a part of General Sheridan's escort," he said, "and we're to
go to a little place called Charlestown."

The three were delighted. They were eager to move, and above all in
the train of Sheridan. The mission must be of great importance or the
commander himself would not ride upon it. Hence they saddled up in five
minutes, hoping that the call would come in the next five.

"Did Colonel Winchester tell you why we were going to ride?" asked Warner
of Dick.

"No."

"Then perhaps we're going to receive the surrender of Early and all his
men."

Dick laughed.

"I've heard that old Jube Early is one of the hardest swearers in the
Southern army," he said, "and I've heard, too, that he's just as hard a
fighter. I don't think he'll be handing us his surrender on a silver
platter at Charlestown or anywhere else."

"I know it," said Warner. "I was only joking, but I'm wondering why we
go."

In ten minutes an orderly came with a message for them and they were in
the saddle as quickly as if they intended to ride to a charge. Sheridan
himself and his staff and escort were as swift as they, and the whole
troop swept away with a thunder of hoofs and the blood leaping in their
veins. It was now almost the middle of September, and the wind that blew
down from the crest of the mountains had a cool breath. It fanned Dick's
face and the great pulse in his throat leaped. He felt that this ride
must portend some important movement. Sheridan would not gallop away
from his main camp, except on a vital issue.

It was not a long distance to Charlestown, and when they arrived there
they dismounted and waited. Dick saw Colonel Winchester's face express
great expectancy and he must know why they waited, but the youth did not
ask him any questions, although his own curiosity increased.

An hour passed, and then a short, thickset, bearded man, accompanied by a
small staff, appeared. Dick drew a deep breath. It was General Grant,
Commander-in-Chief of all the armies of the Union, and Sheridan hastened
forward to meet him. Then the two, with several of the senior officers,
went into a house, while the younger men remained outside, and on guard.

"I knew that we were waiting for somebody of importance," said Warner,
"but I didn't dream that it was the biggest man we've got in the field."

"Didn't your algebra give you any hint of it?" asked Dick.

"No. An algebra reasons. It doesn't talk and waste its time in idle
chatter."