ne, poetic way. Have you
ever written verses, Hector?"

"A few, but never for print, Leonidas. I am happy to think that a
few sonnets and triolets of mine are cherished by middle-aged but yet
handsome women of Charleston that we both know."

Harry left them still talking in rounded sentences and always in perfect
agreement. He thought theirs a beautiful friendship, and he hoped that
he should have friendships like it, when he was as old as they.

But he and all the other prophets were right. The restless Jackson soon
took up the northward march again. He was drawing farther and farther
away from McClellan and the Southern army before Richmond, and the great
storm that was gathering there. The army of Banks was not yet wholly
destroyed, and there were other Northern and undestroyed armies in the
valley. His task there was not yet finished. Jackson pushed on toward
Harper's Ferry on the Potomac. He was now, though to the westward,
further north than Washington itself, and with other armies in his
rear he was taking daring risks. But as usual, he kept his counsels to
himself. All was hidden under that battered cap to become later an old
slouch hat, and the men who followed him were content to go wherever he
led.

The old Stonewall Brigade was in the van and Jackson and his staff were
with it. The foot cavalry refreshed by a good rest were marching again
at a great rate.

Harry was detached shortly after the start, and was sent to General
Winder with orders for him to hurry forward with the fine troops under
his command. Before he could leave Winder he ran into a strong Northern
force at Charleston, and the Southern division attacked at once with all
the dash and vigor that Jackson had imparted to his men. They had, too,
the confidence bred by continuous victory, while the men in blue were
depressed by unbroken defeats.

The Northern force was routed in fifteen or twenty minutes and fled
toward the river, leaving behind it all its baggage and stores. Harry
carried the news to Jackson and saw the general press his thin lips
together more closely than ever. He knew that the hope of destroying
Banks utterly was once more strong in the breast of their leader. The
members of the staff were all sent flying again with messages to the
regiments to hurry.

The whole army swung forward at increased pace. Jackson did not know
what new troops had come for Banks, but soon he saw the heights south of
Harper's Ferry, and the same