The
lieutenant pointed out to him the position of the brigadier-general,
some distance back on the right under cover of the jungle, and told him
of a path that would take him there. Sam was not slow to follow his
directions, for just then a shell exploded close by. He soon found the
general surrounded by his staff on a partially wooded hill, from
which, however, they could command the field with their glasses.
Bullets were flying about them, and an occasional shell sailed over
their heads, but the general seemed perfectly at home. He took the
orders, opened them and read them.
"That's strange," said he. "Last night I understood that I was to make
for that pass between the hills there on the left, and now I'm ordered
to take the first turning to the right. I don't understand it. Do you
know anything about it?"
"No, sir."
"Well, he must have changed his mind. Or else it was a bluff to keep
his plans from leaking out. Tell the general that I will carry out his
orders at once."
Sam inquired of the members of the staff where he would be likely to
find the 43d Volunteers, to whose colonel his other orders were
directed, but they had no information, except that in the morning that
regiment had been stationed farther over on the right. Sam started out
again, guiding himself as best he could by a compass which he had in
his pocket. He selected the paths which seemed most promising, but the
jungle between was impenetrable on horseback.
Pages:
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127