r
for us both. A uniform and a gun are just what I need. I am going to get
them!"

He rose determinedly as he spoke and helped Jeanne on the horse.

"Get on too, Dick," she pleaded. "You have walked all the time and your
shoes are in tatters. Please get up too."

To please her Dick climbed up before her, and they started off at a brisk
pace. Suddenly from a bend in the road before them a body of rebel cavalry
cantered into view. Jeanne tittered a cry of alarm but Dick setting his
teeth made a quick dash into the woods.

The rebels had seen them, however, and giving vent to their terrible yell,
they dashed in pursuit.

"Surrender," cried the leader as they drew near the hapless pair.
"Surrender!"

"Never!" cried Dick, furiously urging his horse to greater speed. A shower
of bullets fell about them. The horse stumbled and then swayed heavily.
Dick leaped from the animal's back and swung Jeanne to the ground just
as the poor brute fell. Throwing his arms about his sister the boy faced
the men defiantly.

"You are our prisoner, Yank," yelled the leader as they surrounded them.

"My sister," came from the lad's lips. His face was very pale and a
despairing look came into his eyes. He tottered and fell as he spoke.

"Dick!" shrieked Jeanne, frantically flinging herself beside him. "Dick,
Dick!"

"Wounded," was the terse remark of the Captain as he made a brief
examination. "By George, but he showed pluck to face us as he did! Look
here, boys."

Turning back the lad's shirt he showed a gaping wound in his chest. With a
cry of agony at the sight, the world turned dark to Jeanne, and she fell
prostrate across the form of her brother.

CHAPTER XXIV

VICKSBURG

When Jeanne recovered consciousness she knew by the rumbling and roaring
that she was on board a train. The riding was very rough, and hardly
realizing where she was she began to feel about her for the cushions,
weakly wondering where the lights were. It came to her with a sudden
shock as her fingers touched nothing but wood that she was lying prone
upon the floor of some sort of a car with not even a blanket under her.

The knowledge brought back the full remembrance of what had happened, and
she sat up quickly and tried to peer about her.

"Dick," she called. "Dick!"

A low moan was the answer. Guided by the sound Jeanne groped her way in
its direction, and soon came in contact with the prostrate form of the boy.

"Dick," she cried again. "