CHAPTER II. FORREST
Dick dashed after the fugitive, but he had disappeared utterly, and thedense bushes impeded the pursuer. He was hot and angry that he had beendeluded so cleverly, but then came the consolation that, after all, hehad 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 uponthe faces of each other the stamp of a mutual liking. Why should hestrive to take young Woodville before Colonel Winchester? Nothing wasto be gained by it, and, as the Mississippian was in civilian's garb, hemight incur the punishment of a spy. He realized in a flash that, sincehe had vindicated his own prowess, he was glad of Woodville's escape.
He turned and walked thoughtfully back up the ravine. Very little noisecame from the house and the thin spires of smoke had disappeared. Heknew now that the fires had been put out with ease, thanks to hisquick warning. Before starting he had recovered both his own pistol andWoodville's, and he was particularly glad to find the latter becauseit would be proof of his story, if proof were needed. The rain had notceased nor had the heavy darkness lifted, but the looming shadow of thebig house was sufficient guide. He found the place where he had slippeddown the bank and the torn bushes and grass showed that he had made afine trail. He pulled himself back up by the bushes and reentered thegarden, 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 hewalked 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 asmall 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, gladnessshowing in his voice. Then he added: "My God, Dick, what have you beendoing to yourself?"
"Yes, what kind of a transformation is this?" added a major. "You'vecertainly come back with a face very different from the one with whichyou left us!"
Dick turned fiery red. He suddenly became conscious that he had a leftear of enormous size, purple and swollen, that his left eye was closingfast, that the blood was dripping from cuts on either cheek, that theblood had flowed down the middle of his forehead and had formed a littlestalactite on the end of his nose, that his chin had been gashed in fiveplaces by a strong fist, and that he had contributed his share to thebloodshed of the war.
"If I didn't know these were modern times," said Warner, "I'd say thathe had just emerged from a sanguinary encounter bare-handed in the Romanarena with a leopard."
Dick glared at him.
"It was you who gave the alarm of fire, was it not?" asked ColonelWinchester.
"Yes, sir. I saw the man who set the fires and I pursued him through thegarden 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 neitheris 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 threwour 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 waslucky enough to knock him out at last."
"Then why does your face look like a huge piece of pickled beef?" askedthe 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 mayhave you both shot as an example."
Dick and Warner grinned good-naturedly at each other. They knew thatColonel Winchester did not dream of carrying out such a threat, and theyknew 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 toa brook, filled my cap with water, and returned with it in the hopeof reviving him. I got there just in time to see him vanishing in thebushes. 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 headded: "It's just as well he escaped. I should not have known what to dowith him. But we have you, Dick, to thank for giving the alarm. Now, goinside 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 thekitchen."
"Will you pardon me for speaking of something, sir?"
"Certainly. Go ahead."
"I think the appearance of young Woodville here indicates the nearnessof Forrest or some other strong cavalry force."
"You're right, Dick, my officers and I are agreed upon it. I havedoubled 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 thecold water dripped from his clothes as he walked. But first he producedWoodville's pistol and handed it to Colonel Winchester.
"There's my antagonist's pistol, sir," he said. "You'll see his initialson it."
"Yes, here they are," said Colonel Winchester: "'V.W., C.S.A.' It's afine weapon, but it's yours, Dick, as you captured it."
Dick took it and went to the kitchen, where the big fire had just begunto 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--heroasted himself before those glorious coals. Then, as he was putting onthe fresh uniform, Warner and Pennington appeared.
"What would you recommend as best for the patient, Doctor," said Warnergravely to Pennington.
"I think such a distinguished surgeon as you will agree with me that hiswounds 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 wehave, 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 ourhands."
"While you're reducing the size of it you might also reduce the pain init," 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 forhorses it ought to be good for prize fighters, too. That was surely ahefty chap who fought you. If you didn't have his pistol as proof I'dsay that he gave you a durned good licking. Isn't this a pretty cut downthe 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 itbeautifully. When I meet that Woodville boy I'm going to congratulatehim. He was certainly handy with his fists."
"Go on, fellows," said Dick, good-naturedly. "In a week I won't have awound or a sign of a scar. Then I'll remember what you've said to me andI'll lick you both, one after the other."
"Patient is growing delirious, don't you think so, Doctor?" said Warnerto Pennington.
"Beyond a doubt. Violent talk is always proof of it. Better put him tobed. 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 fromgiving us the licking you promised," said Pennington.
Then the
y left him and Dick slept soundly until he was awakened the nextday by Warner. The fire was out, the rain had ceased long since and thesun was shining brilliantly.
"Hop up, Dick," said Warner briskly. "Breakfast's ready. Owing to yourwound we let you sleep until the last moment. Come now, take the foamingcoffee and the luscious bacon, and we'll be off, leaving Bellevue againto 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 SergeantDaniel 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 ourluxurious breakfasts we mean to mount and ride hard toward Grant. We'rescouts, but according to Whitley the scouts are scouted, and this is abad country to be trapped in."
Dick was so strong and his blood was so pure that he felt his woundsbut little now. The cuts and bruises were healing fast and he ate with akeen appetite. He heard then of the signs that Whitley had seen. He hadfound two broad trails, one three miles from the house, and the otherabout four miles. Each indicated the passage of several hundred men, buthe had no way of knowing whether they belonged to the same force. Theywere bound to be Confederate cavalry as Colonel Winchester's regimentwas known to be the only Union force in that section.
Dick knew their position to be dangerous. Colonel Winchester had donehis duty in discovering that Forrest and Wheeler were raiding throughMississippi, and that a heavy force was gathering in the rear of Grant,who intended the siege of Vicksburg. It behooved him now to reach Grantas soon as he could with his news.
Refreshed and watchful, the regiment rode away from Bellevue. Dicklooked back at the broad roof and the great piazzas, and then he thoughtof young Woodville with a certain sympathy. They had fought a good fightagainst each other, and he hoped they would meet after the war and befriends.
It was about an hour after sunrise, and the day was bright and warm. Thebeads of water that stood on every leaf and blade of grass were dryingfast, and the air, despite its warmth, was pure and bracing. Dick, ashe looked at the eight hundred men, tanned, experienced and thoroughlyarmed, under capable leaders, felt that they were a match for any rovingSouthern force.
"Just let Forrest come on," he said. "I know that the Colonel is achingto get back at him for that surprise in Tennessee, and I believe wecould whip him."
"You're showing great spirit for a man who was beaten up in the prizering as you were last night. I thought you'd want to rest for a fewdays."
"Drop it, George. I did get some pretty severe cuts and bruises, but Iwas lucky enough to have the services of two very skillful and devotedyoung physicians. Their treatment was so fine that I'm all rightto-day."
"Unless I miss my guess, we'll need the services of doctors again beforenight comes. No mountains are here, but this is a great country forambush. It's mostly in forest, and even in the open the grass is alreadyvery tall. Besides, there are so many streams, bayous, and ponds. Noticehow far out on the flanks the skirmishers and scouts are riding, andothers ride just as far ahead."
Two miles from Bellevue and they came to a small hill, covered withforest, from the protection of which the officers examined the countrylong and minutely, while their men remained hidden among the deepfoliaged trees. Dick had glasses of his own which he put to his eyes,bringing nearer the wilderness, broken here and there by open spacesthat indicated cotton fields. Yet the forest was so dense and therewas so much of it that a great force might easily be hidden within itsdepths only a mile away.
"Have we any information at all about Forrest's strength?" whisperedPennington to Dick.
"His full force isn't down here. It is believed he has not more than athousand or twelve hundred men. But he and his officers know the countrythoroughly, and of course the inhabitants, being in full sympathy withthem, will give them all the information they need. The news of everymovement 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 fewhouses, 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 glitterin the woods. I think it was a sunbeam passing through the leaves andstriking upon the polished barrel of a rifle. Ah! there it is again! AndColonel Winchester has seen it too."
The colonel and his senior officers were now gazing intently at thepoint in the wood where Dick had twice seen the gleam, and, keener-eyedthan they, he continued to search the leafy screen through his ownglasses. 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, buthe knew that every man in the regiment was glad to meet him again. Heglanced at Colonel Winchester and saw that his face had flushed. He knewthat the colonel was more than gratified at this chance.
"We'll make our stand here," said Colonel Winchester. "The hill runs tothe right, and, as you see over there, it is covered with forest withoutundergrowth. Thus we can secure protection, and at the same time be ableto maneuver, mounted."
The regiment was posted rapidly in two long lines, the second to firebetween the intervals of the first. They carried carbines and heavycavalry sabers, and they were the best mounted regiment in the Northernservice.
Yet these men, brave and skillful as they were, were bound to feeltrepidation, although they did not show it. They were far in theSouthern forest, cut off from their army, and Forrest, in additionto his own cavalry, might have brought with him fresh reserves of theenemy.
Dick, Warner, and Pennington, as usual, remained close to their colonel,and Sergeant Daniel Whitley was not far away. But Colonel Winchesterpresently rode along the double line of his veterans, and he spoke tothem quietly but with emphasis and conviction:
"My lads," he said, "you see Forrest's men coming through the woods toattack us. Forrest is the greatest cavalry leader the South has, west ofthe Alleghanies. Some of you were with me when we were surprised and cutup by him in Tennessee. But you will not be surprised by him now, norwill you be cut up by him. All of you have become great riders, a matchfor Forrest's own, and as I look upon your faces here I know that thereis no fear in a single heart. You have served under Grant, and you haveserved under Thomas. They are two generals who always set their facestoward the front and never turn them toward the rear. You will this dayprove yourselves worthy of Grant and Thomas."
They were about to cheer, but he checked it with the simple gesture ofa raised hand. Then they did a thing that only a beloved leader couldinspire. Every man in the regiment, resting his carbine across thepommel of his saddle, drew his heavy cavalry saber and made it whirl incoils of glittering light about his head.
The great pulse in Dick's throat leaped as he saw. The long double lineseemed to give back a double flash of flame. Not a word was said, andthen eight hundred sabers rattled together as they were dropped backinto their scabbards. Colonel Winchester's face flushed deeply at thesplendid salute, but he did not speak either. He took off his cap andswept it in a wide curve to all his men. Then he turned his face towardthe enemy.
The Southern trumpet was singing in the forest, and the force ofForrest, 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 ofhim and he knew him instinctively. He also recognized the fact that theWinchester regiment had before it the most desperate work any men coulddo, if it beat off Forrest when he came in his own country with superiornumbers.
Neither side had artillery, not even the light guns that could becarried horse- or muleback. It must be left to carbine and saber.Colonel Winchester carefully wat
ched his formidable foe, trying todivine every trick and expedient that he might use. He had a memory toavenge. He had news to carry to Grant, and Forrest must not keephim from carrying it. Moreover, his regiment and he would gain greatprestige if they could beat off Forrest. There would be glory for thewhole Union cavalry if they drove back the Southern attack. Dick saw theglitter of his colonel's eye and the sharp compression of his lips.
But the men of Forrest, although nearly within rifle shot, did notcharge. Their bugle sang again, but Dick did not know what the tunemeant. Then they melted away into the deep forest on their flank, andsome of the troop thought they had gone, daunted by the firm front oftheir foe.
But Dick knew better. Forrest would never retreat before an inferiorforce, and he was full of wiles and stratagems. Dick felt like aprimitive man who knew that he was being stalked by a saber-toothedtiger through the dense forest.
Colonel Winchester beckoned to Sergeant Whitley. "Pick a half-dozensharp-eyed men," he said, "and ride into those woods. You're experiencedin this kind of war, Whitley, and before you go tell me what you think."
"General Forrest, sir, besides fighting as a white man fights, fightslike an Indian, too; that is, he uses an Indian's cunning, which isalways 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 theyheard the sound of rapid rifle shots, and then they saw the little bandgalloping back.
"They're coming, sir," reported the sergeant. "Forrest has dismountedseveral hundred of his men, and they are creeping forward from tree totree 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 wasdismounted, while those behind held their horses. The four hundred infront, spreading out in as long a line as possible in order to protecttheir flanks, took shelter behind the trees and awaited the onset.
The attack was not long in coming. The Southern sharpshooters, creepingfrom tree to tree, began to fire. Scores of rifles cracked and Dick,from a convenient place behind a tree, saw the spouts of flame appearingalong 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, hehugged the friendly bark more tightly.
"It's lucky we have plenty of trees," said a voice from the shelter ofthe 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 ColonelWinchester, 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 thetrouble to make the approach with protected riflemen. Now what is thesergeant up to?"
Sergeant Whitley, after whispering a little with Colonel Winchester,had stolen off toward the right with fifty picked riflemen. When theyreached the verge of the open space that lay between the two sides theythrew themselves down in the thick, tall grass. Neither Dick nor Warnercould see them now. They beheld only the stems of the grass waving as ifunder a gentle wind. But Dick knew that the rippling movement marked thepassage of the riflemen.
Meanwhile the attack in their front was growing hotter. At least sixor seven hundred sharpshooters were sending a fire which would haveannihilated them if it had not been for the trees. As it was, fragmentsof bark, twigs, and leaves showered about them. The whistling of thebullets and their chugging as they struck the trees made a continuoussinister note.
The Union men were not silent under this fire. Their own rifles werereplying fast, but Colonel Winchester continually urged them to takeaim, and, while death and wounds were inflicted on the Union ranks, theSouthern were suffering in the same manner.
Dick turned his eyes toward the right flank, where the fifty pickedriflemen, Sergeant Whitley at their head, were crawling through thetall grass. He knew that they were making toward a little corner of theforest, thrust farther forward than the rest, and presently when therippling in the grass ceased he was sure that they had reached it. Thenthe fifty rifles cracked together and the Southern flank was swept byfifty well-aimed bullets. Lying in their covert, Whitley's men reloadedtheir breech-loading rifles and again sent in a deadly fire.
The main Northern force redoubled its efforts at the same time. The menin blue sent in swarms of whistling bullets and Dick saw the front lineof the South retreating.
"We're rousing the wolves from their lairs," explained Penningtonexultantly as he sprang from his tree, just in time for a bullet to sendhis hat flying from his head. Fortunately, it clipped only a lock ofhair, but he received in a good spirit Warner's admonishing words:
"Don't go wild, Frank. We've merely repelled the present attack. Youdon'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 againstall kinds of bullets. Look at the scars made on each side of it by rebellead."
The firing now died. Whitley's flank movement had proved whollysuccessful, and Colonel Winchester reinforced him in the little forestpeninsula with fifty more picked men, where they lay well hidden, aformidable force for any assailant.
The silence now became complete, save for the stamping of the impatienthorses and the drone of insects in the woods and grass. Dick, lyingon his stomach and using his glasses, could see nothing in the forestbefore them. It was to him in all its aspects an Indian battle, and hebelieved in spite of what Warner had said that the enemy had retiredpermanently.
Colonel Winchester and all the officers rose to their feet presently andwalked among the trees. No bullets came to tell them that they wererash and then the senior officers held a conference, while all the menremounted, save a dozen or so who would ride no more. But the coloneldid not abate one whit of his craft or caution.
They resumed the march toward Grant, but they avoided every field oropen space. They would make curves and lose time in order to keep in thedense wood, but, as Dick knew, Colonel Winchester still suspected thatForrest was hovering somewhere on his flank, covered by the great forestand awaiting a favorable opportunity to attack.
They approached one of the deep and narrow streams that ultimatelyfind their way to the Mississippi. It had only one ford, and the scoutsgalloping back informed them that the farther shore was held by apowerful force of cavalry.
"It's Forrest," said Colonel Winchester with quiet conviction. "Knowingevery path of the woods, they've gone ahead of us, and they mean to cutus off from Grant. Nevertheless we'll make a way."
He spoke firmly, but the junior officers of the staff did not exactlysee how they were going to force a ford defended by a larger number ofcavalry under the redoubtable Forrest.
"I didn't think Forrest would let us alone, and he hasn't," saidPennington.
"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 hardjob 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 backagain in our face to attack us."
"But we want to go on and they don't," said Dick. "They're satisfiedwith the enforced status quo, and we're not. Am I right, Professor?"
"You certainly are," replied Warner. "Now, our colonel is puzzled, asyou can tell by his looks, and so would I be, despite my great naturalmilitary talents."
The Winchester regiment fell back into the woods, leaving the twoforces out of rifle shot of each other. Sentinels were posted by bothcommanders not far from the river and the rest, dismounting, took theirease, save the officers, who again went into close conference.
Afterward they sat among the trees and waited. I
t was low ground, withthe earth yet soaked from the heavy rain of the night before, and theheat grew heavy and intense. The insects began to drone again, and oncemore mosquitoes made life miserable. But the soldiers did not complain.It was noon now, and they ate food from their knapsacks. Two springs ofclear water were found a little distance from the river and all drankthere. 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 inno hurry at all. Colonel Winchester sent divisions of scouts up and downthe stream, and, both returning after a while, reported that the riverwas not fordable anywhere.
Colonel Winchester sat down under a tree and smoked his pipe. The longerhe smoked the more corrugated his brow became. He looked angrily at theford, but it would be folly to attempt a passage there, and, containinghimself as best he could, he waited while the long afternoon waned. Hismen 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 themosquitoes with green leaves, they sank into a deep quiet. Dick evendrowsed for a while. He could not think of a way out of the trap, andhe was glad it was the duty of older men like Colonel Winchester and themajors and captains to save them.
The heat of the day increased with the coming of afternoon, and Dick'seyelids grew heavier. He had become so thoroughly hardened to march andbattle that the presence of the enemy on the other side of a river didnot disturb him. What was the use of bothering about the rebels as longas they did not wish to fire upon one?
His eyes closed for a few minutes, and then his dreaming mind traversedspace with incredible rapidity. He was back in Pendleton, sitting onthe portico with his mother, watching the flowers on the lawn nod in thegentle wind. His cousin Harry Kenton saluted him with a halloo and camebounding toward the porch, and the halloo caused Dick to awake and situp. He rubbed his eyes violently and looked around a little bit ashamed.But two captains older than himself were sound asleep with their backsagainst trees.
Dick stood up and shook himself violently. Whatever others might do hemust not allow himself to relax so much. He saw that the sun was slowlydescending and that the full heat of the afternoon was passing. ColonelWinchester had withdrawn somewhat among the trees and he beckoned tohim. Sergeant Whitley was standing beside the colonel.
"Dick," said Colonel Winchester, "colored men have brought us news thatColonel Grierson of our army, with a strong raiding force of nearly twothousand cavalry is less than a day's march away and on the same sideof this river that we are. We have received the news from three separatesources and it must be true. Probably Forrest's men know it, too, butexpect Grierson to pass on, wholly ignorant that we're here. I havechosen you and Sergeant Whitley to bring Grierson to our relief. Thehorses are ready. Now go, and God speed you. The sergeant will tell youwhat we know as you ride."
Dick sprang at once into the saddle, and with a brief good-bye he andthe sergeant were soon in the forest riding toward the southeast. Dickwas alive and energetic again. All that laziness of mind and body wasgone. 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 withtales, but the three tales agree. Grierson has made a great raid, evenfurther down than we have gone. He has more than double our numbers, andif we can unite with him it's likely that we can turn Forrest into thepursued instead of the pursuer. They say we can hit his trail abouttwenty-five miles from here, and if that's so we'll bring him up to theford by noon to-morrow. Doesn't it look promising to you, LieutenantMason?"
"It does look promising, Sergeant Whitley, if we don't happen to betaken by the Johnnies who infest this region. Besides, you'll have toguide 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 waylies almost wholly through forest I see no reason why we should becaptured."
"That's so, sergeant. I'm just as much of an optimist as you are. Youkeep the course, and I'm with you to the finish."
They rode rather fast at first as the sun had not yet set, picking theirway through the woods, and soon left their comrades out of sight. Thetwilight now came fast, adding a mournful and somber red to the vastexpanse of wilderness. The simile of an Indian fight returned to Dickwith increased force. This was not like any battle with white men inthe open fields. It was a combat of raiders who advanced secretly undercover 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 timeDick and the sergeant could not see many yards in front and they rodevery slowly. After a while, as the sky lightened somewhat and their eyesalso grew keen, they made better speed. Then they struck a path throughthe woods leading in the right direction, and they broke into a trot.
The earth was so soft that their horses' feet gave back but littlesound, and both were confident they would not meet any enemy in thenight at least.
"Straight southeast," said the sergeant, "and we're bound to strikeGrierson's tracks. After that we'd be blind if we couldn't follow thetrail made by nearly two thousand horsemen."
The path still led in the direction they wished and they rode onsilently for hours. Once they saw a farmhouse set back in the woods, andthey were in fear lest dogs come out and bark alarm, but there was nosound 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 theywere compelled to turn into the woods on the side. But no human beinghad interfered with their journey, and their hopes rose to the zenith.
They came, finally, into an open region of cotton fields, and thesergeant now began to watch closely for the great trail they hoped tofind. A force as large as Grierson's would not attempt a passage throughthe woods, but would seek some broad road and Sergeant Whitley expectedto find it long before morning.
It was now an hour after midnight and they reckoned that they had comeabout the right distance. There was a good moon and plenty of stars andthe sergeant gave himself only a half-hour to find the trail.
"There's bound to be a wide road somewhere among these fields, the kindwe call a county road."
"It's over there beyond that rail fence," said Dick. They urged theirhorses into a trot, and soon found that Dick was right. A road of redclay soft from the rains stretched before them.
"A man doesn't have to look twice here for a trail. See," said thesergeant.
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 theseparts 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 pressforward, lieutenant, and we can save time going through the fields onthe edge of the road."
Although they had to take down fences they made good speed and justas the sun was rising they saw the light of a low campfire among sometrees, 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 thepresence of Grierson himself.
He had been making a great raid, but he was eager now for theopportunity 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 fordwhere 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 Ithink we ought to be there in three or four hours."
"Then lead the way," said Grierson. "Li
ke your colonel, I'll be glad tohave a try at Forrest."
Sergeant Whitley rode in advance. A lumberman first and then a soldierof the plains, he had noted even in the darkness every landmark and hecould lead the way back infallibly. But he warned Grierson that such aman as Forrest would be likely to have out scouts, even if they had toswim the river. It was likely that they could not get nearer by three orfour 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 ifby any chance their whole force should cross, we'll just meet and fightit."
"The little river is falling fast," said the sergeant. "It's likely thatit'll be fordable almost anywhere by noon."
"Then," said Grierson, "it'll be all the easier for us to get at theenemy."
Dick, just behind Grierson, heard these words and he liked them. Herewas a spirit like Colonel Winchester's own, or like that of the greatSouthern cavalry leaders. The Southerners were born on horseback, butthe Northern men were acquiring the same trick of hard riding. Dickglanced back at the long column. Armed with carbine and saber the menwere riding their trained horses like Comanches. Eager and resoluteit was a formidable force, and his heart swelled with pride andanticipation. He believed that they were going to give Forrest all hewanted and maybe a little more.
Up rose the sun. Hot beams poured over forest and field, but thecavalrymen still rode fast, the scent of battle in their nostrils. Dickknew that these Southern streams, flooded by torrents of rain, rose fastand also fell fast.
"How much further now, sergeant?" asked Grierson, as they turned from apath 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 fordablenow at many points. Dick was devoutly grateful that they had foundGrierson. Otherwise the Winchester regiment would have been flanked, andits destruction would have followed.
Skirmishers were detached from Grierson's command and drove off theSouthern riflemen. Dick heard the rattling fire of their rifles in thedeep wood, but he seldom saw a figure. Then he heard another fire, heavyand continuous, in their front, coming quite clearly on a breeze thatblew toward them.
"Your whole regiment is engaged," exclaimed Grierson. "Forrest must haveforded the river elsewhere!"
He turned and shook aloft his saber.
"Forward, lads!" he shouted. "Gallant men of our own army will beoverwhelmed unless we get up in time!"
The whole force broke into a gallop through the woods, the fire in theirfront rapidly growing heavier. In ten minutes they would be there, butrifles suddenly blazed from the forest on their flank and many saddleswere emptied. Nothing upsets like surprise, and for a few moments thewhole command was in disorder. It was evident that Forrest was attackingWinchester with only a part of his force, while he formed an ambush forGrierson.
But the Northern cavalrymen had not learned in vain through disaster andexperience. Grierson quickly restored order and drew his men back intothe forest. As the enemy followed the Northern carbines began to flashfast. 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 withinsight of Colonel Winchester's men, who, dismounted, were holding off asbest they could the overwhelming attack of Forrest. The Southern leader,after sending the majority of his men to a new crossing lower down hadforced the ford before the Winchester regiment, and would have crushedit if it had not been for the opportune arrival of Grierson.
But a tremendous cheer arose as the Northern cavalry leader, who wasalready proving his greatness, charged into the battle with his grimtroopers. The men in blue were now more numerous, and, fighting with theresolve to win or die, they gradually forced back Forrest. Dick began toforesee a victory won over the great Southern cavalryman.
But the astute Forrest, seeing that the odds were now heavily againsthim, ordered a retreat. The trumpets sang the recall and suddenlythe Southern horsemen, carrying their dead with them, vanished in theforest, where the Northern cavalry, fearful of ambushes and new forces,did not dare to pursue.
But Winchester and Grierson were shaking hands, and Winchester thankedthe other in brief but emphatic words.
"Say no more, colonel," exclaimed Grierson. "We're all trying to serveour 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 ofVicksburg was determined on long ago, as you know, I believe that he isnow moving toward Grand Gulf. You know he has to deal with the armies ofJohnston 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 theConfederacy.