They could see dark stretches winding along the land, and on
one cleared space there was a row of guns making gray clouds, which
were filled with large flashes of orange-colored flame. Over some
foliage they could see the roof of a house. One window, glowing a deep
murder red, shone squarely through the leaves. From the edifice a tall
leaning tower of smoke went far into the sky.

Looking over their own troops, they saw mixed masses slowly getting
into regular form. The sunlight made twinkling points of the bright
steel. To the rear there was a glimpse of a distant roadway as it
curved over a slope. It was crowded with retreating infantry. From
all the interwoven forest arose the smoke and bluster of the battle.
The air was always occupied by a blaring.

Near where they stood shells were flip-flapping and hooting. Occasional
bullets buzzed in the air and spanged into tree trunks. Wounded men and
other stragglers were slinking through the woods.

Looking down an aisle of the grove, the youth and his companion saw a
jangling general and his staff almost ride upon a wounded man, who was
crawling on his hands and knees. The general reined strongly at his
charger's opened and foamy mouth and guided it with dexterous
horsemanship past the man. The latter scrambled in wild and torturing
haste. His strength evidently failed him as he reached a place of
safety. One of his arms suddenly weakened, and he fell, sliding over
upon his back. He lay stretched out, breathing gently.

A moment later the small, creaking cavalcade was directly in front of
the two soldiers. Another officer, riding with the skillful abandon of
a cowboy, galloped his horse to a position directly before the general.
The two unnoticed foot soldiers made a little show of going on, but
they lingered near in the desire to overhear the conversation. Perhaps,
they thought, some great inner historical things would be said.

The general, whom the boys knew as the commander of their division,
looked at the other officer and spoke coolly, as if he were criticising
his clothes. "Th' enemy's formin' over there for another charge," he
said. "It'll be directed against Whiterside, an' I fear they'll break
through there unless we work like thunder t' stop them."

The other swore at his restive horse, and then cleared his throat. He
made a gesture toward his cap. "It'll be hell t' pay stoppin' them,"
he said shortly.

"I presume so," remarked the genera