no madness in the
other plan--if the movement is rapid. Sometimes to be bold is the sanest
thing you can do. It is necessary of course that the enemy should be
kept in darkness."

"Then, general, you will undertake the reduction of Harper's Ferry?"

"If you order me to do it, sir, I will do it."

"Very good. You will start at dawn. Besides your own you shall have
McLaws's and Anderson's divisions. The remainder of the army will leave
Frederick an hour or two later. Colonel Chilton will at once issue the
order of march." He drew a piece of paper toward him and with a pencil
made a memorandum--SPECIAL ORDERS, NO. 191.

The remainder of the ninth of September passed. The tenth of September
passed, and the eleventh, mild, balmy and extremely still. The twelfth
found the landscape for miles around Frederick still dozing. At noon,
however, upon this day things changed. McClellan's strong cavalry
advance came into touch with Jeb Stuart a league or two to the east.
There ensued a skirmish approaching in dignity to an engagement. Finally
the grey drew off, though not, to the Federal surprise, in the direction
of Frederick. Instead they galloped north.

The blue advance trotted on, sabre to hand, ready for the dash into
Frederick. Pierced at last was the grey, movable screen! Now with the
infantry close behind, with the magnificent artillery rumbling up, with
McClellan grim from the Seven Days--now for the impact which should
wipe out the memory of the defeat of a fortnight ago, of the second Bull
Run, an impact that should grind rebellion small! They came to Frederick
and found a quiet shell. There was no one there to sabre.

Information abounded. McClellan, riding in with his staff toward
evening, found himself in a sandstorm of news, through which nothing
could be distinctly observed. Prominent citizens were brought before
him. "Yes, general; they undoubtedly went north. Yes, sir, the morning
of the tenth. Two columns, but starting one just after the other and on
the same road. Yes, sir, some of our younger men did follow on horseback
after an hour or two. They could just see the columns still moving
north. Then they ran against Stuart's cordon and they had to turn back.
Frederick's been just like a desert island--nobody coming and nobody
getting away. For all he's as frisky as a puppy, Jeb Stuart's a mighty
good watch dog!"

McClellan laughed. "'Beauty' Stuart!--I wish I had him here." He grew
grave again. "I am obli