Jove--"

"Yes, sir. It is not my career. God has the matter in hand."

"Well, He knows how to pick his lieutenants!--You have the most ideal
place for a camp, general! But, I suppose, before these coloured leaves
all fall you will be moving?"

"It is an open secret, I suppose, sir," said the correspondent of the
_Times_, "that when McClellan does see fit to cross you will meet him
east of the Blue Ridge?"

"May I ask, sir," said the correspondent of the _Illustrated News_,
"what you think of this latest move on the political chess-board--I mean
Mr. Lincoln's Proclamation of Emancipation?"

"The leaves are," said Jackson, "a beautiful colour. I was in England
one autumn, Colonel Wolseley, but I did not observe our autumn colours
in your foliage. Climate, doubtless. But what was my admiration were
your cathedrals."

"Yes, general; wonderful, are they not? Music in stone. Should McClellan
cross, would the Fredericksburg route--"

"Good! good! Music in stone! Which of your great church structures do
you prefer, sir?"

"Why, sir, I might prefer Westminster Abbey. Would--"

"Good! Westminster Abbey. A soldier's answer. I remember that I
especially liked Durham. I liked the Galilee chapel and the tomb of the
Venerable Bede. St. Cuthbert is buried there, too, is he not?"

"I really don't remember, sir. Is he, Mr. Lawley?"

"I believe so."

"Yes, he is. You haven't got any cathedrals here, General Jackson, but
you've got about the most interesting army on the globe. Will
McClellan--"

"I like the solidity of the early Norman. The foundations were laid in
1093, I believe?"

"Very probably, general. Has General Lee--"

"It has a commanding situation--an advantage which all of your
cathedrals do not possess. I liked the windows best at York. What do you
think, colonel?"

"I think that you are right, general. When your wars are over, I hope
that you will visit England again. I suppose that you cannot say how
soon that will be, sir?"

"No, sir. Only God can say that. I should like to see Ely and
Canterbury." He rose. "Gentlemen, it has been pleasant to meet you. I
hear the adjutant's call. If you would like to find out how my men
_drill_, Colonel Johnson may take you to the parade-ground."

Later, there arrived beneath the crimson gum four of Jeb Stuart's
officers, gallantly mounted and equipped, young and fine. To-day their
usual careless dash was tempered by something of important gravity; if
their eyes da