.

THE TAKING OF VICKSBURG.
Dick was a fine swimmer, he had a good stout plank, and the waters of the river were warm.

He felt that the chief dangers were passed, and that the muddy Mississippi would now bear him safely to the blockading fleet below.

He gave the plank another shove, sending it farther out into the stream, and then raised himself up until his elbows rested upon it.

He could thus float gently with a little propulsion from his legs to the place where he wanted to go.
He saw lights along the bluff and the bar below, and then, with a sudden shoot of alarm he noticed a dim shadow move slowly from the shore.