eft his tent. But he was pleased to hear that the detail
was commanded by Colonel Winchester. Arthur Winchester was a man of
forty-one or two who lived about thirty miles north of Pendleton. He was
a great landowner, of high character and pleasant manners. Dick had met
him frequently in his childhood, and the Colonel received him with much
warmth.

"I'm glad to know, Dick," he said familiarly, "that you're going with
us. I'm fond of Pendleton, and I like to have one of the Pendleton boys
in my command. If all that we hear of this man Grant is true, we'll see
action, action hot and continuous."

They rode to Elizabethtown, where Dick was compelled to leave his great
horse for Buell's men, and went by train to Louisville, going thence
by steamer down the Ohio River to Cairo, at its junction with the
Mississippi, where they stood at last in the presence of that general
whose name was beginning to be known in the west.

CHAPTER IX. TAKING A FORT

Dick was with Colonel Winchester when he was admitted to the presence of
the general who had already done much to strengthen the Union cause
in the west, and he found him the plainest and simplest of men, under
forty, short in stature, and careless in attire. He thanked Colonel
Winchester for the reinforcement that he had brought him, and then
turned with some curiosity to Dick.

"So you were at the battle of Mill Spring," he said. "It was hot, was it
not?"

"Hot enough for me," replied Dick frankly.

Grant laughed.

"They caught a Tartar in George Thomas," he said, "and I fancy that
others who try to catch him will be glad enough to let him go."

"He is a great man, sir," said Dick with conviction.

Then Grant asked him more questions about the troops and the situation
in Eastern Kentucky, and Dick noticed that all were sharp and
penetrating.

"Your former immediate commander, Major Hertford, and some of his men
are due here today," said Grant. "General Thomas, knowing that his own
campaign was over, sent them north to Cincinnati and they have come down
the river to Cairo. When they reach here they will be attached to the
regiment of Colonel Winchester."

Dick was overjoyed. He had formed a strong liking for Major Hertford and
he was quite sure that Warner and Sergeant Whitley would be with him.
Once more they would be reunited, reunited for battle. He could not
doubt that they would go to speedy action as the little town at the
junction of the mighty river