im, and on his own left the north fork of the
Shenandoah. He's considerably in front of the main Union force, and
they haven't posted much of a picket line."

"I suppose they're relying upon the natural strength of the ground."

"That's it, I take it, but we may give them a surprise."

Harry and Dalton used their glasses and far to the north they saw dim
figures, not larger than toys. At first view they appeared to be
stationary, but, as the eyes became used to the distance, Harry knew they
were moving. Apparently they were infantry going toward the Union right,
where danger was feared, and he felt a grim satisfaction in knowing
that the real danger lay on their left. But could Early with his small
numbers, with the habit now of defeat, make any impression upon the large
Union armies flushed with victories?

Harry wondered if Dick was among those moving troops, but his second
thought told him it was not likely. They had learned from spies that the
Winchester regiment was mounted, and in all probability it was part of
the cavalry that had gone north with Sheridan. But he thought again how
strange it was that the two should have been face to face at the Second
Manassas, and then after a wide separation, involving so many great
battles and marches, should come here into the Valley of Virginia,
face to face once more.

Mortimer and his assistants presently began to manipulate the flags again,
and Confederate signalmen, on a far peak, replied. Harry and St. Clair
watched them with all the curiosity that a mystery inspires.

"Can we ask again," said Harry, when they had finished, "what you fellows
were saying?"

Mortimer laughed.

"It was a quick dialogue," he replied, "but it was intended for the
Yankees down in the valley, who, we learn, have deciphered some of our
signals. I said to Strother on the other peak: 'Six thousand?' He
replied: 'No, eight thousand!' I said: 'In center or on their right
flank?' He replied: 'On their right flank.' I said: 'Two thousand
fresh horses?' He replied: 'Nearer twenty-five hundred.' I said: 'Five
hundred fresh beeves from the other side of the Blue Ridge.' He replied:
'Great news, we need 'em!' I wish it was true, but it will set our
Yankee friends to thinking."

"I see. Your talk was meant to fool the Yankees."

"Yes, and we need to fool 'em as much as we can. It's a daring venture
that we're entering upon, but it's great luck for us to have Sheridan
away. I