“I would,” said Dick fervently.
“An’ so would I if I was in your place. Just think, Mr. Mason, that of all the hundreds of thousands of men in the Northern armies, of all the twenty or twenty-five million people on the Northern side, there’s just one, that one a boy, and that boy you, who knows that Albert Sidney Johnston is here.”
“Held fast as I am, I’m sorry now that I do know it.”
“I can’t say that I blame you. I said you’d give a million dollars to be able to tell, but if you’re to measure such things with money it would be worth a hundred million an’ more, yes, it would be cheap at three or four hundred millions for the North to know it. But, after all, you can’t measure such things with money. Maybe you think I talk a heap, but I’m stirred some, too.”
They rode on a little farther over the hilly ground, covered with thick forest or dense, tall scrub. But there were troops, troops, everywhere, and now and then the batteries. They were mostly boys, like their antagonists of the North, and the sleep of most of them was the sleep of exhaustion, after a forced and rapid march over heavy ground from Corinth. But Dick knew that they would be fresh in the morning when they rose from the forest, and rushed upon their unwarned foe.
CHAPTER XIV. THE DARK EVE OF SHILOH
Dick noticed as they went further into the forest how complete was the concealment of a great army, possible only in a country wooded so heavily, and in the presence of a careless enemy. The center was like the front of the Southern force. Not a fire burned, not a torch gleamed. The horses were withdrawn so far that stamp or neigh could not be heard by the Union pickets.
“We’ll stop here,” said Robertson at length. “As you’re a Kentuckian, I thought it would be pleasanter for you to be handed over to Kentuckians. The Orphan Brigade to which I belong is layin’ on the ground right in front of us, an’ the first regiment is that of Colonel Kenton. I’ll hand you over to him, an’-not ’cause I’ve got anything ag’inst you-I’ll be mighty glad to do it, too, ’cause my back is already nigh breakin’ with the responsibility.”
Dick started violently.
“What’s hit you?” asked Robertson.
“Oh, nothing. You see, I’m nervous.”
“You ain’t tellin’ the truth. But I don’t blame you an’ it don’t matter anyway. Here we are. Jump down.”
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.