thousand or twelve hundred men. But he and his officers know the country
thoroughly, and of course the inhabitants, being in full sympathy with
them, will give them all the information they need. The news of every
movement of ours has been carried straight to the rebel general."

"And yet the country seems to have no people at all. We come to but few
houses, and those few are deserted."

"So they are. What was that? Did you see it, Frank?"

"What was what?"

"I forgot that you are not using glasses. I caught a momentary glitter
in the woods. I think it was a sunbeam passing through the leaves and
striking upon the polished barrel of a rifle. Ah! there it is again!
And Colonel Winchester has seen it too."

The colonel and his senior officers were now gazing intently at the point
in the wood where Dick had twice seen the gleam, and, keener-eyed than
they, he continued to search the leafy screen through his own glasses.
Soon he saw bayonets, rifles, horses and men advancing swiftly, and then
came two of their own scouts galloping.

"The enemy is advancing!" they cried. "It's Forrest!"

A thrill shot through Dick. The name of Forrest was redoubtable, but
he knew that every man in the regiment was glad to meet him again. He
glanced at Colonel Winchester and saw that his face had flushed. He knew
that the colonel was more than gratified at this chance.