outs 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