Colonel Sherburne to see about the fords of the
Potomac."

"I was, sir."

"And he has sent you back with the report?"

"He has, sir. He did not give me any written report for fear that I
might be captured. He did me the honor to say that my verbal message
would be believed."

"It will. I know you, as I do the other members of my staff. Proceed."

"The Potomac is in great flood, sir, and the bridge is destroyed.
It can't be crossed until it runs down to its normal depth."

Harry saw other generals of high rank drawing near. One he recognized as
Longstreet. They were all silent and eager.

"Colonel Sherburne ordered me to say to you, sir," continued Harry,
"that the best fords would be between Williamsport and Hagerstown when
the river ran down."

"When did you leave him?"

"Nearly two days ago, sir."

"You have made good speed through a country swarming with our enemy.
You are entitled to rest."

"It's not all, sir?"

"What else?"

"On my way I captured a messenger with a letter from General Meade to
General Pleasanton. I have the message, sir."

He brought forth the paper from his blouse and extended it to General Lee,
who took it eagerly. Some one held up a torch and he read it aloud to
his generals.

"And so Meade means to trap me," he said, "by coming down on our flank!"

"Since the river is unfordable he'll have plenty of time to attack us
there," said Longstreet.

"But will he dare to attack?" said Stuart defiantly. "He was able to
hold his own in defense at Gettysburg, but it's another thing to take the
offensive. We hear that General Meade is cautious and that he makes many
complaints to his government. A complainer is not the kind of man who
can destroy the Army of Northern Virginia."

"Sometimes it's well to be cautious, General," said Lee.

Then he turned to Harry and said:

"Again I commend you."

Harry saluted proudly, and then fell unconscious at the feet of General
Lee.

When the young staff officer awoke, he was lying in a wagon which was
moving slowly, with many jolts over a very rough road. It was perhaps
one of these jolts that awoke him, because his eyes still felt very heavy
with sleep. His position was comfortable as he lay on a heap of blankets,
and the sides of the wagon looked familiar. Moreover the broad back of
the driver was not that of a stranger. Moving his head into a higher
place on the blankets he called.

"Hey you, Dick Jones, where are you