whose genius had defeated them so often. Some riflemen among them lying
among the bushes at the water's edge might have picked him off, but no
such thought entered the mind of anyone.

Jackson flushed at the compliment from the foe, but rode quietly on,
until he disappeared among some woods on the left.

"We'd better be going back to headquarters," said Harry to Dalton.
"It'll be wise for us to be there when the general arrives."

"That's right, lazy little boys," said Happy Tom. "Wash your faces,
run to school, and be all bright and clean when teacher comes."

"It's what we mean to do," said Harry, "and if Arthur says anything
more about this silly dueling business, send for us. We'll come back,
and we three together will pound his foolish head so hard that he won't
be able to think about anything at all for a year to come."

"I'll behave," said St. Clair, "but you fellows look to Bertrand."

Dalton and Harry walked to the headquarters of their general, who now
occupied what had been a hunting lodge standing in the grounds of a
large mansion. The whole place, the property of an orderly in his
service, had been offered to him, but he would only take the hunting
lodge, saying that he would not clutter up so fine and large a house.

Now Harry and Dalton walked across the lawn, which was beginning to turn
green, and paused for a little while under the budding boughs of the
great trees. The general had not yet arrived, but the rolling cheers
never ceasing, but coming nearer, indicated that he would soon be at
hand.

"A man must feel tremendous pride when his very appearance draws such
cheers from his men," said Harry.

The lawn was not cut up by the feet of horses--Jackson would not allow
it. Everything about the house and grounds was in the neatest order.
Beside the hunting lodge stood a great tent, in which his staff messed.

"Were you here the day General Jackson came to these quarters, Harry?"
asked Dalton.

"No, I was in service at the bank of the river, carrying some message or
other. I've forgotten what it was."

"Well, I was. We didn't know where we were going to stay, and a lady
came from the big house here down to the edge of the woods, where we
were still sitting on our horses. 'Is this General Jackson?' asked she.
'It is, madame,' he replied, lifting his hat politely. 'My husband owns
this house,' she said, pointing toward it, 'and we will feel honored and
glad if you will occupy it as yo