he omen of victory!" exclaimed the colonel exultantly. "Our brave lads
feel that they're about to triumph! Grant can't break through our line!
Why doesn't he call off his men? It's slaughter!"

Dick's heart sank. He knew that the colonel's words were true. The
Southern army, posted in its defenses, was breaking the ring of steel
that sought to crush it to death. Groups of men in blue who had seized
ground in the very front of the defenses either died there or were
gradually driven back. The inner ring along its front of miles thundered
incessantly on the outer ring, and repelled every attempt to crush it.

"They yield," said the colonel, after a long time. "The Northern fire
has sunk at many points, and there! and there! they're retreating! The
attack has failed and the South has won a victory!"

"But Grant will come again," said Dick, speaking his opinion for the
first time.

"No doubt of it," said Colonel Woodville, "but likely he will come to
the same fate."

He spoke wholly without animosity. The battle now died fast. The men
in gray had been invincible. Their cannon and rifles had made an
impenetrable barrier of fire, and Grant, despite the valor of his
troops, had been forced to draw off. Many thousands had fallen and the
Southern generals were exultant. Johnston would come up, and Grant,
having such heavy losses, would be unable to withstand the united
Confederate armies.

But Grant, as Colonel Woodville foresaw, had no idea of retreating.
Fresh troops were pouring down the great river for him, and while he
would not again attempt to storm Vicksburg, the ring of steel around it
would be made so broad and strong that Pemberton could not get out nor
could Johnston get in.

When the last cannon shot echoed over the far hills Colonel Woodville
turned away from the door of his hillside home.

"I must ask your shoulder again, young sir," he said to Dick. "What I
have seen rejoices me greatly, but I do not say it to taunt you. In
war if one wins the other must lose, and bear in mind that you are the
invader."

"May I help you back to your bed, sir?" asked Dick.

"You may. You are a good young man. I'm glad I saved you from that
scoundrel, Slade. As the score between us is even I wish that you were
out of Vicksburg and with your own people."

"I was thinking, too, sir, that I ought to go. I may take a quick
departure."

"Then if you do go I wish you a speedy and safe journey, but I tell you
to beware of o