brush and rushed directly into the gray
ranks of the Invincibles before they could be fired upon by mistake
as enemies. The two colonels had dismounted, but they recognized the
fugitives instantly and welcomed them.

"Why this hurry, Lieutenant Kenton?" said Colonel Talbot politely.

"We were trying to reach General Lee, and not being able to do so,
we are anxious to greet friends."

"So it would seem. I do not recall another such swift and warm
greeting."

"But we're glad, Leonidas, that they've found refuge with us," said
Lieutenant-Colonel Hector St. Hilaire.

"So we are, Hector. Down there, lads, for your lives!"

The colonel had seen a movement in the hostile artillery, and at his
sharp command all of the Invincibles and the two lads threw themselves
on their faces, not a moment too soon, as a hideous mass of grape and
canister flew over their heads. The Invincibles, rising to their feet,
sent a return volley from their rifles, and then, at the command of a
general, fell back behind their own cannon.

The Northern artillery in front was shifted, evidently to protect some
weaker position of their line, but the Southern troops in the road did
not advance farther at present, awaiting the report of scouts who were
quickly sent ahead.

"You're welcome to our command," said Langdon, "but I notice that you
come on foot and in a hurry. We're glad to protect officers on the
staff of the commander-in-chief, whenever they appeal to us."

"Even when they come running like scared colts," said St. Clair.
"Why, Happy, I saw both of 'em jump clean over bushes ten feet high."

"You'd have jumped over trees a hundred feet high if a hundred thousand
Yankees were shooting at you as they were shooting at us," rejoined
Harry.

"What place is this in the valley, Harry?" asked Colonel Talbot.

"It's called Gettysburg, sir. We heard that it was full of shoes.
We went there this morning to get em, but we found instead that it was
full of Yankees."

"And they know how to shoot, too," said Lieutenant-Colonel St. Hilaire.
"We heard all the thunder of a great battle as we came up."

"You haven't come too soon, sir," said Dalton. "The Yankees are
fighting like fiends, and we've made very little headway against 'em.
Besides, sir, fresh men are continually coming up for 'em."

"And fresh men have now come for our side, too," said Colonel Leonidas
Talbot proudly. "I fancy that a division of Jackson's old corps will
have