During this comparative peace, the heavy
clouds of dust were not floating about, and Dick whose body had come to
life again walked back and forth with his colonel, gazing through their
glasses at the enemy. He scarcely noticed it, but Colonel Winchester's
manner toward him had become paternal. The boy merely ascribed it to the
friendly feeling an officer would feel for a faithful aide, but he knew
that he had in his colonel one to whom he could speak both as a friend
and a protector. Walking together they talked freely of the enemy who
stood before them in such an imposing array.
"Colonel," said Dick, "do you think General Pope is correct in stating
that one wing of the Southern army is already retreating through
Thoroughfare Gap?"
"I don't, Dick. I don't think it is even remotely probable. I'm quite
sure, too, that we have the whole Confederate army in front of us.
We'll have to beat both Lee and Jackson, if we can."
"Where do you think the main attack will be?"
"On Jackson, who is still in front of us. But we have waited a long
time. It must be full noon now.
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