Page:Into Mexico with General Scott (1920).djvu/208

 XV

OUTGUESSING GENERAL SANTA ANNA

In the morning the clouds had vanished. The day was as warm as midsummer; in the east and southeast the great peaks of Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl stood out white and sharp and clear; large Lake Chalco shimmered in lanes of water through reeds and floating meadows; across it, and farther in the northwest, the City of Mexico appeared plainly, its towers and high roofs glistening in the sun.

Everything looked peaceful. After the camp had performed its fatigue duties, the men were set at work cleaning their equipment Jerry finished early and was free to wander.

By all talk throughout the regiment the situation was serious. The City of Mexico was in sight, but it was surrounded by lakes and bogs, and batteries of heavy guns, and fortifications manned by thirty thousand or more Mexican soldiers.

After a while he espied an officer seated by himself, apart, upon a pile of old clay bricks and studying a map. It was Lieutenant Grant, busy figuring the problem. Jerry went to him and saluted.

"Well, my lad?" the lieutenant invited.

"Beg your pardon, sir, but I was wondering what we're going to do," Jerry ventured.

Lieutenant Grant smiled.

"So are the rest of us. It's a very pretty puzzle. But General Scott will solve it, for here we are."