North or South might win, while I lay
stretched on a hospital bed. It was beyond endurance. If I hadn't got
well so fast that they could let me go, I'd have climbed out of the
window with what strength I had, and have made for the army anyhow.
Did you ever feel a finer wind than this? What a beautiful country!
It must be the most magnificent in the world!"
Dick and Pennington laughed. Old George was growing gushy. But they
understood that he saw with the eyes of the released prisoner.
"It is beautiful," said Dick, "and it's a pity that it should be ripped
up by war. Listen, boys, there's the call that's growing mighty familiar
to us all!"
Far in front behind the hills they heard the low grumbling of cannon.
And further away to the west they heard the same sinister mutter.
The Confederates were scattered widely, and the fateful Orders No. 191
might cause their total destruction, but they were on guard,
nevertheless. Jackson, foreseeing the possible advance of McClellan,
had sent back Hill with a division to help Lee, and to delay the Northern
army until he himself should come with all his force.
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