"They won't be able to enclose us between the two horns of their
horsemen," said Sergeant Whitley, whose face was very grave, "and the
battle won't be to-morrow or the next day."
"Why not? I thought Jackson was swift," said Warner.
"Cause it will be fought to-day. I thought Jackson was swift, too,
but he's swifter than I thought. Them feet cavalry of his don't have to
change their name. Look into the road comin' up that narrow valley."
The eyes of the three boys followed his pointing finger, and they now saw
masses of infantry, men in gray pressing forward at full speed. They
saw also batteries of cannon, and Dick almost fancied he could hear the
rumble of their wheels.
"Looks as if the sergeant was right," said Pennington. "Stonewall
Jackson is here."
They increased their speed to a gallop, making directly for Cedar Run,
a cold, clear little stream coming out of the hills. It was now about
the middle of the morning and the day was burning hot and breathless.
Their hearts began to pound with excitement, and their breath was drawn
painfully through throats lined with dust.
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