ts presence yet remained unknown.

The Southern lines now stretched for a long distance through the forest,
cutting across a turnpike, down which the muzzles of four heavy guns
pointed. The cavalry, not far away, were holding back their magnificent
horses. Harry saw Sherburne on their flank nearest to him, and a smile
of triumph passed between them. Off in the forest the strong division
of A. P. Hill was advancing, the sound of their coming audible to the
South but not to the North.

For an hour and a half the formation of the Southern army went on.
Despite the danger of discovery, present every moment, Jackson was
resolved to perfect his preparations for the attack. He was calm,
methodical, and showed no emotion now, however much he may have felt it.
Harry rode back and forth, sometimes with him and sometimes alone,
carrying messages. He expected every instant to hear the crack of some
Northern scout's rifle and his shout of alarm, but the incredible not
only happened--it kept on happening. There was not a single Northern
skirmisher in the bushes. The only sounds that came from their camp
to the Southern scouts were the clatter of dishes and the laughter of
youths who knew that no danger was near.

The sun was far down the western arch, and it seemed to Harry for a
moment or two that no battle might occur that day, but a glance at
Jackson and his incessant activity showed him he was mistaken. The
arrangements were now almost complete. In front were the skirmishers,
then the first line, and a little behind it the second line, and then
Hill with the third line. Although they stood in thick forest, the
lines were even and regular, despite trees and bushes.

The Invincibles were in the second line. Owing to the density of the
forest, the two colonels and their young staff officers had dismounted.
Harry passed them, and Colonel Talbot said to him:

"Do you know when we'll advance, Harry?"

"It can't be much longer. What time is it, Colonel?"

Colonel Talbot opened his watch, looked carefully at the face, and as he
closed it again and put it back in his pocket, he replied gravely:

"It's five forty-five o'clock of a memorable afternoon, Harry."

"It's true, Leonidas," said Lieutenant-Colonel Hector St. Hilaire,
"and whatever happens to us, it will be a pleasure to us both to know,
even beyond the grave, that we have served long under the Christian
soldier and great genius, Stonewall Jackson."

"You'll