u think that we are fifty miles
away, but a cannon shot from the center of our camp would reach the
center of yours. Why, while we are here, ready to spring, this Grant, of
whom you think so much, is on his way tonight to the little village of
Savannah to confer with Buell. In the dawn when we strike and roll his
brigades back he will not be here. And that's your great general!"

Dick knew that his uncle was excited. But he had full cause to be.
There was everything in the situation to inflame an officer's pride and
anticipation. It was not too dark for Dick to see a spark leap from his
eyes, and a sudden flush of red appear in either tanned cheek. But for
Dick the chill came again, and once more his hair prickled at the roots.
The ambush was even more complete than he had supposed, and General
Grant would not be there when it was sprung.

"Dick," said Colonel Kenton, "I have talked to you as I would not have
talked to anyone else, but even so, I would not have talked to you as
I have, were not your escape an impossibility. You are unharmed, but to
leave this camp you would have to fly."

"I admit it, sir."

"Come with me. There are men higher in rank than I who would wish to see
a prisoner taken as you were."

Dick followed him willingly and without a word. Aware that he was not in
the slightest physical danger he was full of curiosity concerning what
he was about to see. The words, "men higher in rank than I," whipped his
blood.

Colonel Kenton led through the darkness to a deep and broad ravine, into
which they descended. The sides and bottom of this ravine were clothed
in bushes, and they grew thick on the edges above. It was much darker
here, but Dick presently caught ahead of him the flicker of the first
light that he had seen in the Southern army.

The boy's heart began to beat fast and hard. All the omens foretold that
he was about to witness something that he could never by any possibility
forget. They came nearer to the flickering light, and he made out seated
figures around it. They were men wrapped in cavalry cloaks, because the
night air had now grown somewhat chill, and Dick knew instinctively
that these were the Southern generals preparing for the hammer-stroke at
dawn.

A sentinel, rifle in hand, met them. Colonel Kenton whispered with him
a moment, and he went to the group. He returned in a moment and
escorted Dick and his uncle forward. Colonel Kenton saluted and Dick
involuntarily did the sa