ravens on high;
Bright reason will mock thee--

He ceased to read, turning his head, for he heard a horse upon the road,
coming from the direction of the mill. It came slowly, with much of
weariness in the very hoof sounds, then left the road for the woodside
and stopped. Ensued a pause while the rider fastened it to some sapling,
then, through the bushes, the former came toward the camp-fire. He
proved to be Maury Stafford. "The courier says General Jackson will
reach Mt. Solon about midnight. General Ewell is getting an hour's sleep
at the mill. I am not sleepy and your fire is attractive. May I keep you
company for awhile?"

Allan was entirely hospitable. "Certainly, sir! Spread your cloak just
there--the wind will blow the smoke the other way. Well, we'll all be
glad to see the army!"

"What are you reading?"

Allan showed him. "Humph!--

Its passions will rock thee
As the storms rock the ravens on high;
Bright reason will mock thee--

Well--we all know the man was a seer."

He laid the book down upon the grey cloak lined with red and sat with
his chin in his hand, staring at the fire. Some moments elapsed before
he spoke; then, "You have known Richard Cleave for a long time?"

"Yes. Ever since we were both younger than we are now. I like him better
than any one I know--and I think he's fond of me."

"He seems to have warm friends."

"He has. He's true as steel, and big-minded. He's strong-thewed--in and
out."

"A little clumsily simple sometimes, do you not think? Lawyer and
soldier grafted on Piers Ploughman, and the seams not well hidden? I
would say there's a lack of grace--"

"I have not noticed it," said Allan dryly. "He's a very good leader."

The other smiled, though only with the lips. "Oh, I am not decrying him!
Why should I? I have heard excellent things of him. He is a favourite,
is he not, with General Jackson?"

"I don't think that General Jackson has favourites."

"At least, he is no longer in disfavour. I remember toward the close of
the Romney expedition--"

"Oh, that!" said Allan, "that was nothing." He put down his pipe. "Let
me see if I can explain to you the ways of this army. You don't know
General Jackson as we do, who have been with him ever since a year ago
and Harper's Ferry! In any number of things he's as gentle as a woman;
in a few others he--isn't. In some things he's like iron. He's rigid in
his discipline, a