e sounds of trampling
hoofs died behind them, and after two hours of hard riding Colonel
Winchester drew rein and ordered a halt.

It was a disordered and downcast company of about fifty who were left. A
few of these were wounded, but not badly enough to be disabled. Colonel
Winchester's own head had been grazed, but he had bound a handkerchief
about it, and sat very quiet in his saddle.

"My lads," he said, and his tone was sharp with the note of defiance.
"We have been surprised by a force greatly superior to our own, and
scarcely a sixth of us are left. But it was my fault. I take the blame.
For the present, at least, we are safe from the enemy, and I intend to
continue with our errand. We were to scout the country all the way to
Nashville. It is also possible that we will meet the division of General
Buell advancing to that city. Now, lads, I hope that you all will be
willing to go on with me. Are you?"

"We are!" roared fifty together, and a smile passed over the wan face of
the colonel. But he said no more then. Instead he turned his head toward
the capital city of the state, and rode until dawn, his men following
close behind him. The boys were weary. In truth, all of them were, but
no one spoke of halting or complained in any manner.

At sunrise they stopped in dense forest at the banks of a creek, and
watered their horses. They cooked what food they had left, and after
eating rested for several hours on the ground, most of them going to
sleep, while a few men kept a vigilant watch.

When Dick awoke it was nearly noon, and he still felt sore from
his exertions. An hour later they all mounted and rode again toward
Nashville. Near night they boldly entered a small village and bought
food. The inhabitants were all strongly Southern, but villagers love to
talk, and they learned there in a manner admitting of no doubt, that
the Confederate army was retreating southward from the line of the
Cumberland, that the state capital had been abandoned, and that to the
eastward of them the Union army, under Buell, was advancing swiftly on
Nashville.

"At least we accomplished our mission," said Colonel Winchester with
some return of cheerfulness. "We have discovered the retreat of General
Johnston's whole army, and the abandonment of Nashville, invaluable
information to General Grant. But we'll press on toward Nashville
nevertheless."

They camped the next night in a forest and kept a most vigilant watch.
If those ter