He said that Jackson was behind them, that
he had done the great destruction at Bristoe Station and he had not the
slightest doubt that Jackson was there.
Shepard flushing a little with gratification at Colonel Winchester's
praise quickly recovered his customary self possession. Once more he was
the iron-willed, self-contained man who daily dared everything for the
cause he served.
"Thank you, Colonel," he said, "I've got to go out and get a little food
now. All I say will be proved soon enough."
The three boys, like Colonel Winchester, did not doubt the truth of
Shepard's news, and they looked northeast for the dust clouds which
should mark the approach of Jackson.
"We've been outmaneuvered," said Warner to Dick, "but it's no reason why
we should be outfought."
"No, George, it isn't. We've eighty thousand men as brave as any in the
world, and, from what we hear they haven't as many. We ought to smash
their old trap all to pieces."
"If our generals will only give us a chance."
Shepard's prediction that his news would soon prove true was verified
almost at once.
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