incessantly by sharpshooters on the slopes, who melted away before them,
but who returned on the very heels of the vain pursuit to vex them again
with bullets.

They heard soon that the most daring of these bands was led by a man
named Slade, and Dick's pulse took a jump. He felt in a curious sort of
way that this man Slade was still following him. It seemed more than a
decree of chance that their fates should be intertwined. He hoped that
Slade would never hear how he had been hidden in that hole in the ravine
with the Woodvilles. Trouble could come of it for gallant young Victor
Woodville, and even for his uncle. He was sure that Victor was now with
Bragg and they might meet face to face again.

As they rode through a defile and came into a wide valley they saw before
them an extensive Union camp, and they were overjoyed to learn that it
was the division of Thomas, the general to whom they were to report.
Dick had once received the personal thanks of Thomas, and the grave,
able man inspired him with immense respect, mingled with affection.

He stood before Thomas in his tent that evening, Colonel Winchester
having yielded to his request to take him with him when he reported the
arrival of his regiment. Thomas, usually so taciturn, delighted the soul
of the lad by remembering him at once.

"It was you, Lieutenant Mason, who came to me there in the Kentucky
mountains with the dispatches," he said, "and you were also with us at
Perryville and Stone River."

"I was, sir," said Dick, flushing with pride.