at the same time.

"What is that?" he exclaimed.

"It looks like a forest fire, general," replied Sherburne.

"You're right, captain, and it's growing."

As they galloped forward they saw the red light expand rapidly and
spread directly across their path. The whole forest was on fire. Great
flames rose up the trunks of trees and leaped from bough to bough.
Sparks flew in millions and vast clouds of smoke, picked up by the wind,
were whirled in their faces.

The troop of cavalry was compelled to pause and General Jackson,
brushing the smoke from his eyes, said:

"Clever! very clever! Milroy has put a fiery wall between us."

The device was a complete success. The pursuing men in gray could pass
around the fire at points, and wait at other points for it to burn out,
but they lost so much time that their cavalry were able only to skirmish
with the Northern rear guard. Then when night came on Milroy escaped
under cover of the thick and smoky darkness.

Harry slept on the ground that night, but the precious cloak was around
him. He slept beyond the dawn as the pursuit was now abandoned, but
when he arose smoke was still floating over the valley and the burned
forests. He was stiff and sore, but the fierce hunger that assailed
him made him forget the aching of his bones. He had eaten nothing for
thirty-six hours. He had forgotten until then that there was such a
thing as food. But the sight of Langdon holding a piece of frying bacon
on a stick afflicted him with a raging desire.

"Give me that bacon, Tom," he cried, "or I'll set the rest of the forest
on fire!"

"No need, you old war-horse. I was just bringing it to you. There's
plenty more where this came from. The foot cavalry took it at McDowell,
and like the wise boys they are brought it on with them. Come and join
us. Your general is already riding a bit up the valley, and, as he
didn't call you, it follows that he doesn't want you."

Harry followed him gladly. The Invincibles had found a good place, and
were cooking a solid breakfast. They had bacon and ham and coffee
and bread in abundance, and for a while there was a great eating and
drinking.

To youth which had marched and fought without food it was not a
breakfast. It was a banquet and a feast. Young frames which recover
quickly responded at once. Now and then, the musical clatter of iron
spoons and knives on iron cups and plates was broken by deep sighs of
satisfaction. But they did not speak for a