did not
disturb him, nor did he dream. His slumbers were as sound as if he lay
in his distant bed in Pendleton.

While Dick and his comrades slept Sheridan was moving the men on his
chess board. Young in years, but great in experience, he was never more
eager and never more clear of mind than on this, one of the most eventful
days of his life. He saw the opportunity, and he was resolved that it
should not escape him. Two great reputations were made in the valley
by men very unlike, Stonewall Jackson and Little Phil Sheridan. In the
earlier years of the war the Union armies had suffered many disasters
there at the hands of the leader under the old slouch hat, and now
Sheridan was resolved to retrieve everything, not with one victory alone,
but with many.

There was firing in the valley all day long, the crackling of the rifles,
the thudding of the great guns, and the occasional charge of horsemen.
The curtain of smoke hung nearly always. Sometimes it grew thicker,
and sometimes it became thinner, but Sheridan's mind was not upon these
things, they were merely the veil before him, while behind it, as a
screen, he arranged the men on his chess board. When night came his
whole line was pushed forward. His vanguard held the northern part of
the little town of Strasburg, while Early's held the southern part,
only a few hundred yards away. In the night the large force under Crook
was moved into the thick forest along Cedar Creek, where it was to lie
silent and hidden until it received the word of command.

All the next day the movements were continued, while Crook's force,
intended to be the striking arm, was still concealed in the timber.
Yet before dark there was a heavy combat, in which the Southern troops
were driven out of Strasburg, enabling the Northern batteries to advance
to strong positions. That night Crook's whole strength was brought
across Cedar Creek, but was hidden again in heavy timber. To the great
pleasure of its colonel and other officers the Winchester regiment was
sent to join it as a cavalry support.

It was quite dark when they rode their horses across the creek and
Shepard was again with them as guide. Although he concealed it, the spy
felt a great exultation. The map that he had brought from his sister had
proved invaluable. Sheridan was using it every hour, and Shepard was
giving further assistance through his thorough knowledge of the ground.
Dick was glad to ride beside him and w