From the north and east came the thunder of the siege guns.
It had grown heavier and was continuous now.

Once more he was sorry for Vicksburg, because the Union gunners were unsurpassed and he was sure that bombs and shells were raining upon the devoted town.
Now he knew that he must go west by south, and he made his way over difficult country, crossing ravines, climbing hills, and picking his path now and then through soft ground, the most exhausting labor of all.
The sun poured down upon him and his uniform dried fast.

He had just crossed one of the ravines and was climbing into the thicket beyond when a voice asked: "See any of the Yanks in front ?" Dick's heart stood still, and then all his presence of mind came back.

Not in vain had the kindly colonel warned him of the Southern sharpshooters in the bush.
"No," he replied.

"They seem to be farther up.