now."

The two looked at each other and grinned. The ignorance of the army grew
dense beyond all computation. Long afterward, "I don't know," became a
favorite and convenient reply, even when the knowledge was present.

It was nearly two weeks after Port Republic before the troops had any
idea where they were going. They came to a little place called Hanover
Junction and they thought they were going to turn there and meet
McDowell, but they passed on, and one evening they encamped in a wood.
As they were eating supper they heard the muttering thunder of guns
toward the south, and throughout the brigades the conviction spread that
they were on the way to Richmond.

The next night, Harry, who was asleep, was touched by a light hand. He
awoke instantly, and when he saw General Jackson standing over him, he
sprang up.

"I am going on a long ride," said the general briefly, "and I want only
one man to go with me. I've chosen you. Get your horse. We start in five
minutes."

Harry, a little dazed yet from sleep and the great honor that had been
thrust upon him, ran, nevertheless, for his horse, and was ready with a
minute to spare.

"Keep by my side," said Jackson curtly, and the two rode in silence from
the camp, watched in wonder by the sentinels, who saw their general and
his lone attendant disappear in the forest to the south.

It was then one o'clock in the morning of a moonlight night, and the
errand of Jackson was an absolute secret. Three or four miles from the
camp a sentinel slipped from the woods and stopped them. He was one
of their own pickets, on a far out-lying post, but to the amazement of
Harry, Jackson did not tell who he was.

"I'm an officer on Stonewall Jackson's staff, carrying dispatches," he
said. "You must let me pass."

"It's not enough. Show me an order from him."

"I have no order," replied the equable voice, "but my dispatches are of
the greatest importance. Kindly let me pass immediately."

The sentinel shook his head.

"Draw back your horses," he said. "Without an order from the general you
don't go a step further."

Harry had not spoken a word. He had ceased to wonder why Jackson
refused to reveal his identity. If he did not do so it must be for some
excellent reason, and, meanwhile, the boy waited placidly.

"So you won't let us pass," said Jackson. "Is the commander of the
picket near by?"

"I can whistle so he'll hear me."

"Then will you kindly whistle?"

The sentinel