the resistance harden and he saw the pursuit of the Southern
army slow up. The day, too, was waning. Shadows were already appearing
in the east and if Jackson would destroy Banks' army utterly he must
strike quick and hard. Harry at that moment caught sight of the general
on the turnpike, on Little Sorrel, the reins lying loose on the horse's
neck, his master sitting erect, and gazing at the darkening battlefield
which was spread out before him.

Harry galloped up and saluted.

"I could not come back at once, sir," he said, "because the enemy was
crowded in between Ashby and yourself."

"But you've come at last. I was afraid you had fallen."

Harry's face flushed gratefully. He knew now that Stonewall Jackson
would have missed him.

"If the night were only a little further away," continued Jackson, "we
could get them all! But the twilight is fighting for them! And they
fight for themselves also! Look, how those men retreat! They do well for
troops who were surprised and routed not so long ago!"

He spoke in a general way to his staff, but his tone expressed decided
admiration. Harry felt again that the core of the Northern resistance
was growing harder and harder. The hostile cannon blazed down the road,
and the men as they slowly retired sent sheets of rifle bullets at their
pursuers. Detachments of their flying cavalry were stopped, reformed on
the flanks, and had the temerity to charge the victors more than once.

Harry did not notice now that the twilight was gone and the sun had sunk
behind the western mountains. The road between pursuer and pursued was
lighted up by the constant flashes of cannon and rifles, and at times
he fancied that he could see the vengeful and threatening faces of those
whom he followed, but it was only fancy, fancy bred by battle and its
excitement.

The pursued crossed a broad marshy creek, the Opequon, and suddenly
formed in line of battle behind it with the cavalry on their flanks.
The infantry poured in heavier volleys than before and their horsemen,
charging suddenly upon a Virginia regiment that was trying to cross,
sent it back in rapid retreat.

After the great volleys it was dark for a moment or two and then Harry
saw that General Jackson and his staff were sitting alone on their
horses on the turnpike. The Northern rifles flashed again on the edge of
the creek, and from a long stone fence, behind which they had also taken
refuge for a last stand.

Harry and his comrad