CHAPTER XV

STONE RIVER


Dick awoke at sunrise of the last day of the year, and Warner and
Pennington were up a moment later. There was no fog. The sun hung a low,
red ball in the steel blue sky of winter. No fires had been lighted,
cold food being served.

He heard far off to right a steady tattoo like the rapid beat of many
small drums. A quiver ran through the lads who were now gathering in
the wood and at its edge. But Dick knew that the fire was distant. The
other wing had opened the battle, and it might be a long time before
their own division was drawn into the conflict.

He stood there as the sound grew louder, a continuous crash of rifles,
accompanied by the heavy boom of cannon, and far off he saw a great cloud
of smoke gathering over the forest. But no shouting reached his ears,
nor could he see the men in combat. Colonel Winchester, who was standing
beside him, shrugged his shoulders.

"They're engaged heavily, or they will be very soon," he said.

"And it looks as if we'd have to wait," said Dick.