tches and, in a few minutes a fine fire was crackling and blazing,
taking away the sharp chill of the March night.

Harry saw other fires spring up in the orchard, and he went over to one
of them, where some soldiers were cooking food.

"Give me a piece of meat and bread," he said to a long Virginian.

"Set, Sonny, an' eat with us!"

"I don't want it for myself."

"Then who in nation are you beggin' fur?"

"For General Jackson. He's sitting over there."

"Thunderation! The gen'ral himself! Here, boy!"

Bearing a big piece of meat in one hand and a big piece of bread in the
other Harry returned to Jackson, who had not yet tasted food that day.
The general ate heartily, but almost unconsciously. He seemed to be in a
deep study. Harry surmised that his thoughts were on the morrow. He had
learned already that Stonewall Jackson always looked forward.

Harry foraged and obtained more food for himself, and other officers
of the staff who were coming up, some bearing slight wounds that they
concealed. He also secured the general's cloak, which was strapped to
his saddle and insisted upon his putting it on.

The fire was surrounded presently by officers. Major Hawks had laid
together and as evenly as possible a number of fence rails upon which
Jackson was to sleep, but as yet no one was disposed to slumber. They
had finished eating, but they remained in a silent and somber circle
about the fire.

Jackson stood up presently and his figure, wrapped in the long cloak was
all dark. The light did not fall upon his face. All the others looked at
him. Among them was one of Ashby's young troopers, a bold and reckless
spirit. It was a time, too, when the distinction between officers and
privates in the great citizen armies was not yet sharply defined. And
this young trooper, some spirit of mockery urging him on, stood up and
said to his general:

"The Yankees didn't seem to be in any hurry to leave Winchester, did
they, general?"

Harry drew a quick, sharp breath, and there was a murmur among the
officers, but Stonewall Jackson merely turned a tranquil look upon the
presumptuous youth. Then he turned it back to the bed of coals and said
in even tones:

"Winchester is a pleasant town to stay in, sir."

The young cavalryman, not abashed at all, continued:

"We heard the Yankees were retreating, but I guess they're retreating
after us."

Harry half rose and so did several of the older officers, but Jackson
replied quie