force, and a second battle
was no longer feared. The flight could be continued without interruption
over the hot Virginia fields.

Much of Dick's depression returned as they advanced under the blazing
sun, but Whitley, who seemed insensible to either fatigue or gloom, soon
cheered him up again.

"They talk about the Southerners comin' on an' takin' Washington," he
said, "but don't you believe it. They haven't got the forces, an' while
they won the victory I guess they're about as tired as we are. Our boys
talk about a hundred thousand rebels jumpin' on 'em, an' some felt as if
they was a million, but they weren't any more than we was, maybe not
as many, an' when they are all stove up themselves how can they attack
Washington in its fortifications! Don't be so troubled, boy. The Union
ain't smashed up yet. Just recollect whenever it's dark that light's
bound to come later on. What do you say to that, Long Legs?"

He spoke to a very tall and very thin youth who marched about a half
dozen feet away from them. The boy, who seemed to be about eighteen
years of age, turned to them a face which was pale despite the
Virginia sun. But it was the pallor of indoor life, not of fear, as the
countenance was good and strong, long, narrow, the chin pointed, the
nose large and bridged like that of an old Roman, the eyes full blue
and slightly nearsighted. But there was a faint twinkle in those same
nearsighted eyes as he replied in precise tones:

"According to all the experience of centuries and all the mathematical
formulae that can be deduced therefrom night is bound to be followed
by day. We have been whipped by the rebels, but it follows with
arithmetical certainty that if we keep on fighting long enough we will
whip them in time. Let x equal time and y equal opportunity. Then when
x and y come together we shall have x plus y which will equal success.
Does my logic seem cogent to you, Mr. Big Shoulders and Big Hands?"

Whitley stared at him in amazement and admiration.

"I haven't heard so many big words in a long time," he said, "an' then,
too, you bring 'em out so nice an' smooth, marchin' in place as regular
as a drilled troop."

"I've been drilled too," said the tall boy, smiling. "My name is George
Warner, and I come from Vermont. I began teaching a district school when
I was sixteen years old, and I would be teaching now, if it were not for
the war. My specialty is mathematics. X equals the war, y equals me and
x plu