“I should like to do so,” replied Colonel Winchester, “but Dick I tell you, although you must keep it to yourself, that I think we are in some danger.  Your glimpse of the flying horsewoman, and the undoubted fact that hundreds of horsemen have crossed the road ahead of us, have made me put two and two together.  Ah, what is it, sergeant?”

“I think I hear noises to the east of us, sir,” replied the veteran.

“What kind of noises, sergeant?”

“I should say, sir, that they’re made by the hoofs of horses.  There, I hear them again, sir.  I’m quite sure of it, and they’re growing louder!”

“And so do I!” exclaimed Colonel Winchester, now all life and activity.  “The sounds are made by a large body of men advancing upon us!  Seize that bugle, Dick, and blow the alarm with all your might!”

Dick snatched up the bugle and blew upon it a long shrill blast that pierced far into the forest.  He blew and blew again, and every man in the little force sprang to his feet in alarm.  Nor were they a moment too soon.  From the woods to the east came the answering notes of a bugle and then a great voice cried: 

“Forward men an’ wipe ’em off the face of the earth!”

It seemed to Dick that he had heard that voice before, but he had no time to think about it, as the next instant came the rush of the wild horsemen, a thousand strong, leaning low over their saddles, their faces dark with the passion of anger and revenge, pistols, rifles, and carbines flashing as they pulled the trigger, giving way when empty to sabres, which gleamed in the moonlight as they were swung by powerful hands.

Colonel Winchester’s whole force would have been ridden down in the twinkling of an eye if it had not been for the minute’s warning.  His men, leaping to their feet, snatched up their own rifles and fired a volley at short range.  It did more execution among the horses than among the horsemen, and the Southern rough riders were compelled to waver for a moment.  Many of their horses went down, others uttered the terrible shrieking neigh of the wounded, and, despite the efforts of those who rode them, strove to turn and flee from those flaming muzzles.  It was only a moment, but it gave the Union troop, save those who were already slain, time to spring upon their horses and draw back, at the colonel’s shouted command, to the cover of the wood.  But they were driven hard.  The Confederate cavalry came on again, impetuous and fierce as ever, and urged continually by the great partisan leader, Forrest, now in the very dawn of his fame.

“It was no phantom you saw, that girl on the horse!” shouted Warner in Dick’s ear, and Dick nodded in return.  They had no time for other words, as Forrest’s horsemen, far outnumbering them, now pressed them harder than ever.  A continuous fire came from their ranks and at close range they rode in with the sabre.

Dick experienced the full terror and surprise of a night battle.  The opposing forces were so close together that it was often difficult to tell friend from enemy.  But Forrest’s men had every advantage of surprise, superior numbers and perfect knowledge of the country.  Dick groaned aloud as he saw that the best they could do was to save as many as possible.  Why had he not taken a shot at the horse of that flying girl?