back thar on Thunder Run."

"There the Yankees come!" cried Coffin. "There! a stream of them--up
that narrow valley!--Now--now--now Early has touched them!--Damn you,
Billy! What's the matter?"

"It's the wood," answered Billy. "Thar's something coming out of the
lonesome wood."

On the left the 1st and 42d Virginia were the advance regiments. Out of
the forest, startling, unexpected, burst a long blue battle line. Banks,
a brave man if not a wise one, interpreted Pope's orders somewhat to
suit himself, and attacked without waiting for Sigel or McDowell. In
this instance valor seemed likely to prove the better part of
discretion. Of the grey generals, Hill was not up, Early was hotly
engaged, the artillery fire, grey and blue alike, sweeping the defile
before Ewell kept him on the mountain side. Bayonets fixed, bright
colours tossing, skirmishers advanced, on with verve and determination
came Banks's attack. As it crossed the yellow stubble field Taliaferro
and Campbell, startled by the apparition but steady, poured in a
withering fire. But the blue came on, swung its right and partly
surrounded the 1st Virginia. Amid a hell of shots, bayonet work, shouts,
and cries 1st Virginia broke; fell back upon the 42d, that in its turn
was overwhelmed. Down came the blue wave on Taliaferro's flank. The
wheat field filled with uproar. Taliaferro broke, Campbell broke.

The Stonewall stirred like leaves in autumn. Ronald, colonel of the 2d,
commanding in Winder's place, made with despatch a line of battle. The
smoke was everywhere, rolling and thick. Out of it came abruptly a
voice. "I have always depended upon this brigade. Forward!"

Billy had an impression of wheat stubble beneath his feet, wheat stubble
thick strewn with men, silent or lamentably crying out, and about his
ears a whistling storm of minies. There was, too, a whirl of grey forms.
There was no alignment--regiments were dashed to pieces--everybody was
mixed up. It was like an overturned beehive. Then in the swirling smoke,
in the swarm and shouting and grey rout, he saw Little Sorrel, and
Stonewall Jackson standing in his stirrups. He had drawn his sabre; it
flashed above his head like a gleam from the sinking sun. Billy spoke
aloud. "I've been with him from the first, and this air the first time I
ever saw him do that." As he spoke he caught hold of a fleeing grey
soldier. "Stand still and fight! Thar ain't nothing in the rear but
damned safety!"

The grey s