re no
Federals, he had reason to be sure, south of Strasburg. He looked to see
some changing picket post of Ashby's. But the five horsemen who came in
sight, three riding abreast, two a little behind, had not a Valley air.
"Tidewater men," said Allan to himself. "How far is it to Swift Run Gap?
Shouldn't wonder if General Ewell--"

A minute later the party came in line with the woods. Allan, after
another deliberate look, stepped from behind a flowering thorn. The
party drew up. "Good-afternoon, my man," said the stars and wreath in
the centre in a high, piping voice. "Alone, are you?--Ain't straggling,
I hope? Far too many stragglers--curse of this service--civilians turned
soldiers and all that. What's that? You know him, Stafford? One of
General Jackson's scouts?--Then do you know, pray, where is General
Jackson? for, by God, I don't!"

"I came across country myself to-day, sir--I and a boy that's with me.
We've been ahead with Ashby, fending off Fremont. General Jackson is
marching very rapidly, and I expect him to-night."

"Where's he going, then?"

"I haven't the least idea, sir."

"Well," piped Ewell, "I'll be glad to see him. God knows, I don't know
what I'm to do! Am I to strengthen Johnston at Richmond? Am I to cross
into the Valley--by God, it's lovely!--and reinforce Jackson? Damn it,
gentlemen, I'm a major-general on a seesaw! Richmond in danger--Valley
in danger. 'Better come to me!' says Johnston. Quite right! He needs
every man. 'Better stay with Jackson,' says Lee. Quite right again! Old
Jackson has three armies before him and only a handful. 'Better gallop
across and find out the crazy man's own mind,' says the major-general
in the middle." He turned with the suddenness of a bird to Allan. "By
God, I'm hungry as a coyote! Have you got anything to eat?"

"I've some bread and bacon and a few eggs and half a pot of apple butter
and a piece of honeycomb, sir--"

Ewell dismounted. "You're the foster brother I've been in search of for
thirty-five years! Maury and John, it sounds as though there were enough
for four. Deane and Edmondson, you ride on to that mill I see in front
of us, and ask if the folks won't give you supper. We'll pick you up in
an hour or so. Now, my friend in need, we'll build a fire and if you've
got a skillet I'll show you how an omelette ought to be made and
generally isn't!"

Within the covert Billy made up the fire again, and General Ewell, beneath
the amused eyes of his ai