e, as many boys who led
companies, or even regiments, and the days were sufficient for his
thoughts. He was not thinking of the distant years and what they might
bring. Both he and Dalton felt joy when General Lee sent for them and
told them that, having been valued members of General Jackson's staff,
they were now to become members of his own. All he asked of them was
to serve him as well as they had served General Jackson.

Harry was moved so deeply that he could scarcely thank him. He felt
springing up in his breast the same affection and hero-worship for Lee
that he had felt for Jackson. And as the close association with Lee
continued, this feeling grew both in his heart and in that of Dalton.

The soul of youth cannot be kept down, and Harry's spirits returned as
he rode back and forth on Lee's errands. Moreover, spring was in full
tide and his blood rose with it. The Wilderness, in which the dead men
lay, and all the surrounding country were turning a deep green, and the
waters of the Rappahannock often flashed in gold or silver as the sun
blazed or grew dim. Pleasant relations between the sentries on the
two sides of the river were renewed. Tobacco, newspapers, and other
harmless articles were passed back and forth, when the officers
conveniently turned their backs. Nor was it always that the younger
officers turned away.

Harry was in a boat near the right bank when he saw another boat about
thirty yards from the left shore. It contained a half dozen men,
and he recognized one of the figures at once. Putting his hands,
trumpet-shaped, to his mouth, he shouted:

"Mr. Shepard! Oh, I say, Mr. Shepard!"

The man looked up, and, evidently recognizing Harry, he had the boat
rowed a little nearer. Harry had his own moved forward a little,
and he stopped at a point where they could talk conveniently.

"You may not believe me," said Shepard, "but I felt pleasure when I
heard your voice and recognized your face. I am glad to know that you
did not fall in the great battle."

"I do believe you, and I am not merely exchanging compliments when I say
that I rejoice that you, too, came out of it alive."

"Nevertheless, luck was against us then," said Shepard, and Harry,
even at the distance, saw a shadow cross his face. "I saw the great
flank movement of Jackson and I understood its nature. I was on my way
to General Hooker with all speed to warn him, and I would have got there
in time had it not been