been chosen also to go on a scout toward Jackson, though he preferred to
make his on foot, and the sound of Dick's shots at the hounds had drawn
him to an observation which finally turned into a rescue.

After midnight the sergeant slept a little while, but he never awakened
Dick until it was almost morning. Then he told him that he would go with
him on the mission to Hertford, and Dick was very glad.

"What's become of Slade and his men?" asked Dick.

"I don't know," replied the sergeant, "but as they lost the trail in the
night, it's pretty likely they're far from here. At any rate they're not
bothering us just now. How're you feeling, Mr. Mason?"

"Fine, except that my face still burns."

"We'll have to hold up a Confederate house somewhere and get oil of
pennyroyal. That'll cure you, but I guess you've learned now, Mr. Mason,
that mosquitoes in a southern swamp are just about as deadly as bullets."

"So they are, Sergeant, and this is not my first experience. Luck has
been terribly against me this trip, but it turned when I met you last
night."

"Yes, Mr. Mason. In this case two rifles are better than one. We're
prowling right through the heart of the Confederacy, but I'm thinking
we'll make it. We've got a great general now, and we mustn't fail to
bring up Colonel Hertford and his cavalry. I've an idea in my head that
General Grant is going to carry through big plans."