The combat redoubled in fury. Cannon and rifles together made
a continuous roar. Both sides seemed to have gone mad with the rage of
battle.
The Southern generals astonished at such a resistance by a smaller force,
ordered up more men and cannon. The Union troops were slowly pushed back
by the weight of numbers, but then the night, the coming of which neither
had noticed, swept down suddenly upon them, leaving fifteen hundred men,
nearly a third of those engaged, fallen upon the small area within which
the two vanguards had fought.
But the Union men did not retreat far. Practically, they were holding
their ground, when the darkness put an end to the battle, and they were
full of elation at having fought a draw with superior numbers of the
formidable Jackson. Dick, although exultant, was so much exhausted that
he threw himself upon the ground and panted for breath. When he was able
to rise he looked for Warner and Pennington and found them uninjured.
So was Sergeant Whitley, but the sergeant, contrary to his custom,
was gloomy.
"What's the matter, sergeant?" exclaimed Dick in surprise.
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