d at
its edge. He could see well enough here to notice a file of dim figures
riding slowly by. At first his heart leaped up with the belief that they
were Colonel Winchester and his own people, but they were going in the
wrong direction, and then he was able to discern the bedraggled and
faded Confederate gray.

The horsemen were about fifty in number and most of them rode with the
reins hanging loose on their horses' necks. They were wrapped in cloaks,
but cloaks and uniforms alike were sodden. A stream of water ran from
every stirrup to the ground.

Dick looked at them attentively. Near the head of the column but on
one side rode a soldierly figure, apparently that of a young man of
twenty-three or four. Just behind came three youths, and Dick's heart
fairly leaped when he saw the last of the three. He could not mistake
the figure, and a turning of the head caused him to catch a faint
glimpse of the face. Then he knew beyond all shadow of doubt. It was
Harry and he surmised that the other two were his comrades, St. Clair
and Langdon, whom he had met when they were burying the dead.

Dick was so sodden and cold and wretched that he was tempted to call out
to them--the sight of Harry was like a light in the darkness--but the
temptation was gone in an instant. His way lay in another direction.
What they wished he did not wish, and while they fought for the triumph
of the South it was his business to endure and struggle on that he might
do his own little part for the Union.

But despite the storm and his sufferings, he drew courage from nature
itself. While a portion of the Southern army was across it must be a
minor portion, and certainly the major part could not span such a flood
and attack. The storm and time allied were now fighting for Pope.

He wandered away a little into the open fields in order to find easier
going, but he came back presently to the forest lining the bank of the
river, for fear he should lose his direction. The yellow torrent of the
Rappahannock was now his only sure guide and he stuck to it. He wondered
why the rain and wind did not die down. It was not usual for a storm so
furious to last so long, but he could not see any abatement of either.

He became conscious after a while of a growing weakness, but he had
recalled all the powers of his will and it was triumphant over his body.
He trudged on on feet that were unconscious of sensation, and his face
as if the flesh were paralyzed no long