This, I take it, is the end of the drought, and a flood will come tumbling down from the mountains." The sun now darkened and the clouds gathered heavily on the Western horizon.

Colonel Winchester's anxiety increased fast.

It became evident that the regiment could not reach Sulphur Springs until far into the night, and, still full of alarms, he resolved to take a small detachment, chiefly of his staff, and ride forward at the utmost speed.
He chose about twenty men, including Dick, Warner, Pennington, Sergeant Whitley, and another veteran who were mounted on the horses of junior officers left behind, and pressed forward with speed.

A West Virginian named Shattuck knew something of the country, and led them.
"What is this place, Sulphur Springs ?" asked Colonel Winchester of Shattuck.
"Some big sulphur springs spout out of the bank and run down to the river.

They are fine and healthy to drink an' there's a lot of cottages built up by people who come there to stay a while.