CHAPTER VI  A BOLD ATTACK

 Dick was the first to awake.  The sergeant had not slept the night before at all, and, despite his enormous endurance, he was overpowered.  Having fallen once into slumber he remained there long.

It was not yet morning and the rain was yet falling steadily.  Its sweep upon the roof was still so pleasant and soothing that Dick resolved to go to sleep again, after he had looked about a little.  He had grown used to dusk and he could see just a little.  The sergeant, buried all but his head among the corn shucks, was breathing deeply and peacefully.

He looked out at one of the cracks, but he saw only rain sweeping by in misty sheets.  The road that ran by the field was invisible.  He gave devout thanks that this tight little corn crib had put itself in their way.  Then he returned to his slumbers, and when he awoke again the sergeant was sitting by one of the cracks smoothing his thick hair with a small comb.

"I always try to keep as neat as I can, Mr. Mason," he said, apologizing for such weakness. "It gives you more courage, and if I get killed I want to make a decent body.  Here's your breakfast, sir.  There's enough left for the two of us, and I've divided it equally."

Cold ham, bacon and crackers were laid out on clean shucks, and they ate until nothing was left.  It was now full daylight, and the rain was dying away to a sprinkle.  The farmer might come out at any time to his crib, and they felt that they must be up and away.

They bade farewell to their pleasant shelter of a night, and, after pulling through the deep mud of the field, entered again the forest, which was no