +please him for the hound to come within range. + +When he took to renewed flight the hound again whined ferociously and +Dick glanced back now and then seeking a shot. Once he caught a glimpse +of two or three dusky figures some distance behind the hound, urging him +on, and his heart throbbed with increased rage. If they presented an +equal target he would fire at them rather than the hound. + +He could run no longer, and his gait sank to a walk. His very exhaustion +brought him his opportunity, as the animal came rapidly within range, +and Dick finished him with a single lucky shot. Then, making an extreme +effort, he fled on a long time, and, while he was fleeing, he saw the sun +set and the night come. + +The strain upon him had been so great that his nerves and brain were +unsteady. Although the forest was black with night he saw it through a +blood-red mist. Something in him was about to burst, and when he saw a +human figure rising up before him it broke and he fell. + +Dick was unconscious a long time. But when he awoke he found himself +wrapped in a blanket, while another was doubled under his head. It was +pitchy dark, but he beheld the outline of a human figure, sitting by his +side. He strove to rise, but a powerful hand on his shoulder pushed him +back, though gently, and a low voice said: + +"Stay still, Mr. Mason. We mustn't make any sound now!" + +Dick recognized in dim wonder the voice of Sergeant Daniel Whitley. +How he had come there at such a time, and what he was doing now was past +all guessing, but Sergeant Whitley was a most competent man. He knew +more than most generals, and he was filled with the lore of the woods. +He would trust him. He let his head sink back on the folded blanket, +and his heavy eyes closed again. + +When Dick roused from his stupor the sergeant was still by his side, and, +as his eyes grew used to the darkness, he noticed that Whitley was really +kneeling rather than sitting, crouched to meet danger, his finger on the +trigger of a rifle. Dick's brain cleared and he sat up. + +"What is it, Sergeant?" he whispered. + +"I see you're all right now, Mr. Mason," the sergeant whispered back, +"but be sure you don't stir." + +"Is it the Johnnies?" + +"Lean over a little and look down into that dip." + +Dick did so, and saw four men hunting among the trees, and the one who +seemed to be their leader was the little weazened fellow, with the great, +flap-brimmed hat. + +"They're looking for your trail," whispered the sergeant, "but they won't +find it. It's too dark, even for a Sioux Indian, and I've seen them do +some wonderful things in trailing." + +"I seem to have met you in time, Sergeant." + +"So you did, sir, but more of that later. Perhaps you'd better lie down +again, as you're weak yet. I'll tell you all they do." + +"I'll take your advice, Sergeant, but am I sound and whole? I felt +something in me break, and then the earth rose up and hit me in the face." + +"I reckon it was just the last ounce of breath going out of you with a +pop. They're hunting hard, Mr. Mason, but they can't pick up the trace +of a footstep. Slade must be mad clean through." + +"Slade! Slade! Who's Slade?" + +"Slade is a spy partly, and an outlaw mostly, 'cause he often works on +his own hook. He's the weazened little fellow with so much hat-brim, +and he's about twenty different kinds of a demon. You've plenty of +reason to fear him, and it's lucky we've met." + +"It's more than luck for me, Sergeant. It's salvation. I believe it +wouldn't have been half as hard on me if somebody had been with me, +and you're the first whom I would have chosen. Are they still in the dip, +Sergeant?" + +"No, they've passed to the slope on the right, and I think they'll go +over the hill. We're safe here so long as we remain quiet; that is, +safe for the time. Slade will hang on as long as there's a possible +chance to find us." + +"Sergeant, if they do happen to stumble upon us in the dark I hope you'll +promise to do one thing for me." + +"I'll do anything I can, Mr. Mason." + +"Kill Slade first. That little villain gives me the horrors. I believe +the soul of the last bloodhound I shot has been reincarnated in him." + +"All right, Mr. Mason," returned the sergeant, placidly, "if we have to +fight I'll make sure of Slade at once. Is there anybody else you'd like +specially to have killed?" + +"No thank you, Sergeant. I don't hate any of the others, and I suppose +they'd have dropped the chase long ago if it hadn't been for this fellow +whom you call Slade. Now, I think I'll lie quiet, while you watch." + +"Very good, sir. I'll tell you everything I can see. They're passing +over the hill out of sight, and if they return I won't fail to let you +know." + +Sergeant Whitley, a man of vast physical powers, hardened by the long +service of forest and plain, was not weary at all, and, in the dusk, +he looked down with sympathy and pity at the lad who had closed his eyes. +He divined the nature of the ordeal through which he had gone. Dick's +face, still badly swollen from the bites of the mosquitoes, showed all +the signs of utter exhaustion. The sergeant could see, despite the +darkness, that it was almost the face of the dead, and he knew that happy +chance had brought him in the moment of Dick's greatest need. + +He ceased to whisper, because Dick, without intending it, had gone to +sleep again. Then the wary veteran scouted in a circle about their +refuge, but did not discover the presence of an enemy. + +He sat down near the sleeping lad, with his rifle between his knees, +and watched the moon come out. Owing to his wilderness experience he had +been chosen also to go on a scout toward Jackson, though he preferred to +make his on foot, and the sound of Dick's shots at the hounds had drawn +him to an observation which finally turned into a rescue. + +After midnight the sergeant slept a little while, but he never awakened +Dick until it was almost morning. Then he told him that he would go with +him on the mission to Hertford, and Dick was very glad. + +"What's become of Slade and his men?" asked Dick. + +"I don't know," replied the sergeant, "but as they lost the trail in the +night, it's pretty likely they're far from here. At any rate they're not +bothering us just now. How're you feeling, Mr. Mason?" + +"Fine, except that my face still burns." + +"We'll have to hold up a Confederate house somewhere and get oil of +pennyroyal. That'll cure you, but I guess you've learned now, Mr. Mason, +that mosquitoes in a southern swamp are just about as deadly as bullets." + +"So they are, Sergeant, and this is not my first experience. Luck has +been terribly against me this trip, but it turned when I met you last +night." + +"Yes, Mr. Mason. In this case two rifles are better than one. We're +prowling right through the heart of the Confederacy, but I'm thinking +we'll make it. We've got a great general now, and we mustn't fail to +bring up Colonel Hertford and his cavalry. I've an idea in my head that +General Grant is going to carry through big plans." + +"Then I think it's time we were starting." + +"So do I, Mr. Mason, and now will you take these crackers and smoked ham? +I've plenty in my knapsack. I learned on the plains never to travel +without a food supply. If a soldier starves to death what use is he to +his army? And I reckon you need something to eat. You were about tired +out when I met you last night." + +"I surely was, Sergeant, but I'm a new man this morning. You and I +together can't fail." + +Dick, in truth, felt an enormous relief. He and his young comrades had +learned to trust Sergeant Whitley implicitly, with his experience of +forest and plain and his infinite resource. + +"Where do you figure we are, Sergeant?" he asked. + +"In the deep woods, Mr. Mason, but we haven't turned much from the +line leading you to the place where you were to meet Colonel Hertford. +You haven't really lost time, and we'll start again straight ahead, +but we've got to look out for this fellow Slade, who's as tricky and +merciless as they ever make 'em." + +"Tell me more about Slade, Sergeant." + +"I don't know a lot, but I heard of him from some of our scouts. He was +an overseer of a big plantation before the war. From somewhere up North, +I think, but now he's more of a rebel than the rebels themselves. +Often happens that way. But you've got to reckon with him." + +"Glad I know that much. He reminds me of a man I've seen, though I can't +recall where or when. It's enough, though, to watch out for Slade. +Come on, Sergeant, I'm feeling so fine now that with your help I'm able +to fight a whole army." + +The two striding through the forest, started toward the meeting place +with Hertford. Now that he had the powerful comradeship of Sergeant +Whitley, the wilderness became beautiful instead of gloomy for Dick. +The live oaks and magnolias were magnificent, and there was a wild +luxuriance of vegetation. Birds of brilliant plumage darted among the +foliage, and squirrels chattered on the boughs. He saw bear tracks again, +and called the sergeant's attention to them. + +"It would be nice to be hunting them, instead of men," said Whitley. +"You can find nice, black fellows down here, good to eat, and it's a +deal safer to hunt them than it is the grizzlies and silver-tips of the +Rockies." + +They saw now much cleared land, mostly cotton fields, and now and then +a white man or a negro working, but there was always enough forest +for cover. They waded the numerous brooks and creeks, allowing their +clothing to dry in the warm sun, as they marched, and about two hours +before sunrise the sergeant, wary and always suspicious, suggested that +they stop a while. + +"I've an idea," he said, "that Slade and his men are still following us. +Oh, he's an ugly fellow, full of sin, and if they're not far behind us we +ought to know it." + +"Just as you say," said Dick, glad enough to shift the responsibility +upon such capable shoulders. "How would this clump of bushes serve for +a hiding place while we wait?" + +"Good enough. Indians pursued, often ambush the pursuer, and as we've +two good men with two good rifles, Mr. Mason, we'll just see what this +Slade is about." + +"When I last saw him," said Dick, "he had the two canoemen with him, +and perhaps they've picked up the owner of the hounds." + +"That's sure, and they're likely to be four. We're only two, but we've +got the advantage of the ambush, and that's a big one. If you agree +with me, Mr. Mason, we'll wait here for 'em. We were sent out to take +messages, not to fight, but since these fellows hang on our trail we may +get to Colonel Hertford all the quicker because we do fight." + +"Your opinion's mine too, Sergeant. I'm not in love with battle, but I +wouldn't mind taking a shot or two at these men. They've given me a lot +of trouble." + +The sergeant smiled. + +"That's the way it goes," he said. "You don't get mad at anybody in +particular in a big battle, but if two or three fellows lay around in +the woods popping away at you you soon get so you lose any objections to +killing, and you draw a bead on 'em as soon as a chance comes." + +"That's the way I feel, Sergeant. It isn't Christian, but I suppose it +has some sort of excuse." + +"Of course it has. Drop a little lower, Mr. Mason. I see the bushes out +there shaking." + +"And that's the sign that Slade and his men have come. Well, I'm not +sorry." + +Both Dick and the sergeant lay almost flat with their heads raised a +little, and their rifles pushed forward. The bushes ceased to shake, +but Dick had no doubt their pursuers were before them. They had probably +divined, too, that the quarry was at bay and was dangerous. Evidently +the sergeant had been correct when he said Slade was full of craft and +cunning. + +While they waited the spirit of Dick's famous ancestor descended upon him +in a yet greater measure. Their pursuers were not Indians, but this was +the deep wilderness and they were merely on a skirt of the great war. +Many of the border conditions were reproduced, and they were to fight as +borderers fought. + +"What do you think they're doing?" Dick whispered. + +"Feeling around for us. Slade won't take any more risk than he has to. +Did you see those two birds fly away from that bough, sudden-like? +I think one of the men has just crept under it. But the fellow who +exposes himself first won't be Slade." + +Dick's inherited instinct was strong, and he watched not only in front, +but to right and left also. He knew that cunning men would seek to flank +and surprise them, and he noticed that the sergeant also watched in a +wide circle. He still drew tremendous comfort from the presence of the +skillful veteran, feeling that his aid would make the repulse of Slade a +certainty. + +A rifle cracked suddenly in the bushes to their right, and then another +by his side cracked so suddenly that only a second came between. Dick +heard a bullet whistle over their heads, but he believed that the one +from his comrade's rifle had struck true. + +"I've no way of telling just now," said the sergeant, calmly, "but I +don't believe that fellow will bother any more. If we can wing another +they're likely to let us alone and we can go on. They must know by +the trail that we're now two instead of one, and that their danger has +doubled." + +Dick had felt that the danger to their pursuers had more than doubled. +He had an immense admiration for the sergeant, who was surely showing +himself a host. The man, trained so long in border war, was thoroughly +in his element. His thick, powerful figure was drawn up in the fashion +of a panther about to spring. Bulky as he was he showed ease and grace, +and wary eyes, capable of reading every sign, continually scanned the +thickets. + +"They know just where we are, of course," whispered the sergeant, "but if +we stay close they'll never get a good shot at us." + +Dick caught sight of a head among some bushes and fired. The head +dropped back so quickly that he could not tell whether or not his bullet +sped true. After a long wait the sergeant suggested that they creep away. + +"I think they've had enough," he said. "They've certainly lost one man, +and maybe two. Slade won't care to risk much more." + +Dick was glad to go and, following the sergeant's lead, he crawled four +or five hundred yards, a most painful but necessary operation. Then they +stood up, and made good time through the forest. Both would have been +willing to stay and fight it out with Slade and what force he had left, +but their mission was calling them, and forward they went. + +"Do you think they'll follow us?" asked Dick. + +"I reckon they've had enough. They may try to curve ahead of us and give +warning, but the salute from the muzzles of our rifles has been too warm +for any more direct pursuit. Besides, we're going to have a summer storm +soon, and like as not they'll be hunting shelter." + +Dick, in the excitement of battle and flight, had not noticed the +darkening skies and the rising wind. Clouds, heavy and menacing, already +shrouded the whole west. Low thunder was heard far in the distance. + +"It's going to be a whopper," said the sergeant, "something like those +big storms they have out on the plains. We must find shelter somewhere, +Mr. Mason, or it will leave us so bedraggled and worn out that for a long +time we won't be able to move on." + +Dick agreed with him entirely, but neither yet knew where the shelter was +to be found. They hurried on, looking hopefully for a place. Meanwhile +the storm, its van a continual blaze of lightning and roar of thunder, +rolled up fast from the southwest. Then the lightning ceased for a while +and the skies were almost dark. Dick knew that the rain would come soon, +and, as he looked eagerly for shelter, he saw a clearing in which stood a +small building of logs. + +"A cornfield, Sergeant," he exclaimed, "and that I take it is a crib." + +"A crib that will soon house more than corn," said the sergeant. "Two +good Union soldiers are about to stop there. It's likely the farmer's +house itself is just beyond that line of trees, but he won't be coming +out to this crib to-night." + +"Not likely. Too much darkness and rain. Hurry, Sergeant, I can hear +already the rush of the rain in the forest." + +They ran across the field, burst open the door of the crib, leaped in and +banged the door shut again, just as the van of the rain beat upon it with +an angry rush. + +Save for a crack or two they had no light, but they stood upon a dry +floor covered deep with corn shucks, and heard the rain sweep and roar +upon the roof. On one side was a heap of husked corn which they quickly +piled against the door in order to hold it before the assaults of the +wind, and then they sought warm places among the shucks. + +It was a small crib, and the rain drove in at the cracks, but it +furnished abundant shelter for its two new guests. Dick had never been +in a finer hotel. He lay warm and dry in a great heap of shucks, and +heard the wind and rain beat vainly upon walls and roof and the thunder +rumble as it moved off toward the east. He felt to the full the power +of contrast. + +"Fine in here, isn't it, Sergeant?" he said. + +"Fine as silk," replied the sergeant from his own heap of shucks. +"We played in big luck to find this place, 'cause I think it's going to +rain hard all night." + +"Let it. It can't get me. Sergeant, I've always known that corn is our +chief staple, but I never knew before that the shucks, which so neatly +enclose the grains and cob, were such articles of luxury. I'm lying upon +the most magnificent bed in the United States, and it's composed wholly +of shucks." + +"It's no finer than mine, Mr. Mason." + +"That's so. Yours is just like mine, and, of course, it's an exception. +Now, I wish to say, Sergeant, the rain upon the roof is so soothing that +I'm likely to go to sleep before I know it." + +"Go ahead, Mr. Mason, and it's more'n likely I'll follow. All trails +will be destroyed by the storm and nobody will think of looking here for +us to-night." + +Both soon slept soundly, and all through the night the rain beat upon the +roof. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A BOLD ATTACK + + +Dick was the first to awake. The sergeant had not slept the night before +at all, and, despite his enormous endurance, he was overpowered. Having +fallen once into slumber he remained there long. + +It was not yet morning and the rain was yet falling steadily. Its sweep +upon the roof was still so pleasant and soothing that Dick resolved to go +to sleep again, after he had looked about a little. He had grown used to +dusk and he could see just a little. The sergeant, buried all but his +head among the corn shucks, was breathing deeply and peacefully. + +He looked out at one of the cracks, but he saw only rain sweeping by in +misty sheets. The road that ran by the field was invisible. He gave +devout thanks that this tight little corn crib had put itself in their +way. Then he returned to his slumbers, and when he awoke again the +sergeant was sitting by one of the cracks smoothing his thick hair with a +small comb. + +"I always try to keep as neat as I can, Mr. Mason," he said, apologizing +for such weakness. "It gives you more courage, and if I get killed I +want to make a decent body. Here's your breakfast, sir. There's enough +left for the two of us, and I've divided it equally." + +Cold ham, bacon and crackers were laid out on clean shucks, and they ate +until nothing was left. It was now full daylight, and the rain was dying +away to a sprinkle. The farmer might come out at any time to his crib, +and they felt that they must be up and away. + +They bade farewell to their pleasant shelter of a night, and, after +pulling through the deep mud of the field, entered again the forest, +which was now soaking wet. + +"If Colonel Hertford is near where we reckon he is we ought to meet him +by nightfall," said Sergeant Whitley. + +"We're sure to reach him before then," said Dick joyously. + +"Colonel Hertford is a mighty good man, and if he says he's going to be +at a certain place at a certain time I reckon he'll be there, Mr. Mason." + +"And then we'll bring him back and join General Grant. What do you think +of our General, Sergeant?" + +Dick spoke with all the freedom then so prevalent in the American armies, +where officer and man were often on nearly a common footing, and the +sergeant replied with equal freedom. + +"General Grant hits and hammers, and I guess that's what war is," he +said. "On the plains we had a colonel who didn't know much about +tactics. He said the only way to put down hostile Indians was to find +'em, and beat 'em, and I guess that plan will work in any war, big or +little." + +"I heard before I left the army that Washington was getting scared, +afraid that he was taking too big a risk here in the heart of the +Confederacy, and that his operations might be checked by orders from the +capital." + +Sergeant Whitley smiled a wise smile. + +"We sergeants learn to know the officers," he said, "and I've had the +chance to look at General Grant a lot. He doesn't say much, but I guess +he's doing a powerful lot of thinking, while he's chawing on the end of +his cigar. You notice, Mr. Mason, that he takes risks." + +"He took a big one at Shiloh, and came mighty near being nipped." + +"But he wasn't nipped after all, and now, if I can judge by the signs, +he's going to take another chance here. I wouldn't be surprised if he +turned and marched away from the Mississippi, say toward Jackson." + +"But that wouldn't be taking Vicksburg." + +"No, but he might whip an army of the Johnnies coming to relieve +Vicksburg, and I've a sneaking idea that the General has another daring +thought in mind." + +"What is it, Sergeant?" + +"When he turns eastward he'll be away from the telegraph. Maybe he +doesn't want to receive any orders from the capital just now." + +"I believe you've hit it, Sergeant. At least I hope so, and anyway we +want to reach Colonel Hertford right away." + +Still following the map and also consulting their own judgment, they +advanced now at a good rate. But as they came into a more thickly +populated country they were compelled to be exceedingly wary. Once a +farmer insisted on questioning them, but they threatened him with their +rifles and then plunged into a wood, lest he bring a force in pursuit. + +In the afternoon, lying among some bushes, they saw a large Confederate +force, with four cannon, pass on the road toward Jackson. + +"Colonel Hertford might do them a lot of damage if he could fall on them +with his cavalry," said the sergeant thoughtfully. + +"So he could," said Dick, "but I imagine that General Grant wants the +colonel to come at once." + +They turned northward now and an hour later found numerous hoofprints in +a narrow road. + +"All these were made by well-shod horses," said the sergeant, after +examining the tracks critically. "Now, we've plenty of horseshoes and +the Johnnies haven't. That's one sign." + +"What's the other?" + +"I calculate that about six hundred men have passed here, and that's +pretty close to the number Colonel Hertford has, unless he's been in a +hot fight." + +"Good reasoning, Sergeant, and I'll add a third. Those men are riding +directly toward the place where, according to our maps and information, +we ought to meet Colonel Hertford." + +"All these things make me sure our men have passed here, Mr. Mason. +Suppose we follow on as hard as we can?" + +Cheered by the belief that they were approaching the end of their quest +they advanced at such a rate that the great trail rapidly grew fresher. + +"Their horses are tired now," said the sergeant, "and likely we're going +as fast as they are. They're our men sure. Look at this old canteen +that one of 'em has thrown away. It's the kind they make in the North. +He ought to have been punished for leaving such a sign." + +"I judge, Sergeant, from the looks of this road, that they can't now be +more than a mile away." + +"Less than that, Mr. Mason. When we reach the top of the hill yonder I +think we'll see 'em." + +The sergeant's judgment was vindicated again. From the crest they saw a +numerous body of muddy horsemen riding slowly ahead. Only the brilliant +sunlight made their uniforms distinguishable, but they were, beyond a +doubt, the troops of the Union. Dick uttered a little cry of joy and the +sergeant's face glowed. + +"We've found 'em," said the sergeant. + +"And soon we ride," said Dick. + +They hurried forward, shouted and waved their rifles. + +The column stopped, and two men, one of whom was Colonel Hertford himself, +rode back, looking curiously at the haggard and stained faces of the two +who walked forward, still swinging their rifles. + +"Colonel Hertford," said Dick joyfully, "we've come with a message for +you from General Grant." + +"And who may you be?" asked Hertford in surprise. + +"Why, Colonel, don't you know me? I'm Lieutenant Richard Mason of +Colonel Winchester's regiment, and this is Sergeant Daniel Whitley of the +same regiment." + +The colonel broke into a hearty laugh, and then extended his hand to Dick. + +"I should have known your voice, my boy," he said, "but it's certainly +impossible to recognize any one who is as thickly covered with dry +Mississippi mud as you are. What's your news, Dick?" + +Dick told him and the sergeant repeated the same tale. He knew them both +to be absolutely trustworthy, and their coming on such an errand through +so many dangers carried its own proof. + +"We've several spare horses, bearing provisions and arms," said Colonel +Hertford. "Two can be unloaded and be made ready for you and the +sergeant. I fancy that you don't care to keep on walking, Dick?" + +"I've had enough to last me for years, Colonel." + +They were mounted in a few minutes, and rode with the colonel. The world +had now changed for Dick. Astride a good horse and in a column of six +hundred men he was no longer the hunted. These troopers and he were +hunters now. + +The column turned presently into another road and advanced with speed in +the direction of Grant. Colonel Hertford asked Dick many questions about +Slade. + +"I've been hearing of him since we were on this raid," he said. "He's +more of a guerilla than a regular soldier, but he may be able to gather a +considerable force. I wish we could cut him off." + +"So do I," said Dick, but his feeling was prompted chiefly by Slade's +determined attempts upon his life. + +Colonel Hertford now pushed forward his men. He, too, was filled with +ambitions. He began to have an idea of Grant's great plans, in which +all the Union leaders must cooperate, and he meant that his own little +command should be there, whenever the great deed, whatever it might be, +was done. He talked about it with Dick, who he knew was a trusted young +staff officer, and the two, the lad and the older man, fed the enthusiasm +of each other. + +This attack deep into the flank of the Confederacy appealed to them with +its boldness, and created a certain romantic glow that seemed to clothe +the efforts of a general so far from the great line of battle in the +East. They talked, too, of the navy which had run past forts on the +Mississippi, and which had shown anew all its ancient skill and courage. + +As they talked, twilight came, and the road led once more through the +deep woods, where the shade turned the twilight into the darkness of +night. Then rifles flashed suddenly in the thickets, and a half-dozen +horsemen fell. The whole column was thrown for an instant or two into +disorder, frightened horses rearing and stamping, and, before their +riders could regain control, another volley came, emptying a half-dozen +saddles. + +Colonel Hertford gave rapid commands. Then, shouting and waving his +saber he galloped boldly into the forest, reckless of trees and bushes, +and Dick, the sergeant, and the whole troop followed. The lad was nearly +swept from his horse by a bough, but he recovered himself in time to see +the figures of men on foot fleeing rapidly through the dusk. + +Bullets pattered on bark and leaves, and the angry horsemen, after +discharging their carbines, swept forward with circling sabers. But the +irregulars who had ambushed them, save a few fallen before the bullets, +escaped easily in the dense woods, and under cover of the darkness which +was now coming down, thick and fast. + +A trumpet sounded the recall and the cavalrymen, sore and angry, drew +back into the road. They had lost a dozen good men, but Colonel Hertford +felt that they could not delay for vengeance. Grant's orders were to +come at once; and he intended to obey them. + +"I'd wager a year's pay against a Confederate five-dollar note," said +Sergeant Whitley to Dick, "that the man who laid that ambush was Slade. +He'll keep watch on us all the way to Grant, and he'll tell the Southern +leaders everything the general is doing. Oh, he's a good scout and spy." + +"He's proved it," said Dick, "and I'd like to get a fair shot at him." + +They rode nearly all night and most of the next day, and, in the +afternoon, they met other men in blue who told them that a heavy Union +force was advancing. They had no doubt now that Grant's great plan was +already working and in a short time they reached McPherson, advancing +with Logan's division. Hertford reported at once to McPherson, who was +glad enough to have his cavalry, and who warmly praised Dick and the +sergeant for the dangerous service they had done so well. As it would +have been unwise for them to attempt to reach Grant then he kept them +with him in the march on Jackson. + +Dick slept that night under the stars, but thousands of Union men were +around him and he felt neither the weight of responsibility, nor the +presence of danger. He missed Warner and Pennington, but he and the +sergeant were happy. Beyond a doubt now Grant was going to strike hard, +and all the men were full of anticipation and hope. His force in +different divisions was advancing on Jackson, leaving Vicksburg behind +him and the Southern army under Pemberton on one side. + +Dick heard, too, that the redoubtable Joe Johnston was coming to take +command of the Southern garrison in Jackson, and a leader less bold than +Grant might have shrunk from such a circle of enemies, but Grant's own +courage increased the spirit of his men, and they were full of faith. + +"I expect they're alarmed in Washington," said the sergeant, as they +sat on their blankets. "There ain't any telegraph station nearer than +Memphis. They've heard in the capital that the general has begun to move +toward Jackson, but they won't know for days what will happen." + +"I don't blame the President for being disturbed," said Dick. "After all +the army is to serve the nation and fights under the supreme civilian +authority. The armies don't govern." + +"That's so, but there come times when the general who has to do the +fighting can judge best how it ought to be done." + +Dick lay down on one blanket and put another over him. It was well into +May, which meant hot weather in Mississippi, but, if he could, he always +protected himself at night. He was not a vain lad, but he felt proud +over his success. Hertford's six hundred horse were a welcome addition +to any army. + +He lay back soon with a knapsack as a pillow under his head and listened +to the noises of the camp, blended now into a rather musical note. +Several cooking fires still burned here and there and figures passed +before them. Dick observed them sleepily, taking no particular note, +until one, small and weazened, came. The figure was about fifty yards +away, and there was a Union cap instead of a great flap-brimmed hat on +the head, but Dick sprang to his feet at once, snatched a pistol from his +belt and rushed toward it. + +The evil figure melted away like a shadow, and two astonished soldiers +seized the youth, who seemed to be running amuck in the camp, pistol in +hand. + +"Let go!" exclaimed Dick. "I've seen a man whom I know to be a spy, +and a most dangerous one, too." + +They could find no trace of Slade. Dick returned crestfallen to his +blanket, but he recalled something now definitely and clearly. Slade +was the little man whom he had seen carrying the log the morning he left +General Grant's camp, on his mission. + +The sergeant, who had never stirred from his own blanket, sat up when +Dick returned. + +"Who was he, Mr. Mason?" he asked. + +"Slade himself. He must have seen me jump up, because he vanished like +a ghost. But I gained something. I know now that I saw him here in our +uniform just before I started to find Colonel Hertford. That was why I +was followed." + +"The cunning of an Indian. Well, we'll be on the watch for him now, +but I imagine he's already on the way to Jackson with the news of our +advance and an estimate of our numbers. We can't do anything to head him +off." + +On the second day after joining the column Dick was ahead with the +cavalry, riding beside Colonel Hertford, and listening to occasional +shots in their front on the Jackson road. Both believed they would soon +be in touch with the enemy. Sergeant Whitley, acting now as a scout, +had gone forward through a field and in a few minutes galloped back. + +"The enemy is not far away," he said. "They're posted along a creek, +with high banks and in a wood. They've got a strong artillery too, +and I think they about equal us in numbers." + +Dick carried the report to the commander of the column, and soon the +trumpets were calling the men to battle. The crackle of rifle shots +ahead increased rapidly. The skirmishers were already pulling trigger, +and, as Dick galloped back to Hertford he saw many puffs of white smoke +down the road and in the fields and woods on either side. The Union men +began to cheer. In the West they had suffered no such defeats as their +brethren in the East, and every pulse beat with confidence. As the whole +line moved forward the Southern cannon began to crash and their shells +swept the road. + +The cavalry were advancing in a field, but they were yet held back to +a slow walk. Dick heard many impatient exclamations, but he knew the +restraint was right. He saw the accuracy of the Southern gunners. +They were driving the Northern infantry from the road. Their fire was +rapid and deadly, and, for a while, the Union army was checked. + +Hertford was calmly examining the Southern position through his glasses, +while he restrained his eager men. The volume of Southern fire was +growing fast. Shells and shrapnel rained death over a wide area, and the +air was filled with whistling bullets. It was certain destruction for +any force to charge down the road in face of the Southern cannon, and the +Northern army began to spread out, wheeling toward either flank. + +An aide arrived with an order to Hertford, and then he loosed his eager +cavalry. Turning to one side they galloped toward the creek. Some of +the Southern gunners, seeing them, sent shells toward them, and a swarm +of riflemen in a wood showered them with bullets. But they passed so +rapidly that not many saddles were emptied, and the trumpeter blew a +mellow note that urged on spirits already willing enough. + +The sweep of the cavalry charge exhilarated Dick. The thought of danger +passed away for the moment. He saw all around him the eager faces of men, +and horses that seemed just as eager. Dust and dirt flew beneath the +thudding hoofs, and the dust and floating smoke together made a grimy +cloud through which they galloped. + +They passed around still further on the flank. They seemed, for a few +minutes, to be leaving the battle, which was now at its height, the +Southern artillery still holding the road and presenting an unbroken +front. + +Dick saw a flash of water and then the whole troop thundered into the +creek, almost without slackened rein. Up the bank they went, and with +a wild shout charged upon the Southern infantry. On the other flank +another Northern force which also had crossed the creek attacked with +fire and spirit. + +But the battle still swayed back and forth. Hertford and his cavalry +were thrown off, merely to return anew to the charge. A portion of +the Northern force was driven back on the creek. The strong Southern +batteries poured forth death. Dick felt that they might yet lose, +but they suddenly heard a tremendous cheer, and a fresh force coming up +at the double quick enabled them to sweep the field. Before sunset the +Southern army retreated toward Jackson, leaving the field to the men in +blue. + +Dick dismounted and, examining himself carefully, found that he had +suffered no wound. Colonel Hertford and the sergeant had also taken +no hurt. But the lad and his elder comrade secured but little rest. +They were bidden to ride across the country at once to General Sherman +with the news of the victory. Sherman was at the head of another column, +and Grant was farther away with the main body. + +Dick and the sergeant, with the battle smoke still in their eyes, were +eager for the service. + +"When you're with Grant you don't stay idle, that's certain," said Dick +as they rode across the darkening fields. + +"No, you don't," said the sergeant, "and I'm thinking that we've just +begun. I know from the feel of it that big things are going to happen +fast. Sheer away from the woods there, Mr. Mason. We don't want to be +picked off by sharpshooters." + +They arrived after dark in Sherman's camp and he received them himself. +Dick remembered how he had seen this thin, dry man holding fast with his +command at Shiloh, and he saluted him with the deepest respect. He knew +that here was a bold and tenacious spirit, kin to that of Grant. Sherman +had heard already of the battle, but he wished more and definite news. + +"You say that our victory was complete?" he asked tersely. + +"It was, sir," replied Dick. "The entire force of the enemy retired +rapidly toward Jackson, and our men are eager to advance on that city." + +"It would be a great stroke to take the capital of Mississippi," said +Sherman musingly. Then he added in his crisp manner: + +"Are you tired?" + +"Not if you wish me to do anything," replied Dick quickly. + +Sherman smiled. + +"The right spirit," he said. "I wish you and your comrade to ride at +once with this news to General Grant. He may hear it from other sources, +but I want to send a letter by you." + +In ten minutes Dick and the sergeant were riding proudly away on another +mission, and, passing through all the dangers of Southern scouts and +skirmishers, they reached General Grant, to whom they delivered the +letter from Sherman. Grant, who had recently been in doubt owing to the +threat of Pemberton on his flank, hesitated no longer when he heard of +the victory, and resolved at once upon the capture of Jackson. + +Dick, after his battle and two rides, went to sleep in a wagon, while an +orderly took his horse. When he awoke unknown hours afterward he found +that he was moving. He knew at once that the army was advancing. +Before him and behind him he heard all the noises of the march, the beat +of horses' hoofs, the grinding of wheels, the clanking of cannon, the +cracking of whips and the sounds of many voices. + +He was wonderfully comfortable where he lay and he had the satisfaction +and pride of much duty done. He felt that he was entitled to rest, and, +turning on his side, he went to sleep again. After another unknown time +his second awakening came and he remained awake. + +He quietly slipped out at the tail of the wagon, and stood for a few +moments, dazzled by the blazing sunlight. Then a loud, cheery voice +called out: + +"Well, if it isn't our own Lucky Dick come back again, safe and well to +the people to whom he belongs!" + +"If z equals Dick and y equals his presence then we have z plus y, +as Dick is certainly present," called out another voice not quite so loud, +but equally cheery. "Luck, Frank, is only a minor factor in life. +What we usually call luck is the result of foresight, skill and courage. +There are facts that I wouldn't have you to forget, even if it is a hot +day far down in Mississippi." + +Warner and Pennington sprang from their horses and greeted Dick warmly. +They had returned a day or two before from their own less perilous +errands, but they were in great anxiety about their comrade. They were +glad too, when they heard that the sergeant had joined him and that he +had come back safe. + +"I suppose it means a battle at Jackson," said Warner. "We're surely on +the move, and we're going to keep the Johnnies busy for quite a spell." + +"Looks like it," said Dick. + +Colonel Winchester came soon, and his face showed great relief when he +shook hands with Dick. + +"It was a dangerous errand, Dick, my lad," he said, "but I felt that you +would succeed and you have. It was highly important that we gather all +our forces for a great stroke." + +Dick resumed at once his old place in the Winchester regiment, with +Warner, Pennington and his other comrades around him. Refreshed by +abundant sleep and good food he was in the highest of spirits. They +were embarked upon a great adventure and he believed that it would be +successful. His confidence was shared by all those about him. Meanwhile +the army advanced in diverging columns upon the Mississippi capital. + +Jackson, on Pearl River, had suddenly assumed a vast importance in Dick's +mind, and yet it was but a tiny place, not more than three or four +thousand inhabitants. The South was almost wholly agricultural, and +cities, great in a political and military sense, were in reality but +towns. Richmond, itself the capital of the Confederacy, around which so +much centered, had only forty thousand people. + +The Winchester regiment was detached that afternoon and sent to join +the column under McPherson, which was expected to reach Jackson first. +Dick was mounted again, and he rode with Warner and Pennington on either +side of him. They speculated much on what they would find when they +approached Jackson. + +"If Joe Johnston is there," said Warner, "I think we'll have a hard +fight. You'll remember that he did great work against us in Virginia, +until he was wounded." + +"And they'll know, of course, just when to expect us and in what force," +said Dick. "Slade will tell them that. He probably has a large body of +spies and scouts working under him. But I don't think he'll come inside +our camp again." + +"Not likely since he's been recognized," said Warner, thoughtfully. +"But I don't think General Grant is afraid of anything ahead. That's why +he made the separation from our own world so complete, and our men are +out cutting down the telegraph lines, so the Johnnies in Jackson can't +communicate with their own government either. It's important to us that +we take Jackson before Pemberton with his army can come up." + +Warner had estimated the plan correctly. Grant, besides cutting +himself off from his own superiors at Washington, was also destroying +communication between the garrison of Jackson and Pemberton's army of +Vicksburg, which was not far away. The two united might beat him, +but he meant to defeat them separately, and then besiege Vicksburg. +It was a complicated plan, depending upon quickness, courage and +continued success. Yet the mind of Grant, though operating afterward +on fields of greater numbers, was never clearer or more vigorous. + +They went into camp again after dark, knowing that Jackson was but a +short distance away, and they expected to attack early in the morning. +Dick carried another dispatch to Sherman, who was only a little more than +two miles from them, and on his way back he joined Colonel Winchester, +who, with Warner, Pennington and a hundred infantry, had come out for a +scout. The dismounted men were chosen because they wished to beat up a +difficult piece of wooded country. + +They went directly toward Jackson, advancing very cautiously through the +forest, the mounted officers riding slowly. The night was hot and dark, +moon and stars obscured by drifting clouds. Pennington, who was an +expert on weather, announced that another storm was coming. + +"I can feel a dampness in the air," he said. "I'm willing to risk my +reputation as a prophet and say that the dawn will come with rain." + +"I hope it won't be a big rain," said Colonel Winchester, "because if it +is it will surely delay our attack. Our supply of cartridges is small, +and we can't risk wetting them." + +Pennington persisted that a storm was at hand. His father had taught him, +he said, always to observe the weather signs on the great Nebraska +plains. They were nearly always hoping for rain there, and he had +learned to smell it before it came. He could smell it now in the same +way here in Mississippi. + +His opinion did not waver, when the clouds floated away for a while, +disclosing a faint moon and a few stars. They were now on the banks of a +brook, flowing through the wood, and Colonel Winchester thought he saw +a movement in the forest beyond it. It was altogether likely that so +skillful a leader as Joe Johnston would have out bodies of scouts, +and he stopped, bidding his men to take cover. + +Dick sat on his horse by the colonel's side under the thick boughs of a +great tree, and studied the thickets before them. He, too, had noticed +a movement, and he was confident that the Southern sharpshooters were +there. At the command of the colonel all of the officers dismounted, +and orderlies took the horses to the rear. On foot they continued their +examination of the thickets, and the colonel sent for Sergeant Whitley, +who confirmed his opinion that the enemy was before them. At his +suggestion the Union force was spread out, lest it be flanked and +annihilated in the thickets. + +Just as the movement was completed rifles began to crack in front and on +both flanks, and the piercing yell of the South arose. + +It was impossible to tell the size of the force that assailed them, +but the Winchester men were veterans now, and they were not afraid. +Standing among the bushes or sheltered by the trees they held their fire +until they saw dusky figures in the thickets. + +It had all the aspects of an old Indian battle in the depths of the great +forest. Darkness, the ambush and the caution of sharpshooters were +there. Dick carried a rifle, but he did not use it. He merely watched +the pink beads of flame among the bushes, while he stayed by the side of +his colonel and observed the combat. + +It soon became apparent to him that it would have no definite result. +Each side was merely feeling out its foe that night, and would not force +the issue. Yet the Southern line approached and some bullets whistled +near him. He moved a little to one side, and watched for an enemy. +It was annoying to have bullets come so close, and since they were +shooting at him he might as well shoot at them. + +While he was absorbed in watching, the colonel moved in the other +direction, and Dick stood alone behind a bush. The fire in front had +increased somewhat, although at no time was it violent. Occasional shots +from his own side replied. The clouds that had drifted away were now +drifting back, and he believed that darkness alone would soon end the +combat. + +Then he saw a bush only a dozen yards in his front move a little, and a +face peered through its branches. There was yet enough light for him to +see that the face was youthful, eager and handsome. It was familiar, too, +and then with a shock he remembered. Woodville, the lad with whom he had +fought such a good fight, nature's weapons used, was before him. + +Dick raised his rifle. Young Woodville was an easy target. But the +motion was only a physical impulse. He knew in his heart that he had +no intention of shooting the young Southerner, and he did not feel the +slightest tinge of remorse because he evaded this part of a soldier's +work. + +Yet Woodville, seeing nobody and hearing nothing, would come on. Dick, +holding his rifle in the crook of his left arm, drew a pistol and fired +it over the lad's head. At the same moment he dropped almost flat upon +the ground. The bullet cut the leaves above Woodville and he sprang back, +startled. A half-dozen Southern skirmishers fired at the flash of Dick's +pistol, but he, too, lying on the ground, heard them cutting leaves over +his head. + +Dick saw the face of Woodville disappear from the bush, and then he crept +away, rejoining Colonel Winchester and his comrades. Five minutes later +the skirmish ceased by mutual consent, and each band fell back on its own +army, convinced that both were on the watch. + +They were to advance at four o'clock in the morning, but Pennington's +prediction came true. After midnight, flashes of lightning cut the sky +and the thunder rolled heavily. Then the rain came, not any fugitive +shower, but hard, cold and steady, promising to last many hours. + +It was still pouring when the advance began before dawn, but Grant's +plans were complete. He had drawn up his forces on the chessboard, +and they were converging closely upon Jackson. They must keep their +cartridges dry and advance at all costs. + +The Winchesters were in the van in a muddy road. Dick, Warner and +Pennington were in the saddle, and they were wet through and through. +The rain and dusk were so heavy that they could not see fifty feet, +and they shivered with cold. But their souls were eager and high, +and they were glad when the army toiled slowly forward to battle. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE LITTLE CAPITAL + + +Dick was bent down in his saddle, trying to protect himself a little from +the driving rain which beat in his eyes and soaked through his clothing. +Warner and Pennington beside him were in the same condition, and he saw +just before him the bent back of Colonel Winchester, with his left arm +raised as a shield for his face. Hoofs and wheels made a heavy, sticky +sound as they sank in the mud, and were then pulled out again. + +"Do you see any signs of daylight, Dick?" asked Pennington. + +"Not a sign. I see only a part of our regiment, trees on either side of +us bending before the wind, and rain, and mud, mud everywhere. I'll be +glad when it's over." + +"So will I," said Warner. "I wonder what kind of hotels they have in +Jackson. I'd like to have a bath, good room and a big breakfast." + +"The Johnnies are holding breakfast for you," said Pennington. "Their +first course is gunpowder, their second bullets, their third shells and +shrapnel, and their fourth bayonets." + +"They'll have to serve a lot at every course," said Dick, "because +General Grant is advancing with fifty thousand men, and so many need a +lot of satisfying." + +The storm increased in violence. The rain, falling in a deluge, was +driven by a wind like a hurricane. The horses strove to turn their heads +from it, and confusion arose among the cavalry. The infantry mixed in +the mud swore heavily. Staff officers had the utmost difficulty in +keeping the regiments together. It was time for the sun, but it did not +appear. Everything was veiled in clouds and driving rain. + +Dick looked at his watch, and saw that it was seven o'clock. They had +intended to attack at this hour, but further advance was impossible +for the time, and, bending their heads, they sought to protect their +ammunition. Presently they started again and toiled along slowly and +painfully for more than two hours. Then, just as they saw the enemy +ahead of them, the storm seemed to reach the very zenith of its fury. + +Dick, in the vanguard, beheld earthworks, cannon and troops before +Jackson, but the storm still drove so hard that the Union forces could +not advance to the assault. + +"This is certainly a most unusual situation," said Colonel Winchester, +with an effort at cheerfulness. "Here we are, ready to attack, and the +Southerners are ready to defend, but a storm holds us both fast in our +tracks. Our duty to protect our cartridges is even greater than our duty +to attack the enemy." + +"The biggest rain must come to an end," said Dick. + +But it was nearly noon before they could advance. Then, as the storm +decreased rapidly the trumpets sounded the charge, and horse, foot and +artillery, they pressed forward eagerly through the mud. + +The sun broke through the clouds, and Dick saw before them a wood, +a ravine full of thickets, and the road commanded by strong artillery. +The Northern skirmishers were already stealing forward through the wet +bushes and grass, and soon their rifles were crackling. But the Southern +sharpshooters in the thickets were in stronger force, and their rapid and +accurate fire drove back the Northern men. Then their artillery opened +and swept the road, while the Northern batteries were making frantic +efforts to get up through the deep, sticky mud. + +But the trumpets were still calling. The Winchester regiment and others, +eager for battle and victory, swept forward. Dick felt once more the +fierce thrill of combat, and, waving his revolver high above his head, +he shouted with the others as they rushed on. The stream of bullets from +the ravine thickened, and the cannon were crashing fast. But the Union +masses did not check their rush for an instant. Although many fell they +charged into the ravine, driving out the enemy, and pursued him on the +other side. + +But the Southern cannon, manned by daring gunners, still held the field +and, aided by the thick mud which held back charging feet, they repulsed +every attack. The Winchester regiment was forced to cover, and then Dick +heard the booming of cannon in another direction. He knew that Grant and +Sherman were coming up there, and he expected they would rush at once +into Jackson, but it was a long time before the distant thunder came any +nearer. + +Johnston, whose astuteness they feared, was proving himself worthy of +their opinion. Knowing that his forces were far too small to defend +Jackson, he had sent away the archives of the state and most of the army. +Only a small force and seventeen cannon were left to fight and cover his +retreat. But so bold and skillful were they that it was far beyond noon +before Grant and Sherman found that practically nothing was in front of +them. + +But where Dick and his comrades rode the fighting was severe for a while. +Then everything seemed to melt away before them. The fire of the +Southern cannon ceased suddenly, and Colonel Winchester exclaimed that +their works had been abandoned. They charged forward, seized the cannon, +and now rode without resistance into the capital of the state, from which +the President of the Confederacy hailed, though by birth a Kentuckian. + +Dick and his comrades were among the first to enter the town, and not +until then did they know that Johnston and all but a few hundreds of his +army were gone. + +"We've got the shell only," Dick said. + +"Still we've struck a blow by taking the capital of the state," said +Colonel Winchester. + +Dick looked with much curiosity at the little city into which they were +riding as conquerors. It was too small and new to be imposing. Yet +there were some handsome houses, standing back on large lawns, and +surrounded by foliage. The doors and shutters of all of them were closed +tightly. Dick knew that their owners had gone away or were sitting, +hearts full of bitterness, in their sealed houses. + +The streets were deep in mud, and at the corners little knots of negroes +gathered and looked at them curiously. + +"They don't seem to welcome us as deliverers," said Warner. + +"They don't yet know what to think of us," said Dick. "There's the +Capitol ahead of us, and some of our troops are going into it." + +"Others have gone into it already," said Pennington. "Look!" + +They saw the flag of the Union break out above its dome, the beautiful +stars and stripes, waving gently in the light breeze. A spontaneous +cheer burst from the Union soldiers, and the bitter hearts in the sealed +houses grew more bitter. + +The army was now pouring in by every road and Colonel Winchester and his +staff sought quarters. They were on the verge of exhaustion. All their +clothing was wet and they were discolored with mud. They felt that they +were bound to have rest and cleanliness. + +The victorious troops were making their camp, wherever they could find +dry ground, and soon they were building the fires for cooking. But many +of the officers were assigned to the residences, and Colonel Winchester +and his staff were directed by the general to take quarters in a large +colonial house, standing on a broad lawn, amid the finest magnolias and +live oaks that Dick had ever seen. + +Remembering an earlier experience during the Shiloh campaign Colonel +Winchester and his young officers approached the house with some +reluctance. In ordinary times it must have been brilliant with life. +Two little fountains were playing on either side of the graveled walk +that led to the front door. After the old fashion, three or four marble +statues stood in the shrubbery. Everything indicated wealth. Probably +the town house of a great planter, reflected Dick. In Mississippi a man +sometimes owned as many as a thousand slaves, and lived like a prince. + +The house offered them no welcome. Its doors and windows were closed, +but Dick had seen thin smoke rising from a chimney in the rear. He +expected that they would have to force the door, but at the first knock +it was thrown open by a tall, thin woman of middle years. The look +she gave them was full of bitter hatred--Dick sometimes thought that +women could hate better than men--but her manner and bearing showed +distinction. He, as well as his comrades, took her to be the lady of the +house. + +"We ask your pardon, madame, for this intrusion," said Colonel Winchester, +"but we are compelled to occupy your house a while. We promise you as +little trouble as possible." + +"We ask no consideration of any kind from men who have come to despoil +our country and ruin its people," she said icily. + +Colonel Winchester flushed. + +"But madame," he protested, "we do not come to destroy." + +"I do not care to argue with you about it," she said in the same lofty +tone, "and also you need not address me as madame. I am Miss Woodville." + +Dick started. + +"Does this house belong to Colonel John Woodville?" he asked. + +"It does not," she replied crisply, "but it belongs to his elder brother, +Charles Woodville, who is also a colonel, and who is my father. What do +you know of Colonel John Woodville?" + +"I met his son once," replied Dick briefly. + +She glanced at him sharply. Dick thought for a moment that he saw alarm +in her look, but he concluded that it was only anger. + +They stood confronting each other, the little group of officers and the +woman, and Colonel Winchester, embarrassed, but knowing that he must do +something, went forward and pushed back a door opening into the hall. +Dick automatically followed him, and then stepped back, startled. + +A roar like that of a lion met them. An old man, with a high, bald and +extremely red forehead lay in a huge bed by a window. It was a great +head, and eyes, set deep, blazed under thick, white lashes. His body was +covered to the chin. + +Dick saw that the man's anger was that of the caged wild beast, and there +was something splendid and terrible about it. + +"You infernal Yankees!" he cried, and his voice again rumbled like that +of a lion. + +"Colonel Charles Woodville, I presume?" said Colonel Winchester politely. + +"Yes, Colonel Charles Woodville," thundered the man, "fastened here in +bed by a bullet from one of your cursed vessels in the Mississippi, +while you rob and destroy!" + +And then he began to curse. He drew one hand from under the cover and +shook his clenched fist at them in a kind of rhythmic beat while the +oaths poured forth. To Dick it was not common swearing. There was +nothing coarse and vulgar about it. It was denunciation, malediction, +fulmination, anathema. It had a certain majesty and dignity. Its +richness and variety were unequaled, and it was hurled forth by a voice +deep, powerful and enduring. + +Dick listened with amazement and then admiration. He had never heard its +like, nor did he feel any offense. The daughter, too, stood by, pursing +her prim lips, and evidently approving. Colonel Winchester was +motionless like a statue, while the infuriated man shook his fist at him +and launched imprecations. But his face had turned white and Dick saw +that he was fiercely angry. + +When the old man ceased at last from exhaustion Colonel Winchester said +quietly: + +"If you had spoken to me in the proper manner we might have gone away and +found quarters elsewhere. But we intend to stay here and we will repay +your abuse with good manners." + +Dick saw the daughter flush, but the old man said: + +"Then it will be the first time that good manners were ever brought from +the country north of the Mason and Dixon line." + +Colonel Winchester flushed in his turn, but made no direct reply. + +"If you will assign us rooms, Miss Woodville," he said, "we will go +to them, otherwise we'll find them for ourselves, which may be less +convenient for you. I repeat that we desire to give you as little +trouble as possible." + +"Do so, Margaret," interrupted Colonel Woodville, "because then I may get +rid of them all the sooner." + +Colonel Winchester bowed and turned toward the door. Miss Woodville, +obedient to the command of her father, led the way. Dick was the last +to go out, and he said to the old lion who lay wounded in the bed: + +"Colonel Woodville, I've met your nephew, Victor." + +He did not notice that the old man whitened and that the hand now lying +upon the cover clenched suddenly. + +"You have?" growled Colonel Woodville, "and how does it happen that you +and my nephew have anything in common?" + +"I could scarcely put it that way," replied Dick, refusing to be angered, +"unless you call an encounter with fists something in common. He and I +had a great fight at his father's plantation of Bellevue." + +"He might have been in a better business, taking part in a common brawl +with a common Yankee." + +"But, sir, while I may be common, I'm not a Yankee. I was born and grew +up south of the Ohio River in Kentucky." + +"Then you're a traitor. All you Kentuckians ought to be fighting with +us." + +"Difference of opinion, but I hope your nephew is well." + +The deep eyes under the thick white thatch glared in a manner that Dick +considered wholly unnecessary. But Colonel Woodville made no reply, +merely turning his face to the wall as if he were weary. + +Dick hurried into the hall, closing the door gently behind him. The +others, not missing him, were already some yards away, and he quickly +rejoined Pennington and Warner. The younger men would have been glad +to leave the house, but Colonel Winchester's blood was up, and he was +resolved to stay. The little party was eight in number, and they were +soon quartered in four rooms on the lower floor. Miss Woodville promptly +disappeared, and one of the camp cooks arrived with supplies, which he +took to the kitchen. + +Dick and Warner were in one of the rooms, and, removing their belts and +coats, they made themselves easy. It was a large bedroom with high +ceilings and wicker furniture. There were several good paintings on the +walls and a bookcase contained Walter Scott's novels and many of the +eighteenth century classics. + +"I think this must have been a guest chamber," said Dick, "but for us +coming from the rain and mud it's a real palace." + +"Then it's fulfilling its true function," said Warner, "because it has +guests now. What a strange household! Did you ever see such a peppery +pair as that swearing old colonel and his acid daughter?" + +"I don't know that I blame them. I think, sometimes, George, that +you New Englanders are the most selfish of people. You're too truly +righteous. You're always denouncing the faults of others, but you never +see any of your own. Away back in the Revolution when Boston called, +the Southern provinces came to her help, but Boston and New England have +spent a large part of their time since then denouncing the South." + +"What's struck you, Dick? Are you weakening in the good cause?" + +"Not for a moment. But suppose Mississippi troops walked into your own +father's house in Vermont, and, as conquerors, demanded food and shelter! +Would you rejoice over them, and ask them why they hadn't come sooner?" + +"I suppose not, Dick. But, stop it, and come back to your normal +temperature. I won't quarrel with you." + +"I won't give you a chance, George. I'm through. But remember that +while I'm red hot for the Union, I was born south of the Ohio River +myself, and I have lots of sympathy for the people against whom I'm +fighting." + +"For the matter of that, so've I, Dick, and I was born north of the Ohio +River. But I'm getting tremendously hungry. I hope that cook will +hurry." + +They were called soon, and eight officers sat at the table. The cook +himself served them. Miss Woodville had vanished, and not a servant was +visible about the great house. Despite their hunger and the good quality +of the food the group felt constraint. The feeling that they were +intruders, in a sense brigands, was forced upon them. Dick was sure +that the old man with the great bald head was swearing fiercely and +incessantly under his breath. + +The dining-room was a large and splendid apartment, and the silver still +lay upon the great mahogany sideboard. The little city, now the camp +of an overwhelming army, had settled into silence, and the twilight was +coming. + +With the chill of unwelcome still upon them the officers said little. +As the twilight deepened Warner lighted several candles. The silver +glittered under the flame. Colonel Winchester presently ordered the cook +to take a plate of the most delicate food to Colonel Woodville. + +As the cook withdrew on his mission he left open the door of the +dining-room and they heard the sound of a voice, uplifted in a thunderous +roar. The cook hurried back, the untouched plate in his hand and his +face a little pale. + +"He cursed me, sir," he said to Colonel Winchester. "I was never cursed +so before by anybody. He said he would not touch the food. He was sure +that it had been poisoned by the Yankees, and even if it were not he'd +rather die than accept anything from their hands." + +Colonel Winchester laughed rather awkwardly. + +"At any rate, we've tendered our good offices," he said. "I suppose his +daughter will attend to his wants, and we'll not expose ourselves to +further insults." + +But the refusal had affected the spirits of them all, and as soon as +their hunger was satisfied they withdrew. The soldier who had acted as +cook was directed to put the dining-room back in order and then he might +sleep in a room near the kitchen. + +Dick and Warner returned to their own apartment. Neither had much to say, +and Warner, lying down on the bed, was soon fast asleep. Dick sat by the +window. The town was now almost lost in the obscurity. The exhausted +army slept, and the occasional glitter from the bayonet of a sentinel was +almost the only thing that told of its presence. + +Dick was troubled. In spite of will and reason, his conscience hurt him. +Theory was beautiful, but it was often shivered by practice. His +sympathies were strongly with the old colonel who had cursed him so +violently and the grim old maid who had given them only harsh words. +Besides, he had pleasant memories of Victor Woodville, and these were his +uncle and cousin. + +He sat for a long time at the window. The house was absolutely quiet, +and he was sure that everybody was asleep. There could be no doubt about +Warner, because he slumbered audibly. But Dick was still wide awake. +There was some tension of mind or muscle that kept sleep far from him. +So he remained at the window, casting up the events of the day and those +that might come. + +The evening was well advanced when he was quite sure that he heard a +light step in the hall. He would have paid little attention to it at +an ordinary time, but, in all that silence and desolation, it called +him like a drum-beat. Only a light step, and yet it filled him with +suspicion and alarm. He was in the heart of a great and victorious +Union army, but at the moment he felt that anything could happen in this +strange house. + +Slipping his pistol from his belt, he opened the door on noiseless hinges +and stepped into the hall. A figure was disappearing in its dim space, +but, as he saw clearly, it was that of a woman. He was sure that it was +Miss Woodville and he stepped forward. He had no intention of following +her, but his foot creaked on the floor, and, stopping instantly, she +faced about. Then he saw that she carried a tray of food. + +"Are we to have our house occupied and to be spied upon also?" she asked. + +Dick flushed. Few people had ever spoken to him in such a manner, +and it was hard to remember that she was a woman. + +"I heard a footstep in the hall, and it was my duty to see who was +passing," he said. + +"I have prepared food and I am taking it to my father. He would not +accept it from Yankee hands." + +"Colonel Woodville sups late. I should think a wounded man would be +asleep at this hour, if he could." + +She gave him a glance full of venom. + +"What does it matter?" she said. + +Dick refused to be insulted. + +"Let me take the tray for you," he said, "at least to the door. Your +father need not know that my hands have touched it." + +She shrank back and her eyes blazed. + +"Let us alone!" she exclaimed. "Go back to your room! Isn't it +sufficient that this house shelters you?" + +She seemed to Dick to show a heat and hate out of all proportion to the +occasion, but he did not repeat the offer. + +"I meant well," he said, "but, since you do not care for my help, I'll +return to my room and go to sleep. Believe me, I'm sincere when I say I +hope your father will recover quickly from his wound." + +"He will," she replied briefly. + +Dick bowed with politeness and turned toward his own room. Nevertheless +his curiosity did not keep him from standing a moment or two in the +dark against the wall and looking back at the woman who bore the tray. +He drew a long breath of astonishment when he saw her pass Colonel +Woodville's door, and hurry forward now with footsteps that made no sound. + +The suspicion which had lain deep in his mind sprang at once into life. +Keeping close to the wall, he followed swiftly and saw her disappear up a +stairway. There he let the pursuit end and returned thoughtfully to his +room. + +Dick was much troubled. An ethical question had presented itself to him. +He believed that he had divined everything. The solution had come to him +with such suddenness and force that he was as fully convinced as if he +had seen with his own eyes. Military duty demanded that he invade the +second floor of the Woodville house. But there were feelings of humanity +and mercy, moral issues not less powerful than military duty, and maybe +more so. + +He was pulled back and forth with great mental violence. He was sorry +that he had seen Miss Woodville with the tray. And then he wasn't. +Nevertheless, he stayed in his own room, and Warner, waking for a moment, +regarded him with wonder as he sat outlined against the window which they +had left unshuttered and opened to admit air. + +"What's the matter, Dick? Have you got a fever?" he asked. "Why haven't +you gone to bed?" + +"I'm going to do so right away. Don't bother yourself about me, George. +My nerves have been strained pretty hard, and I had to wait until they +were quiet until I could go to sleep." + +"Don't have nerves," said Warner, as he turned back on his side and +returned to slumber. + +Dick undressed and got into bed. It was the first time in many nights +that he had not slept in his clothes, and beds had been unknown for many +weeks. It was a luxury so penetrating and powerful that it affected +him like an opiate. Such questions as military and moral duty floated +swiftly away, and he slept the sleep of youth and a good heart. + +Breakfast was almost a repetition of supper. The army cook prepared and +served it, and the Woodvilles remained invisible. Colonel Winchester +informed the young officers that they would remain in Jackson two or +three days, and then great events might be expected. All felt sure +that he was predicting aright. Pemberton must be approaching with the +Vicksburg army. The wary and skillful Johnston had another army, and he +could not be far away. Moreover, this was the heart of the Confederacy +and other unknown forces might be gathering. + +They felt the greatness of the hour, Grant's daring stroke, and the +possibility that he might yet be surrounded and overwhelmed. Their minds +were attuned, too, to other and yet mightier deeds, but they were glad, +nevertheless, of a little rest. The Woodville house was a splendid place, +and in the morning they did not feel so much the chill of embarrassment +that had been created for them the night before. + +Dick went straight to the room of Colonel Woodville, opened the door +without knocking, and closed it behind him quickly but noiselessly. + +The colonel was propped up in his bed and a tray bearing light and +delicate food lay on a chair. His daughter stood beside the bed, +speechless with anger at this intrusion. Dick lifted his hand, and the +look upon his face checked one of the mightiest oaths that had ever +welled up from the throat of Colonel Charles Woodville, king of swearers. + +"Stop!" said Dick in a voice not loud, but sharp with command. + +"Can't we at least have privacy in the room of an old and wounded man?" +asked Miss Woodville. + +"You can hereafter," replied Dick quietly. "I shall not come again, +but I tell you now to get him out of the house to-night, unless he's too +badly hurt to be moved." + +"Why should my father be taken away?" demanded Miss Woodville. + +"I'm not speaking of your father." + +"Of whom, then?" + +Dick did not answer, but he met her gaze steadily, and her face fell. +Then he turned, walked out of the room without a word, and again closed +the door behind him. When he went out on the piazza he saw excitement +among his comrades. The moment for great action was coming even sooner +than Colonel Winchester had expected. + +"Johnston is communicating with Pemberton," said Warner, "and he has +ordered Pemberton to unite with him. Then they will attack us. He sent +the same order by three messengers, but one of them was in reality a spy +of ours, and he came straight to General Grant with it. We're forewarned, +and the trap can't shut down on us, because General Grant means to go at +once for Pemberton." + +Dick understood the situation, which was both critical and thrilling. +Grant was still in the heart of the Confederacy, and its forces were +converging fast upon him. But the grim and silent man, instead of merely +trying to escape, intended to strike a blow that would make escape +unnecessary. All the young officers saw the plan and their hearts leaped. + +Dick, in the excitement of the day, forgot about the Woodville house and +its inmates. Troops were already marching out of Jackson to meet the +enemy, but the Winchester regiment would not leave until early the next +morning. They were to spend a second night, or at least a part of it, +in Colonel Woodville's house. + +It was the same group that ate supper there and the same army cook served +them. They did not go to the bedrooms afterward, but strolled about, +belted, expecting to receive the marching call at any moment. + +Dick went into the library, where a single candle burned, and while +he was there Miss Woodville appeared at the door and beckoned to him. +She had abated her severity of manner so much that he was astonished, +but he followed without a word. + +She saw that the hall was clear and then she led quickly into her +father's room. Colonel Woodville was propped up against the pillows, +and there was color in his face. + +"Young man," he said, "come here. You can afford to obey me, although +I'm a prisoner, because I'm so much older than you are. You have a heart +and breeding, young sir, and I wish to shake your hand." + +He thrust a large hand from the cover, and Dick shook it warmly. + +"I wouldn't have shaken it if you had been born north of the Ohio River," +said Colonel Woodville. + +Dick laughed. + +"My chief purpose in having you brought here," said Colonel Woodville, +"was to relate to you an incident, of which I heard once. Did I read +about it, or was it told to me, Margaret?" + +"I think, sir, that some one told you of it." + +"Ah, well, it doesn't matter. A few words will tell it. In an old, +forgotten war a young soldier quartered in the house of his defeated +enemy--but defeated only for the time, remember--saw something which made +him believe that a wounded nephew of the house was hid in an upper room. +But he was generous and he did not search further. The second night, +while the young officer and his comrades were at supper, the nephew, +who was not hurt badly, was slipped out of the house and escaped from the +city in the darkness. It's not apropos of anything, and I don't know why +I'm relating it to you, but I suppose this terrible war we are fighting +is responsible for an old man's whim." + +"I've found it very interesting, sir," said Dick, "and I think it's +relevant, because it shows that even in war men may remain Christian +human beings." + +"Perhaps you're right, and I trust, young sir, that you will not be +killed in this defeat to which you are surely marching." + +Dick bowed to both, and left them to their fears and hopes. The glow was +still about his heart when he rode forth with the Winchester regiment +after midnight. But, owing to the need of horses for the regular cavalry, +it had become an infantry regiment once more. Only the officers rode. + +At dawn they were with Grant approaching a ridge called Champion Hill. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +CHAMPION HILL + + +Dick on that momentous morning did not appreciate the full magnitude of +the event about to occur, nor did he until long afterward. He knew it +was of high importance, and yet it might have ranked as one of the +decisive battles of history. There were no such numbers as at Shiloh +and Chancellorsville, but the results were infinitely greater. + +Nor was it likely that such thoughts would float through the head of a +lad who had ridden far, and who at dawn was looking for an enemy. + +The scouts had already brought word that the Southerners were in strong +force, and that they occupied Champion Hill, the crest of which was bare, +but with sides dark with forests and thickets. They were riding at +present through forests themselves, and they felt that their ignorance +of the country might take them at any moment into an ambush. + +"We know what army we're going against, don't we?" asked Pennington. + +"Why, Pemberton's, of course," replied Dick. + +"I'm glad of that. I'd rather fight him than Joe Johnston." + +"They've been trying to unite, but we hear they haven't succeeded." + +Pemberton, in truth, had been suffering from the most painful doubt. +Having failed to do what Johnston had expected of him, he had got himself +into a more dangerous position than ever. Then, after listening to a +divided council of his generals, he had undertaken a movement which +brought him within striking distance of Grant, while Johnston was yet too +far away to help him. + +Dick did not know how much fortune was favoring the daring that morning, +but he and his comrades were sanguine. They felt all the time the +strong hand over them. Like the soldiers, they had acquired the utmost +confidence in Grant. He might make mistakes, but he would not doubt and +hesitate and draw back. Where he led the enemy could not win anything +without having to fight hard for it. + +The early summer dawn had deepened, bright and hot, and the sun was now +clear of the trees, turning the green of the forests to gold. Coffee and +warm food were served to them during a momentary stop among the trees, +and then the Winchester regiment moved forward again toward Champion Hill. + +Rifle shots were now heard ahead of them. They were scattered, but the +lads knew that the hostile skirmishers had come in contact. Presently +the reports increased and through the woods they saw puffs of smoke. +Trumpets to right and left were calling up the brigades. + +"Open up for the guns!" cried an aide, and a battery lumbered through, +the men swearing at their panting horses. But the Southern cannon were +already at work. From the bare crest of Champion Hill they were sending +shells which crashed in the ranks of the advancing foe. Two or three +of the Winchesters were hit, and a wounded horse, losing its rider, ran +screaming through the wood. + +The forest and thickets now grew so dense that the officers dismounted, +giving their horses to an orderly, and led on foot. The country before +them was most difficult. Besides the trees and brush it was seared with +ravines. A swarm of skirmishers in front whom they could not see now +poured bullets among them, and the shells, curving over the heads of the +ambushed sharpshooters, fell in the Union ranks. On either flank the +battle opened and swelled rapidly. + +"We may have got Pemberton trapped," said Pennington, "but he's got so +many bristles that we can't reach in a hand and pull out our captive. +My God, Dick, are you killed?" + +He was pulling Dick to his feet and examining him anxiously. + +"I'm all right," said Dick in a moment. "It was the wind of a big round +shot that knocked me down. Just now I'm thanking God it was the wind and +not the shot." + +"I wish we could get through these thickets!" exclaimed Warner. "Our +comrades must be engaged much more heavily than we are. What an uproar!" + +The combat swelled to great proportions. The Southern army, being +compelled to fight, fought now with all its might. The crest of the long +hill blazed with fire. The men in gray used every advantage of position. +Cannon and rifles raked the woods and thickets, and at many points the +Union attack was driven back. The sun rose slowly and they still held +the hill, fighting with all the fire and valor characteristic of the +South. They were cheered at times by the expectation of victory, but the +stubborn Grant brought up his remaining forces and continually pressed +the battle. + +The Winchester regiment crossed a ravine and knelt among the thickets. +Its losses had not yet been heavy, as most of the cannon fire was passing +over their heads. Grape and canister were whistling among the woods, +and Dick was devoutly grateful that these deadly missiles were going so +high. Yet if they did not hurt they made one shiver, and it was not +worth while to recall that when he heard the sound the shot had passed +already. One shivered anyhow. + +As well as Dick could judge from the volume of sound the battle seemed to +be concentrated directly upon the hill. He knew that Grant expected to +make a general attack in full force, and he surmised that one of the +commanders under him was not pushing forward with the expected zeal. +His surmise was correct. A general with fifteen thousand men was +standing almost passive in front of a much smaller force, but other +generals were showing great fire and energy. + +The Winchester regiment contained many excellent riflemen and they were +so close now that they could use the weapons for which the Kentuckians +were famous. Firing deliberately, they began to cut gaps in the first +ranks of the defenders on the slope. Then they rose and with other +regiments pushed forward again. + +But they came to a road in the side of the hill defended powerfully by +infantry and artillery, and a heavy fire, killing and wounding many, +was poured upon them. They sought to cross the road and attack the +defenders with the bayonet, but they were driven back and their losses +were so heavy that they were compelled to take cover in the nearest +thickets. + +The men, gasping with heat and exhaustion, threw themselves down, a sleet +of shells and bullets passing over their heads. Dick had a sense of +failure, but it lasted only a moment or two. From both left and right +came the fierce crash of battle, and he knew that, if they had been +driven back before the road, their comrades were maintaining the combat +elsewhere. + +"It's merely a delay. We pause to make a stronger attack," said Colonel +Winchester, as if he were apologizing to himself. "Are you all right, +Dick?" + +"Unhurt, sir, and so are Warner and Pennington, who are lying here beside +me." + +"Unhurt, but uneasy," said Warner. "I don't like the way twigs and +leaves are raining down on me. It shows that if they were to depress +their fire they would be shearing limbs off of us instead of boughs off +the trees." + +The sun was high and brilliant now, but it could not dispel the clouds of +smoke gathering in the thickets. It floated everywhere, and Dick felt +it stinging his mouth and throat. Murmurs began to run along the lines. +They did not like being held there. They wanted to charge again. +They were still confident of victory. + +Dick was sent toward another part of the army for orders, and he saw that +all along the hill the battle was raging fiercely. But Grant could not +yet hear the roar of guns which should indicate the advance of McClernand +and his fifteen thousand. The silent leader was filled with anger, +but he reserved the expression of it for a later time. + +Dick saw the fiery and impetuous Logan, noticeable for his long +coal-black hair, lead a headlong and successful charge, which carried the +Union troops higher up the hill. But another general was driven back, +losing cannon, although he retook them in a second and desperate charge. +Still no news from McClernand and his fifteen thousand! There was +silence where his guns ought to have been thundering, and Grant burned +with silent anger. + +It was noon, and a half-hour past. The Union plans, made with so much +care and judgment, and the movements begun with so much skill and daring +seemed to be going awry. Yet Grant with the tenacity, rather than +lightning intuition, that made him a great general, held on. His +lieutenants clung to their ground and prepared anew for attack. + +Dick hurried back to his own regiment, which was still lying in the +thickets, bearing an order for its advance in full strength. Colonel +Winchester, who was standing erect, walking among his men and encouraging +them, received it with joy. Word was speedily passed to all that the +time to win or lose had come. Above the cannon and rifles the music of +the calling trumpets sounded. The fire of both sides suddenly doubled +and tripled in volume. + +"Now, boys," shouted Colonel Winchester, waving his sword, "up the hill +and beat 'em!" + +Uttering a deep-throated roar the Winchesters rushed forward, firing +as they charged. Dick was carried on the top wave of enthusiasm. He +discharged his pistol into the bank of fire and smoke in front of them +and shouted incessantly. He heard the bullets and every form of missile +from the cannon whining all about them. Leaves and twigs fell upon him. +Many men went down under the deadly fire, but the rush of the regiment +was not checked for an instant. + +They passed out of the thicket, swept across the road, and drove the +defenders up the hill. Along the whole line the Union army, fired with +the prospect of success, rushed to the attack. Grant threw every man +possible into the charge. + +The Southern army was borne back by the weight of its enemy. All of +the front lines were driven in and the divisions were cut apart. There +was lack of coordination among the generals, who were often unable to +communicate with one another, and Pemberton gave the order to retreat. +The battle was lost to the South, and with it the chance to crush Grant +between two forces. + +The Union army uttered a great shout of victory, and Grant urged forward +the pursuit. Bowen, one of the South's bravest generals, was the last to +give way. The Winchester regiment was a part of the force that followed +him, both fighting hard. Dick found himself with his comrades, wading a +creek, and they plunged into the woods and thickets which blazed with the +fire of South and North. A Confederate general was killed here, but the +brave Bowen still kept his division in order, and made the pursuit pay a +heavy cost for all its gain. + +Dick saw besides the Confederate column many irregulars in the woods, +skilled sharpshooters, who began to sting them on the flank and bring +down many a good soldier. He caught a glimpse of a man who was urging on +the riflemen and who seemed to be their leader. He recognized Slade, and, +without a moment's hesitation, fired at him with his pistol. But the man +was unhurt and Slade's return bullet clipped a lock of Dick's hair. + +Then they lost each other in the smoke and turmoil of the battle, and, +despite the energy of the pursuit by the Union leaders, they could not +break up the command of Bowen. The valiant Southerner not only made good +his retreat, but broke down behind him the bridge over a deep river, +thus saving for a time the fragments of Pemberton's army. + +The Winchester regiment marched back to the battlefield, and Dick saw +that the victory had been overwhelming. Nearly a third of the Southern +army had been lost and thirty cannon were the trophies of Grant. Yet the +fighting had been desperate. The dead and wounded were so numerous that +the veteran soldiers who had been at Shiloh and Stone River called it +"The Hill of Death." + +Dick saw Grant walking over the field and he wondered what his feelings +were. Although its full result was beyond him he knew, nevertheless, +that Champion Hill was a great victory. At one stroke of his sword Grant +had cut apart the circle of his foes. + +Dick came back from the pursuit with Colonel Winchester. He had lost +sight of Warner and Pennington in the turmoil, but he believed that they +would reappear unhurt. They had passed through so many battles now that +it did not occur to him that any of the three would be killed. They +might be wounded, of course, as they had been already, but fate would +play them no such scurvy trick as to slay them. + +"What will be the next step, Colonel?" asked Dick, as they stood together +upon the victorious hill. + +"Depends upon what Johnston and Pemberton do. Pemberton, I'm sure, +will retreat to Vicksburg, but Johnston, if he can prevent it, won't let +his army be shut up there. Still, they may not be able to communicate, +and if they should Pemberton may disobey the far abler Johnston and stay +in Vicksburg anyhow. At any rate, I think we're sure to march at once +on Vicksburg." + +A figure approaching in the dusk greeted Dick with a shout of delight. +Another just behind repeated the shout with equal fervor. Warner and +Pennington had come, unharmed as he had expected, and they were exultant +over the victory. + +"Come over here," said Warner to Dick. "Sergeant Whitley has cooked a +glorious supper and we're waiting for you." + +Dick joined them eagerly, and the sergeant received them with his +benevolent smile. They were commissioned officers, and he gave them all +the respect due to rank, but in his mind they were only his boys, whom +he must watch and protect. + +While the fires sprang up about them and they ate and talked of the +victory, Washington was knowing its darkest moments. Lee had already +been marching thirteen days toward Gettysburg, and he seemed unbeatable. +Grant, who had won for the North about all the real success of which it +could yet boast, was lost somewhere in the Southern wilderness. The +messages seeking him ran to the end of the telegraph wires and no answer +came back. The click of the key could not reach him. Many a spirit, +bold at most times, despaired of the Union. + +But the old and hackneyed saying about the darkest hour just before the +dawn was never more true. The flame of success was already lighted in +the far South, and Lincoln was soon to receive the message, telling him +that Grant had not disappeared in the wilderness for nothing. Thereafter +he was to trust the silent and tenacious general through everything. + +They were up and away at dawn. Dick was glad enough to leave the hill, +on which many of the dead yet lay unburied, and he was eager for the new +field of conflict, which he was sure would be before Vicksburg. Warner +and Pennington were as sanguine as he. Grant was now inspiring in them +the confidence that Lee and Jackson inspired in their young officers. + +"How big is this city of Vicksburg?" asked Pennington. + +"Not big at all," replied Warner. "There are no big cities in the South +except New Orleans, but it's big as a fortress. It's surrounded by +earthworks, Frank, from which the Johnnies can pot you any time." + +"Well, at any rate, I'll be glad to see it--from a safe distance. +I wouldn't mind sitting down before a town. There's too much wet country +around here to suit me." + +"It's likely that you'll have a chance to sit for a long time. We won't +take Vicksburg easily." + +But the time for sitting down had not yet come. The confidence of the +soldiers in their leader was justified continually. He advanced rapidly +toward Vicksburg, and in pursuit of Pemberton's defeated men. The +victory at Champion Hill had been so complete that the Southern army was +broken into detached fragments, and the Southern generals were now having +the greatest difficulty in getting them together again. + +Grant, with his loyal subordinate, Sherman, continued to push upon the +enemy with the greatest vigor. Sherman had not believed in the success +of the campaign, had even filed his written protest, but when Grant +insisted he had cooperated with skill and energy. He and Grant stood +together on a hill looking toward the future field of conflict, and he +told Grant now that he expected continued success. + +It was the fortune of the young officers of the Winchester regiment +sitting near on their horses to see the two generals who were in such +earnest consultation, and who examined the whole circle of the country +so long and so carefully through powerful glasses. + +The effects of the victory deep in the South were growing hourly in +Dick's mind, and the two figures standing there on the hill were full of +significance to him. He had a premonition that they were the men more +than any others who would achieve the success of the Union, if it were +achieved at all. They had dismounted and stood side by side, the figure +of Grant short, thick and sturdy, that of Sherman, taller and more +slender. They spoke only at intervals, and few words then, but nothing +in the country about them escaped their attention. + +Dick had glasses of his own, and he, too, began to look. He saw a region +much wooded and cut by deep streams. Before them lay the sluggish waters +of Chickasaw Bayou, where Sherman had sustained a severe defeat at an +earlier time, and farther away flowed the deep, muddy Yazoo. + +"See the smoke, George, rising above that line of trees along the river?" +said Dick. + +"Yes, Dick," replied Warner, "and I notice that the smoke rises in puffs." + +"It has a right to go up that way, because it's expelled violently from +the smoke-stacks of steamers. And those steamers are ours, George, +our warships. Our navy in this war hasn't much chance to do the +spectacular, but we can never give it enough credit." + +"That's right, Dick. It keeps the enemy surrounded and cuts off his +supplies, while our army fights him on land. Whatever happens the waters +are ours." + +"And the Mississippi has become a Union river, splitting apart the +Confederacy." + +"Right you are, Dick, and we're already in touch with our fleet there. +The boats do more than fight for us. They're unloading supplies in vast +quantities from Chickasaw Bayou. We'll have good food, blankets, tents +to shelter us from the rain, and unlimited ammunition to batter the +enemy's works." + +The investment of Vicksburg had been so rapid and complete that Johnston, +the man whom Grant had the most cause to fear, could not unite with +Pemberton, and he had retired toward Jackson, hoping to form a new army. +Only three days after Champion Hill Grant had drawn his semicircle of +steel around Vicksburg and its thirty thousand men, and the navy in the +rivers completed the dead line. + +Dick rode with Colonel Winchester and took the best view they could get +of Vicksburg, the little city which had suddenly become of such vast +military importance. + +Now and then on the long, lower course of the Mississippi, bluffs rise, +although at far intervals. Memphis stands on one group and hundreds of +miles south Vicksburg stands on another. The Vicksburg plateau runs +southward to the Big Bayou, which curves around them on the south and +east, and the eastern slope of the uplift has been cut and gulleyed by +many torrents. So strong has been the effect of the rushing water upon +the soft soil that these cuts have become deep winding ravines, often +with perpendicular banks. One of the ravines is ten miles long. Another +cuts the plateau itself for six miles, and a permanent stream flows +through it. + +The colonel and Dick saw everywhere rivers, brooks, bayous, hills, +marshes and thickets, the whole turned by the Southern engineers into +a vast and most difficult line of intrenchments. Grant now had forty +thousand men for the attack or siege, but he and his generals did not yet +know that most of the scattered Confederate army had gathered together +again, and was inside. They believed that Vicksburg was held by fifteen +thousand men at the utmost. + +"What do you think of it, Colonel?" asked Dick, as they sat horseback on +one of the highest hills. + +"It will be hard to take, despite the help of the navy. Did you ever see +another country cut up so much by nature and offering such natural help +to defenders?" + +"I've heard a lot of Vicksburg. I remember, Colonel, that, despite its +smallness, it is one of the great river towns of the South." + +"So it is, Dick. I was here once, when I was a boy before the Mexican +war. Down on the bar, the low place between the bluffs and the river, +was the dueling ground, and it was also the place for sudden fights. +It and Natchez, I suppose, were rivals for the wild and violent life of +the great river." + +"Well, sir, it has a bigger fight on its hands now than was ever dreamed +of by any of those men." + +"I think you're right, Dick, but the general means to attack at once. +We may carry it by storm." + +Dick looked again at the vast entanglement of creeks, bayous, ravines, +forests and thickets. Like other young officers, he had his opinion, +but he had the good sense to keep it to himself. He and the colonel +rejoined the regiment, and presently the trumpets were calling again for +battle. The men of Champion Hill, sanguine of success, marched straight +upon Vicksburg. All the officers of the Winchester regiment were +dismounted, as their portion of the line was too difficult for horses. + +Their advance, as at Champion Hill, was over ground wooded heavily and +they soon heard the reports of the rifles before them. Bullets began +to cut the leaves and twigs, carrying away the bushes, scarring the +trees and now and then taking human life. The Winchester men fired +whenever they saw an enemy, and with them it was largely an affair of +sharpshooters, but on both left and right the battle rolled more heavily. +The Southerners, behind their powerful fortifications at the heads of the +ravines and on the plateau, beat back every attack. + +Before long the trumpets sounded the recall and the short battle ceased. +Grant had discovered that he could not carry Vicksburg by a sudden rush +and he recoiled for a greater effort. He discovered, too, from the +resistance and the news brought later by his scouts that an army almost +as numerous as his own was in the town. + +The Winchester regiment made camp on a solid, dry piece of ground beyond +the range of the Southern works, and the men, veterans now, prepared for +their comfort. The comrades ate supper to the slow booming of great guns, +where the advanced cannon of either side engaged in desultory duel. + +The distant reports did not disturb Dick. They were rather soothing. +He was glad enough to rest after so much exertion and so much danger and +excitement. + +"I feel as if I were an empty shell," he said, "and I've got to wait +until nature comes along and fills up the shell again with a human being." + +"In my school in Vermont," said Warner, "they'd call that a considerable +abuse of metaphor, but all metaphors are fair in war. Besides, it's just +the way I feel, too. Do you think, Dick, we'll settle down to a regular +siege?" + +"Knowing General Grant as we do, not from what he tells us, since he +hasn't taken Pennington and you and me into his confidence as he ought to, +but from our observation of his works, I should say that he would soon +attack again in full force." + +"I agree with you, Knight of the Penetrating Mind, but meanwhile I'm +going to enjoy myself." + +"What do you mean, George?" + +"A mail has come through by means of the river, and my good father and +mother--God bless 'em--have sent me what they knew I would value most, +something which is at once an intellectual exercise, an entertainment, +and a consolation in bereavement." + +Dick and Pennington sat up. Warner's words were earnest and portentous. +Besides, they were very long, which indicated that he was not jesting. + +"Go ahead, George. Show us what it is!" said Dick eagerly. + +Warner drew from the inside pocket of his waist coat a worn volume which +he handled lovingly. + +"This," he said, "is the algebra, with which I won the highest honors in +our academy. I have missed it many and many a time since I came into +this war. It is filled with the most beautiful problems, Dick, questions +which will take many a good man a whole night to solve. When I think of +the joyous hours I've spent over it some of the tenderest chords in my +nature are touched." + +Pennington uttered a deep groan and buried his face in the grass. +Then he raised it again and said mournfully: + +"Let's make a solemn agreement, Dick, to watch over our poor comrade. +I always knew that something was wrong with his mind, although he means +well, and his heart is in the right place. As for me, as soon as I +finished my algebra I sold it, and took a solemn oath never to look +inside one again. That I call the finest proof of sanity anybody could +give. Oh, look at him, Dick! He's studying his blessed algebra and +doesn't hear a word I say!" + +Warner was buried deep in the pages of a plus b and x minus y, and Dick +and Pennington, rising solemnly, walked noiselessly from the presence +around to the other side of the little opening where they lay down again. +The bit of nonsense relieved them, but it was far from being nonsense to +Warner. His soul was alight. As he dived into the intricate problems +memories came with them. Lying there in the Southern thickets in the +close damp heat of summer he saw again his Vermont mountains with their +slopes deep in green and their crests covered with snow. The sharp air +of the northern winter blew down upon him, and he saw the clear waters of +the little rivers, cold as ice, foaming over the stones. That air was +sharp and vital, but, after a while, he came back to himself and closed +his book with a sigh. + +"Pardon me for inattention, boys," he said, "but while I was enjoying +my algebra I was also thinking of old times back there in Vermont, when +nobody was shooting at anybody else." + +Dick and Pennington walked solemnly back and sat down beside him again. + +"Returned to his right mind. Quite sane now," said Pennington. "But +don't you think, Dick, we ought to take that exciting book away from him? +The mind of youth in its tender formative state can be inflamed easily by +light literature." + +Warner smiled and put his beloved book in his pocket. + +"No, boys," he said, "you won't take it away from me, but as soon as this +war is over I shall advance from it to studies of a somewhat similar +nature, but much higher in character, and so difficult that solving them +will afford a pleasure keener and more penetrating than anything else I +know." + +"What is your greatest ambition, Warner?" asked Pennington. "Do you, +like all the rest of us, want to be President of the United States?" + +"Not for a moment. I've already been in training several years to be +president of Harvard University. What higher place could mortal ask? +None, because there is none to ask for." + +"I can understand you, George," said Dick. "My great-grandfather became +the finest scholar ever known in the West. There was something of the +poet in him too. He had a wonderful feeling for nature and the forest. +He had a remarkable chance for observation as he grew up on the border, +and was the close comrade in the long years of Indian fighting of Henry +Ware, who was the greatest governor of Kentucky. As I think I've told +you fellows, Harry Kenton, Governor Ware's great-grandson and my comrade, +is fighting on the other side." + +"I knew of the great Dr. Cotter long before I met you, Dick," replied +Warner. "I read his book on the Indians of the Northern Mississippi +Valley. Not merely their history and habits, but their legends, their +folk lore, and the wonderful poetic glow so rich and fine that he threw +over everything. There was something almost Homeric in his description +of the great young Wyandot chieftain Timmendiquas or White Lightning, +whom he acclaimed as the finest type of savage man the age had known." + +"He and Henry Ware fought Timmendiquas for years, and after the great +peace they were friends throughout their long lives." + +"And I've studied, too, his wonderful book on the Birds and Mammals +of North America," continued Warner with growing enthusiasm. "What +marvelous stores of observation and memory! Ah, Dick, those were +exciting days, and a man had opportunities for real and vital +experiences!" + +Dick and Pennington laughed. + +"What about Vicksburg, old praiser of past times?" asked Frank. "Don't +you think we'll have some lively experiences trying to take it? And +wasn't there something real and vital about Bull Run and Shiloh and +Perryville and Stone River and all the rest? Don't you worry, George. +You're living in exciting times yourself." + +"That's so," said Warner calmly. "I had forgotten it for the moment. +We've been readers of history and now we're makers of it. It's funny-- +and maybe it isn't funny--but the makers of history often know little +about what they're making. The people who come along long afterward put +them in their places and size up what they have done." + +"They can give all the reasons they please why I won this war," said +Pennington, "but even history-makers are entitled to a rest. Since +there's no order to the contrary I mean to stretch out and go to sleep. +Dick, you and George can discuss your problems all night." + +But they went to sleep also. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE OPEN DOOR + + +"Dick," said Colonel Winchester the next morning, "I think you are the +best scout and trailer among my young officers. Mr. Pennington, you are +probably the best on the plains, and I've no doubt, Warner, that you +would do well in the mountains, but for the hills, forests and rivers +I'll have to choose Dick. I've another errand for you, my boy. You're +to go on foot, and you're to take this dispatch to Admiral Porter, +who commands the iron-clads in the river near the city. Conceal it +carefully about you, but I anticipate no great danger for you, as +Vicksburg is pretty well surrounded by our forces." + +The dispatch was written on thin, oiled paper. Dick hid it away in the +lining of his coat and departed upon another important mission, full of +pride that he should be chosen for it. He had all the passwords and +carried two good pistols in his belt. Rich in experience, he felt able +to care for himself, even should the peril be greater than Colonel +Winchester had expected. + +The sun was not far above the horizon but it was warm and brilliant, +and it lighted up the earth, throwing a golden glow over the plateau of +Vicksburg, the great maze of ravines and thickets and the many waters. + +He passed along the lines, walking rapidly southward, and saw more than +one officer of his acquaintance. Hertford's cavalry were in a field, +and the colonel himself sat on a portion of the rail fence that had +enclosed it. He hailed the lad pleasantly. + +"Into the forest again, Dick," he said. + +"Not this time, sir," Dick replied. "It's just a little trip, down the +river." + +"Success to the trip and a speedy return." + +Dick nodded and walked on. He was quite sure that his dispatch was an +order from Grant for Porter to come up the stream and join in a general +attack which everybody felt sure was planned for an early date. + +As he passed through the regiments and brigades he received much +good-humored chaff. The great war of America differed widely from the +great wars of Europe. The officers and men were more nearly on a plane +of equality. The vast majority of them had been volunteers in the +beginning and perhaps this feeling of comradeship made them fight all +the better. North and South were alike in it. + +"Which way, sonny?" called a voice from a group. "You don't find the +fighting down there. It's back toward Vicksburg." + +Dick nodded and smiled. + +"Maybe he's out walking for exercise. These officers ride too much." + +Dick walked on with a steady swinging step. He regarded the sunbrowned, +careless youths with the genuine affection of a brother. Many of them +were as young as he or younger, but they were now veterans of battle and +march. Napoleon's soldiers themselves could not have boasted of more +experience than they. + +He was coming to the last link in the steel chain, and the colonel of a +regiment, an old man, warned him to be careful as he approached the river. + +"Southern sharpshooters are among the ravines and thickets," he said. +"They fired on our lads about dawn and then escaped easily in the thick +cover." + +"Thank you, sir," said Dick, "I'll be on my guard." Yet he did not feel +the presence of danger. Youth perhaps becomes more easily hardened in +war than middle age, or perhaps it thinks less of consequences. The +Union cannon, many of great weight and power, had begun already to +fire upon Vicksburg. Huge shells and shot were rained upon the city. +Pemberton had two hundred guns facing the river and the army, but to +spare his ammunition they made little reply. + +Dick looked back now and then. He saw flakes of fire on the northern +horizon, puffs of smoke and the curving shells. He felt that Vicksburg +was no pleasant place to be in just now, and yet it must be full of +civilians, many of them women and children. He was sorry for them. +It was Dick's nature to see both sides of a quarrel. He could never +hate the Southerners, because they saw one way and he another. + +It was a passing emotion. It was too fine a morning for youth to grieve. +At the distance the plumes of smoke made by the shells became decorative +rather than deadly. From a crest he saw upon the plateau of Vicksburg +and even discerned the dim outline of houses. Looking the other way, +he saw the smoke of the iron-clads down the river, and he also caught +glimpses of the Mississippi, gold in the morning sun over its vast +breadth. + +Then he entered the thickets, and, bearing in mind the kindly warning +of the old colonel, proceeded slowly and with extreme caution. The +Southerners knew every inch of the ground here and he knew none. He +came to a ravine and to his dismay found that a considerable stream was +flowing through it toward the bayou. It was yellow water, and he thought +he might find a tree, fallen across the stream, which would serve him as +a foot log, but a hunt of a few minutes disclosed none, and, hesitating +no longer, he prepared to wade. + +He put his belt with the pistols in it around his neck and stepped in +boldly. His feet sank in the mud. The water rose to his knees and then +to his waist. It was, in truth, deeper than he had expected--one could +never tell about these yellow, opaque streams. He took another step and +plunged into a hole up to his shoulders. + +Angry that he should be wet through and through, and with such muddy +water too, he crossed the stream. + +He looked down with dismay at his uniform. The sun would soon dry it, +but until he got a chance to clean it, it would remain discolored and +yellow, like the jeans clothes which the poorer farmers of the South +often wore. And yet the accident that he bemoaned, the bath in water +thick with mud, was to prove his salvation. + +Dick shook himself like a big dog, throwing off as much of the water as +he could. He had kept his pistols dry and he rebuckled his belt around +his waist. Then he returned to his errand. Among the thickets he saw +but little. Vicksburg, the Mississippi, and the Union camp disappeared. +He beheld only a soft soil, many bushes and scrub forest. After going +a little distance he was compelled to stop again and consider. It was +curious how one could lose direction in so small a space. + +He paused and listened, intending to regain his course through the sense +of hearing. From the north and east came the thunder of the siege guns. +It had grown heavier and was continuous now. Once more he was sorry for +Vicksburg, because the Union gunners were unsurpassed and he was sure +that bombs and shells were raining upon the devoted town. + +Now he knew that he must go west by south, and he made his way over +difficult country, crossing ravines, climbing hills, and picking his +path now and then through soft ground, the most exhausting labor of all. +The sun poured down upon him and his uniform dried fast. He had just +crossed one of the ravines and was climbing into the thicket beyond when +a voice asked: + +"See any of the Yanks in front?" + +Dick's heart stood still, and then all his presence of mind came back. +Not in vain had the kindly colonel warned him of the Southern +sharpshooters in the bush. + +"No," he replied. "They seem to be farther up. One of our fellows told +me he saw a whole regiment of them off there to the right." + +He plunged deeper into the bush and walked on as if he were among his own +comrades. He realized that his faded uniform with its dye of yellow mud +had caused him to be mistaken for one of Pemberton's men. His accent, +which was Kentuckian and therefore Southern, had helped him also. +He passed three or four other men, bent over, rifle in hand and watching, +and he nodded to them familiarly. In such a crisis he knew that boldness +and ease were his best cards, and he said to one of the men, with a laugh: + +"You'll have to tell us Tennesseeans about all your bayous and creeks. +I've just fallen into one that had no right to be there." + +"You Tennesseeans need a bath anyhow," replied the man, chuckling. + +"We'd never choose a Mississippi stream for it," said Dick in the same +vein, and passed on leaving the rifleman in high good humor. How +wonderfully these Southerners were like the Northerners! He noticed +presently a half-dozen other sharpshooters in the Confederate butternut, +prowling among the bushes, and through an opening he saw his own people +to the west, but too far away to be reached by anything but artillery. +The slow, deep music of the Northern guns came steadily to his ear, +but their fire was always turned toward Vicksburg. + +Dick knew that his position was extremely critical. Perhaps it was +growing more so all the while, but he was never cooler. A quiet lad, +he always rose wonderfully to an emergency. He was quite sure that he +was among Mississippi troops, and they could not possibly know all the +soldiers from the other states gathered for the defense of Vicksburg. +He did not differ from those around him in any respect, except that he +did not carry a rifle. + +He paused and looked back thoughtfully at the distant Union troops. + +"Can you tell me how they're posted?" he said to a tall, thin middle-aged +man who had a chew of tobacco in his cheek. "I carry dispatches to +General Pemberton, and the more information I can give him the better." + +"Yes, I kin tell you," replied the man, somewhat flattered. "They're +posted everywhere. What, with their army and them boats of theirs in the +river, they've got a high fence around us, all staked and ridered." + +"It doesn't take any more work to tear a fence down than it does to build +it up." + +"I reckon you're right thar, stranger. But was you at Champion Hill?" + +"No, I missed that." + +"Then it was a good thing for you that you did. I didn't set much store +by the Yanks when this war began. One good Southerner could whip five of +'em any time, our rip-roarin', fire-eatin' speech-makers said. I knowed +then, too, that they was right, but I was up thar in Kentucky a while, +an' after Donelson I reckoned that four was about as many as I wanted to +tackle all to oncet. Then thar was Shiloh, an' I kinder had a thought +that if three of 'em jumped on me at one time I'd hev my hands purty full +to lick 'em. Then come Corinth, an,' reasonin' with myself, I said I +wouldn't take on more'n two Yanks at the same time. An' now, since I've +been at Champion Hill, I know that the Yank is a pow'ful good fighter, +an' I reckon one to one jest about suits me, an' even then I'd like to +have a leetle advantage in the draw." + +"I feel that way about it, too. The Yankees are going to make a heap of +trouble for us here. But I must be going. What's the best path into +Vicksburg?" + +"See that little openin' in the bushes. Follow it. Jest over the hill +you'll run into a passel of our fellers, but pay no 'tention to 'em. +If they ask you who you are an' whar you're boun' tell 'em to go straight +to blazes, while you go to Vicksburg." + +"Thank you," said Dick, "I like to meet an obliging and polite man like +you. It helps even in war." + +"Don't mention it. When I wuz a little shaver my ma told me always +to mind my manners, an' when I didn't she whaled the life out of me. +An', do you know, stranger, she's just a leetle, withered old woman, +but if she could 'pear here right now I'd be willin' to set down right +in these bushes an' say, 'Ma, take up that stick over thar an' beat me +across the shoulders an' back with it as hard as you kin.' I'd feel +good all over." + +"I believe you," said Dick, who thought of his own mother. + +He followed the indicated path until he was out of sight of everybody, +and then he plunged into the bushes and marsh toward the river. When he +was well hidden he stopped and considered. + +It was quite evident that he had wandered from the right road, but it was +no easy task to get back into it. There was an unconscious Confederate +cordon about him and he must pass through it somewhere. He moved farther +toward the river, but only went deeper into the swamp. + +He turned to the south and soon reached firm ground, but he heard +Confederate pickets talking in front of him. Then he caught glimpses of +two or three men watching among the trees, and he lay down in a clump of +bushes. He might pass them as he had passed the others, but he thought +it wiser not to take the risk. + +He was willing also to rest a little, as he had done a lot of hard +walking. His clothing was now dry, and the mud had dried upon it. + +He turned aside into one of the deep ravines and then into a smaller one +leading from it. The bushes were dense there and he lay down among them, +so completely hidden that he was invisible ten feet away. Here he still +heard the mutter of the guns, which came in a long, droning sound, +and occasionally a rifle cracked at some point closer by. The Union army +was still busy and he felt a few moments of despondency. His dispatch +undoubtedly was of great importance, and yet he was not able to deliver +it. It was highly probable that for precaution's sake other messengers +bore the same dispatch, but he was anxious to arrive with his +nevertheless, and he wanted, too, to arrive first. The last now seemed +impossible and the first improbable. + +The crackling fire came nearer. Owing to the lack of percussion caps, +Pemberton had ordered his men to use their rifles sparingly, but +evidently a considerable body of sharpshooters near Dick were attempting +a flanking movement of some kind, and meant to carry it out with bullets. +He was impatient to see, but prudence kept him in his covert, a prudence +that was soon justified, as presently he heard voices very near him and +then the sound of footsteps. + +He rose up a little and saw several hundred Confederate soldiers passing +on the slopes not more than a hundred yards away. They went south of him, +and he recognized with growing alarm that the wall across his way was +growing higher. When they were gone and he could no longer hear their +tread among the bushes he slipped from his hiding place and went directly +toward Vicksburg. Being within an iron ring he thought that perhaps he +would be safer somewhere near the center. He might make his way without +much trouble through the vast confused crowd in Vicksburg, and then in +the night go down the river's edge and to the fleet. + +It was a daring idea, so very daring that it appealed to the strain of +high adventure in the lad. He was encouraged, too, by his earlier and +easy success in passing among the Confederate soldiers. But in order not +to appear reckless and to satisfy his own conscience he tried once more +for the way to the south. But the soldiers entirely barred the path +there, and, being on some duty that required extreme vigilance, they were +likely to prove exacting. + +He advanced with a clear mind toward Vicksburg, picking his way among the +forests and ravines, but, after long walking over most difficult ground, +he saw before him extensive earthworks thronged with Southern troops. +When he turned westward the result was the same, and then it became +evident that there was no flaw in the iron ring. He could not go through +to Porter, he could not go back to his own army, but Vicksburg invited +him as a guest. + +He would make the trial at night. It was a long wait, but he dared not +risk it by day, and, going back into one of the ravines, he sought a +secluded and sheltered place. Threshing the bushes to drive away +possible snakes, he crawled into a clump and lay there. Resolved to be +patient in spite of everything, he did not stir, but listened to the far +throbbing of the cannon which poured an incessant storm of missiles upon +unhappy Vicksburg. + +The warmth and the heavy air in the ravine were relaxing. His brain grew +so dull and heavy that he fell asleep, and when he awoke the twilight was +coming. And yet he had lost nothing. He had gained rather. The time +had passed. His body had been strengthened and his nerves steadied while +he slept. + +The distant booming of the guns still came. He had expected it. That +was Grant. He had wrapped the coil of steel around Vicksburg and he +would never relax. Dick felt that there was no hope for the town, +unless Johnston outside could gather a powerful army and fight Grant on +even terms. But he considered it impossible, and there, too, was the +great artery of the river along which flowed men and supplies of every +kind for the Union. + +The Southern twilight turned swiftly into night and, coming from his lair, +Dick walked boldly toward the town. He had eaten nothing since morning, +but he had not noticed it, until this moment, when he began to feel a +little faintness. He resolved that Vicksburg should supply him. It was +curious how much help he expected of Vicksburg, a hostile town. + +He saw lights soon both to right and to left and he strengthened his +soul. He knew that he must be calm, but alert and quick with the right +answer. With his singular capacity for meeting a crisis he advanced into +the thick of danger with a smiling face, even as his great ancestor, +Paul Cotter, had often done. + +His calm was of short duration. There was a rushing sound, something +struck violently, and a tremendous explosion followed. Fire flashed +before Dick's eyes, pieces of red hot metal whistled past his head, +earth spattered him and he was thrown to the ground. + +He sprang up again, understanding all instantly. A shell from his own +army had burst near him, and he had been thrown down by the concussion. +But he had not been hurt, and in a few seconds his pulse beat steadily. + +He heard a shout of laughter as he stood, brushing the fresh dirt from +his clothing. He glanced up in some anger, but he saw at once that the +arrival of the shell had been most fortunate for his plan. To come near +annihilation by a Federal gun certainly invested him with a Confederate +character. + +It was a group of young soldiers who were laughing and their amusement +was entirely good-natured. They would have laughed the same way had the +harmless adventure befallen one of their own number. Dick judged that +they were from the Southwest. + +"Close call," he said, smiling that attractive smile, which was visible +even in the twilight. + +"It was a friendly shell," said one of the youths, "and it concluded +not to come too close to you. These Yankee shells are so loving that +sometimes they spray themselves in little pieces all over a fellow, +like a shower of rice over a bride at a wedding." + +"How long do you think the Yankees will keep it up?" asked Dick, putting +indignation in his tone. "Haven't they any respect for the night?" + +"Not a bit. That fellow Grant is a pounder. They say he'll blow away +the whole plateau of Vicksburg if we don't drive him off." + +"Well, we'll do it. You wait till old Joe Johnston comes up. Then we'll +shut him between the jaws of a vise and squeeze the life out of him." + +"Hope so. Where've you been?" + +"Down below the town. I'm coming back with messages." + +"So long. Good luck. Keep straight ahead, and you'll find all the +generals you want." + +The lights increased and he went into a small tavern, where he bought +food and a cup of coffee, paying in gold. The tavern keeper asked no +questions, but his eyes gleamed at sight of the yellow coin. + +"Mighty little of this comes my way now," he said frankly, "and our +own money is worth less and less every day. If things keep on the way +they're headed it'll take a bale of it as big as a bale of cotton to pay +for one good, square meal." + +Dick laughed. + +"Not so bad as that," he said. "You wait until we've given Grant a big +thrashing and have cleared their boats out of the river. Then you'll see +our money becoming real." + +The man shook his head. + +"Seein' will be believin'," he said, "an' as I ain't seein' I ain't +believin'." + +Dick with a friendly good night went out. Grant, the persistent, was +still at work. His cannon flared on the dark horizon and the shells +crashed in Vicksburg. Scarcely any portion of the town was safe. +Now and then a house was smashed in and often the shells found victims. + +The town was full of terror and confusion. Many of the rich planters +had come there with their families for refuge. Women and children hid +from the terrible fire, and the civilians already had begun to burrow. +Caves had been dug deep into the sides of the ravines and hundreds found +in them a rude but safe shelter. + +Dick now found that his plans were going wrong. He could wander about +almost at will and to any one to whom he spoke he still claimed to be a +Tennesseean, but he knew that it could not last forever. Sooner or later, +some officer would question him closely, and then his tale would be too +thin for truth. + +Unable to make a way toward the river, he returned to the slopes and +ravines, where they were digging the caves, and then fortune which had +been smiling upon him turned its face the other way. A small man in +butternut and an enormous felt hat passed near. He did not see Dick, +but his very presence gave the lad a shiver. He believed afterward that +before he saw him he had felt the proximity of Slade. + +The man, carrying a rifle, was hurrying toward the center of the town, +and Dick, after one long look, hurried at equal speed the other way. +He knew that Slade, if he saw him, would recognize him at once. Dusk and +a muddy uniform would not protect him. + +It was his idea now to go down through the ravines and make another trial +toward the South. He saw ahead of him a line of intrenchments, which he +was resolved to pass in some fashion, but the face of fortune was still +away from him. The unknown officers who at any time might ask too many +questions appeared. + +A captain, a sunbrowned, alert man, stopped him at the edge of the bushes +which clothed the slopes of the ravine. + +"Your regiment?" he asked sharply. + +"Tennessee regiment, sir," replied Dick, afraid to mention any number, +since this officer might be a Tennesseean himself, and would want further +identification. But the man was not to be put off--Dick judged from his +uniform that he was a colonel--and demanded sharply his regiment's number +and his business. + +The lad mumbled something under his breath, hopeful that he would pass on, +but the officer stepped forward, looked at him closely and then suddenly +turned back the collar of his army jacket, disclosing a bit of the under +side yet blue. + +"Thunderation, a Yankee spy!" he exclaimed. + +Dick always believed that his life was due to a sudden and violent +impulse, or rather a convulsive jerk, because he had no time to think. +He threw off the officer's hand, dashed his fist into his face, and, +without waiting to see the effect, ran headlong among the bushes down +the side of the ravine. He heard a shouting behind him, the reports of +several shots, the rapid tread of feet, and he knew that the man-hunt was +on. + +He had all the instincts of the hunted to seek cover, and the night was +his friend. But few lights glimmered in that portion of Vicksburg, +and in many parts of the ravine the bushes were thick. He darted down +the slope at great speed, then turned and ran along its side, still +keeping well under cover. Where the shadows were darkest and the bushes +thickest he paused panting. + +He heard his pursuers calling to one another, and he also heard the +excited voices of people in the ravine. The civilians had been aroused +by the shots so close by and he thought the confusion would help him. +He stood in the deep shadow, his breath gradually growing easier, and +then he started down the ravine, coming to a little path that led along +the side of the slope. He noticed a dark opening, and as the voices of +pursuers were now coming nearer, he popped into it, trusting to blind +luck. + +Dick had thought it was a mere wash-out or deep recess, but at the third +step his foot struck upon a carpet and he saw ahead a dim light. He +paused, amazed, and then he remembered that he had heard about the +civilians digging caves for shelter from the shells and bombs. Evidently +some forethoughtful man had prepared his cave early. + +Uncertain what to do he did nothing, pressing his back against the earth +and listening. No sound came, and the dim light still flickering ahead +reassured him. + +The opening through which he had come was large, and admitted plenty +of fresh air. As he stood four or five feet from the entrance he saw +several soldiers hurrying along the path, and he knew they were hunting +for him. He realized then his fortune in finding this improvised +cave-house. After the soldiers passed he walked gently toward the light. +Apparently the regular occupants were gone away for the time, and he +might find a hiding place there until it was safe to go out. + +The passage was narrow, but the carpet was still under his feet, and +further in, the sides and roof of the earthen walls had been covered +with planks. The light grew brighter and he was quite sure that a room +of some size was just ahead. His curiosity became so great that it +smothered all apprehension, and he stepped boldly into the room, where +the lamp burned on a table. + +He would have stepped back as quickly, but a pair of great burning eyes +caught his and held them. A bed was standing against the board wall of +the cave, and in this bed lay an old man with a huge bald head, immense +white eyebrows and eyes of extraordinary intensity. + +Once more did Colonel Charles Woodville and Richard Mason stare into the +eyes of each other, and for a long time neither spoke. + +"I managed to escape from Jackson with my little family," said the +colonel at length, "and I thought that in this, so to say, sylvan retreat +I might drop all undesirable acquaintances that I made there." + +The whole scene was grotesque and wild to Dick. It was like a passage +out of the Arabian Nights, and an extraordinary spirit of recklessness +seized him. + +"I appreciate your words, sir," he said, "and I can understand your +feelings. I have felt myself that it was never wise to go where one +might not be welcome, and yet chance plays us such tricks that neither +your wish nor mine is granted." + +The old man then raised his head a little higher on the pillow. A spark +leaped from the burning eyes. + +"A lad of spirit," he said. "I would not withhold praise where praise is +due. I recall meeting some one who resembled you very much. Perhaps a +brother of yours, eh?" + +"No, he was not my brother." + +"Well, it does not matter and we will not pursue the subject. How does +it happen that you have come into this hillside castle of mine?" + +Young Mason saw a flicker of amusement in the eyes of the old man. +He was aware that in his muddy uniform he made no imposing figure, +but his spirit was as high as ever, and the touch of recklessness was +still there. + +"I saw some men coming down the path," he replied; "men with whom I do +not care to associate, and I turned aside to avoid them. I beheld the +open door and stepped within, but I did not know the chamber was occupied, +and it was far from my purpose to intrude upon you or any one. I trust, +sir, that you will believe me." + +The lad took off his cap and bowed. His face was now revealed more +clearly, and it was a fine one, splendidly molded, intellectual, and +with noble blue eyes. After all, despite the mud and stains, he made a +graceful figure as he stood there, so obviously confident of himself, +but respectful. + +The spark leaped again from the eyes of Colonel Woodville, and, +remembering something, there was a slight warmth about the heart which +lately had been so cold and bitter. + +"I do not blame you," he said. "A lad, one in his formative years, +cannot be too careful about his associates. Doubtless you were justified +in taking advantage of the open door. But now that you are here may I +ask you what you purpose next to do?" + +"I admit, sir, that the question is natural," replied Dick, suiting his +tone and manner to those of the old man. "I have scarcely had time yet +to form a purpose, but, since the danger of contamination of which we +spoke still exists, it occurs to me that perhaps I might stay here a +while. Is there some nook or a cover in which I might rest? I hope I +do not trespass too much upon your hospitality." + +Colonel Woodville pondered. His great white eyebrows were drawn together +and, for a moment or two, he gazed down the beak of his nose. + +"I confess," he said, "that the appeal to hospitality moves me. I am +stirred somewhat, too, by pleasant recollections of the lad who looked +like you. But wait, my daughter is coming. We will confer with her. +Margaret is a most capable woman." + +Dick heard a light step in the passage and he wheeled quickly. Miss +Woodville was before him, a plain, elderly figure in a plain black dress, +with a basket on her arm. The basket contained a fowl and some eggs +which she had just bought at a great price. When she saw Dick her hand +flew to her throat, but when the pulse ceased to beat so hard it came +away and she looked at him fixedly. Then a slow smile like the dawn +spread over the severe, worn face. + +"Come in, Margaret, and put down your basket," said the colonel in a +genial tone. "Meanwhile bid welcome to our unexpected guest, a young man +of spirit and quality with whom I was holding converse before you came. +He does not wish to go out to-night, because there are many violent men +abroad, and he would avoid them." + +Then he turned to Dick, and asked in a tone, sharp and commanding: + +"I have your word, young sir, that your unexpected visit to our city was +not of a secret nature; that is, it was not of a lawless character?" + +"An accident, sir, an accident pure and simple. I answer you on my +honor. I have seen nothing and I shall not seek to see anything which +I should not see." + +"Margaret," continued the colonel, and now his tone became deferential as +behooved a gentleman speaking to a lady, "shall we ask him to share our +simple quarters to-night?" + +The lad slowly turned his gaze to the face of the woman. He felt with +all the power of intuition that his fate rested on her decision. But she +was a woman. And she was, too, a true daughter of her father. A kindred +spark leaped up in her own soul, and she met Dick's gaze. She noted his +fearless poise, and she saw the gallant spirit in his eye. Then she +turned to her father. + +"I think you wish him to stay, sir," she said, "and the wish seems right +to me. Our narrow quarters limit our hospitality in quality, but not +in intent. We can offer him nothing but the little alcove behind the +blanket." + +She inclined her head toward the blanket, which Dick had not noticed +before. It hung near the bed and, wishing to cause this household little +trouble, he said: + +"Then I assume that you will shelter me for the night, and, if I may, +I will go at once to my room." + +Colonel Woodville lowered his head upon the pillow and laughed softly. + +"A lad of spirit. A lad of spirit, I repeat," he said. "No, Margaret, +you and I could not have turned him from our earthen roof." + +Dick bowed to Miss Woodville, and that little ghost of a tender smile +flitted about her thin lips. Then he lifted the blanket, stepped into +the dark, and let the curtain fall behind him. + +He stood for a space until his eyes, used to the dusk, could see dimly. +It was a tiny room evidently used as a place of storage for clothing and +bedding, but there was space enough for him to lie down, if he bent his +knees a little. + +The strain upon both muscle and nerve had been very great, and now came +collapse. Removing his shoes and outer clothing he dropped upon a +roll of bedding and closed his eyes. But he was grateful, deeply and +lastingly grateful. The bread that he had cast upon the waters was +returning to him fourfold. + +He heard low voices beyond the blanket, and he did not doubt that they +were those of Colonel Woodville and his daughter. The woman in plain +black, with the basket on her arm, had seemed a pathetic figure to him. +He could not blame them for feeling such intense bitterness. What were +the causes of the war to people who had been driven from a luxurious home +to a hole in the side of a ravine? + +He slept, and when he woke it seemed to be only a moment later, but he +knew from the slender edge of light appearing where the blanket just +failed to touch the floor that morning had come. He moved gently lest +he disturb his host in the larger room without, and then he heard the +distant thunder, which he knew was the booming of Grant's great guns. +And so the night had not stopped them! All through the hours that he +slept the cannon had rained steel and death on Vicksburg. Then came +a great explosion telling him that a shell had burst somewhere near. +It was followed by the voice of Colonel Woodville raised in high, +indignant tones: + +"Can't they let a gentleman sleep? Must they wake him with one of their +infernal shells?" + +He heard a slight rustling sound and he knew that it was the great bald +head moving impatiently on the pillows. Inferring that it was early, +he would have gone back to sleep himself, but slumber would not come. +He remained a while, thoughtful, for his future lay very heavy upon him, +and then he heard the sound of several voices beyond the blanket. + +He listened closely, trying to number and distinguish them. There were +three and two belonged to Colonel Woodville and his daughter. The third +repelled and puzzled him. It seemed to have in it a faint quality of the +fox. It was not loud, and yet that light, snarling, sinister note was +evident. + +The sensitive, attuned mind can be easily affected by a voice, and the +menace of the unknown beyond the blanket deepened. Dick felt a curious +prickling at the roots of his hair. He listened intently, but he could +not understand anything that was spoken, and then he drew himself forward +with great caution. + +They must be talking about something of importance, because the voices +were earnest, and sometimes all three spoke at once. He reached a slow +hand toward the blanket. The danger would be great, but he must see. + +He drew back the blanket slightly, a quarter of an inch, maybe, and +looked within the room. Then he saw the owner of the sinister voice, +and he felt that he might have known from the first. + +Slade, standing before Colonel Woodville's bed, his hat in his hand, +was talking eagerly. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE GREAT ASSAULT + + +The light from the door that was always open illumined the room. The +rising sun must have struck full upon it, because it was almost as bright +as day there. Slade was in his butternut uniform, and his rifle leaned +against the wall. Now that he had made the slight opening Dick could +understand their words. + +"There are spies within Vicksburg, sir," said Slade. "Colonel Dustin +detected one last night, but in the darkness he escaped down this ravine. +The alarm was spread and he could not have got outside our lines. +I must catch him. It will be a credit to me to do so. I was under your +command, and, although not in active service owing to your wound, your +word will go far. I want you to get me an order to search every house +or place in which he could hide." + +"Not too much zeal, my worthy Slade. Talleyrand said that, but you never +heard of him. Excessive suspicion is not a good thing. It was your +chief fault as an overseer, although I willingly pay tribute to your +energy and attention to detail. This business of hunting spies is +greatly overdone. The fate of Vicksburg will be settled by the cannon +and the rifles." + +"But, sir, they can do us great harm." + +"Listen to that, my good Slade." + +The deep booming note of the distant cannon entered the cave. + +"That is the sound of Grant's guns. He can fight better with those +weapons than with spies." + +But Slade persisted, and Colonel Woodville, with an occasional word from +his daughter, fenced with him, always using a light bantering tone, +while the lad who lay so near listened, his pulses beating hard in his +temples and throat. + +"Your vigilance is to be commended, my good Slade," Dick heard Colonel +Woodville say, "but to-day at least I cannot secure such a commission for +you from General Pemberton. We hear that Grant is massing his troops +for a grand attack, and there is little time to thresh up all our own +quarters for spies. We must think more of our battle line. To-morrow we +may have a plan. Come back to me then, and we will talk further on these +matters." + +"But think, sir, what a day may cost us!" + +"You show impatience, not to say haste, Slade, and little is ever +achieved by thoughtless haste. The enemy is closing in upon us, and it +must be our chief effort to break his iron ring. Ah, here is my nephew! +He may give us further news on these grave matters." + +Dick saw the entrance darken for a moment, then lighten again, and that +gallant youth, Victor Woodville, with whom he had fought so good a fight, +stood in the room. He was still pale and he carried his left arm in +a sling, but it was evident that his recovery from his wound had been +rapid. Dick saw the stern face of the old colonel brighten a bit, +while the tender smile curved again about the thin lips of the spinster. + +Young Woodville gave a warm greeting to his uncle and elderly cousin, +and nodded to Slade. Dick believed from his gesture that he did not like +the guerilla leader, or at least he hoped so. + +"Victor," said the colonel, "what word do you bring?" + +"Grant is advancing his batteries, and they seem to be massing for +attack. It will surely come in a day or two." + +"As I thought. Then we shall need all our energies for immediate battle. +And now, Mr. Slade, as I said before, I will see you again to-morrow +about the matter of which we were speaking. I am old, wounded, and I +grow weary. I would rest." + +Slade rose to go. He was not a pleasant sight. His clothes were soiled +and stained, and his face was covered with ragged beard. The eyes were +full of venom and malice. + +"Good day, Colonel Woodville," he said, "but I feel that I must bring +the matter up again. As a scout and leader of irregulars for the +Confederacy. I must be active in order to cope with the enemy's own +scouts and spies. I shall return early to-morrow morning." + +Colonel Woodville waved his hand and Slade, bowing, withdrew. + +"Why was he so persistent, Uncle Charles?" asked Victor. "He seemed to +have some underlying motive." + +"He always has such a motive, Victor. He is a man who suspects everybody +because he knows everybody has a right to suspect him. He may even have +been suspecting me, his old, and, I fear, too generous employer. He has +a mania about a spy hidden somewhere in Vicksburg." + +Young Victor Woodville laughed gayly. + +"What folly," he said, "for your old overseer, a man of Northern origin +to boot, to suspect you, of all men, of helping a Yankee in any way. +Why, Uncle Charles, everybody knows that you'd annihilate 'em if you +could, and that you were making good progress with the task until you got +that wound." + +Colonel Woodville drew his great, white eyebrows together in his +characteristic way. + +"I admit, Victor, that I'm the prince of Yankee haters," he said. +"They've ruined me, and if they succeed they'll ruin our state and the +whole South, too. We've fled for refuge to a hole in the ground, and yet +they come thundering at the door of so poor an abode. Listen!" + +They heard plainly the far rumble of the cannon. The intensity of the +fire increased with the growing day. Shells and bombs were falling +rapidly on Vicksburg. The face of Colonel Woodville darkened and the +eyes under the white thatch burned. + +"Nevertheless, Victor," he said, "hate the Yankees as I do, and I hate +them with all my heart and soul, there are some things a gentleman cannot +do." + +"What for instance, Uncle?" + +"He cannot break faith. He cannot do evil to those who have done good to +him. He must repay benefits with benefits. He cannot permit the burden +of obligation to remain upon him. Go to the door, Victor, and see if any +one is lurking there." + +Young Woodville went to the entrance and returned with word that no one +was near. + +"Victor," resumed Colonel Woodville, "this man Slade, who was so +preposterously wrong, this common overseer from the hostile section +which seeks with force to put us down, this miserable fellow who had +the presumption to suspect me, lying here with a wound, received in the +defense of the Confederacy, was nevertheless right." + +Victor stared, not understanding, and Colonel Woodville raised himself a +little higher on his pillows. + +"Since when," he asked of all the world, "has a Woodville refused to +pay his debts? Since when has a Woodville refused asylum to one who +protected him and his in the hour of danger? Margaret, lift the blanket +and invite our young friend in." + +Dick was on his feet in an instant, and came into the chamber, uttering +thanks to the man who, in spite of so much bitterness against his cause, +could yet shelter him. + +Young Woodville exclaimed in surprise. + +"The Yankee with whom I fought at Bellevue!" he said. + +"And the one who ignored your presence at Jackson," said Miss Woodville. + +The two lads shook hands. + +"And now," said Colonel Woodville, his old sharpness returning, "we shall +be on even terms, young sir. Your uniform bears a faint resemblance to +that of your own army, and Slade, cunning and cruel, may have had you +shot as a spy. You would be taken within our lines and this is no time +for long examinations." + +"I know how much I owe you, sir," said Dick, "and I know how much danger +my presence here brings upon you. I will leave as soon as the ravine is +clear. The gathering of the troops for battle will give me a chance." + +"You will do nothing of the kind. Having begun the task we will carry it +through. Our cave home rambles. There is a little apartment belonging +to Victor, in which you may put yourself in shape. I advise you to lie +quiet here for a day or two, and then if I am still able to put my hand +on you I may turn you over with full explanations to the authorities." + +Dick noted the significance of the words, "if I am still able to put my +hand on you," but he merely spoke of his gratitude and went with young +Woodville into the little apartment. It was on the right side of the +hall, and a round shutterless hole opened into the ravine, admitting +light and air. The "window," which was not more than a foot in diameter +faced toward the east and gave a view of earthworks, and the region +beyond, where the Union army stood. + +The room itself contained but little, a cot, some blankets, clothing, +and articles of the toilet. + +"Mason," said Woodville, "make yourself as comfortable as you can here. +I did not know until I escaped from Jackson that it was you who ignored +my presence there. You seem in some manner to have won the good opinion +of my uncle, and, in any event, he could not bear to remain in debt to a +Yankee. If you're careful you're safe here for the day, although you may +be lonesome. I must go at once to our lines. Cousin Margaret will bring +you something to eat." + +They shook hands again. + +"I can't do much fighting," said Woodville, "owing to this wounded arm of +mine, but I can carry messages, and the line is so long many are to be +taken." + +He went out and Miss Woodville came soon with food on a tray. Dick +suspected that they could ill spare it, but he must eat and he feared to +offer pay. It embarrassed him, too, that she should wait upon him, but, +in their situation, it was absolutely necessary that she do so, even were +there a servant somewhere, which he doubted. But she left the tray, +and when she returned for it an hour later she had only a few words to +say. + +Dick stood at the round hole that served as a window. There were +bushes about it, and, at that point, the cliff seemed to be almost +perpendicular. He was safe from observation and he looked over a vast +expanse of country. The morning was dazzlingly clear, and he saw +sections of the Confederate earthworks with their men and guns, and far +beyond them other earthworks and other guns, which he knew were those of +his own people. + +While he stood there alone, free from the tension that had lasted while +Slade was present, he realized the great volume of fire that the Northern +cannon were pouring without ceasing upon Vicksburg. The deep rumble was +continually in his ears, and at times his imagination made the earth +shake. He saw two shells burst in the air, and a shattering explosion +told that a third struck near by. To the eastward smoke was always +drifting. The Southern cannon seldom replied. + +He resolved to attempt escape during the coming night. It hurt him to +bring danger upon the Woodvilles and he wished, too, to fulfill his +mission. Others, beyond question, would reach the fleet with the message, +but he wished to reach it also. + +Yet nothing new occurred during all the long day. Miss Woodville brought +him more food at noon, but scarcely spoke. Then he returned to the hole +in the cliff, and remained there until twilight. Young Woodville came, +and he gathered from his manner that there had been no important movement +of the armies, that all as yet was preparation. But he inferred that the +storm was coming, and he told Victor that he meant to leave that night. + +He was opposed vehemently. The line of Southern sentinels watched +everywhere. Slade was most vigilant. He might come at any time into the +ravine. No, he must wait. The next night, perhaps, but in any event he +must remain a while. + +Nor did he depart the next night either. Instead, two or three days +passed, and he was still in the house dug in the hillside, a guest and +yet a captive. The bombardment had gone on, his food was still brought +to him by Miss Woodville, and once or twice Victor came, but Dick, +as he was in honor bound, asked him no question about the armies. + +The waiting, the loneliness and the suspense were terrible to one so +young, and so ambitious. And yet he had fared better than he had a right +to expect, a fact, however, that did not relieve his situation. + +Another night came, and he went to sleep in his lonely cell in the wall, +but he was awakened while it was yet intensely dark by a cannonade far +surpassing in violence any that had gone before. He rushed to the hole, +but he could see nothing in the ravine. Yet the whole plateau seemed to +shake with the violence of the concussions and the crash of exploding +shells. + +The fire came from all sides, from the river as well as the land. +The boom of the huge mortars on the boats there sounded above everything. +Dick knew absolutely now that the message he was to carry had been +delivered by somebody else. + +He heard under the continued thunder of the guns sharp commands, and the +tread of many troops moving. He knew that the Southern forces were going +into position, and he felt himself that the tremendous fire was the +prelude to a great attack. His excitement grew. He strained his eyes, +but he could see nothing in the dark ravine, or out there where the +cannon roared, save the rapid, red flashes under the dim horizon. +He had his watch and he had kept it running. Now he was able to make out +that it was only three o'clock in the morning. A long time until day +and he must wait until then to know what such a furious convulsion would +achieve. + +The slow time passed, and there was no decrease of the fire. Once or +twice he came away from the window and listened at the entrance to his +little room, but he could hear nothing stirring in the larger chamber. +Yet it was incredible that Colonel Woodville and his daughter should not +be awake. They would certainly be listening with an anxiety and suspense +not less than his. + +Dawn came after painful ages, and slowly the region out there where the +Union army lay rose into the light. But it was a red dawn, a dawn in +flame and smoke. Scores of guns crashed in front, and behind the heavy +booming of the mortars on the boats formed the overnote of the storm. + +The opening was not large, but it afforded the lad a good view, and he +thrust his head out as far as he could, every nerve in him leaping at the +deep roar of the cannonade. He had no doubt that the assault was about +to be made. He was wild with eagerness to see it, and it was a cruel +hurt to his spirit that he was held there, and could not take a part in +it. + +He thought of rushing from the place, and of seeking a way through the +lines to his own army, but a little reflection showed him that it would +be folly. He must merely be a witness, while Colonel Winchester, Warner, +Pennington, the sergeant, Colonel Hertford, all whom he knew and the tens +of thousands whom he did not know, fought the battle. + +A tremendous sound, distant and steady, would not blot out much smaller +sounds nearby, and now he heard noises in the larger chamber. The voice +of Colonel Woodville was raised in sharp command. + +"Lift me up!" he said, "I must see! Must I lie here, eating my soul out, +when a great battle is going on! Help me up, I say! Wound or no wound, +I will go to the door!" + +Then the voice of Miss Woodville attempting to soothe was heard, but the +colonel broke forth more furiously than ever, not at her, but at his +unhappy fate. + +Dick, spurred by impulse, left his alcove and entered the room. + +"Sir," he said respectfully to Colonel Woodville, "you are eager to see, +and so am I. May I help you?" + +Colonel Woodville turned a red eye upon him. + +"Young man," he said, "you have shown before a sense of fitness, and your +appearance now is most welcome. You shall help me to the door, and I +will lean upon you. Together we will see what is going to happen, +although I wish for one result, and you for another. No, Margaret, +it is not worth while to protest any further. My young Yankee and I will +manage it very well between us." + +Miss Woodville stepped aside and smiled wanly. + +"I think it is best, Miss Woodville," Dick said in a low tone. + +"Perhaps," she replied. + +Colonel Woodville impatiently threw off the cover. He wore a long purple +dressing gown, and his wound was in the leg, but it was partly healed. +Dick helped him out of the bed and then supported him with his arm under +his shoulder. Within that singular abode the roar of the guns was a +steady and sinister mutter, but beneath it now appeared another note. + +Colonel Woodville had begun to swear. It was not the torrent of loud +imprecation that Dick had heard in Jackson, but subdued, and all the more +fierce because it was so like the ferocious whine of a powerful and hurt +wild animal. Swearing was common enough among the older men of the South, +even among the educated, but Colonel Woodville now surpassed them all. + +Dick heard oaths, ripe and rich, entirely new to him, and he heard the +old ones in new arrangements and with new inflections. And yet there was +no blasphemy about it. It seemed a part of time and place, and, what was +more, it seemed natural coming from the lips of the old colonel. + +They reached the door, the cut in the side of the ravine, and at once a +wide portion of the battlefield sprang into the light, while the roar of +the guns was redoubled. Dick would have stepped back now, but Colonel +Woodville's hand rested on his shoulder and his support was needed. + +"My glasses, Margaret!" said the colonel. "I must see! I will see! +If I am but an old hound, lying here while the pack is in full cry, +I will nevertheless see the chase! And even if I am an old hound I could +run with the best of them if that infernal Yankee bullet had not taken +me in the leg!" + +Miss Woodville brought him the glasses, a powerful pair, and he glued +them instantly to his eyes. Dick saw only the field of battle, dark +lines and blurs, the red flare of cannon and rifle fire, and towers and +banks of smoke, but the colonel saw individual human beings, and, with +his trained military eye, he knew what the movements meant. Dick felt +the hand upon his shoulder trembling with excitement. He was excited +himself. Miss Woodville stood just behind them, and a faint tinge of +color appeared in her pale face. + +"The Yankees are getting ready to charge," said the colonel. "At the +point we see they will not yet rush forward. They will, of course, +wait for a preconcerted signal, and then their whole army will attack +at once. But the woods and ravines are filled with their skirmishers, +trying to clear the way. I can see them in hundreds and hundreds, +and their rifles make sheets of flame. All the time the cannon are +firing over their heads. Heavens, what a bombardment! I've never before +listened to its like!" + +"What are our troops doing, father?" asked Miss Woodville. + +"Very little yet, and they should do little. Pemberton is showing more +judgment than I expected of him. The defense should hold its fire until +the enemy is well within range and that's what we're doing!" + +The colonel leaned a little more heavily upon him, but Dick steadied +himself. The old man still kept the glasses to his eyes, and swept them +back and forth in as wide an arc as their position permitted. The hills +shook with the thunder of the cannon, and the brilliant sun, piercing +through the smoke, lighted up the vast battle line. + +"The attack of the skirmishers grows hotter," said the old man. "The +thickets blaze with the fire of their rifles. Heavy masses of infantry +are moving forward. Now they stop and lie on their arms. They are +awaiting the word from other parts of the field, and it shows with +certainty that a grand attack is coming. Two batteries of eight guns +each have come nearer. I did not think it possible for the fire of their +cannon to increase, but it has done so. Young sir, would you care to +look through the glasses?" + +"I believe not, Colonel. I will trust to the naked eye and your report." + +It was an odd feeling that made Dick decline the glasses. If he looked +he must tell to the others what he saw, and he wished to show neither +exultation nor depression. The colonel, the duty of courtesy discharged, +resumed his own position of witness and herald. + +"The columns of infantry are getting up again," he said. "I see a man in +what I take to be a general's uniform riding along their front. He must +be making a speech. No doubt he knows the desperate nature of the attack, +and would inspire them. Now he is gone and other officers, colonels and +majors are moving about." + +"What are the skirmishers doing, Colonel?" + +"Their fire is not so hot. They must be drawing back. They have made +the prelude, and the importance of their role has passed. The masses of +infantry are drawing together again. Now I see men on horseback with +trumpets to their lips. Yes, the charge is coming. Ah-h! That burnt +them!" + +There was a terrific crash much nearer, and Dick knew that it was the +Southern batteries opening fire. The shoulder upon which the colonel's +hand rested shook a little, but it was from excitement. He said nothing +and Colonel Woodville continued: + +"The smoke is so heavy I can't see what damage was done! Now it has +cleared away! There are gaps in the Yankee lines, but the men have +closed up, and they come on at the double quick with their cannon still +firing over their heads!" + +In his excitement he took his hand off Dick's shoulder and leaned forward +a little farther, supporting himself now against the earthen wall. +Dick stood just behind him, shielded from the sight of any one who might +be passing in the ravine, although there was little danger now from +searchers with a great battle going on. Meanwhile he watched the combat +with an eagerness fully equal to that of the old colonel. + +The mighty crash of cannon and rifles together continued, but for a +little while the smoke banked up in front so densely that the whole +combat was hidden from them. Then a wind slowly rolled the smoke away. +The figures of the men began to appear like shadowy tracery, and then +emerged, distinct and separate from the haze. + +"They are nearer now," said the Colonel. "I can plainly see their long +lines moving and their light guns coming with them. But our batteries +are raking them horribly. Their men are falling by the scores and +hundreds." + +Miss Woodville uttered a deep sigh and turned her face away. But she +looked again in a few moments. The terrible spell was upon her, too. + +Dick's nerves were quivering. His heart was with the assailants and +theirs with the assailed, but he would not speak aloud against the hopes +of Colonel Woodville and his daughter, since he was in their house, +such as it was, and, in a measure, under their protection. + +"Their charge is splendid," continued the colonel, "and I hope Pemberton +has made full use of the ground for defense! He will need all the help +he can get! Oh, to be out of the battle on such a day! The smoke is in +the way again and I can see nothing. Now it has passed and the enemy is +still advancing, but our fire grows hotter and hotter! The shells and +the grape and the canister and the bullets are smashing through them. +They cannot live under it! They must go back!" + +Nevertheless the blue lines came steadily toward the Southern earthworks. +Dick saw officers, some ahorse, and some afoot, rushing about and +encouraging the men, and he saw many fall and lie still while the +regiments passed on. + +"They are in the nearer thickets," cried the colonel, "and now they're +climbing the slopes! Ah, you riflemen, your target is there!" + +The Northern army was so near now that the Southern rifle fire was +beating upon it like a storm. Never flinching, the men of the west +and northwest hurled themselves upon the powerful fortified positions. +Some reached shelves of the plateau almost at the mouths of the guns and +hung there, their comrades falling dead or dying around them, but now the +rebel yell began to swell along the vast line, and reached the ears of +those in the ravine. + +"The omen of victory!" exclaimed the colonel exultantly. "Our brave lads +feel that they're about to triumph! Grant can't break through our line! +Why doesn't he call off his men? It's slaughter!" + +Dick's heart sank. He knew that the colonel's words were true. The +Southern army, posted in its defenses, was breaking the ring of steel +that sought to crush it to death. Groups of men in blue who had seized +ground in the very front of the defenses either died there or were +gradually driven back. The inner ring along its front of miles thundered +incessantly on the outer ring, and repelled every attempt to crush it. + +"They yield," said the colonel, after a long time. "The Northern fire +has sunk at many points, and there! and there! they're retreating! +The attack has failed and the South has won a victory!" + +"But Grant will come again," said Dick, speaking his opinion for the +first time. + +"No doubt of it," said Colonel Woodville, "but likely he will come to the +same fate." + +He spoke wholly without animosity. The battle now died fast. The men +in gray had been invincible. Their cannon and rifles had made an +impenetrable barrier of fire, and Grant, despite the valor of his troops, +had been forced to draw off. Many thousands had fallen and the Southern +generals were exultant. Johnston would come up, and Grant, having such +heavy losses, would be unable to withstand the united Confederate armies. + +But Grant, as Colonel Woodville foresaw, had no idea of retreating. +Fresh troops were pouring down the great river for him, and while he +would not again attempt to storm Vicksburg, the ring of steel around it +would be made so broad and strong that Pemberton could not get out nor +could Johnston get in. + +When the last cannon shot echoed over the far hills Colonel Woodville +turned away from the door of his hillside home. + +"I must ask your shoulder again, young sir," he said to Dick. "What I +have seen rejoices me greatly, but I do not say it to taunt you. In +war if one wins the other must lose, and bear in mind that you are the +invader." + +"May I help you back to your bed, sir?" asked Dick. + +"You may. You are a good young man. I'm glad I saved you from that +scoundrel, Slade. As the score between us is even I wish that you were +out of Vicksburg and with your own people." + +"I was thinking, too, sir, that I ought to go. I may take a quick +departure." + +"Then if you do go I wish you a speedy and safe journey, but I tell you +to beware of one, Slade, who has a malicious heart and a long memory." + +Dick withdrew to his own cell, as he called it, and he passed bitter +hours there. The repulse had struck him a hard blow. Was it possible +that Grant could not win? And if he could not win what terrible risks +he would run in the heart of the Confederacy, with perhaps two armies to +fight! He felt that only the Mississippi, that life-line connecting him +with the North, could save him. + +But as dusk came gradually in the ravine he resolved that he would go. +His supper, as usual, was brought to him by Miss Woodville. She was as +taciturn as ever, speaking scarcely a half-dozen words. When he asked +her if Victor had gone through the battle unharmed she merely nodded, +and presently he was alone again, with the dusk deepening in the great +gully. + +Dick was confident that nobody but Colonel Woodville, his daughter, +and himself were in the cave-home. It was but a small place, and new +callous places on her hands indicated that she was doing the cooking and +all other work. His resolve to risk everything and go was strengthened. + +He waited patiently until the full night had come and only the usual +sounds of an army in camp arose. Then he made ready. He had surrendered +his holster and pistols to Colonel Woodville, and so he must issue forth +unarmed, but it could not be helped. He had several ten dollar gold +pieces in his pocket, and he put one of them on the tiny table in his +cell. He knew that it would be most welcome, and he could not calculate +how many hundreds in Confederacy currency it was worth. He was glad that +he could repay a little at least. + +Then he stepped lightly toward the larger chamber in which Colonel +Woodville lay. The usual candle was burning on the table near his bed, +but the great bald head lay motionless on the pillow, and the heavy white +eyebrows drooped over closed lids. Sound asleep! Dick was glad of it. +The colonel, with his strong loyalty to the South, might seek to hold him, +at least as his personal prisoner, and now the trouble was avoided. + +He moved gently across the floor, and then passed toward the open door. +How good that puff of fresh air and freedom felt on his face! He did not +know that Colonel Woodville raised his head on the pillow, glanced after +him, and then let his head sink back and his eyes close again. A low +sigh came between the colonel's lips, and it would have been difficult to +say whether it was relief or regret. + +Dick stepped into the narrow path cut in the side of the ravine and +inhaled more draughts of the fresh air. How sweet and strong it was! +How it filled one's lungs and brought with it life, courage and +confidence! One had to live in a hole in a hill before he could +appreciate fully the blessed winds that blew about the world. He knew +that the path ran in front of other hollows dug in the earth, and he felt +sorry for the people who were compelled to burrow in them. He felt sorry, +in truth, for all Vicksburg, because now that he was outside his fears +for Grant disappeared, and he knew that he must win. + +While he remained in the path a deep boom came from the direction of the +Union army and a huge shell burst over the town. It was followed in a +moment by another and then by many others. While the besieged rejoiced +in victory the besiegers had begun anew the terrible bombardment, sending +a warning that the iron ring still held. + +Dick paused no longer, but ran rapidly along the path until he emerged +upon the open plateau and proceeded toward the center of the town. +He judged that in the hours following a great battle, while there was yet +much confusion, he would find his best chance. + +He had reckoned rightly. There was a great passing to and fro in +Vicksburg, but its lights were dim. Oil and candles alike were scarce, +and there was little but the moon's rays to disclose a town to the eye. +The rejoicings over the victory had brought more people than usual into +the streets, but the same exultation made them unsuspicious, and Dick +glided among them in the dusk, almost without fear. + +He had concluded that "the longest way around was the shortest way +through," and he directed his steps toward the river. He had formed a +clear plan at last, and he believed that it would succeed. Twisting and +turning, always keeping in the shadows, he made good progress, descended +the bluff, and at last stood behind the ruins of an old warehouse near +the stream. + +Southern batteries were not far away from him and he heard the men +talking. Then, strengthening his resolution, he came from behind the +ruins, flung himself almost flat on the ground, and crawled toward the +river, pushing in front of him a board, which some Northern gun had shot +from the warehouse. + +He knew that his task was difficult and dangerous, though in the last +resort he could rush to the water and spring in. But he was almost at +the edge before any sentinel saw the black shadow passing over the ground. + +A hail came, and Dick flattened himself against the ground and lay +perfectly still. Evidently the sentinel was satisfied that his fancy had +been making merry with him, as he did not look further at the shadow, +and Dick, after waiting two or three minutes, resumed his slow creeping. + +He reached the edge, shoved the board into it, and dropped gently into +the water beside it, submerged to the head. Then, pushing his support +before him, he struck out for the middle of the stream. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE TAKING OF VICKSBURG + + +Dick was a fine swimmer, he had a good stout plank, and the waters of the +river were warm. He felt that the chief dangers were passed, and that +the muddy Mississippi would now bear him safely to the blockading fleet +below. He gave the plank another shove, sending it farther out into +the stream, and then raised himself up until his elbows rested upon it. +He could thus float gently with a little propulsion from his legs to the +place where he wanted to go. + +He saw lights along the bluff and the bar below, and then, with a sudden +shoot of alarm he noticed a dim shadow move slowly from the shore. +It was a long boat, holding a dozen rowers, and several men armed with +rifles, and it was coming toward him. He did not know whether it was +merely an ordinary patrol, or whether they had seen the darker blot on +the stream that he and the plank made, but in any event the result would +be the same. + +He slipped his arm off the plank and sank in the stream to the chin. +Then, propelling it gently and without any splashing of the water, +he continued to move down the stream. He was hopeful that the riflemen +would mistake him and his plank for one of those stumps or logs which the +Mississippi carries so often on its bosom. + +The head of the boat turned from him a little, and he felt sure now that +he would drift away unnoticed, but one of the soldiers suddenly raised +his rifle and fired. Dick heard the bullet clip the water close beside +him, and he swam as hard as he could for a few moments. Then he +settled again into quiet, as he saw the boat was not coming toward him. +Doubtless the man had merely fired the shot to satisfy himself that it +was really a log, and if Dick allowed it to float naturally he would be +convinced. + +It was a tremendous trial of nerves to run the gantlet in this way, +but as it was that or nothing he exerted all his will upon his body, +and let himself float slowly, sunk again to the mouth and with his head +thrown back, so it would present only a few inches above the surface. + +The boat turned, and seemed once upon the point of coming toward him. +He could hear the creaking of the oars and the men talking, but they +turned again suddenly and rowed up the stream. Again, his fate had hung +on a chance impulse. He drifted slowly on until the town and the bluffs +sank in the darkness. Then he drew himself upon his plank and swam, +doubling his speed. He knew that some of the Union gunboats lay not +far below, and, when he rounded a curve, he saw a light in the stream, +but near the shore. + +He approached cautiously, knowing that the men on the vessel would be on +guard against secret attack, and presently he discerned the outlines of a +sidewheel steamer, converted into a warship and bearing guns. He dropped +down by the side of his plank until he was quite close, and then, raising +himself upon it again, he shouted with all his voice: "Ship ahoy!" + +He did not know whether that was the customary method of hailing on the +Mississippi, but it was a memory from his nautical reading, and so he +shouted a second and yet a third time at the top of his voice: "Ship +ahoy!" Figures bearing rifles appeared at the side, and a rough voice +demanded in language highly unparliamentary who was there and what he, +she or it wanted. + +Dick was in a genial mood. He had escaped with an ease that surprised +him, and the warmth of the water in which he was immersed had saved +him from cramp or chill. The spirit of recklessness seized him again. +He threw himself astride his plank, and called out: + +"A detachment of the army of the United States escaped from captivity in +Vicksburg, and wishing to rejoin it. It's infantry, not marines, and it +needs land." + +"Then advance infantry and give the countersign." + +"Grant and Victory," replied Dick in a loud, clear voice. + +A laugh came from the steamer, and the rough voice said again: + +"Let the detachment advance again, and holding up its hands, show itself." + +Dick paddled closer and, steadying himself as well as he could, threw up +his hands. The light of a ship's lantern was thrown directly on his face, +and the same voice ordered men to take a small boat and get him. + +When Dick stepped upon the deck of the steamer, water streaming from +his clothes, several men looked at him curiously. One in a dingy blue +uniform he believed to be the owner of the rough voice. But his face was +not rough. + +"Who are you?" asked the man. + +"Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's regiment in the army +of General Grant, sent several days ago with a message to the fleet, but +driven by Confederate scouts and skirmishers into Vicksburg, where he lay +hidden, seeking a chance of escape." + +"And he found it to-night, coming down the river like a big catfish." + +"He did, sir. He could find no other way, and he arrived on the useful +board which is now floating away on the current." + +"What proof have you that you are what you say." + +"That I saw you before you saw me and hailed you." + +"It's not enough." + +"Then here is the message that I was to have delivered to the commander +of the fleet. It's pretty wet, but I think you can make it out." + +He drew the dispatch from the inside pocket of his waistcoat. It was +soaked through, but when they turned the ship's lantern upon it the +captain could make out its tenor and the names. Doubt could exist no +longer and he clapped his hands heartily upon the lad's shoulder. + +"Come into the cabin and have something to eat and dry clothes," he said. +"This is the converted steamer Union, and I'm its commander, Captain +William Hays. I judge that you've had an extraordinary time." + +"I have, captain, and the hardest of it all was when I saw our army +repulsed to-day." + +"It was bad and the wounded are still lying on the field, but it doesn't +mean that Vicksburg will have a single moment of rest. Listen to that, +will you, lieutenant?" + +The far boom of a cannon came, and Dick knew that its shell would break +over the unhappy town. But he had grown so used to the cannonade that +it made little impression upon him, and, shrugging his shoulders, he +descended the gangway with the captain. + +Clothing that would fit him well enough was found, and once more he was +dry and warm. Hot coffee and good food were brought him, and while he +ate and drank Captain Hays asked him many questions. What was the rebel +strength in Vicksburg? Were they exultant over their victory of the day? +Did they think they could hold out? What food supply did they have? + +Dick answered all the questions openly and frankly as far as he could. +He really knew little or nothing about those of importance, and, as for +himself, he merely said that he had hid in a cave, many of which had been +dug in Vicksburg. He did not mention Colonel Woodville or his daughter. + +"Now," said Captain Hays, when he finished his supper, "you can have +a bunk. Yes, lieutenant, you must take it. I could put you ashore +to-night, but it's not worth while. Get a good night's sleep, and we'll +see to-morrow." + +Dick knew that he was right, and, quelling his impatience, he lay down in +one of the bunks and slept until morning. + +Then, after a solid breakfast, he went ashore with the good wishes of +Captain Hays, and, a few hours later, he was with the Union army and his +own regiment. Again he was welcomed as one dead and his own heart was +full of rejoicing because all of his friends were alive. Warner alone +had been wounded, a bullet cutting into his shoulder, but not hurting him +much. He wore a bandage, his face had a becoming pallor, and Pennington +charged that he was making the most of it. + +"But it was an awful day," said Warner, "and there's a lot of gloom +in the camp. Still, we're not moving away and the reinforcements are +coming." + +Dick explained to Colonel Winchester why he had failed in his mission, +and the colonel promised to report in turn to the commander that the hand +of God had intervened. Dick's conscience was now at rest, and he resumed +at once his duties with the regiment. + +Many days passed. While Grant did not make any other attack upon +Vicksburg his circle of steel grew tighter, and the rain of shells and +bombs upon the devoted town never ceased. Reinforcements poured forward. +His army rose to nearly eighty thousand men, and Johnston, hovering near, +gathering together what men he could, did not dare to strike. Dick was +reminded more than once of Caesar's famous siege of Alesia, about which +he had read not so long ago in Dr. Russell's academy at Pendleton. + +There were long, long days of intrenching, skirmishing and idleness. +May turned into June, and still the steel coil enclosed Vicksburg. +Here the Union men were hopeful, but the news from the East was bad. +Not much filtered through, and none of it struck a happy note. Lee, +with his invincible legions, was still sweeping northward. Doubtless the +Confederate hosts now trod the soil of a free State, and Dick and his +comrades feared in their very souls that Lee was marching to another +great victory. + +"I wish I could hear from Harry Kenton," said Dick to Warner. "I'd like +to know whether he passed through Chancellorsville safely." + +"Don't you worry about him," said Warner. "That rebel cousin of yours +has luck. He also has skill. Let x equal luck and y skill. Now x plus +y equals the combination of luck and skill, which is safety. That proves +to me mathematically that he is unharmed and that he is riding northward-- +to defeat, I hope." + +"We've got to win here," said Dick. "If we don't, I'm thinking the cause +of the Union will be more than doubtful. We don't seem to have the +generals in the East that we have in the West. Our leaders hang on here +and they don't overestimate the enemy." + +"That's so," said Pennington. "Now, I wonder what 'Pap' Thomas is doing." + +"He's somewhere in Tennessee, I suppose, watching Bragg," said Dick. +"That's a man I like, and, I think, after this affair here is over, +we may go back to his command. If we do succeed in taking Vicksburg, +it seems likely to me that the heavy fighting will be up there in +Tennessee, where Bragg's army is." + +"Do you know if your uncle, Colonel Kenton, is in Vicksburg?" + +"I don't think so. In fact, I'm sure he isn't. His regiment is with +Bragg. Well, George, what does your algebra tell us?" + +Warner had taken out his little volume again and was studying it +intently. But he raised his head long enough to reply. + +"I have just achieved the solution of a very important mathematical +problem," he answered in precise tones. "An army of about thirty-five +thousand men occupies a town located on a river. It is besieged by +another army of about seventy-five thousand men flushed with victory. +The besiegers occupy the river with a strong fleet. They are also led +by a general who has shown skill and extraordinary tenacity, while the +commander of the besieged has not shown much of either quality and must +feel great discouragement." + +"But you're only stating the side of the besieged." + +"Don't interrupt. It's impolite. I mean to be thoroughly fair. Now +come the factors favoring the besieged. The assailing army, despite its +superior numbers, is far in the enemy's country. It may be attacked at +any time by another army outside, small, but led by a very able general. +Now, you have both sides presented to you, but I have already arrived at +the determining factor. What would you say it is, Dick?" + +"I don't know." + +"You haven't used your reasoning powers. Remember that the man who not +merely thinks, but who thinks hard and continuously always wins. It's +very simple. The answer is in four letters, f-o-o-d, food. As we know +positively, Pemberton was able to provision Vicksburg for five or six +weeks. We can't break in and he can't break out. When his food is +exhausted, as it soon will be, he'll have to give up. The siege of +Vicksburg is over. I know everything, except the exact date." + +Dick was inclined to believe that Warner was right, but he forgot about +his prediction, because a mail came down the river that afternoon, +and he received a letter from his mother, his beautiful young mother, +who often seemed just like an elder sister. + +She was in Pendleton, she wrote, staying comfortably in their home. +The town was occupied by three companies of veteran Union troops who +behaved well. They were always glad to have a garrison of good soldiers +whether Federal or Confederate--sometimes it was one and sometimes the +other. But she thought the present Union force would remain quite a +while, as she did not look for the reappearance of the Southern army in +Kentucky. But if the town were left without troops she would go back to +her relatives in the Bluegrass, as Bill Skelly's band to the eastward in +the mountains was raiding and plundering and had become a great menace. +Guerillas were increasing in numbers in those doubtful regions. + +"The regular troops will have to deal with those fellows later on," +said Dick. + +"Dr. Russell has had a letter from Harry Kenton," continued Mrs. Mason. +"It was written from some point near the Pennsylvania line, and, while +Harry did not say so in his letter, I know that General Lee is expecting +a great victory in the North. Harry was not hurt at Chancellorsville, +but he says he does not see how he escaped, the fire of the cannon and +rifles being more awful than any that he had ever seen before. He was +present when General Jackson was mortally wounded, and he seems to have +been deeply affected by it. He writes that the Confederacy could better +have lost a hundred thousand men." + +There was more in the letter, but it was strictly personal to Dick, +and it closed with her heartfelt prayer that God, who had led him safely +so far, would lead him safely through all. + +After reading it several times he put it in a hidden pocket. Soldiers +did not receive many letters and they always treasured them. Ah, his +dear, beautiful young mother! How could anyone ever harm her! Yet the +thought of Skelly and his outlaws made him uneasy. He hoped that the +Union garrison would remain in Pendleton permanently. + +His mind was soon compelled to turn back to the siege. They were digging +trenches and creeping closer and closer. Warner had made no mistake +in his mathematics. The army and the people in Vicksburg had begun to +suffer from a lack of food. They were down to half rations. They had +neither tea nor coffee, and medicines were exhausted. Many and many a +time they looked forth from their hills and prayed for Johnston, but he +could not come. Always the Union flag floated before them, and the ring +of steel so strong and broad was contracting inch by inch. + +The Northern engineers ran mines under the Confederate works. They used +every device of ingenious minds to push the siege. Spies brought word +that all food would soon be gone in Vicksburg, and Grant, grim of purpose, +took another hitch in the steel belt about the hopeless town. The +hostile earthworks and trenches were now so near that the men could hear +one another talking. Sometimes in a lull of the firing they would come +out and exchange tobacco or news. It was impossible for the officers to +prevent it, and they really did not seek to do so, as the men fought just +as well when they returned to their works. + +June now drew to a close and the great heats of July were at hand. +Dick was convinced that the defense of Vicksburg was drawing to a like +close. They had proof that some of the irregulars in Vicksburg had +escaped through the lines and he was convinced that Slade would be among +them. They were the rats and Vicksburg was the sinking ship. + +They heard that Johnston had gathered together twenty-five thousand men +and was at last marching to the relief of the town. Dick believed that +Grant must have laughed one of his grimmest laughs. They knew that +Johnston's men were worn and half-starved, and had been harassed by other +Union troops. Johnston was skillful, but he would only be a lean and +hungry wolf attacking a grizzly bear. He was sure that all danger from +him had passed. + +Now, as they closed in the Northern guns increased their fire. It seemed +to Dick that they could have blown away the whole plateau of Vicksburg by +this time. The storm of shells raked the town, and he was glad that the +people had been able to dig caves for refuge. Colonel Woodville must +be doing some of his greatest swearing now. Dick thought of him with +sympathy and friendliness. + +"I don't think it can last much longer, Mr. Mason," said Sergeant Daniel +Whitley on the morning of the second of July. "Their guns don't answer +ours often and it means that they're out of ammunition, or almost. +Besides, you can stand shells and bullets easier than lack of food. +'Pears to me I can nearly feel 'em crumpling up before us." + +Trumpets blew the next morning. All the firing ceased suddenly and the +three lads saw a Southern general with several officers of lower rank, +riding forward under a white flag. It was Bowen, who came out to meet +Grant. + +Dick drew a deep, long breath. He knew that this was the end. So did +his comrades. A cheer started and swept part of the way along the lines, +but the officers quickly stopped it. + +"Vicksburg is ours," said Dick. + +"Looks like it," said Warner. + +But Grant told Bowen that he would treat only with Pemberton, and after +delays General Pemberton came out. General Grant went forward to meet +him. The two stood alone under a tree within seventy yards of the +Confederate lines and talked. + +Chance or fortune presented a startling coincidence. Almost at the very +moment that Grant and Pemberton met under the tree Pickett's men were +rising to their feet and preparing for the immortal but fatal charge at +Gettysburg. While the cannon had ceased suddenly at Vicksburg they were +thundering from many score mouths at Gettysburg. Fortune was launching +two thunderbolts upon the Confederacy at the same moment. They were to +strike upon fields a thousand miles apart, and the double blow was to be +mortal. + +But Dick knew nothing of Gettysburg then, nor was he to know anything +until days afterward. He certainly had no thought of the East while he +watched the two generals under the tree. Dick's comrades were with him, +but so intense was their curiosity that none of them spoke. Thousands of +men were gazing with the same eagerness, and the Southern earthworks were +covered with the defenders. + +It was one of the most dramatic scenes in Dick's life, the two men under +the tree, and the tens of thousands who watched. Nobody moved. It +seemed that they scarcely breathed. After the continuous roar of firing +the sudden silence was oppressive, and Dick felt the blood pounding in +his ears. + +The heat was close and heavy. Black clouds were floating up in the west, +and lightning glimmered now and then on the horizon. Although the storm +threatened no one noticed. All eyes were still for Grant and Pemberton. +After a while each returned to his own command, and there was an +armistice until the next day, when the full surrender was made, and Grant +and his officers rode into Vicksburg. At the same time Lee was gathering +his men for the retreat into the South from the stricken field of +Gettysburg. It was the Fourth of July, the eighty-seventh anniversary of +the Declaration of Independence, and no one could have possibly conceived +a more striking celebration. + +As soon as Dick was free for a little space he hurried to the ravine, and, +as before, found there the open door. He passed in without hesitation. + +The light as of old filtered into the room, and Colonel Woodville lay +just as before in bed with his great bald head upon the pillow. Miss +Woodville sat beside the bed, reading aloud from Addison. Dick's step +was light, but the colonel heard him and held up a finger. The lad +paused until Miss Woodville, finishing a long sentence, closed the book. +Then the colonel, raising a little the great white thatch of his eyebrows, +said: + +"Young sir, you have returned again, and, personally, you are welcome, +but I do not conceive how you can stand the company you keep. My +daughter informs me that the Yankees are in Vicksburg, and I have no +reason to doubt the statement." + +He paused, and Dick said: + +"Yes, Colonel, it's true." + +"I suppose we must endure it. I should have gone myself and have offered +my sword to General Grant, but this confounded leg of mine is still weak." + +"At least, sir, we come with something besides arms. May I bring you +rations?" + +"You are generous, young man, and my daughter and I appreciate the +obvious nature of your errand here. Speaking for both of us, a little +food will not be unwelcome." + +"Tell me first, what has become of your nephew. Has he escaped from the +city?" + +"He slipped out nearly a week ago, and will join his father's regiment +in Bragg's command. That scoundrel, Slade, is gone too. Since the city +had to be surrendered I would gladly have made you a present of Slade, +but it's out of my power now." + +Dick soon returned with ample food for them and helped them later, +when they moved to quarters outside in the shell-torn city. Dick saw +that they were comfortable, and then his mind turned toward Tennessee. +Detachments from Grant's army were to be sent to that of Rosecrans, +who was now heavily threatened by Bragg, and the Winchester regiment, +which really belonged with him, was sure to go. + +The order to march soon came, and it was welcome. The regiment, or +rather what was left of it, promptly embarked upon one of the river +steamers and started northward. + +As they stood on the deck and looked down at the yellow waters in which +Dick had swum on his trusty plank Warner said: + +"I've news of importance. It arrived in a telegram to General Grant, +and I heard it just as we were coming on board." + +"What is it?" asked Dick. + +"General Lee was defeated in a great battle at a little place called +Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, and has retreated into Virginia." + +"Gettysburg and Vicksburg!" exclaimed Dick. "The wheel has turned nearly +'round. The Confederacy is doomed now." + +"I think so, too," said Warner. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +AN AFFAIR OF THE MOUNTAINS + + +Although they were on board one of the fastest steamers in the Union +service, Dick and his comrades had a long journey by river. But it +was not unpleasant. They enjoyed the rest and ease after the weeks of +fighting and service in the trenches before Vicksburg. The absence of +war and the roar of cannon and rifles was like a happy dream between days +of fighting. As they went northward on the great river it almost seemed +as if peace had returned. + +Warner studied his algebra and two other books of mathematics which he +was lucky enough to find on board. Pennington slept a great deal of the +time. + +"I learned it on the plains from the Indians," he said. "When they don't +have anything to do they sleep and gather strength for the hour of need. +I think the time is coming soon when they won't let me sleep at all, +and then I can draw on the great supply I have in stock." + +"Likely enough it's near," said Dick dreamily. "They say Bragg has a +great army now, and you know that, while Rosecrans is slow he's pretty +sure. Thomas and McCook and the others are with him, too. I expect to +see 'Pap' Thomas again. He's a general to my liking." + +"And to mine, too," said Pennington, "but we can talk about him later on, +because I'm going to sleep again inside of a minute." + +Dick was not averse to silence, as he, too, was half asleep; that is, +he was in a dreamy stage, and he was at peace with the world and his +fellow men. From under drooping eyelids he was vaguely watching the low +shores of the Mississippi, and the great mass of yellow waters moving +onward from the far vague forests of the North in their journey of four +thousand miles to the gulf. + +Like all boys of the great valley, Dick always felt the romance and spell +of the Mississippi. It was to him and them one of the greatest facts +in the natural world, the grave of De Soto, the stream on which their +fathers and forefathers had explored and traded and fought since their +beginnings. Now it was fulfilling its titanic role again, and the Union +fleets upon its bosom were splitting the Confederacy asunder. + +He, too, fell asleep before long. Warner glanced at his comrades who +slept so well on a hard bench, and his look was rather envious. He +returned his beloved algebra to his pocket, leaned back on the bench also, +and, although he had not believed it possible, slept also inside of five +minutes. Colonel Winchester passing smiled sympathetically, but his +glance lingered longest on Dick. + +After days on the water the regiment disembarked, marched more days +across the country, joining other regiments on the way, and reached the +rear guard of the army of Rosecrans, which was already marching southward +in the direction of Chattanooga to meet that of Bragg. They advanced +now over the Cumberland mountains through a country wild and thinly +inhabited. The summer was waning, but it was cool on the mountains and +in the passes, nor was it so dry as the year before, when they fought +that terrible battle at Perryville in Kentucky. + +Dick was glad to be again in the high country, the land of firm soil and +of many clear, rushing streams. Heart and lungs expanded, when he looked +upon the long ridges, clothed in deep forest, and breathed the pure air +that blew down from their summits. Yet his dream of peace was over. +As they advanced through the forests and passes they were harassed +incessantly by sharpshooters on the slopes, who melted away before them, +but who returned on the very heels of the vain pursuit to vex them again +with bullets. + +They heard soon that the most daring of these bands was led by a man +named Slade, and Dick's pulse took a jump. He felt in a curious sort of +way that this man Slade was still following him. It seemed more than a +decree of chance that their fates should be intertwined. He hoped that +Slade would never hear how he had been hidden in that hole in the ravine +with the Woodvilles. Trouble could come of it for gallant young Victor +Woodville, and even for his uncle. He was sure that Victor was now with +Bragg and they might meet face to face again. + +As they rode through a defile and came into a wide valley they saw before +them an extensive Union camp, and they were overjoyed to learn that it +was the division of Thomas, the general to whom they were to report. +Dick had once received the personal thanks of Thomas, and the grave, +able man inspired him with immense respect, mingled with affection. + +He stood before Thomas in his tent that evening, Colonel Winchester +having yielded to his request to take him with him when he reported the +arrival of his regiment. Thomas, usually so taciturn, delighted the soul +of the lad by remembering him at once. + +"It was you, Lieutenant Mason, who came to me there in the Kentucky +mountains with the dispatches," he said, "and you were also with us at +Perryville and Stone River." + +"I was, sir," said Dick, flushing with pride. + +"And you were with General Grant at the taking of Vicksburg! It was a +great exploit, and it has lifted us up mightily. But I'm glad to have +you back along with Colonel Winchester and the rest of his brave lads. +I think you'll see action before long, action perhaps on a greater scale +than any witnessed hitherto in the West." + +Dick saluted and withdrew. He knew that a young lieutenant must not stay +too long in the presence of a commanding general and he quickly rejoined +Warner and Pennington. + +"How's the old man?" asked Pennington, with the familiarity of youth, +which was not disrespectful in the absence of the "old man." + +"'Pap' Thomas is looking well," replied Dick. "I fancy that his +digestion was never better. He did not act in a belligerent way, but I +think he's hunting for a fight." + +"Since you and Warner and I have arrived he can begin it." + +"I think it's coming," said Dick earnestly. "Often you can feel when +things are moving to some end, and I'm sure that we'll measure strength +again with Bragg before the autumn has gone far." + +The valley in which the camp lay was green and beautiful, and a deep, +clear little river from the mountains, ran rushing, through it. The +three lads lay on their blankets near the bank and listened to the +musical sweep of the stream. Pennington suddenly sprang up and hailed: + +"Hey, Ohio, is that you? Come here!" + +A tall youth emerged from the dusk and looked at them inquiringly. + +"Ohio," said Pennington, "don't you remember your friends?" + +The long, lean lad looked again, and then he was enthusiastically shaking +hands with each in turn. + +"Remember you!" he exclaimed. "Of course I do. If it hadn't been so +dark I'd have seen you and called to you first. I'm glad you're alive. +It's a lot to live in these times. I tried to find out about you fellows +but couldn't. We came in a detachment ahead of you. But if you'll +invite me, I'll stay awhile with you and talk." + +They offered him a blanket and he stretched out upon it, turning his eyes +up to the sky, in which the stars were now coming. + +"What are you thinking about, Ohio?" asked Dick. + +"I'm thinking how fast I'm growing old. Two years and a half in the war, +but it's twenty-five years in fact. I hadn't finished school when I left +home and here I am, a veteran of more battles than any soldiers have +fought since the days of old Bonaparte. If I happen to live through +this war, which I mean to do, I wonder how I'll ever settle down at home +again. Father will say to me: 'Get the plough and break up the five-acre +field for corn,' and me, maybe a veteran of a dozen pitched battles in +every one of which anywhere from one hundred thousand to two hundred +thousand men have been engaged, not to mention fifty or a hundred smaller +battles and four or five hundred skirmishes. + +"When the flies begin to buzz around me I'll think they make a mighty +poor noise compared with the roar of three or four hundred big cannon and +a hundred thousand rifles that I've listened to so often. If a yellow +jacket should sting me, I'd say what a little thing it is, compared with +the piece of shrapnel that hit me at some battle not yet fought. Maybe +I'd find things so quiet I just couldn't stand it. Wars are mighty +unsettling." + +"I'm thinking," said Dick, "that before this war is over all of us will +get enough of it to last a lifetime. We've got the edge on 'em now, +since Vicksburg and Gettysburg, but the Graybacks are not yet beaten by a +long shot. We've heard how Lee drew off from Gettysburg carrying all his +guns and supplies, and even with Gettysburg we haven't been doing so well +in the East as we have in the West. You know that, Ohio?" + +"Of course, I do. But I think the Johnnies have made their high-water +mark. Great work our army did down there at Vicksburg, and we'll have +the chance to do just as well against Bragg. We'll defeat him, of +course. Now, Mason, notice that light flickering on the mountain up +there!" + +He pointed to the crest of a ridge two or three miles away, where Dick +saw a point of flame appearing and reappearing, and answered by another +point farther down, which flickered in the same manner. + +"Signals of some kind, I suppose," replied Dick, "but I don't know who +makes them or what they mean." + +"I don't know what they mean, either," said Ohio; "but I can guess pretty +well who's making them. That's Slade." + +"Slade!" said Dick. + +"Yes, you seem to have heard of him?" + +"So I have, and I've seen him, also. I heard, too, that he was up here +making things unhappy for our side. He was in Vicksburg, although you +may not have heard of him there, but he got out before the surrender. +A cunning fellow. A sort of land pirate." + +"He's all of that. Since we've been coming through the mountains he and +his band have picked off a lot of our men. Those signals must mean that +they're preparing for another raid. I shouldn't like to be a half-mile +from our lines to-night." + +"Why can't we smoke him out, Ohio?" + +"Because when we're half way up the slope he and his men are gone on the +other side. Besides, they can rake us with bullets from ambush, while +we're climbing up the ridge. And when we get there, they're gone. +It's these mountains that give the irregulars their chance. See, two +lights are winking at each other now!" + +"How far apart would you say they are, Ohio?" + +"A mile, maybe, but one is much higher than the other up the mountain. +The lower light, doubtless, is signaling information about us to the +higher. I see your colonel and our colonel talking together. Maybe +we're going to set a trap. It would be a good thing if we could clean +out those fellows." + +"I'm thinking that your guess is a good one," said Dick, as he rose to +his feet, "because Colonel Winchester is beckoning to me now." + +"And there's a call for me, too," said Ohio, rising. "Talk of a thing +and it happens. We're surely going for those lights." + +They had reckoned right. General Thomas, when he saw the signals, +had summoned some of his best officers and they had talked together +earnestly. The general had not said much before, but the incessant +sharpshooting from the bushes and slopes as they marched southward had +caused him intense annoyance, and, if continued, he knew that it would +hurt the spirit of the troops. + +"We shall try to trap Slade's band to-night," said Colonel Winchester to +Dick and the other young officers who gathered around him. "We think he +has three or four hundred men and my regiment can deal with that number. +We will defile to the right without noise and make our way up the +mountain. An Ohio regiment, which can also deal with Slade if it catches +him, will defile to the left. Maybe we can trap these irregulars between +us. Sergeant Whitley will guide my force." + +The sergeant stepped forward, proud of the honor and trust. Dick, +looking at him in the moonlight, said to himself for the hundredth time +that he was a magnificent specimen of American manhood, thick, powerful, +intelligent, respectful to his superior officers, who often knew less +than he did, a veteran from whom woods, hills, and plains hid few +secrets. He thought it a good thing that the sergeant was to be their +guide, because he would lead them into no ambush. + +As Dick turned away for departure Ohio said to him: + +"We'll meet on the mountain side, and I hope we'll catch our game, +but don't you fellows fire into us in the dark." + +Dick promised and his regiment marched away toward the slope. All were +on foot, of course, and they had received strict instructions to make no +noise. They turned northward, left the camp behind them, and were soon +hidden in the dark. + +Dick was at the head of the column with Colonel Winchester and the +sergeant. Warner and Pennington were further back. The darkness was +heavy in the shadow of the slope and among the bushes, but, looking +backward, Dick clearly saw the camp of General Thomas with its thousands +of men and dozens of fires. Figures passed and repassed before the +flames, and the fused noises of a great camp came from the valley. + +Dick took only a glance or two. His whole attention now was for the +sergeant, who was looking here and there and sniffing the air, like a +great hound seeking the trail. The soldier had melted into the scout, +and Colonel Winchester, knowing him so well, had, in effect, turned the +regiment over to him. + +Dick and other young officers were sent back through the column to see +that they marched without noise. It was not difficult to enforce the +orders, as the men were filled with the ardor of the hunt, and would do +everything to insure its success. When Dick came back to the head of the +column he merely heard the tread of feet and the rustling of uniforms +against the bushes behind them. + +The sergeant led on with unerring skill and instinct. They were rising +fast on the slope, and the great forest received and hid them as if they +were its wild children returned to their home. The foliage was so dense +that Dick caught only flitting glimpses of the camp below, although many +fires were yet burning there. + +The wisdom of putting the regiment into the hands of the sergeant was now +shown. Rising to the trust, he called up all his reserves of wilderness +lore. He listened attentively to the voice of every night bird, because +it might not be real, but instead the imitation call of man to man. +He searched in every opening under the moonlight for traces of footsteps, +which he alone could have seen, and, when at last he found them, Dick, +despite the dusk, saw his figure expand and his eyes flash. He had been +kneeling down examining the imprints and when he arose the colonel asked: + +"What is it, Whitley?" + +"Men have passed here, sir, and, as they couldn't have been ours, they +were the enemy. The tracks lead south on the slope, and they must have +been going that way to join Slade's command." + +"Then you think, Sergeant, we should follow this trail?" + +"Undoubtedly, sir, but we must look out for an ambush. These men know +the mountains thoroughly, and if we were to walk into their trap they +might cut us to pieces." + +"Then we won't walk into it. Lead on, Sergeant. If the enemy is near, +I know that you will find him in time." + +The sergeant's brown face flushed with pride, but he followed on the +trail without a word and behind him came the whole regiment, implicit in +its trust, and winding without noise like a great coiling serpent through +the forest. + +Dick was a woodsman himself, and he kept close to the sergeant, watching +his methods, and seeking also what he could find. While they lost the +trail now and then, he saw the sergeant recover it in the openings. +He noted, too, that it was increasing in size. Little trails were +flowing into the big one like brooks into a river, and the main course +was uniformly south, but bearing slightly upward on the slope. + +The sergeant stopped at the melancholy cry of an owl, apparently three +or four hundred yards ahead. Both he and Dick raised their heads and +listened for the answer, which they felt sure was ready. The long, +sinister hoot in reply came from a point considerably farther away, +but at about the same height on the slope. + +"They have two forces, sir," said the sergeant to Colonel Winchester, +"and I think they're about to unite." + +"As a wilderness fighter, what would you suggest, Sergeant?" + +"To wait here a little and lie hidden in the brush. We're rightly afraid +of an ambush if we go on, then why not make the same danger theirs? +I think it likely that the other force is coming this way. Anyway, +we can tell in a minute or two, 'cause them owls are sure to hoot again. +If I'm right, we can catch 'em napping." + +"An excellent idea, Sergeant. Ah! there are the signals you predicted!" + +The owl hooted again from the same point directly in front, and then came +the reply of the other, now nearer. The sergeant drew a deep breath of +satisfaction. + +"Yes, sir, I was right," he said. "Their meeting place is straight in +front. Will you let me slip forward a little through the brush and see?" + +"Go ahead, Sergeant. We need all the information we can get, but don't +walk into any trap yourself, leaving us here without eyes or ears." + +"Never fear, sir. I won't be caught." + +Then he disappeared with a suddenness that made the colonel and Dick +gasp. He was with them, and then he was not. But he returned in +ten minutes, and, although Dick could not see it in his face, he was +triumphant. + +"There's a glade not more'n four hundred yards ahead," he whispered to +the colonel, "and about a hundred and fifty men, armed with long rifles, +are lying down in it waiting for a second force, which I judge from the +cry of the owl will be there inside of five minutes." + +"Then," said Colonel Winchester, breathing fast, "we'll wait ten minutes +and attack. It would be a great stroke to wipe out Slade's band. +I'm sorry for those Ohio fellows, but the luck's ours to-night, or I +should say that the sergeant's skill as a trailer has given us the +chance." + +It was soon known along the black, winding line that the enemy was at +hand, and the men were eager to attack, but they were ordered to have +patience for a little while. Their leader wished to destroy Slade's +whole force at one stroke. + +Colonel Winchester took out his watch and held it before him in the faint +moonlight. He would not move until the ten minutes exactly had passed. +Then he closed the watch and gave the signal, but stationed officers +along the line to see that the men made as little noise as possible. +The long black column moved again through the forest and Dick, full of +excitement was at its head with the colonel and the sergeant. + +They reached a slope, crept up it, and then spread out, as they knew that +the valley and the enemy were within rifle shot. Dick, glancing through +the bushes, saw the glitter of steel and caught the murmur of voices. +He knew that their presence was not yet suspected, and he did not like +the idea of firing from ambush upon anybody, but there was no occasion +for testing his scruples, as the advance of so many men created noise +sufficient to reach the alert ears in the glade. + +"Up, men! The enemy!" he heard a voice shout. Colonel Winchester at the +same moment ordered his men to fire and charge with the bayonet. + +A terrible volley was poured into the valley, and it seemed to Dick that +half of Slade's force went down, but as they rushed forward to finish +the task they met a fire that caused many of the Union soldiers to drop. +Slade was evidently a man of ability. Dick saw him springing about and +blowing a little silver whistle, which he knew was a call to rally. + +But the surprise was too sudden and great. The irregulars, fighting hard, +were driven out of the valley and into the woods on the upper side of the +glade. Sheltered in the underbrush, they might have made a good defense +there, but a sudden tremendous cheer arose, and they were charged in the +flank by the Ohio regiment, coming up on the run. + +Spurred by emulation the Winchester men also rushed into the underbrush, +and those of Slade's men who had not fallen quickly threw down their +arms. But they did not catch the leader, nor did they know what had +become of him, until Dick caught sight of a little, weazened figure under +an enormous wide-brimmed hat running with three or four others along the +mountain-side. + +"Slade! Slade!" he cried, pointing, and instantly a score, Dick and the +sergeant among them, were hotfoot after the fugitives. Several shots +were fired, but none hit, and the chase lengthened out. + +Sergeant Whitley exclaimed to Dick: + +"We catch the pack, but if we don't catch the leader there'll be another +pack soon." + +"Right you are! We must have that little man under the big hat!" + +Dick heard panting breaths, and Warner and Pennington drew up by his side. + +"Slade's about to escape!" exclaimed Dick. "We must get him!" + +"I'm running my best," said Warner. "Look out!" Slade suddenly faced +about and fired a heavy pistol. Dick had dropped down at Warner's +warning cry and the bullet sang over his head. The sergeant fired in +return, but the light was too faint, and Slade and the three who were +with him ran on unharmed. + +The pursuit, conducted with such vigor, soon led to the top of the +mountain, and they began the descent of the far side. Several more shots +were fired, but they did no damage, and neither side was able to gain. +Two of the fugitives turned aside into the woods, but the pursuit kept +straight after Slade, and his remaining companion, a slender, youthful +figure. + +"I think we'll get 'em," panted the sergeant. As he spoke one of the +little mountain rivers so numerous in that region came into view. +It was narrow, but deep, and without hesitating an instant the fugitives +sprang into it and shot down the stream, swimming with all their strength, +and helped by the powerful current. + +Slade was in advance, and he was already disappearing in the shadows on +the far bank, but his comrade, he of the slender figure, was still in the +moonlight, which fell across his face for a moment. A soldier raised his +rifle to fire, but Dick stumbled and fell against him and the bullet went +high in the air. + +The moment had been long enough for Dick to recognize Victor Woodville. +He did not know how he happened to be with Slade, but he did not intend +that he should be shot there in the water, and his impulse was quick +enough to save Victor's life. In another moment the young Mississippian +was gone also in the shadows, and although several of the Union men swam +the river they could discover no trace of either. + +"I'm sorry," said the sergeant as they walked back to the other side of +the mountain, "that they got away." + +"Yes," said Dick, "it was too bad that Slade escaped." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE RIVER OF DEATH + + +Dick knew that he had saved young Woodville's life, but his conscience +was quite dear. If he had the same chance he would do it over again, +but he was sorry they had not caught Slade. He felt no hostility toward +the regular soldiers of the Confederacy, but he knew there were guerillas +on their side, as well as his own, who would stop at nothing. He +remembered Skelly, who, claiming to be a Union partisan, nevertheless +robbed and even killed those of either party whenever he felt it safe +to do so. Slade was his Southern complement, and he would surely get +together a new force as venomous as the old. + +But Colonel Winchester and the commander of the Ohio regiment were full +of pride in their exploit, as they had a right to be. They had destroyed +a swarm of wasps which had been buzzing and stinging almost beyond +endurance, and they were still prouder when they received the thanks of +General Thomas. + +The corps moved forward the next day, and soon the whole army was united +under Rosecrans. It was a powerful force, about ninety thousand men, +the staunch fighters of the West, veterans of great battles and victories, +and to the young officers it appeared invincible. Their feeling that it +was marching to another triumph was confirmed by the news that Bragg was +retreating. + +Yet the two armies were so close to each other that the Northern vanguard +skirmished with the Southern rearguard as they passed through the +mountains. At one point in a gap of the Cumberland Mountains the +Southerners made a sharp resistance, but they were quickly driven from +their position and the Union mass rolled slowly on. Exultation among the +troops increased. + +"We'll drive Bragg away down into the South against Grant," said Ohio to +Dick, "and we'll crush him between the two arms of the vise. That will +finish everything in the West." + +While Dick was exultant, too, he had certain reservations. He had seen a +like confidence carried to disaster in the East, although it did not seem +possible that the result here could be similar. + +"I don't think they'll keep on retreating forever, Ohio," he said. +"All our supplies are coming from Nashville, and we are getting farther +away from our base every day." + +But Ohio laughed. + +"Our chief task is to catch Bragg," he said. "They said he was going to +occupy Chattanooga and wait for us. He's been in Chattanooga, but he +didn't wait for us there. He's left it already and gone on, anxious to +reach the Gulf before winter, I suppose." + +The Union army in its turn entered Chattanooga, a little town of which +Dick had seldom heard before, although he greatly admired its situation. +The country about it was bold and romantic. It stood in a sharp curve +of the great river, the Tennessee. Not far away was the lofty uplift of +Lookout Mountain, a half-mile high, and there were long ridges between +which creeks or little rivers flowed down to the Tennessee. + +One of these streams was the Chickamauga, which in the language of the +Cherokee Indians who had once owned this region means "the river of +death." Why they called it so no one knew, but the name was soon to have +a terrible fitness. Chattanooga itself meant in the Cherokee tongue "the +hawk's nest," and anybody could see the aptness of the term. + +While Lookout Mountain was the loftiest summit, some of the other ridges +rose almost as high, through the gaps of which the Northern army must +pass if it continued the pursuit of Bragg. + +September had now come and the winds were growing crisper in the high +country. The feel of autumn was in the air, and the coolness made the +marching brisker. The division to which Dick belonged was advancing +slowly. He often saw Thomas, and his admiration for the grave, silent +man grew. It was said that Thomas was slow, but that he never made +mistakes. Now the rumor was spreading that he had warned Rosecrans to be +cautious, that Bragg had a powerful army and when he reached favorable +positions, would certainly turn and fight. + +Not many were impressed by these reports. They merely said it was "Pap" +Thomas' way of looking at the dark side of things first. Hadn't they +driven Bragg through the Cumberland Mountains and out of Chattanooga, +and now they would soon be on his heels deep down in Georgia. But Dick, +noticing Colonel Winchester's serious face, surmised that he at least +shared the opinion of his chief. And when the lad looked up at the great +coils and ridges he felt that, in truth, they might go too far. If the +Northern men were veterans, so were the Southern, and neither had taken +much change of the other at Shiloh, Perryville and Stone River. + +The Winchester regiment was thrown forward as the vanguard of the +infantry, and the face of the colonel grew more serious than ever, +when the best scouts rode in with reports that the Southern retreat was +now very slow. There was news, too, that Slade had a new band much +larger than before, and they formed a rear guard of skirmishers which +made every moment of a Northern scout's life a moment of danger. The +Winchester regiment itself was often fired upon from ambush, and there +were vacant places in the ranks. + +Dick did not know whether it was his own intuition or the influence that +flowed from the opinions of Thomas and Winchester, but much of his high +exultation was abated. He regarded the lofty ridges and the deep gaps +with apprehension. It was a difficult country and the Southern leaders +must know that the Northern army was extended over a long line, with +Thomas holding the left. + +His premonitions had ample cause. Bragg as he fell back slowly had +gathered new forces. Rosecrans did not yet know it, but the army before +him was the most powerful that the South ever assembled in the West. +Polk and Cleburne and Breckinridge and Forrest and Fighting Joe Wheeler +and a whole long roll of famous Southern generals were there. Nor had +the vigilant eyes of the Confederacy in the East failed to note the +situation. + +Just as the armies were coming into touch a division of the Army of +Northern Virginia was passing by train over the mountains. It was led +by a thick-bearded, powerful man, no less a general than the renowned +Longstreet, sent to help Bragg. The veterans of the Army of Northern +Virginia would swell Bragg's ranks, and the great army, turning a +sanguine face northward, was eager for Rosecrans to come on. The +Southern force would number more than ninety thousand men, more numerous +than ever before or afterward in the West. + +It was now late in September, the eve of the eighteenth, and Dick and his +comrades lay near the little creek with the rhythmical name, Chickamauga. +It was the very night that a portion of the Army of Northern Virginia had +arrived in Bragg's camp. The preceding days had been full of detached +fighting, and the night had come heavy with omens and presages. The +least intelligent knew now that Bragg had stopped, but they did not know +that Longstreet was to be with him. + +Dick and his comrades sat by a smothered fire, and the vast tangle of +mountains and passes, of valleys and streams looked sinister to them. +There had been skirmishing throughout the day, and as the darkness closed +down they still heard occasional rifle shots on the slopes and ridges. + +"Don't these mountains make you think of your native Vermont, George?" +asked Dick. + +"In a way, yes," replied Warner, "but my hills are not bristling with +steel as these are." + +"No, you New Englanders are fortunate. The war will never be carried on +on your soil. You shed your blood, but, after all, the states that are +trodden under foot by the armies suffer most." + +"There are lights winking on the mountains again," said Pennington. + +"Let 'em wink," said Dick. "Their signals can't amount to much now. +We know that Bragg is before us, and a great battle can't be delayed +long. Fellows, I'm not so sure about the result." + +"Come! Come, Dick!" said Warner. "It's not often you're downhearted. +What's struck you?" + +"Nothing, George, but, between you and me and the gate post, I wish that +our old 'Pap' Thomas commanded all the army, instead of the left merely. +I've learned a few things to-day. The enemy is spreading out, trying to +enfold us on both wings." + +"What of it?" + +"It means that they are sanguine of victory, and they want to stand +between us and Chattanooga, so they can cut off our retreat, after we're +beaten, as they think we surely will be. But their main force is not far +from us now, so a scout told me. It's massed heavily along the right +bank of the Chickamauga." + +"And if there's a battle to-morrow we're likely to receive the first +attack?" + +"Could it come any better than at the place where Thomas stands?" + +They sat long by the fire and Dick could not rest. Shiloh, his capture, +and his knowledge of the secret Southern advance, of which he could give +no warning, came back to him with uncommon vividness. He knew that +no such surprise could occur here, but they seemed to be lost in the +wilderness. The mountains and forests oppressed him. + +"Well, Dick," said Warner, "we're posted strongly. We've rows of +sentinels as thick as hedges, and I've the colonel's permission to go to +sleep. I'll be slumbering in ten minutes, and I'd advise you to do the +same." + +He lay on a blanket and soon slept. Pennington followed him to +slumberland, but Dick lingered. He saw lights still flashing on the +mountains, and he heard now and then reports from the rifles of the +skirmishers, who yet sought each other despite the darkness. But he +yielded at last and he, too, slept until the dawn, which should bring +nearly two hundred thousand men face to face in mortal combat. + +Dick was awake early. The September morning came, crisp and clear, +the sun showing red gleams over the mountains. He heard already the +sound of distant rifle shots in front, and, through his glasses, he saw +far away faint puffs of smoke. But it was a familiar sound in this +mighty war, and he found himself singularly calm. He never knew how he +was going to feel on the eve of battle. Sometimes the constriction at +his heart was painful, and sometimes its beat was smooth and regular. + +All the officers of the Winchester regiment were dismounted owing to the +rough nature of the country in which they were stationed. They held the +most uneven part of the center, where thickets and ravines were many. +Hot food and coffee were served to them, and new warmth and courage +flowed through their bodies. + +The distant fire increased, and, standing on a hillock, Dick looked +long through his glasses. A faint haze which had hung in the south was +clearing away. The rays of the sun were intensely bright. The brown +of autumn glowed like gold, and the red splashes here and there burned +scarlet. He saw pink dots appearing on a long line and he knew that the +skirmishers were active and wary. + +"There can be no doubt of the advance!" he said to Warner. "A strong +body of our cavalry disclosed their forward movement, and there are the +skirmishers signaling that Bragg is near. Wonderful fellows, those +sharpshooters! They're the eyes of the army. We stand in mass and fight +together, but every one of them individually takes his life in his own +hands. The firing is coming nearer. I think we'll be attacked first." + +After a little pause Warner said: + +"I'm sorry our line is extended so much. What if they should cut through +and get behind us?" + +"They'll never do it while General Thomas is here. I believe they called +him 'Old Slow Top' at West Point, but if he's slow in advance he's still +slower in retreat. I'd rather have him commanding us just now than any +other general in the world." + +"I think you're right, and here he comes! Listen to the cheering!" + +General Thomas rode slowly along his line, inspecting the position +of every regiment and making some changes. He showed no trace of +excitement. The face was calm and the heavy jaw was set firmly. If +Grant was a bulldog Thomas was another. The men knew him. They had seen +him stand like a rock before, and the thrill of confidence and courage +which help so much to win ran through them all. + +Dick saw the general speak to Colonel Winchester and then ride on and out +of sight. All the men in the regiment were lying down, but the officers +walked back and forth in front of the line. It was the especial pride +of the younger ones to appear unconcerned, and some were able to make a +brave pretense. + +But all the while the battle was rolling nearer. It was no longer an +affair of scouting parties. The skirmishers were driven in on either +side and the mighty Southern advance was coming forward in full battle +array. Shells began to shriek and fall among the Northern masses, +and the fire of cannon and rifles mingled in a sinister crash. But the +Union regiments, although not yet replying, remained steady, although the +shower of steel that was beginning to beat upon them found many a mark. +Vast columns of smoke pierced by fire rose in front. + +It seemed to Dick's vivid fancy that the earth was shaking with the tread +of the advancing brigades and the thunder of their artillery. But he was +still able to preserve his air of indifference, although his heart was +now beating hard and fast. Now and then when the smoke eddied or the +banks of it broke apart he raised his glasses and with their powerful +vision saw the long and deep Southern columns advancing, the field +batteries in the intervals pouring a storm of death. + +It was a sinister and terrible sight. The South presented here an army +outnumbering its force at Shiloh two to one, and they were veterans now, +led by veteran commanders. Moreover, they had Longstreet and his +matchless fighters from Lee's army to bear them up. + +"What do you see, Dick?" asked Pennington, his voice distinctly audible +through the steady roar. + +"Johnnies! Johnnies! Johnnies! Thousands and thousands of them and +then many thousands more. They're going to strike full upon us here!" + +"Let 'em come. We're taking root, growing deep into the ground and old +'Pap' Thomas has grown deepest of us all! It'll be impossible to move +us!" + +"I hope so. There go our own cannon, too, and it's a welcome sound! +I can see the gaps smashed in their ranks by our fire, and ah, I see, +too--" + +He stopped short in amazed surprise, and Pennington in wonder asked: + +"What is it you see, Dick?" + +"There's a heavy cavalry force on their flank, and I caught a glimpse +of a man on a great horse leading it. I know him. He's Colonel George +Kenton, father of Harry Kenton, that cousin of mine, of whom I've spoken +to you so often." + +"And here he comes charging you! But it's happened hundreds and hundreds +of times in this war that relatives have come face to face in battle, +and it'll happen hundreds of times more. Are they within rifle shot, +Dick?" + +"Not yet, but they soon will be." + +He slung the glasses back over his shoulder. The eye alone was +sufficient now to watch the charging columns. All the artillery on both +sides was coming into action, and the ripping crash of so many cannon +became so great that the officers could no longer hear one another unless +they shouted. The gorges and hills caught up the sound and gave it back +in increased volume. + +Dick heard a new note in the thunder. It was made by the swift beat of +hoofs, thousands of them, and the hair on his neck prickled at the roots. +Forrest and the wild cavalry of the South were charging on their flanks. +He felt a sudden horror lest he be trampled under the hoofs of horses. +By some curious twist of the mind his dread of such a fate was far more +acute at that moment than his fear of shells and bullets. + +Colonel Winchester, shouting imperiously, ordered him and all the other +young officers to step back now and lie down. Dick obeyed, and he +crouched by the side of Warner and Pennington. The great bank of fire +and smoke was rolling nearer and yet nearer, and the cannon were fighting +one another with all the speed and power of the gunners. Off on the +flank the ominous tread of Southern horsemen was coming fast. + +Bullets began now to rain among them. The regiment would have been swept +away bodily had the men not been lying down. But their time to wait and +hold their fire was at an end. The colonel gave the word, and a sheet +of light leaped from the mouths of their rifles. A vast gap appeared in +the Southern line before them, but in a minute or two it closed up, and +the Southern masses came on again, as menacing as ever. Again Dick's +regiment poured its shattering fire upon the Southern columns and their +front lines were blown away. Colonel Winchester at once wheeled his men +into a new position to meet the mass of Forrest's cavalry rushing down +upon their flank. He was just in time to help other troops, not in +numbers enough to withstand the shock. + +There were few moments in the lives of these lads as terrifying as those +when they turned to face the fierce Forrest, the uneducated mountaineer +who had intuitively mastered Napoleon's chief maxim of war, to pour the +greatest force upon the enemy's weakest point. + +The hurricane sweeping down upon them sent a chill to their hearts. +Dick saw a long line of foaming mouths, the lips drawn back from the +cruel white teeth, and manes flying wildly. Above them rose the faces +of the riders, their own eyes bloodshot, their sabers held aloft for the +deadly sweep. And the thunder of galloping hoofs was more menacing than +that of the cannon. + +Dick looked around him and saw faces turning pale. His own might be +whiter than any of theirs for all he knew, but he shouted with the other +officers: + +"Steady! Steady! Now pour it into 'em!" + +It was well that most of the men in the regiment had become sharpshooters, +and that despite the thumping of their hearts, they were able to stand +firm. Their sleet of bullets emptied a hundred saddles, and slipping +in the cartridges they fired again at close range. The cavalry charge +seemed to stop dead in its tracks, and in an instant a scene of terrible +confusion occurred. Wounded horses screaming in pain rushed wildly back +upon their own comrades or through the ranks of the foe. Injured men, +shot from their saddles, were seeking to crawl out of the way. Whirling +eddies of smoke alternately hid and disclosed enemies, and from both left +and right came the continuous and deafening crash of infantry in battle. + +But Forrest's men paused only a moment or two. A great mass of them +galloped out of the smoke, over the bodies of their dead comrades and +directly into the Winchester regiment, shouting and slashing with their +great sabers. It was well for the men that their leader had so wisely +chosen ground rough and covered with bushes. Using every inch of +protection, they fired at horses and riders and thrust at them with their +bayonets. + +The battle became wild and confused, a turmoil of mingled horse and foot, +of firing and shouting and of glittering swords and bayonets. A man on a +huge horse made a great sweep at Dick's head with a red saber. The boy +dropped to his knees, and felt the broad blade whistle where his head had +been. + +The swordsman was borne on by the impetus of his horse, and Dick caught +one horrified glimpse of his face. It was Colonel Kenton, but Dick knew +that he did not know, nor did he ever know. It was never in the lad's +heart to tell his uncle how near he had come unwittingly to shearing off +the head of his own nephew. + +The charge of the cavalrymen carried them clear through the Winchester +regiment, but a regiment coming up to the relief drove them back, and the +great mass turning aside a little attacked anew and elsewhere. A few +moments of rest were permitted Dick and his comrades, although the mighty +battle wheeled and thundered all about them. + +But their regiment was a melancholy sight. A third of its numbers were +killed or wounded. The ground was torn and trampled, as if it had been +swept by a hurricane of wind and red rain. Dick had one slight wound +on his shoulder and another on his arm, but he did not feel them. +Pennington and Warner both had scratches, but the colonel was unharmed. + +"My God," exclaimed Warner, "how did we happen to survive it!" + +"I live to boast that I've been ridden over by old Forrest himself," +said Pennington. + +"How do you know it was Forrest?" + +"Because his horse was eight feet high and his sword was ten feet long. +He slashed at me with it a hundred times. I counted the strokes." + +Then Pennington stopped and laughed hysterically, Dick seized him by the +arm and shook him roughly. + +"Stop it, Frank! Stop it!" he cried. "You're yourself, and you're all +right!" + +Pennington shook his body, brushed his hands over his eyes and said: + +"Thanks, Dick, old man; you've brought me back to myself." + +"Get ready!" exclaimed Warner. "The cavalry have sheered off, but the +infantry are coming, a million strong! I can hear their tread shaking +the earth!" + +The broken regiment reloaded, drew its lines together and faced the enemy +anew. It seemed to their bloodshot eyes that the whole Southern army +was bearing down upon them. The Southern generals, skillful and daring, +were resolved to break through the Northern left, and the attack attained +all the violence of a convulsion. + +The great Southern line, blazing with fire and steel, advanced, never +stopping for a moment, while the fire of their cannon beat incessantly +upon the devoted brigades. It was well for the Northern army, well for +the Union that here was the Rock of Chickamauga. Amid all the terrible +uproar and the yet more terrible danger, Thomas never lost his courage +and presence of mind for a moment. Dick saw him more than once, and he +knew how he doubly and triply earned the famous name which that day and +the next were to give him. + +But the weight was so tremendous that they began to give ground. They +went back slowly, but they went back. Dick felt as if the whole weight +were pressing upon his own chest, and when he tried to shout no words +would come. + +Back they went, inch by inch, leaving the ground covered with their dead. +Dick was conscious only of a vast roar and shouting and the continuous +blaze of cannon and rifles in his very face. But he understood the +immensity of the crisis. By a huge victory in the West the Confederacy +would redress the loss of Gettysburg in the East. And now it seemed that +they were gaining it. For the first and only time in the war they had +the larger numbers in a great battle, and the ground was of their own +choosing. + +Elated over success gained and greater success hoped, the Southern +leaders poured their troops continually upon Thomas. If they could break +that wing, cut it off in fact, and rush in at the gap, they would be +between Rosecrans and Chattanooga and the Northern army would be doomed. +They made gigantic efforts. The cavalry charged again and again. +Huge masses of infantry hurled themselves upon the brigades of Thomas, +and every gun that could be brought into action poured shot and shell +into his lines. + +Many of the young as well as the old officers in Thomas' corps felt the +terrible nature of the crisis. Dick knew despite the hideous turmoil +that Thomas was the chief target of the Southern army. He divined that +the fortunes of the Union were swinging in the balance there among those +Tennessee hills and valleys. If Thomas were shattered the turn of Grant +farther south would come next. Vicksburg would have been won in vain and +the Union would be broken in the West. + +Order and cohesion were lost among many of the regiments, but the men +stood firm. The superb, democratic soldier fought for himself and he, +too, understood the crisis. They re-formed without orders and fought +continuously against overwhelming might. Ground and guns were lost, +but they made their enemy pay high for everything, and the slow retreat +never became a panic. + +"We're going back," shouted Warner in Dick's ear. "Yes, we're going back, +but we'll come forward again. They'll never crush the old man." + +Yet the pressure upon them never ceased. Bragg and his staff had the +right idea. Had anyone but Thomas stood before them they would have +shattered the Union left long since, but his slow, calm mind rose to its +greatest heights in the greatest danger. He understood everything and +he was resolved that his wing should not be broken. Wherever the line +seemed weakest he thrust in a veteran regiment, and he went quickly back +and forth, observing with a measuring eye every shift and change of the +battle. + +The Winchester regiment in its new position was still among the gullies +and bushes, and they were thankful for such shelter. Although veterans +now, most were lads, and they did not scorn to take cover whenever they +could. For a little while they did not reply to the enemy's fire, +but lay waiting and seeking to get back the breath which seemed to +be driven from their bodies by the very violence of the concussion. +Shrapnel, grape and canister whistled incessantly over their heads, +and on either flank the thunder of the battle swelled rapidly. + +The Southern attack was spreading along the whole front, and it was made +with unexampled vigor. It even excelled the fiery rush at Stone River, +and the generals on both sides were largely the same that had fought the +earlier great battle. Polk, the bishop-general, still led one wing for +the South, Buckner massed Kentuckians who faced Kentuckians on the other +side, and Longstreet and Hill were to play their great part for the +South. Resolved to win a victory, the veteran generals spared nothing, +and the little Chickamauga, so singularly named by the Indians "the river +of death," was running red. + +Dick crouched lower as the storm of shells swept over him. Despite all +his experience impulse made him bow his head while the whistling death +passed by. He felt a little shame that he, an officer, should seek +protection, but when he stole a look he saw that all the others, Colonel +Winchester included, were doing the same. Sergeant Whitley had sunk down +the lowest of them all, and, catching Dick's glance, he said in clear, +low tones audible under the storm: + +"Pardon me for saying it to you, an officer, Mr. Mason, but it's our +business not to get killed when it's not needed, so we can save ourselves +to be killed when it is needed." + +"I suppose you're right, Sergeant. At any rate I'm glad enough to keep +under cover, but do you see anything in those woods over there? We're on +the extreme left flank here, and maybe they're trying to overlap us." + +"I think I do. Men with rifles are in there. I'll speak to the colonel." + +He crawled to Colonel Winchester, who was crouched a dozen feet away, +and pointed to the wood, or rather thicket of scrub. But Dick meanwhile +saw increasing numbers of men there. They were beyond the line of battle +and were not obscured by the clouds of smoke. As he stared he saw a +weazened figure under an enormous, broad-brimmed hat, and, although he +could not discern the face at the distance, he knew that it was Slade, +come with a new and perhaps larger body of riflemen to burn away the +extreme left flank of the Union force. + +As the colonel and the sergeant crawled back Dick told them what he had +seen, and they recognized at once the imminence of the danger. Colonel +Winchester looked at the great columns of fire and smoke in front of him. +He did not know when the main attack would sweep down upon them again, +but he took his resolution at once. + +He ordered his men to wheel about, and, using Slade's own tactics, +to creep forward with their rifles. Most of his men were sharpshooters +and he felt that they would be a match for those whom the guerrilla led. +Sergeant Whitley kept by his side, and out of a vast experience in border +warfare advised him. + +Dick, Warner and Pennington armed themselves with rifles of the fallen, +and they felt fierce thrills of joy as they crept forward. Burning with +the battle fever, and enraged against this man Slade, Dick put all his +soul in the man-hunt. He merely hoped that Victor Woodville was not +there. He would fire willingly at any of the rest. + +Before they had gone far Slade and his riflemen began to fire. Bullets +pattered all about them, clipping twigs and leaves and striking sparks +from stones. + +Had the fire been unexpected it would have done deadly damage, but all of +the Winchesters, as they liked to call themselves, had kept under cover, +and were advancing Indian fashion. And now a consuming rage seized them +all. They felt as if an advantage had been taken of them. While they +were fighting a great battle in front a sly foe sought to ambush them. +They did not hate the Southern army which charged directly upon them, +but they did hate this band of sharpshooters which had come creeping +through the woods to pick them off, and they hated them collectively and +individually. + +It was Dick's single and fierce desire at that moment to catch sight +of Slade, whom he would shoot without hesitation if the chance came. +He looked for him continually as he crept from bush to bush, and he +withheld his fire until fortune might bring into his view the flaps of +that enormous hat. The whole vast battle of Chickamauga passed from his +mind. He was concentrated, heart and soul, upon this affair of outposts +in the thickets. + +Men around him were firing, and the bullets in return were knocking up +the leaves about him, but Dick's finger did not yet press the trigger. +The great hat was still hidden from view, but he heard Slade's whistle +calling to his men. Sergeant Whitley was by the lad's side, and he +glanced at him now and then. The wise sergeant read the youth's face, +and he knew that he was upon a quest, a deadly one. + +"Is it Slade you're looking for, Mr. Mason?" he asked. + +"Yes, I want him!" + +"Well, if we see him, and you miss him, I think I'll take a shot at him +myself." + +But Slade, crafty and cunning, kept himself well hidden. The two bands +fighting this Indian combat, while the great battle raged so near them, +were now very near to each other, but as they had both thickets and a +rocky outcrop for refuge, they fought from hiding. Nevertheless many +fell. Dick, the ferocity of the man-hunt continuing to burn his brain, +sought everywhere for Slade. Often he heard his silver whistle directing +his troop, but the man himself remained invisible. In his eagerness the +lad rose too high, but the sergeant pulled him down in time, a bullet +whistling a second later through the air where his head had been. + +"Careful, Mr. Mason! Careful!" said Sergeant Whitley. "It won't do you +much good for one of his men to get you while you are trying to get him!" + +Dick became more cautious. At last he caught a glimpse of the great hat +that he could not mistake, and, aiming very carefully, he fired. Then he +uttered an angry cry. He had missed, and when the sergeant was ready to +pull the trigger also Slade was gone. + +Now, the colonel called to his men, and rising they charged into the +wood. It was evidently no part of Slade's plan to risk destruction as he +blew a long high call on his whistle, and then he and all his men save +the dead melted away like shadows. The Winchesters stood among the trees, +gasping and staunching their wounds, but victorious. + +Now they had only a few moments for rest. Bugles called and they rushed +back to their old position just as the Southern cavalry, sabers circling +aloft swept down upon them again. They went once more through that +terrible turmoil of fire and flashing steel, and a second time the +Winchesters were victorious. But they could have stood no more, and +Thomas watching everything hurried to their relief a regiment, which +formed up before them to give them breathing time. + +The young soldiers threw themselves panting upon the ground, and were +assailed by a burning thirst. The canteens were soon emptied, and still +their lips and throats were parched. Exhausted by their tremendous +exertions, many of them sank into a stupor, although the battle was at +its zenith and the earth shook with the crash of the heavy batteries. + +"General Thomas has had news that we're driven in elsewhere," said Dick. + +"And we've yielded ground here, too," said Warner. + +"But so slowly that it's been only a glacial movement. We've made 'em +pay such a high price that I think old 'Pap' can boast he has held his +ground." + +Dick did not know it then nor did the general himself, but 'Pap' Thomas +could boast of far more than having held his ground. His long and +stubborn resistance, his skill in moving his troops from point to point +at the right time, his coolness and judgment in weighing and measuring +everything right, in all the vast turmoil, confusion and uncertainty of +a great battle, had saved the Northern army from destruction. + +Now, as the Winchester men lay gasping behind the fresh regiment, Thomas, +who continually passed along the line of battle, came among them. +He was a soldier's soldier, a soldier's general, and he spoke encouraging +words, most of which they could not hear amid the roar of the battle, +but his calm face told their import, and fresh courage came into their +hearts. + +The news spread gradually that Thomas only was holding fast, but now his +men instead of being discouraged were filled with pride. It was they +and they alone whom the Southerners could not overwhelm, and Thomas and +his generals inspired them with the belief that they were invincible. +Charge after charge broke against them. More ground was yielded, but at +the same immense price, and the corps, sullen, indomitable, maintained +its order, always presenting a front to the foe, blazing with death. + +Thomas stood all day, while the Southern masses, flushed by victory +everywhere else, pressed harder. Terrible reports of defeat and +destruction came to him continually, but he did not flinch. He turned +the same calm face to everything, and said to the generals that whatever +happened they would keep their own front unbroken. + +The day closed with the men of Thomas still grim and defiant. The dead +lay in heaps along their front, but as the darkness settled down on the +unfinished battle they meant to fight with equal valor and tenacity on +the morrow. The first day had favored the South, had favored it largely, +but on the Union left hope still flamed high. + +Darkness swept over the sanguinary field. A cold wind of autumn blew off +the hills and mountains, and the men shivered as they lay on the ground, +but Thomas allowed no fires to be lighted. Food was brought in the +darkness, and those who could find them wrapped themselves in blankets. +Between the two armies lay the hecatombs of dead and the thousands of +wounded. + +Dick, his comrades and the rest of the regiment sat together in a little +open space behind a thicket. It was to be their position for the +fighting next day. Thomas, passing by, had merely given them an +approving look, and then had gone on to re-form his lines elsewhere. +Dick knew that all through the night he would be conferring with his +commander, Rosecrans, McCook and the others, and he knew, too, that +many of the Union soldiers would be at work, fortifying, throwing up +earthworks, and cutting down trees for abattis. He heard already the +ring of the axes. + +But the Winchester men rested for the present. Nature had made their own +position strong with a low hill, and a thicket in front. They lay upon +the ground, sheltering themselves from the cold wind, which cut through +bodies relaxed and almost bloodless after such vast physical exertions +and excitement so tremendous. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA + + +Dick, after eating the cold food which was served to him, sank into a +state which was neither sleep nor stupor. It was a mystic region between +the conscious and the unconscious, in which all things were out of +proportion, and some abnormal. + +He saw before him a vast stretch of dead blackness which he knew +nevertheless was peopled by armed hosts ready to spring upon them at +dawn. The darkness and silence were more oppressive than sound and light, +even made by foes, would have been. It numbed him to think there was so +little of stirring life, where nearly two hundred thousand men had fought. + +Then a voice arose that made him shiver. But it was only the cold wind +from the mountains whistling a dirge. Nevertheless it seemed human to +Dick. It was at once a lament and a rebuke. He edged over a little and +touched Warner. + +"Is that you, Dick?" asked the Vermonter. + +"What's left of me. I've one or two wounds, mere scratches, George, +but I feel all pumped out. I'm like one of those empty wine-skins that +you read about, empty, all dried up, and ready to be thrown away." + +"Something of the same feeling myself, Dick. I'm empty and dried up, too, +but I'm not ready to be thrown away. Nor are you. We'll fill up in the +night. Our hearts will pump all our veins full of blood again, and we'll +be ready to go out in the morning, and try once more to get killed." + +"I don't see how you and Pennington and I, all three of us, came out of +it alive to-day." + +"That question is bothering me, too, Dick. A million bullets were fired +at each of us, not to count thousands of pieces of shell, shrapnel, +canister, grape, and slashes of swords. Take any ratio of percentage +you please and something should have got us. According to every rule of +algebra, not more than one of us three should be alive now. Yet here we +are." + +"Maybe your algebra is wrong?" + +"Impossible. Algebra is the most exact of all sciences. It does not +admit of error. Both by algebra and by the immutable law of averages at +least two of us are dead." + +"But we don't know which two." + +"That's true. Nevertheless it's certain that those two, whoever they may +be, are here on borrowed time. What do your wounds amount to, Dick?" + +"Nothing, I had forgotten 'em. I've lost a little blood, but what does +it amount to on a day like this, when blood is shed in rivers?" + +"That's true. My own skin has been broken, but just barely, four times +by bullets. I've a notion that those bullets were coming straight for +some vital part of me, but seeing who it was, and knowing that such a +noble character ought not to be slain, they turned aside as quickly as +possible, but not so quickly that they could avoid grazing my skin." + +Dick and Pennington laughed. Warner's fooling amused them and relieved +the painful tension of their minds. + +"But, George," said Pennington, "suppose one of the bullets failed to +turn aside and killed you. What could we say then for you?" + +"That it was a silly, ignorant bullet not knowing whence it came, or +where it was going. Ah, there's light in the darkness! Look across the +hill and see that shining flame!" + +Dick rose and then the three walked to the brow of the hill, where +Colonel Winchester stood, using his glasses as well as he could in the +dusk. + +"It's the pine forest on fire in places," he said. "The shells did it, +and it's been burning for some time, spreading until it has now come into +our own sight." + +But they were detached fires, and they did not fuse into a general mass +at any time. Clumps of trees burnt steadily like vast torches and sent +up high flames. Bands of men from either side worked silently, removing +as many of the wounded as they could. It was a spontaneous movement, +as happened so often in this war, and Dick and his comrades took a part +in it. + +North and South met in friendliness in the darkness or by the light of +the burning pines, and talked freely as they lifted up their wounded. +Dick asked often about Colonel Kenton, meeting at last some Kentuckians, +who told him that the colonel had gone through the day without a wound, +and was with Buckner. Then Dick asked if any Mississippians were along +the line. + +"What do you want with 'em?" asked a long, lank man with a bilious yellow +face. + +"I've got a friend among 'em. Woodville is his name, and he's about my +own age." + +"I've heard of the Woodvilles. Big an' rich family in Missip. 'Roun' +Vicksburg and Jackson mostly. I'm from the Yazoo valley myself, an' if I +hear of the young fellow I'll send him down this way. But I can't stay +out long, 'cause it'll soon be time for me to have my chill. Comes every +other night reg'lar. But I'll be all right for battle to-morrow, when +we lick you Yankees out of the other boot, having licked you out of one +to-day." + +"All right, old Yazoo," laughed Dick. "Go on and have your chill, +but if you see Woodville tell him Mason is waiting down here by the wood." + +"I'll shorely do it, if the chill don't git me fust," said the yellow +Mississippian as he strolled away, and Dick knew that he would keep his +word. + +The lad lingered at the spot where he had met the man, hoping that by +some lucky chance Woodville might come, and fortune gave him his wish. +A slender figure emerged from the dark, and a voice called softly: + +"Is that you, Mason?" + +"Nobody else," replied Dick gladly, stepping forward and offering his +hand, which young Woodville shook warmly. "I was hoping that I might +meet you, and I see, too, that you can't be hurt much, if at all." + +"I haven't been touched. It's my lucky day, I suppose." + +"Where's your uncle? I hope he's in some safe place, recovering from his +wound." + +Victor Woodville laughed softly. + +"Uncle Charles is recovering from his wound perhaps faster than you hope," +he said, "but he's not in a safe place. Far from it." + +"I don't understand." + +"His wound is so much better that he can walk, though with a hop, and +he's right here in the thick of this battle, leading his own Mississippi +regiment. His horse was killed under him early this morning, and he's +fought all day on foot, swearing in the strange and melodious fashion +that you know. It's hop! swear! hop! swear! in beautiful alternation!" + +"Good old colonel!" + +"That's what he is, and he's also one of the bravest men that ever lived, +if he is my uncle. His regiment did prodigies to-day and they'll do +greater prodigies to-morrow. The Woodvilles are well represented here. +My father is present, leading his regiment, and there are a dozen +Woodville cousins of mine whom you've never met." + +"And I hope I won't meet 'em on this field. What about your aunt?" + +"She's well, and in a safe place." + +"I'm glad of that. Now, tell me, Victor, how did you happen to be with +Slade on that raid? Of course it's no business of mine, but I was +surprised." + +"I don't mind answering. I suppose it was a taste for adventure, and a +desire to serve our cause. After I got up the bank and climbed into the +bushes, I looked back, and I think, Mason, that you may have saved me +from a bullet. I don't know, but I think so." + +Dick said nothing, but despite the dusk Woodville read the truth in his +eyes. + +"I shan't forget," said the young Mississippian as he moved away. + +Dick turned back to his own group. They had noticed him talking to the +lad in gray, but they paid no attention, nor thought it anything unusual. +It was common enough in the great battles of the American civil war, +most of which lasted more than one day, for the opposing soldiers to +become friendly in the nights between. + +"I think, sir," said Sergeant Whitley, "that we won't be able to get any +more of our wounded to-night. Now, pardon me for saying it, Lieutenant, +but we ought to have some rest, because when day comes there's going +to be the most awful attack you ever saw. Some of our spies say that +Longstreet and the last of the Virginians did not come until night or +nearly night and that Longstreet himself will lead the attack on us." + +"Do you think, Sergeant, that it will be made first on our own corps?" + +"I don't know, Mr. Mason. We've stood firmest, and them rebel generals +are no fools. They'll crash in where we've shown the most weakness." + +The sergeant walked on, carrying the corner of a litter. Warner, who had +stood by, whispered to Dick: + +"There goes a general, but he'll never have the title. He's got a +general's head on his shoulders, and he thinks and talks like a general, +but he hasn't any education, and men with much poorer brains go past him. +Let it be a lesson to you, Dick, my son. After this war, go to school, +and learn something." + +"Good advice, George, and I'll take it," laughed Dick. "But he isn't so +badly off. I wonder if those fires in the pine forest are going to burn +all night?" + +"Several of 'em will. The big one on our left will be blazing when day +comes, and I'm glad of it since no wounded are now in its way. The +night's cold. That's a sharp and searching wind, and the sight of flames +makes one feel warm even if they are far away." + +It would not be long until day now, and the axes ceased to ring in the +forest. A long and formidable line of abattis had been made, but the men +were compelled to seek some rest. Despite the cold they suffered from a +burning thirst, and they could reach no water, not even the red stream of +the Chickamauga. Dick suffered like the rest, but he was philosophical. + +"I fancy that after sunrise we won't have time to think about water," +he said. + +But Dick was not destined to sleep. He lay down for a while, and he saw +hundreds of others around him lying motionless as if dead. Warner and +Pennington were among them, but he could not close his own eyes. His +brain was still hot and excited, and to calm himself if possible he +walked along the slope until he saw a faint light in the valley behind +it. A tall figure, which he recognized as that of Colonel Winchester, +was going toward the light. + +Dick, being on such good terms with his colonel, would have followed him, +but when he came to the edge of the glade he drew back. General Thomas +was sitting on the huge, upthrust root of an oak, and he was writing +dispatches by the light of a flickering candle held by an aide. Officers +of high rank, one of whom Dick recognized as the young general, Garfield, +stood around him. Colonel Winchester joined the group, and stood waiting +in silence to receive orders, too, Dick supposed. + +The lad withdrew hastily, but driven by an overmastering curiosity, +and knowing that he was doing no harm, he turned back and watched for a +little space beside a bush. + +The flame of the candle wavered under the wind, and sometimes the light +shone full upon the face of Thomas. It was the same face that Dick had +first beheld when he carried the dispatches to him in Kentucky. He was +calm, inscrutable at this, the most desperate crisis the Union cause ever +knew in the west. Dick could not see that his hand trembled a particle +as he wrote, although lieutenant and general alike knew that they +would soon be attacked by a superior force, flushed with all the high +enthusiasm of victory. And lieutenant and general alike also knew that +their supreme commander, Rosecrans, was no genius like Lee or Jackson, +who could set numbers at naught, and choose time and place to suit +themselves. Only stubborn courage to fight and die could avail. + +But Dick drew courage from the strong, thick figure sitting there so +impassively and apparently impervious to alarm. When he quit writing +and began to give verbal orders, he spoke in even tones, in which no +one could detect a trace of excitement. When the name, "The Rock of +Chickamauga," became general, Dick remembered that night and knew how +well it was deserved. + +Thomas gave his last order and his generals went to their commands. +Dick slipped back to his regiment, and lay down, but again could not +sleep. + +He waited in painful anxiety for the day. He had never before been in +such a highly nervous state, not at Shiloh, nor Stone River, nor anywhere +else. In those battles the chances were with the Union, but here they +were against it. He recognized that once more, save for Thomas, the +North had been outgeneraled. The army of Rosecrans had marched from +Chattanooga directly upon the positions chosen by Bragg, where he was +awaiting them with superior numbers. And the Confederate government in +the East had been quick enough to seize the opportunity and quick enough +to send the stalwart fighter, Longstreet, and his corps to help close +down the trap. + +He wondered with many a painful throbbing of the heart what the dawn +would bring, and, unable to keep still any longer, he rose and went to +the brow of the low hill, behind which they lay. Colonel Winchester was +there walking through the scrub and trying to pick out something in the +opposing forest with his glasses. The cold wind still blew from the +mountains, and there were three high but distant torches, where the +clumps of pines still burned. + +"Restless, Dick?" said the Colonel. "Well, so am I." + +"We have cause to be so, sir." + +"So we have, my lad. We thought the danger to the Union had passed with +Vicksburg and Gettysburg, but the day so soon to come may shatter all +our hopes. They must have a hundred thousand men out there, and they've +chosen time and place. What's more, they've succeeded so far. I don't +hesitate to talk to you in this way, Dick, but you mustn't repeat what I +say." + +"I shouldn't dream of doing so, sir." + +"I know you would not, but General Thomas apprehends a tremendous and +terrible attack. Whatever happens, we have not long to wait for it. +I think I feel the touch of the dawn in the wind." + +"It's coming, sir. I can see a faint tinge of gray in that cleft between +the hills toward the east." + +"You have a good eye, Dick. I see it now, too. It's growing and +turning to the color of silver. But I think we'll have time to get our +breakfasts. General Thomas does not believe the first attack will be +made upon our wing." + +The wind was freshening, as if it brought the dawn upon its edge. +The night had been uncommonly cold for the time of the year in that +latitude, and there was no sun yet to give warmth. But the men of Thomas +were being awakened, and, as no fires were allowed, cold food was served +to them. + +"What's happened, Dick, while I was asleep?" asked Pennington. + +"Nothing. The two armies are ready, and I think to-day will decide it." + +"I hope so. Two days are enough for any battle." + +Pennington's tone was jocular, but his words were not. His face was +grave as he regarded the opposing forest. He had the feeling of youth +that others might be killed, but not he. Nevertheless he was already +mourning many a good comrade who would be lost before the night came +again. + +"There are the wasps!" said Warner, bending a listening ear. "You can +always hear them as they begin to sting. I wonder if skirmishers ever +sleep?" + +The shots were on the right, but they came from points far away. In +front of them the forest and hills were silent. + +"It's just as General Thomas thought," said Dick. "The main volume of +their attack will be on our right and center. They know that Thomas +stands here and that he's a mighty rock, hard to move. They expect to +shatter all the rest of the line, and then whirl and annihilate us." + +"Let 'em come!" exclaimed Warner, with heightening color. "Who's afraid?" + +The dawn was spreading. The heavy mists that hung over the Chickamauga +floated away. All the east was silver, and the darkness rolled back like +a blanket. The west became silver in its turn, and the sun burned red +fire in the east. The wind still blew fresh and cool off the mountains. +The faint sound of trumpets came from far points on the Southern line. +The crackling fire of the skirmishers increased. + +"It's a wait for us," said Colonel Winchester, standing amid his youthful +staff. "I can see them advancing in great columns against our right and +center. Now their artillery opens!" + +Dick put up his glasses and he, too, saw the mighty Southern army +advancing. Their guns were already clearing the way for the advance, +and the valleys echoed with the great concussion. Longstreet and Hill, +anxious to show what the veterans of the East could do, were pouring them +forward alive with all the fire and courage that had distinguished them +in the Army of Northern Virginia. + +The battle swelled fast. It seemed to the waiting veterans of Thomas +that it had burst forth suddenly like a volcano. They saw the vast +clouds of smoke gather again off there where their comrades stood, and, +knowing the immense weight about to be hurled upon them, they feared for +those men who had fought so often by their side. + +Yet Thomas had been confident that the first attack would be made upon +his own part of the line, that Bragg with an overwhelming force would +seek to roll up his left. Nor had he reckoned wrong. The lingering of +the bishop-general, Polk, over a late breakfast saved him from the first +shock, and upset the plans of the Southern commander, who had given him +strict orders to advance. + +Dawn was long past, and to Bragg's great astonishment Polk had not moved. +It seems incredible that the fate of great events can turn upon such +trifles, and yet one wonders what would have happened had not Polk eaten +breakfast so late the morning of the second day of Chickamauga. But +when he did advance he attacked with the energy and vigor of those great +churchmen of the Middle Ages, who were at once princes and warriors, +leading their hosts to battle. + +Portions of the men of Thomas were now coming into the combat, but the +Winchesters were not yet engaged. They were lying down just behind the +crest of their low hill and many murmurs were running through the ranks. +It was the hardest of all things to wait, while shells now and then +struck among them. They saw to their right the vast volume of fire and +smoke, while the roaring of the cannon and rifles was like the continued +sweep of a storm. + +The youthful soldier may be nervous and excited, or he may be calm. +This was one of Dick's calm moments, and, while he watched and listened +and tried to measure all that he saw and heard, he noted that the crash +of the battle was moving slowly backward. He knew then that the Southern +advance was succeeding, succeeding so far at least. He was quite sure +now that the attack upon Thomas would be made soon and that it would come +with the greatest violence. + +He rose and rejoined Colonel Winchester again, and the two looked with +awe at the gigantic combat, raging in a vast canopy of smoke, rent +continuously by flashes of fire. Dick observed that the colonel was +depressed and he knew the reason. + +"Our men are being driven back," he said. + +"So they are," said the colonel, "and I fear that there is confusion +among them, too." + +"But we'll hold fast here as we did yesterday!" + +"I hope so. Yes, I know so, Dick. I've seen General Thomas twice this +morning, and I know that this corps will never be routed. He's made up +his mind to hold on or die. He's the Rock of Chickamauga." + +It was a name that Dick was to hear often afterward, and he repeated +under his breath: "The Rock of Chickamauga! The Rock of Chickamauga!" +It rolled resoundingly off the tongue, and he liked it. + +Then came a beat of hoofs and a cavalry regiment galloped into open +ground beside them. It was Colonel Hertford's, numbering about three +hundred men, some of whom were wounded. Their leader was excited, and, +springing to the ground, he ran to Colonel Winchester. The two talked +in quick, short sentences. + +"Colonel," exclaimed Hertford, "we've just had a sharp brush with that +demon, Forrest, and we've left some good men back there. But I've come +both to help and to warn you. We're being driven back everywhere else, +and now they're gathering an immense mass of troops for a gigantic attack +on Thomas!" + +Dick heard and his breath came fast. Colonel Hertford would bring no +false news, and he could see with his own eyes that the storm was curving +toward them. The two men hurried to Thomas, but in a few minutes +returned. Colonel Hertford sprang into the saddle and formed his cavalry +on the flank as a screen against the dreaded sweep of Forrest. + +There was a lull for a moment in the tremendous uproar, and, Colonel +Winchester walking back and forth before his men, spoke to them briefly. +He was erect, pale and handsome, and his words came without a quiver. +Dick had never admired him more. + +"Men," he said, "you have never been beaten in battle, but your greatest +test is now at hand. Within a few minutes you will be attacked by a +force outnumbering you more than two to one. But these are the odds we +love. We would not have them less. I tell you, speaking as a man to men +who understand and fear not, that the fate of the day may rest with you. +Many gallant comrades of ours have gone already to the far shore, and if +we must go, too, to-day, let our journey be not less gallant than theirs. +We can die but once, and if we must die, let us die here where we can +serve our country most." + +His manner was quiet, but his words were thrilling, and the men of the +regiment, springing to their feet, uttered a deep, full-throated cheer. +Then sinking down again at the motion of his hand, they turned their +faces to the enemy. The time had come. + +The vast Southern front rushed from the wood, and the gray horsemen of +Forrest, careless of death, swept down. It was a terrifying sight, +that army coming on amid the thunder and lightning of battle, tens of +thousands of rifle muzzles, tens of thousands of fierce brown faces +showing through the smoke, and the tremendous battle yell of the South +swelling over everything. + +Dick felt a quiver, and then his body stiffened, as if it were about to +receive a physical shock. The whole regiment fired as one man, and a gap +appeared in the charging Southern column. Hertford and his horse charged +upon the hostile cavalry, and all the brigades of Thomas met the Southern +attack with a fire so heavy and deadly that the army of Bragg reeled back. + +Then ensued the most tremendous scene through which Dick had yet passed. +The Southern army came again. Bragg, Breckinridge, Buckner, Longstreet, +Hill, Cleburne and the others urged on the attacks. They had been +victors everywhere else and they knew that they must drive back Thomas +or the triumph would not be complete. They struck and spared not, least +of all their own men. They poured them, Kentuckians, Tennesseeans, +Georgians, Mississippians and all the rest upon Thomas without regard to +life. + +Kentuckians on the opposing sides met once again face to face. Dick did +not know it then, but a regiment drawn from neighboring counties charged +the Winchesters thrice and left their dead almost at his feet. He had +little time to notice or measure anything amid the awful din and the +continued shock of battle in which thousands of men were falling. + +The clouds of smoke enveloped them at times, and at other times floated +away. New clumps of pines, set on fire by the shells, burned brightly +like torches, lighting the way to death. Smoke, thick with the odors of +burned gunpowder clogged eye, nose and throat. Dick and the lads around +him gasped for breath, but they fired so fast into the dense Southern +masses that their rifle barrels grew hot to the touch. + +The South was making her supreme effort. Her western sons were +performing prodigies of valor, and Longstreet and the Virginians were +fighting with all the courage that had distinguished them in the East. + +But however violent the charge, and however tremendous the fire of cannon +and rifles, the Rock of Chickamauga merely sank deeper in the soil, +and nothing could drive him from his base. The Union dead heaped up, +regiments were shattered by the Southern fire, but Thomas, calm, and, +inspiring courage as on the day before, passed here and there, +strengthening the weak points, and sending many great guns to the crest +of Missionary Ridge, whence they swept the front of the enemy with a +devastating fire. + +The hail of death from the heights enabled the infantry and cavalry below +to gather breath and strength for the new attacks of the enemy. They +knew, too, that their cannon were now giving them more help than before, +and defiant cheers swept along the line in answer to the mighty battle +cry of the South. The Rock of Chickamauga had not moved a foot. + +Dick caught gleams of the sun through the smoky canopy, but he did not +know how far the day had advanced. He seemed to have been in battle many +hours, but in such moments one had little knowledge of time. He was +aware that the battle had been lost in the center and on the right, +but he had sublime faith in Thomas. The left would stand, and while it +stood the South could win but a barren triumph. + +The peril was imminent and deadly. A strong Southern force, having cut +through another portion of the line, was endeavoring to take Thomas on +the flank. Rosecrans, seeing the danger and almost in despair, sent +Thomas orders which his stern lieutenant fortunately could not obey. +The rock did not move. + +Bragg, an able leader, increased the attack upon Thomas. His generals +gathered around him, and seconded his efforts. Their view was better +than that of the Union commanders, and they knew it was vital to them to +move the rock from their path. Brigades, already victorious on other +parts of the field, came up, and were hurled, shouting their triumphant +battle cry against Thomas, only to be hurled back again. + +The resolution of the defenders increased with their success. A sort of +fever seized upon them all. Death had become a little thing, or it was +forgotten. The blood in their veins was fire, and, transported out of +themselves, they rained shells and bullets upon men whom in their calm +moments they did not hate at all. + +Dick's regiment had suffered with the rest, but Pennington and Warner and +the colonel were alive, and he caught a few glimpses of Hertford with his +gallant horsemen beating back every attack upon their flank. But nothing +stood out with sharp precision. The whole was a huge turmoil of fire, +smoke, confusion and death. The weight upon them seemed at last to +become overwhelming. In spite of courage the most heroic, and dreadful +losses, the right of Thomas was driven back, his center was compelled to +wheel about, but his left where the Winchester regiment stood with others +held on. Thomas himself was there among them, still cool and impassive +in face of threatened ruin. + +About twenty thousand men were around Thomas, and they alone stood +between the Union army and destruction. At all other points it had been +not only defeated, but routed. Vast masses of fugitives were fleeing +toward Chattanooga. Rosecrans himself withdrew, and, now wholly in +despair, telegraphed at four o'clock in the afternoon to Washington: +"My army has been whipped and routed." + +But Thomas was neither routed nor whipped. Many of the brave generals +elsewhere refused to flee with the troops, but gathering as many soldiers +as possible joined Thomas. Among them was young Sheridan, destined to so +great a fame, who brought almost all his own division and stood beside +the Rock of Chickamauga, refusing to yield any further to the terrible +pressure. + +The line of Thomas' army was now almost a semicircle. Polk was leading +violent attacks upon his left and center. Longstreet, used to victory, +was upon his right and behind him, and the veterans from the Army of +Northern Virginia had never fought better. + +Dick saw the enemy all around him, and he began to lose hope. How could +they stand against such numbers? And if they tried to retreat there was +Longstreet to cut off the way. He bumped against Sergeant Whitley in the +smoke and gasped out: + +"We're done for, Sergeant! We're done for!" + +"No, we're not!" shouted the sergeant, firing into the advancing mass. +"We'll beat 'em back. They can't run over us!" + +The sergeant, usually so cool, was a little mad. He was wounded in +the head, and the blood had run down over his face, dyeing it scarlet. +His brain was hot as with fire, and he hurled epithets at the enemy. +His life on the plains came back to him, and, for the time, he was like +a hurt Sioux chief who defies his foes. He called them names. He dared +them to come on. He mocked them. He told them how they had attacked +in vain all day long. He counted the number of their repulses and then +exaggerated them. He reminded them it was yet a long time until dark, +and asked them why they hesitated, why they did not come forward and meet +the death that was ready for them. + +Dick gazed at him in astonishment. He heard many of his words through +the roar of the guns, and he saw his ensanguined face, through which +his eyes burned like two red-hot coals. Was this the quiet and kindly +Sergeant Whitley whom he had known so long? No, it was a raging tiger. +Still waters run deep, and, enveloped, at last, with the fury of battle +the sergeant welcomed wounds, death or anything else it might bring. + +He shouted and fired his rifle again. Then he fell like a log. Dick +rushed to him at once, but he saw that he had only fainted from loss of +blood. He bound up the sergeant's head as best he could, and, easing him +against a bank, returned to the battle front. + +A shout suddenly arose. Officers had seen through their glasses a column +of dust rising far behind them. It was so vast that it could only be +made by a great body of marching troops. But who were the men that were +making it? In all the frightful din and excitement of the battle the +question ran through the army of Thomas. If fresh enemies were coming +upon their rear they were lost! If friends there was yet hope! + +But they could not watch the tower of dust long. The enemy in front +gave them no chance. Polk was still beating upon them, and Longstreet, +having seized a ridge, was pouring an increased fire from his advanced +position. + +"If that cloud of dust encloses gray uniforms we're lost!" shouted Warner +in Dick's ear. + +"But it mustn't enclose 'em," Dick shouted back. "Fate wouldn't play us +such an awful trick! We can't lose, after having done and suffered so +much!" + +Fate would not say which. They could not send men to see, but as they +fought they watched the cloud coming nearer and nearer, and Dick, whose +lips had been moving for some time, realized suddenly that he was +praying. "O God, save us! save us!" he was saying over and over. +"Send the help to us who need it so sorely. Make us strong, O God, +to meet our enemies!" + +He and all his comrades wore masks of dust and burned gunpowder, often +stained with scarlet. Their clothing was torn by bullets and reddened +by dripping wounds. When they shouted to one another their voices came +strained and husky from painful throats. Half the time they were blinded +by the smoke and blaze of the firing. The crash did not seem so loud to +them now, because they were partly deafened for the time by a cannonade +of such violence and length. + +Dick looked back once more at the great cloud of dust which was now +much nearer, but there was nothing yet to indicate what it bore within, +the bayonets of the North or those of the South. His anxiety became +almost intolerable. + +Thomas himself stood at that moment entirely alone in a clump of trees on +the elevation called Horseshoe Ridge, watching the battle, seeing the +enemy in overpowering numbers on both his flanks and even in his rear. +Apparently everything was lost. Taciturn, he never described his +feelings then, but in his soul he must have admired the magnificent +courage with which his troops stood around him, and repelled the +desperate assaults of a foe resolved to win. Although his face +grew grimmer and his teeth set hard, he, too, must have watched the +approaching cloud of dust with the most terrible anxiety. If it bore +enemies in its bosom, then in very truth everything would be lost. + +Down a road some miles from the battlefield a force of eight thousand men +had been left as a reserve for one of the armies. They had long heard +the terrific cannonade which was sending shattering echoes through the +mountains, and both their chief and his second in command were eager to +rush to the titanic combat. They could not obtain orders from their +commander, but, at last, they marched swiftly to the field, all the eight +thousand on fire with zeal to do their part. + +It was the eight thousand who were making the great cloud of dust, and, +as they came nearer and nearer, the suspense of Thomas' shattered +brigades grew more terrible. Dick, reckless of shell and bullets, +tried to pierce the cloud with his eyes. He caught a glimpse of a flag +and uttered a wild shout of joy. It was the stars and stripes. The +eight thousand were eight thousand of the North! He danced up and down +on the stump, and shouted at the top of his voice: + +"They're our own men! Help is here! Help is here!" + +A vast shout of relief rose from Thomas' army as the eight thousand still +coming swiftly joined them. Granger was their leader, but Steedman, +his lieutenant, galloped at once to Thomas, who still stood in the clump +of trees, and asked him what he wanted him to do. The general, calm and +taciturn as ever, pointed toward a long hill that flamed with the enemy's +guns, and said three words: + +"Take that ridge!" + +Steedman galloped back and the eight thousand charged at once. The +battle in front sank a little, as if the others wished to watch the new +combat. Dick had been dragged down from the stump by Warner, but the two +stood erect with Pennington, their eyes turned toward the ridge. Colonel +Winchester was near them, his attention fixed upon the same place. + +The eight thousand firing their rifles and supported by artillery charged +at a great pace. The whole ridge blazed with fire, and the dead and +wounded went down in sheaves. But Dick could not see that they faltered. +Hoarse shouts came again from his dry and blackened lips: + +"They will take it! they will take it! Look how they face the guns!" +he was crying. + +"So they will!" said Warner. "See what a splendid charge! Now they're +hidden! What a column of smoke! It floats aside, and, look, our men are +still going on! Nothing can stop them! They must have lost thousands, +but they reach the slope, and as sure as there's a sun in the heavens +they're going up it!" + +That tremendous cheer burst again from the beleaguered Union army. +Granger and Steedman, with their fresh troops, were rushing up the slopes +of the formidable ridge, and though three thousand of the eight thousand +fell, they took it, hurling back the advancing columns of the South, +and securing the rear of Thomas. + +Then the Winchester men and others about them went wild with joy. +They leaped, they danced, they sang, until they were commanded to make +ready for a new attack. Rosecrans in Chattanooga, with the most of his +army there also in wild confusion, had sent word to Thomas to retire, +to which Thomas had replied tersely: "It will ruin the army to withdraw +it now; this position must be held till night." + +And he made good his resolve. The Southern masses attacked once more +with frightful violence, and once more Thomas withstood them. The field +was now darkening in the twilight, and, having saved the Union army +from rout and wreck, Thomas, impervious to attack, fell back slowly to +Chattanooga. + +The greatest battle of the West, one of the most desperate ever fought, +came to a close. Thirty-five thousand men, killed or wounded, had fallen +upon the field. The South had won a great but barren victory. She had +not been able to reap the fruits of so much skill and courage, because +Thomas and his men, like the Spartans at Thermopylae, had stood in the +way. Never had a man more thoroughly earned the title of honor that he +bore throughout the rest of his life, "The Rock of Chickamauga." + +Chickamauga, though, was a sinister word to the North. Gettysburg and +Vicksburg had stemmed the high tide of the Confederacy, and many had +thought the end in sight. But the news from "The River of Death" told +them that the road to crowning success was still long and terrible. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +BESIDE THE BROOK + + +When the slow retreat began Dick looked for the sergeant. But a stalwart +figure, a red bandage around the head, rose up and confronted him. +It was Sergeant Whitley himself, a little unsteady yet on his feet, +but soon to be as good as ever. + +"Thank you for looking for me, Mr. Mason," he said, "but I came to, +some time ago. I guess the bullet found my skull too hard, 'cause it +just ran 'roun' it, and came out on the other side. I won't even be +scarred, as my hair covers up the place." + +"Can you walk all right?" asked Dick, overjoyed to find the sergeant was +not hurt badly. + +"Of course I can, Mr. Mason, an' I'm proud to have been with General +Thomas in such a battle. I didn't think human bein's could do what our +men have done." + +"Nor did I. It was impossible, but we've done it all the same." + +Colonel Winchester rejoiced no less than the lads over the sergeant's +escape. All the officers of the regiment liked him, and they had an +infinite respect for his wisdom, particularly when danger was running +high. They were glad for his own sake that he was alive, and they were +glad to have him with them as they retreated into Chattanooga, because +the night still had its perils. + +The moon, though clouded, was out as they withdrew slowly. On their +flanks there was still firing, as strong detachments skirmished with +one another, but the Winchester men as yet paid little attention to it. +They said grimly to one another that two days in the infernal regions +were enough for one time. They looked back at the vast battlefield and +the clumps of pines burning now like funeral torches, and shuddered. + +The retreat of Thomas was harried incessantly. Longstreet and Forrest +were eager to push the attack that night and the next day and make the +victory complete. They and men of less rank dreamed of a triumph which +should restore the fortunes of the Confederacy to the full, but Bragg was +cautious. He did not wish to incur the uttermost risk, and the roll of +his vast losses might well give him pause also. + +Nevertheless Southern infantry and cavalry hung on the flanks and rear of +the withdrawing Union force. The cloudy moon gave sufficient light for +the sharpshooters, whose rifles flashed continuously. The lighter field +guns moved from the forests and bushes, and the troops of Thomas were +compelled to turn again and again to fight them off. + +The Winchester regiment was on the extreme flank, where the men were +exposed to the fiercest attacks, but fortunately the thickets and hills +gave them much shelter. At times they lay down and returned the fire of +the enemy until they beat him off. Then they would rise and march on +again. + +All the officers had lost their horses, and Colonel Winchester strode at +the head of his men. Just behind were Dick, Pennington and some other +members of his staff. The rest had fallen. Further back was Sergeant +Whitley, his head in a red bandage, but all his faculties returned. +In this dire emergency he was taking upon himself the duties of a +commissioned officer, and there was none to disobey him. Once more was +the wise veteran showing himself a very bulwark of strength. + +Despite the coolness of the night, they had all suffered on the second +day of the battle from a burning thirst. And now after their immense +exertions it grew fiercer than ever. Dick's throat and mouth were +parched, and he felt as if he were breathing fire. He felt that he must +have water or die. All the men around him were panting, and he knew +they were suffering the same torture. + +"This country ought to be full of brooks and creeks," he said to +Pennington. "If I see water I mean to make a dash for it, Johnnies or +no Johnnies. I'm perfectly willing to risk my life for a drink." + +"So am I," said Warner, who overheard him, "and so are all who are left +in this regiment. If they see the flash of water nothing can hold them +back, not even Bragg's whole army. How those skirmishers hang on to us! +Whizz-z! there went their bullets right over our head!" + +The Winchesters turned, delivered a heavy volley into a thicket, whence +the bullets had come, and marched on, looking eagerly now for water. +They began to talk about it. They spoke of the cool brooks, "branches" +they called them, that they had known at home, and they told how, when +they found one, they would first drink of it, and then lie down in its +bed and let its water flow over them. + +But Dick's thirst could not wholly take his mind from the tremendous +scenes accompanying that sullen and defiant retreat. Hills and mountains +were in deepest gloom, save when the signal lights of the Southern armies +flashed back and forth. The clouded moon touched everything nearer by +with somber gray. The fire of cannon rolled through the forest and +gorges with redoubled echoes. + +A shout suddenly came from the head of the Winchester column. + +"Water! Water!" they cried. A young boy had caught a glimpse of silver +through some bushes, and he knew that it was made by the swift current +of a brook. In an instant the regiment broke into a run for the water. +Colonel Winchester could not have stopped them if he had tried, and he +did not try. He knew how great was their need. + +"We're off!" cried Pennington. + +"I see it! The water!" shouted Dick. + +"I do, too!" exclaimed Warner, "and it's the most beautiful water that +ever flowed!" + +But they stopped in their rush and dropped down in the thickets. +Sergeant Whitley had given the warning shout, and fortunately most of a +volley from a point about a hundred yards beyond the stream swept over +their heads. A few men were wounded, and they not badly. + +Dick crawled to the head of the column. The sergeant was already there, +whispering to Colonel Winchester. + +"They've taken to cover, too, sir," said the sergeant. + +"How many do you suppose they are?" asked the colonel. + +"Not more than we are, sir." + +"They run a great risk when they attack us in this manner." + +"Maybe, sir," said Dick, "they, too, were coming for the water." + +Colonel Winchester looked at Sergeant Whitley. + +"I'm of the opinion, sir," said the sergeant, "that Mr. Mason is right." + +"I think so, too," said Colonel Winchester. "It's a pity that men should +kill each other over a drink of water when there's enough for all. +Has any man a handkerchief?" + +"Here, sir," said Warner; "it's ragged and not very clean, but I hope it +will do." + +The Colonel raised the handkerchief on the point of his sword and gave +a hail. The bulk of the two armies had passed on, and now there was +silence in the woods as the two little forces confronted each other +across the stream. + +Dick saw a tall form in Confederate gray rise up from the bushes on the +other side of the brook. + +"Are you wanting to surrender?" the man called in a long, soft drawl. + +"Not by any means. We want a drink of water, and we're just bound to +have it." + +"You don't want it any more than we do, and you're not any more bound to +have it than we are." + +The colonel hesitated a moment, and then, influenced by a generous +impulse, said: + +"If you won't fire, we won't." + +The tall, elderly Southerner, evidently a colonel, also said: + +"It's a fair proposition, sir. My men have been working so hard the last +two days licking you Yanks that they're plum' burnt up with thirst." + +"I don't admit the licking, although it's obvious that you've gained +the advantage so far, but is it agreed that we shall have a truce for a +quarter of an hour?" + +"It is, sir; the truce of the water, and may we drink well! Come on, +boys!" + +Colonel Winchester gave a similar order to his men, and each side rose +from the thickets, and made a rush for the brook. It was a beautiful +little stream, the most beautiful in the world just then to Dick and his +friends. Clear and cold, the color of silver in the moonlight, it rushed +down from the mountains. On one side knelt the men in blue, and on the +other the men in gray, and the pure water was like the elixir of heaven +to their parched and burning throats. + +Dick drank long, and then as he raised his face from the stream he saw +opposite him a tall, lean youth, evidently from the far South, Louisiana +perhaps, a lad with a tanned face and a wide mouth stretched in a +friendly grin. + +"Tastes good, doesn't it, Yank?" he said. + +"Yes, it does, Reb," replied Dick. "I felt that I was drying up and just +crumbling away like old dead wood. As soon as the gallon that I've drunk +has percolated thoroughly through my system I intend to hoist aboard +another gallon." + +"I don't know what percolate means, but I reckon it has something to do +with travelin' about through your system. I think I need a couple of +gallons myself. Say, will you give a fair answer to a fair question?" + +"Yes, go ahead." + +"Don't you Yanks feel powerful bad over the thrashing we've given you?" + +"Not so bad. Besides I wouldn't call it a thrashing. It's just a +temporary advantage. And you wait. We'll take it away from you." + +"I don't know about that, but I can't argue with you now. I'm due for my +second gallon." + +"So am I." + +Each bent down and drank again a long, life-giving draught from the +rushing stream. For a distance of a hundred yards or more heads black, +brown and sometimes yellow were bent over the brook. Far off, both +to east and west, the cannon thundered in the darkness, but with the +drinkers it was a peaceful interlude of a quarter of an hour. Such +moments often occurred in this war when the men on both sides were blood +brethren. + +Colonel Winchester stood up, and the grizzled Confederate colonel stood +up on the other side of the stream, facing him. Their hands rose in a +simultaneous salute of respect. + +"Sir," said Colonel Winchester, "I'm happy to have met you in this +manner." + +"Sir," said the Southern colonel ornately, "we are happy to have drunk +from the same stream with such brave foes, and now, sir, I propose as +we retire that neither regiment shall fire a shot within the next five +minutes." + +"Agreed," said Colonel Winchester, and then as the colonels gave the +signals the two regiments withdrew beyond their respective thickets. +The truce of the water was over, but these foes did not meet again that +night. + +The regiment had left a great proportion of its numbers dead upon the +field. Half the others were wounded more or less, but the slightly +wounded marched on with the unhurt. Many of them were now barely +conscious. They were either asleep upon their feet or in a daze. +Nevertheless they soon rejoined the main command. + +Dick, having his pride as an officer, sought to keep himself active and +alert. He passed among the lads of his own age, and encouraged them. +He told them how the older men were already speaking of the wonders they +had done, and presently he saw Thomas himself riding along with the +young general, Garfield, who had been with him throughout the afternoon. +All the Winchester men saw their commander, and, worn as they were, +they stopped and gave a mighty cheer. Thomas was moved. Under the +cloudy moon Dick saw him show emotion for the first time. He took off +his hat. + +"Gentlemen, comrades," he said, "we have lost the battle of Chickamauga, +but if all our regiments fight as you fought to-day the war is won." + +Another cheer, enthusiastic and spontaneous, burst from the regiment, +and Thomas rode on. Dick had never heard him make another speech so long. + +When they reached the little town of Chattanooga within its mountains +they began to realize the full grandeur of their exploit. The remainder +of the army of Rosecrans was almost a mob, and brave as he undoubtedly +was he was soon removed to another field, leaving Thomas in supreme +command until Grant should come. + +Dick had no rest until the next night, when tents were set for the +battered remains of the Winchester regiment. He, Warner, Pennington +and three others were assigned to one of the larger tents. He had been +without sleep for two days and two nights, and the tremendous tension +that had kept him up so long was relaxing fast. He felt that he must +sleep or die. Yet they talked together a little before they stretched +themselves upon their blankets. + +"Do you think Bragg will attack us in Chattanooga, Dick?" asked +Pennington. + +"I don't. Our position here is too strong, and, as he was the assailant, +his losses must be something awful. Moreover, the rivers are always ours +and reinforcements will soon pour in to us. I think that General Thomas +saved the Union. What have you to say, George?" + +"Just about what you are saying, Dick. We've been beaten, but not enough +to suit the Johnnies. They have on their side present victory. We have +on ours present but not total defeat. You might say they have x, while +we have x + y. Wait until I look into my algebra, and I can find further +mathematical and beautiful propositions proving my contention beyond the +shadow of a doubt." + +He took out his algebra and opened it. A bullet fell from the leaves +into his lap. Warner picked it up and examined it carefully. Then he +looked at the book. + +"It went half way through," he said in tones of genuine solemnity. +"If it had gone all the way it would have pierced my heart and I could +never have known how this war is going to end. It has saved my life, +and I shall always keep it over my heart until we go back home." + +Dick was asleep the next minute, and they did not wake him for twelve +hours. When he came from the tent he stood blinking in the sun, and a +tall lean youth hailed him with a joyous shout: + +"Why, it's Mason--Mason of Kentucky!" exclaimed the lad, extending a +hardened hand. "I'm glad you're alive. How are those friends of yours, +Warner and Pennington?" + +"Well, save for scratches, Ohio. They're about somewhere." + +They shook hands again, hunted up the others, and celebrated their escape +from death. + +Dick learned later that all the Woodvilles were still alive and that +Colonel Kenton, although wounded, was recovering fast. Slade, with +troublesome raids, soon gave evidence of his own continued existence. + +Then, as they expected, reinforcements poured in. Grant came, and Dick +and his comrades took part in the fight at Missionary Ridge and the +battle "above the clouds" on Lookout Mountain. He witnessed great +triumphs and he had a share in them. + +He saw Bragg's army broken up, and he rejoiced with the others when the +news came that Grant for his brilliant successes had been made commander +of all the armies of the Union, and would go east to match himself +against the mighty Lee. The Winchester regiment would go with him and +Dick, Warner, Pennington and Sergeant Whitley, who was entirely recovered, +talked of it gravely: + +"We've been in the East before," said Pennington, "but we won't be under +any doubting general now." + +"I fancy it will be the death grapple," said Warner. + +"And the continent will shake with it," said Dick. + +The three, as if by the same impulse, turned and faced the distant East, +where the shades were already gathering over the Wilderness. + + + + +Appendix: Transcription notes: + +This etext was transcribed from a volume of the 14th printing. + + +The following modifications were applied while transcribing the +printed book to etext: + + Chapter 1 + Page 30, para 1, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 2 + Page 39, para 1, add missing close-quotes + Page 48, para 4, change "its" to "it's" + + Chapter 3 + Page 72, para 1, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 8 + Page 174, para 2, add a badly-needed comma + Page 182, para 3, change "replied Pennington" to "replied Warner" + Page 185, para 5, add missing close-quotes + + Chapter 10 + Page 216, para 2, move a badly-misplaced comma + Page 217, para 5, add a badly-needed comma + + Chapter 12 + Page 258, para 2, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 14 + Page 297, para 1, fixed typo "Mississipians" + + + Chapter 15 + Page 320, para 2, remove an extra comma + + + + Limitations imposed by converting to plain ASCII: + + - The word "cooperated" in chapter 8 was presented in the printed + book with an accented "o" + - In chapter 11, "Caesar" was presented with the "ae" ligature + - In chapter 11, the ship's name "Union" was presented in italics + - In chapter 14, "Thermopylae" was presented with the "ae" ligature + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Rock of Chickamauga, by Joseph A. 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