"I judge that it's going to be a very hot morning," said Colonel
Winchester, wiping away a few drops of blood, where a bullet had barely
touched his face. "I think the wind of that bullet hurt me more than its
kiss. There will be no great battle to-day. We can see now that they
are not yet in strong enough force, but we'll never know a minute's rest
until we're behind the Rappahannock. Oh, Dick, if McClellan's army
were only here also! This business of retreating is as bitter as death
itself!"
Dick saw the pain on his colonel's face and it was reflected on his own.
"I feel it, sir, in the same way. Our men are just as eager as the
Johnnies to fight and they are as brave and tenacious. What do you think
will happen, sir?"
"We'll reach the Rappahannock and take refuge behind it. We command the
railroad bridge there, and can cross and destroy it afterward. But the
river is broad and deep with high banks and the army of the enemy cannot
possibly force the passage in any way while we defend it."
"And after that, sir?"
"God alone knows. Look out, Dick, those men are aiming at us!"
Colonel Winchester seized the bridle of Dick's horse and pulled him
violently to one side, pulling his own horse in the same direction in the
same manner.
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