tive man who knew that he was being stalked by a saber-toothed
tiger through the dense forest.

Colonel Winchester beckoned to Sergeant Whitley. "Pick a half-dozen
sharp-eyed men," he said, "and ride into those woods. You're experienced
in this kind of war, Whitley, and before you go tell me what you think."

"General Forrest, sir, besides fighting as a white man fights, fights
like an Indian, too; that is, he uses an Indian's cunning, which is
always meant for ambush and surprise. He isn't dreaming of going away.
They're coming back through the thick woods."

"So I think. But let me know as soon as you can."

Ten minutes after the sergeant had ridden forward with his comrades they
heard the sound of rapid rifle shots, and then they saw the little band
galloping back.

"They're coming, sir," reported the sergeant. "Forrest has dismounted
several hundred of his men, and they are creeping forward from tree to
tree with their rifles, while the others hold their horses in the rear."

"Then it's an Indian fight for the present," said Colonel Winchester.
"We'll do the same."

He rapidly changed his lines of battle. The entire front rank was
dismounted, while those behind held their horses. The four hundred in
front, spreading out in as long a line as possible in order to protect
their flanks, took shelter behind the trees and awaited the onset.

The attack was not long in coming. The Southern sharpshooters, creeping
from tree to tree, began to fire. Scores of rifles cracked and Dick,
from a convenient place behind a tree, saw the spouts of flame appearing
along a line of four or five hundred yards. Bullets whizzed about him,
and, knowing that he would not be needed at present for any message, he
hugged the friendly bark more tightly.

"It's lucky we have plenty of trees," said a voice from the shelter of
the tree next to him. "We have at least one for every officer and man."

It was Warner who spoke and he was quite cheerful. Like Colonel
Winchester, he seemed to look forward to the combat with a certain joy,
and he added:

"You'll take notice, Dick, old man, that we've not been surprised.
Forrest hasn't galloped over us as he did before. He's taking the
trouble to make the approach with protected riflemen. Now what is the
sergeant up to?"

Sergeant Whitley, after whispering a little with Colonel Winchester,
had stolen off toward the right with fifty picked riflemen. When they
reached the verge of the open space