I wouldn't be surprised if he turned and marched away from the Mississippi, say toward Jackson." "But that wouldn't be taking Vicksburg." "No, but he might whip an army of the Johnnies coming to relieve Vicksburg, and I've a sneaking idea that the General has another daring thought in mind." "What is it, Sergeant ?" "When he turns eastward he'll be away from the telegraph.

Maybe he doesn't want to receive any orders from the capital just now." "I believe you've hit it, Sergeant.

At least I hope so, and anyway we want to reach Colonel Hertford right away." Still following the map and also consulting their own judgment, they advanced now at a good rate.

But as they came into a more thickly populated country they were compelled to be exceedingly wary.

Once a farmer insisted on questioning them, but they threatened him with their rifles and then plunged into a wood, lest he bring a force in pursuit.
In the afternoon, lying among some bushes, they saw a large Confederate force, with four cannon, pass on the road toward Jackson.
"Colonel Hertford might do them a lot of damage if he could fall on them with his cavalry," said the sergeant thoughtfully.
"So he could," said Dick, "but I imagine that General Grant wants the colonel to come at once." They turned northward now and an hour later found numerous hoofprints in a narrow road.
"All these were made by well-shod horses," said the sergeant, after examining the tracks critically.