"Depends upon what Johnston and Pemberton do. Pemberton, I'm sure,
will retreat to Vicksburg, but Johnston, if he can prevent it, won't let
his army be shut up there. Still, they may not be able to communicate,
and if they should Pemberton may disobey the far abler Johnston and stay
in Vicksburg anyhow. At any rate, I think we're sure to march at once
on Vicksburg."
A figure approaching in the dusk greeted Dick with a shout of delight.
Another just behind repeated the shout with equal fervor. Warner and
Pennington had come, unharmed as he had expected, and they were exultant
over the victory.
"Come over here," said Warner to Dick. "Sergeant Whitley has cooked a
glorious supper and we're waiting for you."
Dick joined them eagerly, and the sergeant received them with his
benevolent smile. They were commissioned officers, and he gave them all
the respect due to rank, but in his mind they were only his boys, whom
he must watch and protect.
While the fires sprang up about them and they ate and talked of the
victory, Washington was knowing its darkest moments.
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