nks did not realize until later, despite the urgent
words of Shepard, how formidable was the danger that threatened him.
Jackson, despite all the disadvantages of the darkness and the rain,
wished to get his army up before daylight, but the deep mud formed by
the pouring rain enabled Banks to slip away from the trap.

The Southern troops, moreover, were worn to the bone. They had come
ninety miles in five days over rough roads, across streams without
bridges, and over a high mountain, besides fighting a battle of uncommon
fierceness. There were limits even to the endurance of Jackson's foot
cavalry.

Harry was first awake in the little tent. He sat up and looked at the
other three on their planks who were sleeping as if they would never
wake any more. A faint tint of dawn was appearing at the open flap of
the door. The four had lain down dressed fully, and Harry, as he sprang
from his board, cried:

"Up, boys, up! The army is about to move!"

The three also sprang to their feet, and went outside. Although the dawn
was as yet faint, the army was awakening rapidly, or rather was being
awakened. The general himself appeared a moment later, dressed fully,
the end of a lemon in his mouth, his face worn and haggard by incredible
hardships, but his eyes full of the strength that comes from an
unconquerable will.

He nodded to Harry, Dalton and the others.

"Five minutes for breakfast, gentlemen," he said, "and then join me on
horseback, ready for the pursuit of the enemy!"

The few words were like the effects of a galvanic battery on Harry.
Peculiarly susceptible to mental power, Jackson was always a stimulus
to him. Close contact revealed to him the fiery soul that lay underneath
the sober and silent exterior, and, in his own turn, he caught fire from
it. Youthful, impressionable and extremely sensitive to great minds
and great deeds, Stonewall Jackson had become his hero, who could do no
wrong.

Five minutes for the hasty breakfast and they were in the saddle just
behind Jackson. The rain had ceased, the sun was rising in a clear sky,
the country was beautiful once more, and down a long line the Southern
bugles were merrily singing the advance. Very soon scattered shots all
along their front showed that they were in touch with the enemy.

The infantry and cavalry left by Banks as a curtain between himself and
Jackson did their duty nobly that morning. The pursuit now led into a
country covered with forest, and usi