But the hostile armies in the west had gone down into Tennessee, and there were reports that they would soon move toward each other for a great battle.

It seemed that the rival forces in both east and west would meet at nearly the same time in terrible conflict.
Dr.Russell told that Dick Mason had been wounded in the combat at Perryville, but had been nursed back to health by his mother, who with others had found him upon the field.

He had since gone into Tennessee to rejoin the Union army, and his mother had returned to Pendleton.
Harry folded the letter, put it in his pocket, and for a while he was very thoughtful.
It was a great relief to be sure that his father had gone safely through Perryville, and that Dick Mason, although wounded there, was well again.
His heart yearned over both.

His devotion to his father had always been strong and Dick Mason had stood in the place of a brother.

They were alive for the present at least, but Harry knew of the sinister threat that hung over the west.