n it was to go
on and face the cannon and rifles of the enemy.

They called upon their reserves of strength for yet another ounce, and
it came. The pursuit thundered on, through the woods and bushes
and across the hills and valleys, but the men in blue, in spite of
everything, retained their ranks on the turnpike, retreated in order,
and facing at intervals, sent volley after volley against the foe. It
was impossible for the Southern army to ride them down or destroy them
with cannon and rifle.

Harry came back about midnight from one of his messages, to Jackson, who
was again riding on the turnpike. Most of his staff were gone on like
errands, but General Taylor who led the Acadians was now with him. Off
in front the rifles were flashing, and again and again, bullets whistled
near them. Harry said nothing but fell in behind Jackson and close to
him to await some new commission.

They heard the thunder of a horse's hoofs behind them, and a man
galloped up, he as well as his horse breathing hard.

He was the chief quartermaster of the army, and Jackson recognized him
at once, despite the dark.

"Where are the wagon trains?" exclaimed Jackson, shouting forth his
words.

"They're far behind. They were held up by a bad road in the Luray
valley. We did our best, sir," replied the officer, his voice trembling
with weariness and nervousness.

"And the ammunition wagons, where are they?"

The voice was stern, even accusing, but the officer met Jackson's gaze
firmly.

"They are all right, sir," he replied. "I sacrificed the other wagons
for them, though. They're at hand."

"You have done well, sir," said Jackson, and Harry thought he saw him
smile. No food for his veterans, but plenty of powder. It was exactly
what would appeal to Stonewall Jackson.

"Supply more powder and bullets to the men," said Jackson presently.
"Keep on pushing the enemy! Never stop for a moment."

Harry mechanically put his hand in his pocket, why he did not know, but
he felt a piece of bread and meat that he had put there in the morning.
He fingered the foreign substance a moment, and it occurred to him
that it was good to eat. It occurred to him next that he had not eaten
anything since morning, and this body of his, which for the time being
seemed to be dissevered from mind, might be hungry.

He took out the food and looked at it. It was certainly good to the
eyes, and the body was not so completely dissevered after all, as it
began