CHAPTER XVI. FORT DONELSON.
Commodore Foote and General U. S. Grant sat conversing in the headquarters of the latter at Cairo, Illinois. The general was puffing a cigar, and answered in monosyllables between puffs.
"You have heard nothing yet, have you, General," the commodore was asking, "of that request we united in sending to General Halleck?"
"Nothing," answered Grant, moodily.
There was silence for some time, the general apparently in deep thought. The commodore broke the silence by asking:
"You went to see him personally once on this matter, did you not?"
"He ungraciously gave me permission to visit St. Louis in order to see him, after I had begged for the privilege at least half a dozen times," Grant answered.
"And you laid the matter before him in all its bearings?"
"I tried to."
"What did he say?"