In this desperate crisis of the Confederacy, more desperate than any of
the Southern generals yet realized, the brain under the old slouch hat
never worked with more precision, clearness and brilliancy. He would
not only do his own task, but he would help his chief while doing it.
When McClellan began his march after a delay of a day he was nearer to
Lee than Jackson was and every chance was his, save those that lightning
perception and unyielding courage win.
The lads heard the mutter of the cannon grow louder, and rise to a
distant thunder. Far ahead of them, where high hills thick with forest
rose, they saw smoke and flashes of fire. A young Maryland cavalry
officer, riding near, explained to them that the point from which the
cannonade came was a gap in South Mountain, although it was as yet
invisible, owing to the forest.
"We heard that Lee's army was much further away," said Warner to Dick.
"What can it mean? What force is there fighting our vanguard?"
It was Shepard, the spy, who brought them the facts. He had already
reported to General McClellan, when he approached Colonel Winchester.
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