troopers. The men in blue were now more numerous, and, fighting with the
resolve to win or die, they gradually forced back Forrest. Dick began
to foresee a victory won over the great Southern cavalryman.

But the astute Forrest, seeing that the odds were now heavily against him,
ordered a retreat. The trumpets sang the recall and suddenly the
Southern horsemen, carrying their dead with them, vanished in the forest,
where the Northern cavalry, fearful of ambushes and new forces, did not
dare to pursue.

But Winchester and Grierson were shaking hands, and Winchester thanked
the other in brief but emphatic words.

"Say no more, colonel," exclaimed Grierson. "We're all trying to serve
our common country. You'd help me just the same if we had the chance,
and I think you'll find the road clear to Grant. While the siege of
Vicksburg was determined on long ago, as you know, I believe that he is
now moving toward Grand Gulf. You know he has to deal with the armies
of Johnston and Pemberton."

"We'll find him," said Winchester.

A quarter of an hour later his regiment was galloping toward Grant,
while Grierson's command rode eastward to deal with other forces of the
Confederacy.




CHAPTER III