.

CHAMPION HILL.
Dick on that momentous morning did not appreciate the full magnitude of the event about to occur, nor did he until long afterward.

He knew it was of high importance, and yet it might have ranked as one of the decisive battles of history.

There were no such numbers as at Shiloh and Chancellorsville, but the results were infinitely greater.
Nor was it likely that such thoughts would float through the head of a lad who had ridden far, and who at dawn was looking for an enemy.
The scouts had already brought word that the Southerners were in strong force, and that they occupied Champion Hill, the crest of which was bare, but with sides dark with forests and thickets.

They were riding at present through forests themselves, and they felt that their ignorance of the country might take them at any moment into an ambush.
"We know what army we're going against, don't we ?" asked Pennington.
"Why, Pemberton's, of course," replied Dick.
"I'm glad of that.