ot believing that he was strong enough for another battle, had gone
down the valley. He had fought one good battle, but he would reach Banks
before he fought another.

The Southern troops felt that they had won the victory, and Jackson
sent a message to Richmond announcing it. Never had news come at a more
opportune time. The fortunes of the South seemed to be at the lowest
ebb. Richmond had heard of the great battle of Shiloh, the failure to
destroy Grant and the death of Albert Sidney Johnston. New Orleans,
the largest and richest city in the Confederacy, had been taken by the
Northern fleet--the North was always triumphant on the water--and the
mighty army of McClellan had landed on the Peninsula of Virginia for the
advance on Richmond.

It had seemed that the South was doomed, and the war yet scarcely a
year old. But in the mountains the strange professor of mathematics had
struck a blow and he might strike another. Both North and South realized
anew that no one could ever tell where he was or what he might do. The
great force, advancing by land to co-operate with McClellan, hesitated,
and drew back.

But Jackson's troops knew nothing then of what was passing in the minds
of men at Washington and Richmond. They were following Milroy and that
commander, wily as well as brave, was pressing his men to the utmost in
order that he might escape the enemy who, he was sure, would pursue with
all his power. He knew that he had fought with Stonewall Jackson and he
knew the character of the Southern leader.

Sherburne brought his horses through a defile into the valley and his
men, now mounted, led the pursuit. Jackson in his eagerness rode with
him and Harry was there, too. Behind them came the famous foot cavalry.
Thus pursuer and pursued rolled down the valley, and Harry exulted
when he looked at the path of the fleeing army. The traces were growing
fresher and fresher. Jackson was gaining.

But there were shrewd minds in Milroy's command. The Western men knew
many devices of battle and the trail, and Milroy was desperately bent
upon saving his force, which he knew would be overwhelmed, if overtaken
by Jackson's army. Now he had recourse to a singular device.

Harry, riding with Captain Sherburne, noticed that the trees were dry
despite the recent rains. On the slopes of the mountains the water ran
off fast, and the thickets were dry also. Then he saw a red light in the
forest in front of them. General Jackson saw it