"And you were with General Grant at the taking of Vicksburg! It was a
great exploit, and it has lifted us up mightily. But I'm glad to have
you back along with Colonel Winchester and the rest of his brave lads.
I think you'll see action before long, action perhaps on a greater scale
than any witnessed hitherto in the West."

Dick saluted and withdrew. He knew that a young lieutenant must not stay
too long in the presence of a commanding general and he quickly rejoined
Warner and Pennington.

"How's the old man?" asked Pennington, with the familiarity of youth,
which was not disrespectful in the absence of the "old man."

"'Pap' Thomas is looking well," replied Dick. "I fancy that his
digestion was never better. He did not act in a belligerent way, but I
think he's hunting for a fight."

"Since you and Warner and I have arrived he can begin it."

"I think it's coming," said Dick earnestly. "Often you can feel when
things are moving to some end, and I'm sure that we'll measure strength
again with Bragg before the autumn has gone far."

The valley in which the camp lay was green and beautiful, and a deep,
clear little river from the mountains, ran rushing, through it. The
three lads lay on their blankets near the bank and listened to the
musical sweep of the stream. Pennington suddenly sprang up and hailed:

"Hey, Ohio, is that you? Come here!"