"
"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.
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