er-looking river than the Rappahannock!"

"And see the fogs and mists rising from it, too. It looks exactly as it
did the morning of the battle."

"Let it look as it pleases," said Harry. "I'm going to make a dash for
the inside and a fire!"

They found the colonels and the rest of the staff in the sitting-room,
all except two, who were acting as cooks, but their work ceased in a
moment or two, as breakfast was ready. It consisted of coffee and bread
and ham left over from the night before. A heap of timber glowed in
the fireplace and shot forth ruddy flames. Harry's soul fairly warmed
within him.

"Sit down, all of you," said Colonel Talbot, "and we'll help one
another."

They ate with the appetite of the soldier, and Colonel Talbot and
Lieutenant-Colonel St. Hilaire, finishing first, withdrew to a wide
window seat. There they produced the board and box of chessmen and
proceeded to rearrange them exactly as they were before the battle of
Fredericksburg.

"You will recall that your king was in great danger, Leonidas," said
Lieutenant-Colonel Hector St. Hilaire.

"Truly I do, Hector, but I do not think it beyond my power to rescue
him."

"It will be a hard task, Leonidas."

"Hector, I would have you to remember that I am an officer in the Army
of Northern Virginia, and the Army of Northern Virginia prefers hard
tasks to easy ones."

"You put the truth happily, Leonidas, but I must insist that your
position is one of uncommon danger."

"I recognize the fact fully, Hector, but I assert firmly that I will
rescue my red king."

Harry, his part of the work finished, watched them. The two gray
heads bent lower and lower over the table until they almost touched.
Everybody maintained a respectful silence. Colonel Talbot's brow was
corded deeply with thought. It was a full quarter of an hour before
he made a move, and then his opponent looked surprised.

"That does not seem to be your right move, Leonidas."

"But it is, Hector, as you will see presently."

"Very well. I will now choose my own course."

Lieutenant-Colonel St. Hilaire's own brow became corded and knotted as
he put his whole mental energy upon the problem. Harry watched them
a little while, and then strolled over to the other window, where
St. Clair was looking at the ruined town.

"Curious how people can find entertainment in so slow a game," he said,
nodding toward the two colonels.

"That same game has been going on for more th