ibe for
a year at least."

"I'd like to try. Now, what under the stars is that?"

Nothing had happened. Something had merely ceased to happen. The great
cannonade had stopped in an instant, as if by a preconcerted signal,
and their nerves, attuned so long to such a continuous roar, seemed to
collapse, because some support was withdrawn. Harry's face turned white
and his heart beat very fast, but in a few moments he recovered himself.

"I suppose they've given it up for the time being," he said, "but
they're sure to try it again in some other way."

"That's a safe prediction," said St. Clair. "Burnside is trying to get
across the Rappahannock to attack us, because the whole North is driving
him on, and he hasn't got the moral courage to hold back until he can
choose his time and place. Funny how this silence oppresses one."

The whole Southern army, along its six miles of length, was now standing
up and looking toward the point on the other shore of the Rappahannock
where the Union batteries were massed. All work seemed to have been
abandoned there, although the troops were still clustered along the
shore and about the bridge head. Clouds of smoke from the great
batteries floated down the river.

"A Yankee failure so far, Harry," said Colonel Leonidas Talbot. "The
bridge has advanced no further, and I should say that our shore is now
enriched by about fifty thousand pounds of steel hurled from those
batteries and with little harm to us."

"I've no doubt you're right, sir," said Harry, "and now that a period of
rest has come, I shall hurry back to General Jackson, who may need me to
carry some order."

"A moment, please, Harry, my boy," said Colonel Talbot, twirling his
mustaches. "You are near to General Jackson, of course, being his
personal aide. If it should fall out conveniently, would you do myself
and my most excellent friend and second, Lieutenant-Colonel St. Hilaire,
a small favor?"

"Of course, Colonel. Gladly. What is it?"

"If the enemy should cross the river, as he probably will, and if you
should be near enough to Lieutenant-General Thomas Jonathan Jackson,
and if the moment should be propitious, would you kindly whisper in
his ear that the skeleton regiment, known as the Invincibles, Leonidas
Talbot, Colonel, and Hector St. Hilaire, Lieutenant-Colonel, would be
overjoyed at the honor of leading the attack upon the intrusive and
invading Yankee army?"

"Promise, Harry, promise!" se