Dick Mason who had struggled so hard through a storm but a few
nights ago now longed for another like it. Anything to get away from
this blinding blaze.
But he soon forgot heat and dust. He was conscious of a great quiver
and thrill running through the whole army. Something was happening.
Something had happened, but nobody knew what. Warner and Pennington felt
the same quiver and thrill, because they looked at him as if in inquiry.
Colonel Winchester showed it, too. He said nothing, but gazed uneasily
toward the Northern horizon. Dick found himself looking that way also.
Along the Rappahannock there was but little firing now, and he began to
forget the river which had loomed so large in the affairs of the armies.
Perhaps the importance of the Rappahannock had passed.
It was said that Pope himself with his staff had ridden away toward
Washington, but Dick did not know. Far off toward the capital he
saw dust clouds, but he concluded that they must be made by marching
reinforcements.
The long hot hours dragged and then came a messenger. It was Shepard who
had reported to headquarters and who afterwards came over to the shade
of a tree where Colonel Winchester and his little staff were gathered.
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