d if he lets anything come from under that old hat of his, which isn't
often, it's because he's willing for it to be known."

"He's said this, and he doesn't mean it to be any secret. Banks is
at Strasburg with a big army, but he's fortified himself there and he
doesn't know just what to do. He doesn't for the life of him know which
way Jackson is coming, nor do I. But I do know that Ewell with his
division is going to join us at last and we'll have a sizable army."

"And that means bigger things!" exclaimed Sherburne, joyously. "Between
you and me, Harry, Banks won't sleep soundly again for many a night!"

As they marched on the valley people came out joyously to meet them.
Even women and girls on horseback, galloping, reined in their horses to
tell them where the Union forces lay. Always they had information for
Jackson, never any for the North. Here scouts and spies were scarcely
needed by the Southern army. Before night Stonewall Jackson knew as much
of his enemy as any general needed to know.

They camped at dusk and Langdon, contrary to his prediction, enjoyed
another ample meal and plenty of rest. Jackson allowed no tent to be
set for himself. The night was warm and beautiful and the songs of birds
came from the trees. The general had eaten sparingly, and now he sat on
a log in deep thought. Presently he looked up and said:

"Lieutenant Kenton, do you and Lieutenant Dalton ride forward in that
direction and meet General Ewell. He is coming, with his staff, to see
me. Escort him to the camp."

He pointed out the direction and in an instant Harry and Dalton, also of
the staff, were in the camp, following the line of that pointing finger.
They had the password and as they passed a little beyond the pickets
they saw a half dozen horsemen riding rapidly toward them in the dusk.

"General Ewell, is it not, sir?" said Harry, as he and Dalton gave the
salute.

"I'm General Ewell," replied the foremost horseman. "Do you come from
General Jackson?"

"Yes, sir. His camp is just before you. You can see the lights now. He
has directed us to meet you and escort you."

"Then lead the way."

The two young lieutenants, guiding General Ewell and his staff, were
soon inside Jackson's camp, but Harry had time to observe Ewell well. He
had already heard of him as a man of great vigor and daring. He had made
a name for judgment and dash in the Indian wars on the border. Men
spoke of him as a soldier, prompt to obey his sup