in' with
the responsibility."

Dick started violently.

"What's hit you?" asked Robertson.

"Oh, nothing. You see, I'm nervous."

"You ain't tellin' the truth. But I don't blame you an' it don't matter
anyway. Here we are. Jump down."

Dick sprang to the ground, and the others followed. While they held
the reins they stood in a close circle about him. He had about as much
chance of escape as he had of flying.

Robertson walked forward, saluted some one who stood up in the dark, and
said a few words in a low tone.

"Bring him forward," said a clear voice, which Dick recognized at once.

The little group of men opened out and Dick, stepping forth, met his
uncle face to face. It was now the time of Colonel George Kenton to
start violently.

"My God! You, Dick!" he exclaimed. "How did you come here?"

"I didn't come," replied the boy, who was now feeling more at ease. "I
was brought here by four scouts of yours, who I must say saw their duty
and did it."

Colonel Kenton grasped his hand and shook it. He was very fond of this
young nephew of his. The mere fact that he was on the other side did not
alter his affection.

"Tell me about it, Dick," he said. "And you, Sergeant Robertson, you and
your men are to be thanked for your vigilance and activity. You can go
off duty. You are entitled to your rest."

As they withdrew the sergeant, who passed by Dick and who had not missed
a word of the conversation between him and his uncle, said to him:

"At least, young sir, I've returned you to your relatives, an' you're a
minor, as I can see."

"It's so," said Dick as the sergeant passed on.

"They have not ill treated you?" said Colonel Kenton.

"No, they've been as kind as one enemy could be to another."

"It is strange, most strange, that you and I should meet here at such a
time. Nay, Dick, I see in it the hand of Providence. You're to be saved
from what will happen to your army tomorrow."

"I'd rather not be saved in this manner."

"I know it, but it is perhaps the only way. As sure as the stars are
in Heaven your army will be destroyed in the morning, an' you'd be
destroyed with it. I'm fond of you, Dick, and so I'd rather you'd be in
our rear, a prisoner, while this is happening."

"General Grant is a hard man to crush."

"Dick! Dick, lad, you don't know what you're talking about! Look at the
thing as it stands! We know everything that you're doing. Our spies
look into the very heart of your camp. Yo