lumn of the Invincibles leaped forward, the necks of the
horses outstretched, the men raising their sabers and flashing them above
their heads. Dick drew deep breaths and his pulses beat painfully.
Had he realized what his wishes were then he would have considered
himself a traitor. In those swift moments his heart was with the
Invincibles and not with the blue columns that stood up against them.

He saw the gray horsemen sweep forward into a cloud of fire and smoke,
in which he caught the occasional flash of a saber. The combat behind
the veil lasted only a minute or two, though it seemed an hour to Dick,
and then he saw the blue infantry reeling back, their advance checked by
the charge of the Invincibles. A cheer rose in Dick's throat, but he
checked it, and then, remembering, he trembled in a brief chill, as if
shaken by the knowledge that for a few moments at least he had not been
true to the cause for which he fought.

"A gallant charge those Johnnies made," said Warner, "and it's been
effective, too. Our men are falling back, while the Johnnies are
returning to their place near the wood."

Dick was straining his eyes through the glasses to see whether any one of
the five whom he knew had fallen, but as the Invincibles returned from
their victorious charge in a close mass it was impossible for him to
tell. A number of saddles had been emptied, as riderless horses were
galloping wildly over the plain. He sighed a little and replaced his
glasses in their case.

"Here come more of our cavalry!" said Warner.

They heard the heavy beat of many hoofs and in an instant many horsemen
swarmed about them. It was Sheridan himself who led them, his face
flushed and eager and his eyes blazing. He was a little man, but he was
electric in his energy, and his very presence seemed to communicate more
spirit and fire to the troops. The officers crowded about him, and,
while he swept the field with his glasses, he also gave a rapid command.

The Southern resistance, despite inferior numbers, was valiant and
enduring. Their heavy guns were pouring a deadly fire upon the Northern
center. Beyond the taking of the fort by the cavalry the Army of the
Shenandoah had made no progress, and the Southern troops were rapidly
concentrating at every critical point. Old Jube Early, mighty swearer,
was proving himself a master of men.

Dick could not watch Sheridan long, as the cavalry were quickly sent off
to the left to clear