Thomas, usually so taciturn, delighted the soul
of the lad by remembering him at once.
"It was you, Lieutenant Mason, who came to me there in the Kentucky
mountains with the dispatches," he said, "and you were also with us at
Perryville and Stone River."
"I was, sir," said Dick, flushing with pride.
"And you were with General Grant at the taking of Vicksburg! It was a
great exploit, and it has lifted us up mightily. But I'm glad to have
you back along with Colonel Winchester and the rest of his brave lads.
I think you'll see action before long, action perhaps on a greater scale
than any witnessed hitherto in the West."
Dick saluted and withdrew. He knew that a young lieutenant must not stay
too long in the presence of a commanding general and he quickly rejoined
Warner and Pennington.
"How's the old man?" asked Pennington, with the familiarity of youth,
which was not disrespectful in the absence of the "old man."
"'Pap' Thomas is looking well," replied Dick. "I fancy that his
digestion was never better. He did not act in a belligerent way, but I
think he's hunting for a fight.
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