uthern cavalry was coming with equal speed.
They continually saw the flash of arms in both east and west. The force
in the west was the nearer of the two. Not only was Sherburne there, but
Harry Kenton was with him, and besides their own natural zeal they had
all the eagerness and daring infused into them by the great spirit and
brilliant successes of Jackson.

"They won't be able to enclose us between the two horns of their
horsemen," said Sergeant Whitley, whose face was very grave, "and the
battle won't be to-morrow or the next day."

"Why not? I thought Jackson was swift," said Warner.

"Cause it will be fought to-day. I thought Jackson was swift, too, but
he's swifter than I thought. Them feet cavalry of his don't have to
change their name. Look into the road comin' up that narrow valley."

The eyes of the three boys followed his pointing finger, and they now
saw masses of infantry, men in gray pressing forward at full speed. They
saw also batteries of cannon, and Dick almost fancied he could hear the
rumble of their wheels.

"Looks as if the sergeant was right," said Pennington. "Stonewall
Jackson is here."

They increased their speed to a gallop, making directly for Cedar Run, a
cold, clear little stream coming out of the hills. It was now about the
middle of the morning and the day was burning hot and breathless.
Their hearts began to pound with excitement, and their breath was drawn
painfully through throats lined with dust.

A long ridge covered with forest rose on one side of them and now they
saw the flash of many bayonets and rifle barrels along its lowest slope.
Another heavy column of infantry was advancing, and presently they heard
the far note of trumpets calling to one another.

"Their whole army is in touch," said the sergeant. "The trumpets show
it. Often on the plains, when we had to divide our little force into
detachments, they'd have bugle talk with one another. We must go faster
if we can."

They got another ounce of strength out of their horses, and now they
saw Union cavalry in front. In a minute or two they were among the blue
horsemen, giving the hasty news of Jackson's advance. Other scouts and
staff officers arrived a little later with like messages, and not long
afterward they heard shots behind them telling them that the hostile
pickets were in touch.

They watered their horses in Cedar Run, crossed it and rejoined their
own regiment under Colonel Arthur Winchester. The colon