Homeric in his description
of the great young Wyandot chieftain Timmendiquas or White Lightning,
whom he acclaimed as the finest type of savage man the age had known."

"He and Henry Ware fought Timmendiquas for years, and after the great
peace they were friends throughout their long lives."

"And I've studied, too, his wonderful book on the Birds and Mammals
of North America," continued Warner with growing enthusiasm. "What
marvelous stores of observation and memory! Ah, Dick, those were
exciting days, and a man had opportunities for real and vital
experiences!"

Dick and Pennington laughed.

"What about Vicksburg, old praiser of past times?" asked Frank. "Don't
you think we'll have some lively experiences trying to take it? And
wasn't there something real and vital about Bull Run and Shiloh and
Perryville and Stone River and all the rest? Don't you worry, George.
You're living in exciting times yourself."

"That's so," said Warner calmly. "I had forgotten it for the moment.
We've been readers of history and now we're makers of it. It's
funny--and maybe it isn't funny--but the makers of history often
know little about what they're making. The people who come along long
afterward put them in their places and size up what they have done."

"They can give all the reasons they please why I won this war," said
Pennington, "but even history-makers are entitled to a rest. Since
there's no order to the contrary I mean to stretch out and go to sleep.
Dick, you and George can discuss your problems all night."

But they went to sleep also.

CHAPTER IX. THE OPEN DOOR

"Dick," said Colonel Winchester the next morning, "I think you are the
best scout and trailer among my young officers. Mr. Pennington, you are
probably the best on the plains, and I've no doubt, Warner, that you
would do well in the mountains, but for the hills, forests and rivers
I'll have to choose Dick. I've another errand for you, my boy. You're
to go on foot, and you're to take this dispatch to Admiral Porter, who
commands the iron-clads in the river near the city. Conceal it carefully
about you, but I anticipate no great danger for you, as Vicksburg is
pretty well surrounded by our forces."

The dispatch was written on thin, oiled paper. Dick hid it away in the
lining of his coat and departed upon another important mission, full
of pride that he should be chosen for it. He had all the passwords and
carried two good pistols in his belt. Rich