"I've been with 'Pap' Thomas some time--we call him 'Pap' because he takes such good care of us--and I think he is going to be one of the biggest generals in this war.
Always silent, and sometimes slow about making up his mind he strikes like a sledge-hammer when he does strike." "He'll certainly have the opportunity to give blow for blow," said Dick, as he remembered that marching army behind them.

"How far do you think it is yet to the general's camp ?" "Not more than a half dozen miles, but it will be dark in a few minutes, and at the rate we're going it will take us two full hours more to get there." The wintry days were short and the sun slid down the gray, cold sky, leaving forest and hills in darkness.

But the little band toiled patiently on, while the night deepened and darkened, and a chill wind whistled down from the ridges.

The officers were silent now, but they looked eagerly for the first glimpse of the campfires of Thomas.

At last they saw the little pink dots in the darkness, and then they pushed forward with new zeal, urging their weary horses into a run.
When Captain Markham, Dick and Warner galloped into camp, ahead of the others, a thickset strong figure walked forward to meet them.