regiments fight as you fought to-day the war is won."

Another cheer, enthusiastic and spontaneous, burst from the regiment,
and Thomas rode on. Dick had never heard him make another speech so
long.

When they reached the little town of Chattanooga within its mountains
they began to realize the full grandeur of their exploit. The remainder
of the army of Rosecrans was almost a mob, and brave as he undoubtedly
was he was soon removed to another field, leaving Thomas in supreme
command until Grant should come.

Dick had no rest until the next night, when tents were set for the
battered remains of the Winchester regiment. He, Warner, Pennington
and three others were assigned to one of the larger tents. He had been
without sleep for two days and two nights, and the tremendous tension
that had kept him up so long was relaxing fast. He felt that he must
sleep or die. Yet they talked together a little before they stretched
themselves upon their blankets.

"Do you think Bragg will attack us in Chattanooga, Dick?" asked
Pennington.

"I don't. Our position here is too strong, and, as he was the assailant,
his losses must be something awful. Moreover, the rivers are always ours
and reinforcements will soon pour in to us. I think that General Thomas
saved the Union. What have you to say, George?"

"Just about what you are saying, Dick. We've been beaten, but not enough
to suit the Johnnies. They have on their side present victory. We have
on ours present but not total defeat. You might say they have x, while
we have x + y. Wait until I look into my algebra, and I can find further
mathematical and beautiful propositions proving my contention beyond the
shadow of a doubt."

He took out his algebra and opened it. A bullet fell from the leaves
into his lap. Warner picked it up and examined it carefully. Then he
looked at the book.

"It went half way through," he said in tones of genuine solemnity. "If
it had gone all the way it would have pierced my heart and I could never
have known how this war is going to end. It has saved my life, and I
shall always keep it over my heart until we go back home."

Dick was asleep the next minute, and they did not wake him for twelve
hours. When he came from the tent he stood blinking in the sun, and a
tall lean youth hailed him with a joyous shout:

"Why, it's Mason--Mason of Kentucky!" exclaimed the lad, extending a
hardened hand. "I'm glad you're alive. How are those friends of yours,