"That's bad. Provisions, I suppose," said Warner. "The more these
Johnnies get to eat the harder they fight, and they're not supposed to
be receiving supplies now. Our cavalry ought to have cut off that wagon
train. I shall have to speak to Sheridan about it. This is no way to
starve the Johnnies to death. Seest aught more, Brother Richard?"

"I do! I do! Jump up, boys, and use your own glasses! I behold a large
man on a gray horse, riding slowly along, as if he were inspecting troops
away behind the trenches. Wherever he passes the soldiers snatch off
their caps and, although I can't hear 'em, I know they're cheering.
It's Lee himself!"

Both Warner and Pennington swung themselves upon the lower boughs of the
tree and put their glasses to their eyes.

"It's surely Lee," said Warner. "I'm glad to get a look at him. He's
been giving us a lot of trouble for more than three years now, but I
think General Grant is going to take his measure."

"They're terribly reduced," said Pennington, "and if we stick to it we're
bound to win. Still, you boys will recall for some time that we've had a
war. What else do you see from the heights of the apple tree, Dick?"

"Distant dust behind our own lines, and figures moving in it dimly.
Cavalry practicing, I should say. Have you fellows fruit enough?"

"Plenty. You can climb down and if the farmer hurries here with his dog
to catch you we'll protect you."

"This is a fine apple tree," said Dick, as he descended slowly. "Apple