ton 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 easi