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Their
killed or wounded were numerous, but their commanders and crews were
still resolute, and ready to go into action whenever General Grant wished.
"Spunky little fellows," said Pennington. "We don't have many boats out
where I live, but I must hand a bunch of laurel to the navy every time."
"And you can bind wreaths around the hair of those navy fellows, too,"
said Warner, "and sing songs in their honor whether they win or lose."
"Now I wonder what's next," said Dick.
To their surprise the gunboats opened fire again just before sundown,
and the batteries replied fiercely. Rolling clouds of smoke mingled
with the advancing twilight, and the great guns from either side flashed
through the coming darkness. Then from a stray word or two dropped
by Colonel Winchester Dick surmised the reason of this new and rather
distant cannonade.
He knew that General Grant had transports up the river above Grand Gulf,
and he believed that they were now coming down the stream under cover
of the bombardment and the darkness. He confided his belief to Warner,
who agreed with him.


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