of Lee and Jackson.

Dick, an intense patriot, passed many bitter moments. He, like others,
felt that the hand upon the reins was not sure. Instead of finding the
enemy and assailing him with all their strength, they were waiting in
doubt and alarm to fend off a stroke that would come from some unknown
point out of the dark.

The army now lay in one of the finest parts of Virginia, a region of
picturesque mountains, wide and fertile valleys, and of many clear
creeks and rivers coming down from the peaks and ridges. To one side lay
a great forest, known as the Wilderness, destined, with the country near
it, to become the greatest battlefield of the world. Here, the terrible
battles of the Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville,
the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and others less sanguinary, but great
struggles, nevertheless, were to be fought.

But these were yet in the future, and Dick, much as his eyes had been
opened, did not yet dream how tremendous the epic combat was to be. He
only knew that to-day it was the middle of August, the valleys were very
hot, but it was shady and cool on the hills and mountains. He knew, too,
that he was young, and that pessimism and gloom could not abide long
with him.

He and Warner and Pennington had good horses, in place of those that
they had lost at Cedar Run, and often they rode to the front to see
what might be seen of the enemy, which at present was nothing. Their
battlefield at Cedar Run had been reoccupied by Northern troops and Pope
was now confirmed in his belief that his men had won a victory there.
And this victory was to be merely a prelude to another and far greater
one.

As they rode here and there in search of the enemy, Dick came upon
familiar ground. Once more he saw the field of Manassas which had been
lost so hardly the year before. He remembered every hill and brook and
curve of the little river, because they had been etched into his brain
with steel and fire. How could anyone forget that day?

"Looks as if we might fight our battle of last year over again, but on a
much bigger scale," he said to Warner.

"Here or hereabouts," said the Vermonter, "and I think we ought to win.
They've got the better generals, but we've got more men. Besides, our
troops are becoming experienced and they've shown their mettle. Dick,
here's a farmer gathering corn. Let's ask him some questions, but I'll
wager you a hundred to one before we begin that he knows absolutely