I am sure of it," said Dick confidently.
Just at that moment Sergeant Whitley came up and saluted.
"What is it, sergeant ?" asked the Colonel.
"I have been up the road some distance, sir, and I came to another road that crossed it.

The second road has been cut by hoofs of eight or nine hundred horses, and I am sure, sir, that the tracks are not a day old." Colonel Winchester looked grave.

He knew that he was deep in the country of the enemy and he began to put together what Dick had seen and what the sergeant had seen.

But the thought of withdrawing did not occur to his brave soul.

He had been sent on an errand by General Grant and he meant to do it.