Our presence there tempted the enemy to battle, and we destroyed him.

Then we had shelter and a home when the great storm came." "A good cove, truly," said Pennington, "and we sha'n't forget it." When they reached the main pass they found it also deep in mud and melting snow, and their progress was slow and painful.

But before noon they met Shepard and the sergeant returning with news that they had carried an account of the victory to General Sheridan, but that nothing had happened in the main valley save a few raids by Mosby.

Shepard, who acted as spokesman, was too tactful to say much, but he indicated very clearly that the commander-in-chief was highly pleased with the destruction of the Slade and Skelly band, the maraudings of which had become a great annoyance and danger.

Dick was eager to hear more, and, when the opportunity presented itself, he questioned the sergeant privately.
"What do we hear from Petersburg ?" he asked.