Dick sprang to the ground, and the others followed.  While they held the reins they stood in a close circle about him.  He had about as much chance of escape as he had of flying.

Robertson walked forward, saluted some one who stood up in the dark, and said a few words in a low tone.

“Bring him forward,” said a clear voice, which Dick recognized at once.

The little group of men opened out and Dick, stepping forth, met his uncle face to face.  It was now the time of Colonel George Kenton to start violently.

“My God!  You, Dick!” he exclaimed.  “How did you come here?”

“I didn’t come,” replied the boy, who was now feeling more at ease.  “I was brought here by four scouts of yours, who I must say saw their duty and did it.”

Colonel Kenton grasped his hand and shook it.  He was very fond of this young nephew of his.  The mere fact that he was on the other side did not alter his affection.

“Tell me about it, Dick,” he said.  “And you, Sergeant Robertson, you and your men are to be thanked for your vigilance and activity.  You can go off duty.  You are entitled to your rest.”

As they withdrew the sergeant, who passed by Dick and who had not missed a word of the conversation between him and his uncle, said to him: 

“At least, young sir, I’ve returned you to your relatives, an’ you’re a minor, as I can see.”

“It’s so,” said Dick as the sergeant passed on.

“They have not ill treated you?” said Colonel Kenton.

“No, they’ve been as kind as one enemy could be to another.”

“It is strange, most strange, that you and I should meet here at such a time.  Nay, Dick, I see in it the hand of Providence.  You’re to be saved from what will happen to your army tomorrow.”

“I’d rather not be saved in this manner.”

“I know it, but it is perhaps the only way.  As sure as the stars are in Heaven your army will be destroyed in the morning, an’ you’d be destroyed with it.  I’m fond of you, Dick, and so I’d rather you’d be in our rear, a prisoner, while this is happening.”

“General Grant is a hard man to crush.”

“Dick!  Dick, lad, you don’t know what you’re talking about!  Look at the thing as it stands!  We know everything that you’re doing.  Our spies look into the very heart of your camp.  You think that we are fifty miles away, but a cannon shot from the center of our camp would reach the center of yours.  Why, while we are here, ready to spring, this Grant, of whom you think so much, is on his way tonight to the little village of Savannah to confer with Buell.  In the dawn when we strike and roll his brigades back he will not be here.  And that’s your great general!”

Dick knew that his uncle was excited.  But he had full cause to be.  There was everything in the situation to inflame an officer’s pride and anticipation.  It was not too dark for Dick to see a spark leap from his eyes, and a sudden flush of red appear in either tanned cheek.  But for Dick the chill came again, and once more his hair prickled at the roots.  The ambush was even more complete than he had supposed, and General Grant would not be there when it was sprung.