at it was a silly, ignorant bullet not knowing whence it came, or
where it was going. Ah, there's light in the darkness! Look across the
hill and see that shining flame!"

Dick rose and then the three walked to the brow of the hill, where
Colonel Winchester stood, using his glasses as well as he could in the
dusk.

"It's the pine forest on fire in places," he said. "The shells did it,
and it's been burning for some time, spreading until it has now come
into our own sight."

But they were detached fires, and they did not fuse into a general mass
at any time. Clumps of trees burnt steadily like vast torches and sent
up high flames. Bands of men from either side worked silently, removing
as many of the wounded as they could. It was a spontaneous movement, as
happened so often in this war, and Dick and his comrades took a part in
it.

North and South met in friendliness in the darkness or by the light of
the burning pines, and talked freely as they lifted up their wounded.
Dick asked often about Colonel Kenton, meeting at last some Kentuckians,
who told him that the colonel had gone through the day without a wound,
and was with Buckner. Then Dick asked if any Mississippians were along
the line.

"What do you want with 'em?" asked a long, lank man with a bilious
yellow face.

"I've got a friend among 'em. Woodville is his name, and he's about my
own age."

"I've heard of the Woodvilles. Big an' rich family in Missip. 'Roun'
Vicksburg and Jackson mostly. I'm from the Yazoo valley myself, an' if
I hear of the young fellow I'll send him down this way. But I can't stay
out long, 'cause it'll soon be time for me to have my chill. Comes every
other night reg'lar. But I'll be all right for battle to-morrow, when
we lick you Yankees out of the other boot, having licked you out of one
to-day."

"All right, old Yazoo," laughed Dick. "Go on and have your chill, but if
you see Woodville tell him Mason is waiting down here by the wood."

"I'll shorely do it, if the chill don't git me fust," said the yellow
Mississippian as he strolled away, and Dick knew that he would keep his
word.

The lad lingered at the spot where he had met the man, hoping that by
some lucky chance Woodville might come, and fortune gave him his wish. A
slender figure emerged from the dark, and a voice called softly:

"Is that you, Mason?"

"Nobody else," replied Dick gladly, stepping forward and offering his
hand, which young Woodville shook warmly.