our face to attack us."

"But we want to go on and they don't," said Dick. "They're satisfied
with the enforced status quo, and we're not. Am I right, Professor?"

"You certainly are," replied Warner. "Now, our colonel is puzzled,
as you can tell by his looks, and so would I be, despite my great natural
military talents."

The Winchester regiment fell back into the woods, leaving the two
forces out of rifle shot of each other. Sentinels were posted by both
commanders not far from the river and the rest, dismounting, took their
ease, save the officers, who again went into close conference.

Afterward they sat among the trees and waited. It was low ground,
with the earth yet soaked from the heavy rain of the night before,
and the heat grew heavy and intense. The insects began to drone again,
and once more mosquitoes made life miserable. But the soldiers did not
complain. It was noon now, and they ate food from their knapsacks.
Two springs of clear water were found a little distance from the river
and all drank there. Then they went back to their weary waiting.

On the other side of the river they could see the dismounted troopers,
playing cards, sleeping or currying their horses. They seemed to be in
no hurry at all. Colonel Winchester sent divisions of scouts up and down
the stream, and, both returning after a while, reported that the river
was not fordable anywhere.

Colonel Winchester sat down under a tree and smoked his pipe. The longer
he smoked the more corrugated his brow became. He looked angrily at the