Here it appeared that the road divided.  The highway traversed the forest, mounted the slope beyond and dissected the enemy’s position, while a branch road turned to the left and skirted the exterior of the long curve of wooded hillocks.  At the fork the battery of Napoleons had halted, and there it was ordered to remain for the present in quiet.  There, too, the Fourteenth filed in among the dense greenery, threw out two companies of skirmishers toward the ridge, and pushed slowly after them into the shadows.

“Get sight of the enemy at once!” was Waldron’s last word to Gildersleeve.  “If they move down the slope, drive them back.  But don’t commence your attack under half an hour.”

Next he filed the Fifth into the thickets, saying to Colburn, “I want you to halt a hundred yards to the left and rear of Gildersleeve.  Cover his flank if he is attacked; but otherwise lie quiet.  As soon as he charges, move forward to the edge of the wood, and be ready to support him.  But make no assault yourself until further orders.”

The next two regiments—­the Seventh and First—­he placed in echelon, in like manner, a quarter of a mile further along.  Then he galloped forward to the cavalry, and a last word with Stilton.  “You and Gahogan must take care of yourselves.  Push on four or five hundred yards, and then face to the right.  Whatever Gahogan finds let him go at it.  If he can’t shake it, help him.  You two must reach the top of the ridge.  Only, look out for your left flank.  Keep a squadron or two in reserve on that side.”

“Currnel, if we don’t raich the top of the hill, it’ll be because it hasn’t got wan,” answered Gahogan.  Stilton only laughed and rode forward.

Waldron now returned toward the fork of the road.  On the way he sent a staff officer to the Seventh with renewed orders to attack as soon as possible after Gildersleeve.  Then another staff officer was hurried forward to Taylor with directions to push his feint strongly, and drive his skirmishers as far up the slope as they could get.  A third staff officer set the Parrotts in rear of Taylor to firing with all their might.  By the time that the commandant had returned to Colburn’s ambushed ranks, no one was with him but his enemy, Fitz Hugh.

“You don’t seem to trust me With duty, Colonel,” said the young man.

“I shall use you only in case of extremity, Captain,” replied Waldron.  “We have business to settle tomorrow.”

“I ask no favors on that account.  I hope you will offer me none.”

“In case of need I shall spare no one,” declared Waldron.

Then he took out his watch, looked at it impatiently, put it to his ear, restored it to his pocket, and fell into an attitude of deep attention.  Evidently his whole mind was on his battle, and he was waiting, watching, yearning for its outburst.

“If he wins this fight,” thought Fitz Hugh, “how can I do him a harm?  And yet,” he added, “how can I help it?”