Chapter VI. A Bold Attack - Page 2

sergeants learn to know the officers," he said, "and I've had the chance to look at General Grant a lot. He doesn't say much, but I guess he's doing a powerful lot of thinking, while he's chawing on the end of his cigar. You notice, Mr. Mason, that he takes risks."

"He took a big one at Shiloh, and came mighty near being nipped."

"But he wasn't nipped after all, and now, if I can judge by the signs, he's going to take another chance here. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned and marched away from the Mississippi, say toward Jackson."

"But that wouldn't be taking Vicksburg."

"No, but he might whip an army of the Johnnies coming to relieve Vicksburg, and I've a sneaking idea that the General has another daring thought in mind."

"What is it, Sergeant?"

"When he turns eastward he'll be away from the telegraph. Maybe he doesn't want to receive any orders from the capital just now."

"I believe you've hit it, Sergeant. At least I hope so, and anyway we want to reach Colonel Hertford right away."

Still following the map and also consulting their own judgment, they advanced now at a good rate. But as they came into a more thickly populated country they were compelled to be exceedingly wary. Once a farmer insisted on questioning them, but they threatened him with their rifles and then plunged into a wood, lest he bring a force in pursuit.

In the afternoon, lying among some bushes, they saw a large Confederate force, with four cannon, pass on the road toward Jackson.

"Colonel Hertford might do them a lot of damage if he could fall on them with his cavalry," said the sergeant thoughtfully.

"So he could," said Dick, "but I imagine that General Grant wants the colonel to come at once."

They turned northward now and an hour later found numerous hoofprints in a narrow road.

"All these were made by well-shod horses," said the sergeant, after examining the tracks critically. "Now, we've plenty of horseshoes and the Johnnies haven't. That's one sign."

"What's the other?"

"I calculate that about six hundred men have passed here, and that's pretty close to the number Colonel Hertford has, unless he's been in a hot fight."

"Good reasoning, Sergeant, and I'll add a third. Those men are riding directly toward the place where, according to our maps and information, we ought to meet Colonel Hertford."

"All these things make me sure our men have passed here, Mr. Mason. Suppose we follow on as hard as we can?"

Cheered by the belief that they were approaching the end of their quest they advanced at such a rate that the great trail rapidly grew fresher.

"Their horses are tired now," said the