ts of infantry, supported by field batteries, charged
also.

The movement was so sudden, so violent and so well-conceived that
Ashby's troops were swept away, despite every effort of the leader, who
galloped back and forth on his white horse begging them to stand. So
powerful was the rush that the cavalry were finally driven in retreat
and with them the Invincibles.

Some of the troops, worn by battles and marches until the will weakened
with the body, broke and ran up the road. Harry heard behind him the
triumphant shouts of their pursuers and he saw the Northern bayonets
gleaming as they came on in masses. Ashby was imploring his men to stand
but they would not. The columns pressing upon them were too heavy and
they scarcely had strength enough left to fight.

More and yet more troops came into battle. The Northern success for the
time was undoubted. The men in blue were driving in the Southern rear
guard, and Ashby was unable to hold the road.

But the two colonels at last succeeded in drawing the Invincibles across
the turnpike, where they knelt in good order and sent volley after
volley into the pursuing ranks. Fremont's men wavered and then stopped,
and Ashby, upbraiding his horsemen and calling their attention to the
resolute stand of the infantry, brought them into action again. Infantry
and cavalry then uniting, drove back the Northern vanguard, and, for the
time being, the Southern rear guard was safe once more.

But the Invincibles and the cavalry were almost exhausted. Harry found
St. Clair wounded, not badly, but with enough loss of blood for Colonel
Talbot to send him to one of the wagons. He insisted that he was
still fit to help hold the road, but Colonel Talbot ordered two of the
soldiers to put him in the wagon and he was compelled to submit.

"We can't let you die now from loss of blood, you young fire-eater,"
said Colonel Talbot severely, "because you may be able to serve us
better by getting killed later on."

St. Clair smiled wanly and with his formal South Carolina politeness
said:

"Thanks, sir, it helps a lot when you're able to put it in such a
satisfactory way."

Harry, who was unhurt, gave St. Clair a strong squeeze of the hand.

"You'll be up and with us again soon, Arthur," he said consolingly, and
then he rode away to Ashby.

"You may tell General Jackson that we can hold them back," said the
cavalry leader grimly. "You have just seen for yourself."

"I have, sir," replied H