"What is the matter?" asked Bob as an old gray-headed soldier passed on the hillside near the cave. Stopping and touching his cap the man replied: "It's all over. The white flag floats from our forts. Vicksburg has surrendered!" With a cry that Jeanne never forgot Bob turned and passed into the cave. A feeling of gladness and thankfulness welled up into Jeanne's heart, succeeded by a great wave of pity for these people who had fought so long and well. "Bob," she called, softly, following after the girl and putting her arms about her, "Bob, don't grieve so." "Don't," cried Bob, throwing her off passionately. "You're glad! You know you are." "Yes, Bob. Just as you would be if your side had won, but dear, dear Bob, I am sorry for you and for your brave people who have fought so well." "If they cheer, I'll hate them," said Bob fiercely. "Oh, Jeanne, Jeanne, my heart is broken!" Jeanne's own tears were falling fast, and Bob seeing that she did not triumph over her let her head fall upon her shoulder and thus Colonel Peyton found them. His face was very pale and he seemed bent and broken. He took his daughter into his arms but he was more in need of comfort than capable of giving it. "It is the beginning of the end," he said brokenly. "When Vicksburg falls it is but the beginning of the end of the Confederacy. Our cause is doomed. We are fighting for a forlorn hope. Oh, my country, my country!" He bowed his head upon his daughter's and the great tears fell fast. Jeanne stole from the cave and met Dick coming for her. "See!" he exclaimed excitedly. "Those are Federal soldiers, Jeanne. We are in the United States once more. Look at the Court House Hill! What do you see?" "The Stars and Stripes," cried Jeanne, tears of gladness rolling down her cheeks. "Oh, Dick, how good it is to see our own flag once more!" "Isn't it? I could shout and sing for joy if it were not for these poor fellows who have fought and starved so long. It is a hard thing to be on the losing side." "True, for you, my boy," said Colonel Peyton joining them with Bob on his arm. "We are fortunate in having so chivalrous a foe. There have been but few cheers and no exultation over our poor unsuccessful fellows. Not a jeer, nor a taunt from a Federal soldier." "And the river flows on as calmly as ever, and the sun still shines, yet Vicksburg has fallen," said Bob bitterly. "Bear up, daughter. A soldier must learn to accept defeat as heroically as victory," said her father. "Look, what a grand sight it is to see those transports round the bend. See how serenely they draw up in the very teeth of those grim batteries that were dealing death but yesterday. Now they are silent, and their Conqueror comes boldly to their very sides." "What are all those people running down there for?" asked Bob. "Surely they are not welcoming their victors!" "Bread, daughter. The Federal transports are full of supplies which are brought for the starving people. It is a magnanimous foe!"