It was not coincidence, but the need for men that made Dick's wish come
true almost at once. A few hours after he received his letter Colonel
Winchester found him sitting in the lobby of the hotel in which Dick
had twice talked with the contractor. But the boy was alone this time,
and as Colonel Winchester sat down beside him he said:
"Dick, the capital has received alarming news from Kentucky. Buoyed up
by their successes in the east the Confederacy is going to make an effort
to secure that state. Bragg with a powerful force is already on his way
toward Louisville, and we fear that he has slipped away from Buell."
"So I've heard. I found here a letter from my mother, and she told me
all the reports from that section."
"And is Mrs. Mason well? She has not been troubled by guerillas, or in
any other way?"
"Not at all. Mother's health is always good, and she has not been
molested."
"Dick, it's possible that we may see Kentucky again soon."
"Can that be true, and how is it so, sir?"
"The administration is greatly alarmed about Kentucky and the west.
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