es, saw that
the Confederates so far from continuing the advance were now fortifying
behind stone fences and also were spreading across the valley to keep
from being flanked on either side by the cavalry. But he saw too that
their ranks were scanty. If they spread far enough to protect their
flanks they would become dangerously thin in the center. He handed his
glasses to the sergeant, and asked him to take a look.

"Their surprise," said Whitley, "has spent its force. Their army is not
big enough. Our general has seen it, and it's why he delays so long.
Time works for us, because we can gather together much greater numbers
than they have."

The delay lasted far into the afternoon. The smoke and dust settled,
and the October sun gleamed on cannon and bayonets. Dick's watch showed
that it was nearly four o'clock.

"We attack today surely," said Pennington, who was growing nervous with
impatience.

"Don't you worry, young man," said Warner. "The two armies are here in
line facing each other and as it would be too much trouble to arrange it
all again tomorrow the battle will be fought today. The whole program
will be carried out on time."

"I think," said Dick, "that the attack is very near, and that it's we who
are going to make it. Here is General Sheridan himself."

The general rode along the line just before the Winchesters and nodded to
them approvingly. He came so close that Dick saw the contraction of his
face, and his eager burning look, as if the great moment had arrived.
Suddenly, he raised his hand and the buglers blew the fierce notes of the
charge.

"Now we go!" cried Pennington in uncontrollable excitement, and the whole
right wing seemed to lift itself up bodily and rush forward. The men,
eager to avenge the losses of the morning, began to shout, and their
cheers mingled with the mighty tread of the charge, the thunder of the
cannon and the rapid firing of thousands of rifles. They knew, too,
that Sheridan's own eye was upon them, and it encouraged them to a
supreme effort.

Infantry and cavalry swept on together in an overwhelming mass. Cannon
and rifles sent a bitter hail upon them, but nothing could stop their
rush. Dick felt all his pulses beating heavily and he saw a sea of fire
before him, but his excitement was so intense that he forgot about danger.

The center also swung into the charge and then the left. All the
divisions of the army, as arranged by Sheridan, moved in per