of numerous troops. Dick, who had dismounted, walked forward a little
distance with Colonel Winchester, and, in the moonlight, he was able
to see that a large division of the army was gathered near, resting on
its arms. It was obvious that the important movement, of which he had
been hearing so much, was at hand, but the colonel volunteered nothing
concerning its nature.

The troops were allowed to lie down, and, with the calmness that comes
of long experience, they soon fell asleep. But the officers waited and
watched, and Dick saw other regiments arriving. Warner, who had pushed
through some bushes, came back and said in a whisper:

"I've seen a half-dozen great mounds of fresh earth."

"Earth taken out to make a trench, no doubt," said Dick.

But Warner shook his head.

"There's too much of it," he said, "and it's been carried too far to the
rear. In my opinion extensive mining operations have been going on here."

"For what?" asked Pennington. "Not for silver or gold. We're no
treasure hunters, and besides, there's none here."

Warner shook his head again.

"I don't know," he replied, "but I'm quite sure that it has something to
do, perhaps all to do, with the movement now at hand. To the right of us,
regiments, including several of colored troops, are already forming in
line of battle, and I've no doubt our turn will come before long."