hester in truth believed every word that Shepard had said,
sinister though they were. He said that Jackson was behind them, that
he had done the great destruction at Bristoe Station and he had not the
slightest doubt that Jackson was there.

Shepard flushing a little with gratification at Colonel Winchester's
praise quickly recovered his customary self possession. Once more he was
the iron-willed, self-contained man who daily dared everything for the
cause he served.

"Thank you, Colonel," he said, "I've got to go out and get a little food
now. All I say will be proved soon enough."

The three boys, like Colonel Winchester, did not doubt the truth of
Shepard's news, and they looked northeast for the dust clouds which
should mark the approach of Jackson.

"We've been outmaneuvered," said Warner to Dick, "but it's no reason why
we should be outfought."

"No, George, it isn't. We've eighty thousand men as brave as any in the
world, and, from what we hear they haven't as many. We ought to smash
their old trap all to pieces."

"If our generals will only give us a chance."

Shepard's prediction that his news would soon prove true was verified
almost at once. General Pope himself returned to his army and dispatch
after dispatch arrived stating that Jackson and his whole force had been
at Bristoe Station while the Union stores were burning.

"Now is our chance," said Dick to his comrades, "why doesn't the general
move on Jackson at once, and destroy him before Lee can come to his
help?"

"I'm praying for it," said Warner.

"From what I hear it's going to be done," said Pennington.

Their hopes came true. Pope at once took the bold course, and marched on
Jackson, but the elusive Stonewall was gone. They tramped about in
the heat and dust in search of him. One portion of the army including
Colonel Winchester's regiment turned off in the afternoon toward a place
of a few houses called Warrenton. It lay over toward the Gap through
which Jackson had gone and while the division ten thousand strong did
not expect to find anything there it was nevertheless ordered to look.

Dick rode by the side of his colonel ready for any command, but the
mystery, and uncertainty had begun to weigh upon him again. It seemed
when they had the first news that Jackson was behind them, that they had
a splendid opportunity to turn upon him and annihilate him before Lee
could come. But he was gone. They had looked upon the smoldering ruins
o