e for whom they were
intended."

"Very well," said Jackson. "Wait and I shall have more messages for you
to carry."

He turned to the second aide, but seeming to remember something, looked
at his watch.

"Have you had any breakfast, Mr. Kenton?" he said.

"No, sir."

"Any sleep?"

"Yes, sir."

"When?"

"I slept well, sir, night before last."

Harry's reply was given in all seriousness. Jackson smiled. The boy's
reply and his grave manner pleased him.

"I won't give you any more orders just now," he said. "Go out and get
something to eat, but do not be gone longer than half an hour. You need
sleep, too--but that can wait."

"I shall be glad to carry your orders, sir, now. The food can wait, too.
I am not hungry."

Harry spoke respectfully. There was in truth an appealing note in his
voice. Jackson gave him another and most searching glance.

"I think I chose well when I chose you," he said. "But go, get your
breakfast. It is not necessary to starve to death now. We may have a
chance at that later."

The faintest twinkle of grim humor appeared in his eyes and Harry,
withdrawing, hastened at once to the Invincibles, where he knew he would
have food and welcome in plenty.

St. Clair and Langdon greeted him with warmth and tried to learn from
him what was on foot.

"There's a great bustle," said Langdon, "and I know something big is
ahead. This is the last day of the Old Year, and I know that the New
Year is going to open badly. I'll bet you anything that before to-morrow
morning is an hour old this whole army will be running hot-foot over the
country, more afraid of Stonewall Jackson than of fifty thousand of the
enemy."

"But you've been in training for it," said Harry with a laugh.

"So I have, but I don't want to train too hard."

Harry ate and drank and was back at General Jackson's tent in twenty
minutes. He had received a half hour but he was learning already to do
better than was expected of him.

CHAPTER III. STONEWALL JACKSON'S MARCH

Harry took some orders to brigadiers and colonels. He saw that
concentration was going on rapidly and he shared the belief of his
comrades that the army would march in the morning. He felt a new impulse
of ambition and energy. It continually occurred to him that while he was
doing much he might do more. He saw how his leader worked, with rapidity
and precision, and without excitement, and he strove to imitate him.

The influence of Jackson was r