e and
anxiety. Dick, with his uncle, Colonel Kenton, and his young cousin,
Harry Kenton, had once dined at his house.

Nearly all the officers, Northern and Southern, knew one another well.
Many of them had been together at West Point. Colonel Winchester and
General Buckner were well acquainted and they saluted, each smiling a
little grimly.

"I bring General Grant's demand for the surrender of Fort Donelson, and
all its garrison, arms, ammunition, and other supplies," said Colonel
Winchester. "Can I see your chief, General Floyd?"

The lips of Buckner pressed close together in a smile touched with
irony.

"No, you cannot see General Floyd," he said, "because he is now far up
the Cumberland."

"Since he has abdicated the command I wish then to communicate with
General Pillow."

"I regret that you cannot speak to him either. He is as far up the
Cumberland as General Floyd. Both departed in the night, and I am left
in command of the Southern army at Fort Donelson. You can state your
demands to me, Colonel Winchester."

Dick saw that the brave Kentuckian was struggling to hide his chagrin,
and he had much sympathy for him. It was in truth a hard task that
Floyd and Pillow had left for Buckner. They had allowed themselves to
be trapped and they had thrown upon him the burden of surrendering. But
Buckner proceeded with the negotiations. Presently he noticed Dick.

"Good morning, Richard," he said. "It seems that in this case, at least,
you have chosen the side of the victors."

"Fortune has happened to be on our side, general," said Dick
respectfully. "Could you tell me, sir, if my uncle, Colonel Kenton, is
unhurt?"

"He was, when he was last with us," replied General Buckner, kindly.
"Colonel Kenton went out last night with Forrest's cavalry. He will not
be a prisoner."

"I am glad of that," said the boy.

And he was truly glad. He knew that it would hurt Colonel Kenton's pride
terribly to become a prisoner, and although they were now on opposite
sides, he loved and respected his uncle.

The negotiations were completed and before night the garrison of
Donelson, all except three thousand who had escaped in the night with
Floyd and Pillow and Forrest, laid down their arms. The answer to Bull
Run was complete. Fifteen thousand men, sixty-five cannon, and seventeen
thousand rifles and muskets were surrendered to General Grant. The
bulldog in the silent westerner had triumphed. With only a last chance
left to