He heard far off to right a steady tattoo like the rapid beat of many
small drums. A quiver ran through the lads who were now gathering in
the wood and at its edge. But Dick knew that the fire was distant. The
other wing had opened the battle, and it might be a long time before
their own division was drawn into the conflict.
He stood there as the sound grew louder, a continuous crash of rifles,
accompanied by the heavy boom of cannon, and far off he saw a great cloud
of smoke gathering over the forest. But no shouting reached his ears,
nor could he see the men in combat. Colonel Winchester, who was standing
beside him, shrugged his shoulders.
"They're engaged heavily, or they will be very soon," he said.
"And it looks as if we'd have to wait," said Dick.
"Things point that way. The general thinks so, too. It seems that Bragg
has moved his forces in the night, and that the portion of the enemy in
front of us is some distance off."
Dick soon confided this news to Warner and Pennington, who looked
discontented.
"If we've got to fight, I'd rather do it now and get it over," said
Pennington.
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