a careful inspection of arms
and equipment. Then the word to march once more was given.

They did not stop, except for short rests, until about three o'clock in
the morning, when they came to the crest of a high ridge, covered with
dense forest, but without undergrowth. Then the officers dismounted,
and the word was passed to the men that they would remain there until
dawn, but before they lay down on the ground Colonel Talbot told them
what was expected of them, which was much.

"A strong Northern force is encamped on the slope beyond," he said.
"It is in a position from which the left flank of our main army can be
threatened. Our enemies there are fortified with earthworks and they
have cannon. If they hold the place they are likely to increase heavily
in numbers. It is our business to drive them out."

The colonel told some of the officers within Harry's hearing that they
could attack before dawn, but night assaults, unless with veteran troops,
generally defeated themselves through confusion and uncertainty.
Nevertheless, he hoped to surprise the Northern soldiers over their
coffee. For that reason the men were compelled to lie down in their
blankets in the dark. Not a single light was permitted, but they were
allowed to eat some cold food, which they brought in their knapsacks.

Although it was June, the night was chill on the high hills, and Harry
and his two friends, after their duties were done, wrapped their
blankets closely around themselves as they sat on the ground, with their
backs against a big tree. The physical relaxation after such hard
marching and the sharp wind of the night made Harry shiver, despite his
blanket. St. Clair and Langdon shivered, too. They did not know that
part of it was that three-o'clock-in-the-morning feeling.

Harry, sensitive, keenly alive to impressions, was oppressed by a
certain heavy and uncanny feeling. They were going into battle in the
morning--and with men whom he did not hate. The attacks on the Star of
the West and Sumter had been bombardments, distant affairs, where he
did not see the face of his enemy, but here it would be another matter.
The real shock of battle would come, and the eyes of men seeking to kill
would look into the eyes of others who also sought to kill.

He and St. Clair were not sleepy, as they had slept through most of the
day, but Langdon was already nodding. Most of the soldiers also had
fallen asleep through exhaustion, and Harry