the rain
of death passed over their heads, as they were all lying on the ground
awaiting the charge, and the Northern gunners, not able to choose any
targets, fired in the general direction of the Southern force.

The cannon fire went on for several minutes, and then, with a mighty
shout, the Northern force charged, but in a great confused struggle in
the woods and darkness it was beaten back, and soon after midnight the
battle for that day ceased.

Yet there was no rest for the troops. Stuart, appreciating the numbers
of his enemy and fearing another attack, moved his forces to the side
to close up the gap between himself and Lee, in order that the Southern
army should present a solid line for the new conflict that was sure to
come in the morning.

All that night the Wilderness gave forth the sound of preparations made
by either side, and Harry neither slept nor had any thought of it.
He knew well that the battle was far from over, and he knew also that
the Union army had not yet been defeated. Hooker's right wing had been
crushed by the sudden and tremendous stroke of Jackson, but his center
had rallied powerfully on Chancellorsville, and instead of a mere
defense had been able to attack in the night battle. The fall of
Jackson, too, had paralyzed for a time the Southern advance, and Lee,
with the slender forces under his immediate eye, had not been able to
make any progress.

Harry and Dalton finally left the Invincibles and reported to General
Stuart, who instantly recognized Harry.

"Ah," he said, "you were on the staff of General Jackson!"

"Yes, sir," replied Harry, "and so was Lieutenant Dalton here. We
report to you for duty."

"Then you'll be on mine for to-night. After that General Lee will
dispose of you, but I have much for you both to do before morning."

Stuart was acting with the greatest energy and foresight, manning his
artillery and strengthening his whole line. But he knew that it was
necessary to inform his commander-in-chief of all that was happening,
in order that Lee in the morning might have the two portions of the
Southern army in perfect touch and under his complete command. He
selected Wilbourn to reach him, and Harry was detailed to accompany that
gallant officer. They were well fitted to tell all that had happened,
as they had been in the thick of the battle and had been present at the
fall of Jackson.

The two officers, saying but little, rode side by side through the
W