black river.

"Of course it can. Remember that they have four hundred guns with which
they can cover a passage. Didn't Burnside build his bridges and force
the crossing in our face, when we had twenty thousand more men than we
have now, and the Union army had twenty thousand less? Their line is so
long and they are so much superior in numbers that we can't guard all
the river. As I take it, Lee and Old Jack will not make any great
opposition to the crossing, but there will be a thunderation of a time
after it's made."

It was sunrise when they reached their own headquarters and entered the
great mess tent, where some of the officers who had not gone to the ball
were already eating breakfast. They said that the general had been
awake more than two hours and that he was taking his breakfast, too,
in the hunting lodge. He sent for various officers from time to time,
and presently Harry's turn came.

Jackson was sitting at a small table, upon which his breakfast had been
laid. But all that had been cleared away long ago. He was reading in a
small book when Harry entered, a book that the youth knew well. It was
a copy of Napoleon's Maxims, which Jackson invariably carried with him
and read often. But he closed it quickly and put it in his pocket.
During the long rest Jackson's face had become somewhat fuller, but the
blue eyes under the heavy brows were as deep and thoughtful as ever.
He nodded to Harry and said:

"You were present when General Stuart received the message that the
enemy was advancing? Was anything more ascertained at the time?
Did any other messenger come?"

"No, sir. General Stuart mounted and rode at once. I remained at the
ball until its close. No other messenger came there for him. Of that I
am sure."

"Very well, very well," said Jackson to himself, rather than to the
young lieutenant. "One message was enough. Stuart has acted promptly,
as he always does. You, Mr. Kenton, I judge have been up all night
dancing?"

"Most all of it, sir."

"We must get ready now for another and less pleasant kind of dancing.
But nothing will happen to-day. You'd better sleep. If you are needed
you will be called."

Harry saluted and withdrew. At the door he glanced back. Jackson had
taken out Napoleon's Maxims and was reading the volume again. The brow
was seamed with thought, but his countenance was grave and steady.
Harry never forgot any look or act of his great chief in those days whe