A low sigh came between the colonel's lips, and it would have been difficult to say whether it was relief or regret.
Dick stepped into the narrow path cut in the side of the ravine and inhaled more draughts of the fresh air.

How sweet and strong it was! How it filled one's lungs and brought with it life, courage and confidence! One had to live in a hole in a hill before he could appreciate fully the blessed winds that blew about the world.

He knew that the path ran in front of other hollows dug in the earth, and he felt sorry for the people who were compelled to burrow in them.

He felt sorry, in truth, for all Vicksburg, because now that he was outside his fears for Grant disappeared, and he knew that he must win.
While he remained in the path a deep boom came from the direction of the Union army and a huge shell burst over the town.

It was followed in a moment by another and then by many others.