ad that man's on our side," said Dick to himself, as Shepard's
figure disappeared among the trees. Then he left the portico and went
down in the valley to Colonel Winchester's regiment, where he was
received with joyous shouts by several young men, including Warner and
Pennington, who had gone on before. Colonel Winchester himself smiled
and nodded, and Dick saluted respectfully.

The Winchesters, as they loved to call themselves, were faring well at
this particular time. Like the Invincibles on the other side, this
regiment had been decimated and filled up again several times. It had
lost heavily in the Wilderness and at Spottsylvania, but its colonel
had escaped without serious hurt and had received special mention for
gallantry and coolness. It had been cut up once more at Cold Harbor,
and because of its great services and losses it was permitted to remain a
while in the rear as a reserve, and obtain the rest it needed so sorely.

The brave youths were recovering fast from their wounds and exertions.
Their camp was beside a clear brook and there were tents for the officers,
though they were but seldom used, most of them, unless it should be
raining, preferring to sleep in their blankets under the trees. The
water was good to drink, and farther down were several deep pools in
which they bathed. Food, as usual in the Northern army, was good and
plentiful, and for the Winchesters it seemed more a period of play than
of war.

"What did you see at the house, Dick?" asked Colonel Winchester.

"The spy, Shepard. I talked a while with him. He says the Confederacy
is growing weaker every day, but if we try to storm Lee's lines we'll be
cut to pieces."

"I think he's right in both respects, although I feel sure that some kind
of a movement will soon be attempted. But Dick, a mail from the west has
arrived and here is a letter for you."

He handed the lad a large square envelope, addressed in tall, slanting
script, and Dick knew at once that it was from his mother. He seized it
eagerly, and Colonel Winchester, suppressing the wish to know what was
inside, turned away.

* * * *

I have not heard from my dearest boy since the terrible battles in the
east [Mrs. Mason wrote], but I hope and pray that you have come safely
through them. You have escaped so many dangers that I feel you must
escape all the rest. The news reaches us that the fighting in Virginia
has been of the