on my right is the second in command
of this regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Hector St. Hilaire, a most noble
gentleman and valiant and skillful officer. We have met you before,
sir. You saved us before Bull Run when we were beleaguered at a fort
in the Valley."

"Ah, I remember!" exclaimed Stuart. "And a most gallant fight you were
making. And I recognize this young officer, too. He was the messenger
who met me in the fields. Your hand, Mr. Kenton."

He stretched out his own hand in its long yellow buckskin glove, and
Harry, flushing with pride, shook it warmly.

"It's good of you, General," he said, "to remember me."

"I'm glad to remember you and all like you. Is General Jackson near?"

"About a quarter of a mile farther back, sir. I'm a member of his staff,
and I'll ride with you to him."

"Thanks. Lead the way."

Harry turned with Stuart and Sherburne and they soon reached General
Jackson, who was plodding slowly on Little Sorrel, his chin sunk upon
his breast as usual, the lines of thought deep in his face. General
Stuart bowed low before him and the plumed hat was lifted high. The
knight paid deep and willing deference to the Puritan.

Jackson's face brightened. He wished plain apparel upon himself,
but he did not disapprove of the reverse upon General Stuart.

"You are very welcome, General Stuart," he said.

"I thank you, sir. I have come to report to you, sir, that General
Burnside's army is gathering in great force on the other side of the
Rappahannock, and that we are massed along the river and back of
Fredericksburg."

"General Burnside will cross, will he not?"

"So we think. He can lay a pontoon bridge, and he has a great artillery
to protect it. The river, as you know, sir, has a width of about two
hundred yards at Fredericksburg, and the Northern batteries can sweep
the farther shore."

"I'm sorry that we've elected to fight at Fredericksburg," said General
Jackson thoughtfully. "The Rappahannock will protect General Burnside's
army."

Stuart gazed at him in astonishment.

"I don't understand you, sir," he said. "You say that the Rappahannock
will protect General Burnside when it seems to be our defense."

"My meaning is perfectly clear. When we defeat General Burnside at
Fredericksburg he will retreat across the river over his bridge or
bridges and we shall not be able to get at him. We will win a great
victory, but we will not gather the fruits of it, because of our