Being within an iron ring he thought that perhaps he
would be safer somewhere near the center. He might make his way without
much trouble through the vast confused crowd in Vicksburg, and then in
the night go down the river's edge and to the fleet.
It was a daring idea, so very daring that it appealed to the strain of
high adventure in the lad. He was encouraged, too, by his earlier and
easy success in passing among the Confederate soldiers. But in order not
to appear reckless and to satisfy his own conscience he tried once more
for the way to the south. But the soldiers entirely barred the path
there, and, being on some duty that required extreme vigilance, they were
likely to prove exacting.
He advanced with a clear mind toward Vicksburg, picking his way among the
forests and ravines, but, after long walking over most difficult ground,
he saw before him extensive earthworks thronged with Southern troops.
When he turned westward the result was the same, and then it became
evident that there was no flaw in the iron ring. He could not go through
to Porter, he could not go back to his own army, but Vicksburg invited
him as a guest.
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