“I couldn’t have done it, Arthur, nor could you, if you had been in my place.”

“No, I suppose not, but these Yankees are coming up pretty close.  It’s sure proof that Meade’s whole army will be here in the morning, and the bridge won’t be built.”

“It may be built, but, if Meade chooses a battle, a battle there will be.  Heavy forces must be very near.  You can see them now signaling to one another from hill to hill.”

“So I do, and this is as far as we ought to go.  A hundred yards or two farther and we’ll be in the territory of the enemy’s sharpshooters instead of our own.”

They remained for a while among some bushes, and secured positive knowledge that the bulk of the Army of the Potomac was drawing near.  Toward midnight Harry returned to his commander-in-chief and found him awake and in consultation with his generals, under some trees near the Potomac.  Longstreet, Rhodes, Pickett, Early, Anderson, Pender and a dozen others were there, all of them scarred and tanned by battle, and most of them bearing wounds.

Harry stood back, hesitating to invade this circle, even when he came with dispatches, but the commander-in-chief, catching sight of him, beckoned.  Then, taking off his cap, he walked forward and presented a note from Colonel Talbot.  It was brief, stating that the enemy was near, and Lee read it aloud to his council.

“And what were your own observations, Lieutenant Kenton?” asked the commander-in-chief.

“As well as I could judge, sir, the enemy will appear on our whole front soon after daybreak.”

“And will be in great enough force to defeat us.”

“Not while you lead us, sir.”

“A courtier! truly a courtier!” exclaimed Stuart, smoothing the great feather of his gorgeous hat, which lay upon his knee.

Harry blushed.

“It may have had that look,” he said, “but I meant my words.”

“Don’t tease the lad,” said the crippled Ewell.  “I knew him well on Jackson’s staff, and he was one of our bravest and best.”

“A jest only,” said Stuart.  “Don’t I know him as well as you, Ewell?  The first time I saw him he was riding alone among many dangers to bring relief to a beleaguered force of ours.”

“And you furnished that relief, sir,” said Harry.

“Well, so I did, but it was my luck, not merit.”

“Be assured that you have no better friend than General Stuart,” said General Lee, smiling.  “You have done your duty well, Lieutenant Kenton, and as these have been arduous days for you you may withdraw, and join your young comrades of the staff.”

Harry saluted and retired.  Before he was out of ear shot the generals resumed their eager talk, but they knew, even as Harry himself, that there was but one thing to do, stand with their backs to the river and fight, if Meade chose to offer battle.