he general's tent was a rude
affair. His soldiers pitched it beneath a pine, beside a small trickling
stream half choked with leaves. The staff was quartered to right and
left, and a clump of pines in the rear served for an Arcadian kitchen. A
camp-stool and a table made of a board laid upon two stumps of trees
furnished the leaf-strewn terrace before the tent. Here, Cleave, coming
to report, found his commander.

Jackson was sitting, feet planted as usual, arms at side as usual,
listening to his chief of staff. He acknowledged Cleave's salute, with a
glance, a slight nod of the head, and a motion of the hand to one side.
The young man waited, standing by a black haw upon the bank of the
little stream. The respectful murmur of the chief of staff came to an
end. "Very good, major. You will send a courier back to Falling Waters
to halt General Carson there. He is to be prepared to make a diversion
against Williamsport in the morning. I will give precise instructions
later. What of this mill by the river?"

"It is a very strong, old, stone mill, sir, with windows. It would
command any short-range attack upon the workers."

"Good! good! We will put riflemen there. As soon as General Garnett is
up, send him to me."

From the not-distant road came a heavy rumble of wheels and the sound of
horses' feet. "There are the guns, now, sir."

"Yes. They must wait until nightfall to get into position. Send Captain
McLaughlin to me in half an hour's time."

"Yes, sir. Captain Colston of the 2d is here--"

"Very good. I will see him now. That is all, major."

The chief of staff withdrew. Captain Colston of the 2d approached from
the shadows beyond the big pine and saluted. "You are from this region,
captain?"

"Yes, sir. The _Honeywood_ Colstons."

"This stone mill is upon your land?"

"Yes, sir. My mother owns it."

"You have been about the dam as a boy?"

"Yes, sir. In the water above it and in the water below it. I know every
log, I reckon. It works the mill."

"If we break it, it will work the mill no longer. In addition, if the
enemy cross, they will probably destroy the property."

"Yes, sir. My mother and I would not let that weigh with us. As I know
the construction I should esteem it an honour, sir, if I might lead the
party. I think I may say that I know where the cribs could be most
easily cut."

"Very good then, sir. You will report for duty at nine to-night. Captain
Holliday of the 33d and Captain Robin