, also destined for a
mighty fame, saw a Confederate trooper riding across the river further
down, and instantly the whole command charged at the ford. It was
defended by only two hundred Southern skirmishers whom they brushed out
of the way. They were across in a few minutes, and then they advanced
on a run to swell McDowell's army. The forces on both sides were
increasing and the battle was rising rapidly in volume. But in the face
of repeated and furious attacks the Southern troops held fast to the
little plateau. Young's Branch flowed on one side of it and protected
them in a measure; but only the indomitable spirit of Jackson and Evans,
of Bee and Bartow, and others kept them in line against those charges
which threatened to shiver them to pieces.

"Look!" cried Bee to some of his men who were wavering. "Look at
Jackson, standing there like a stone wall!"

The men ceased to waver and settled themselves anew for a fresh attack.

But in spite of everything the Northern army was gaining ground.
Sherman at the very head of the fresh forces that had crossed Bull Run
hurled himself upon the Southern army, his main attack falling directly
upon the Invincibles. The young recruits reeled, but Colonel Talbot and
Lieutenant-Colonel St. Hilaire still ran up and down the lines begging
them to stand. They took fresh breath and planted their feet deep once
more. Harry raised his rifle and took aim at a flitting figure in the
smoke. Then he dropped the muzzle. Either it was reality or a powerful
trick of the fancy. It was his own cousin, Dick Mason, but the smoke
closed in again, and he did not see the face.

The rush of Sherman was met and repelled. Tie drew back only to come
again, and along the whole line the battle closed in once more, fiercer
and more deadly than ever. Upon all the combatants beat the fierce sun
of July, and clouds of dust rose to mingle with the smoke of cannon and
rifles.

The advantage now lay distinctly with the Northern army, won by its
clever passage of Bull Run and surprise. But the courage and tenacity
of the Southern troops averted defeat and rout in detail. Jackson,
in his strong position near the Henry house, in the cellars of which
women were hiding, refused to give an inch of ground. Beauregard,
called by the cannon, arrived upon the field only an hour before noon,
meeting on the way many fugitives, whom he and his officers drove
back into the battle. Hampton's South Caroli