whip him."

"You're showing great spirit for a man who was beaten up in the prize
ring as you were last night. I thought you'd want to rest for a few
days."

"Drop it, George. I did get some pretty severe cuts and bruises, but I
was lucky enough to have the services of two very skillful and devoted
young physicians. Their treatment was so fine that I'm all right to-day."

"Unless I miss my guess, we'll need the services of doctors again before
night comes. No mountains are here, but this is a great country for
ambush. It's mostly in forest, and even in the open the grass is already
very tall. Besides, there are so many streams, bayous, and ponds.
Notice how far out on the flanks the skirmishers and scouts are riding,
and others ride just as far ahead."

Two miles from Bellevue and they came to a small hill, covered with
forest, from the protection of which the officers examined the country
long and minutely, while their men remained hidden among the deep
foliaged trees. Dick had glasses of his own which he put to his eyes,
bringing nearer the wilderness, broken here and there by open spaces that
indicated cotton fields. Yet the forest was so dense and there was so
much of it that a great force might easily be hidden within its depths
only a mile away.

"Have we any information at all about Forrest's strength?" whispered
Pennington to Dick.

"His full force isn't down here. It is believed he has not more than a