n won't you take both to the four men out there? Hungry soldiers
_like_ cold potatoes and bread crusts. I'll see to this fellow.--Now,
sir, what have you got to say for yourself?"

"Major, my feet are so sore, and I was kind of light-headed! First thing
I knew, I just somehow got separated from the brigade--"

"We'll try to find it again for you. What were you doing here?"

"Major, I just asked her for a little licker. And, being light-headed,
maybe I happened to say something or other that she took up notions
about. The first thing I knew--and I just as innocent as her baby--she
up and turned my own musket against me--"

"Who locked the door?"

"Why--why--"

"Take the key out of your pocket and go open it. Faugh!--What's your
brigade?"

"The Stonewall, sir."

"Humph! They'd better stone you out of it. Regiment?"

"65th, sir. Company A.--If you'd be so good just to look at my foot,
sir, you'd see for yourself that I couldn't march--"

"We'll try it with the Rogue's March.--65th. Company A. Richard Cleave's
old company."

"He ain't my best witness, sir. He's got a grudge against me--"

Stafford looked at him. "Don't put yourself in a fury over it. Have you
one against him?"

"I have," said Steve, "and I don't care who knows it! If he was as
steady against you, sir, as he has proved himself against me--"

"I would do much, you mean. What is your name?"

"Steven Dagg."

The woman returned. "They've eaten it all, sir. I saved you a piece of
bread. I wish it was something better."

Stafford took it from her with thanks. "As for this man, my orderly
shall take him up behind, and when we reach Middletown I'll turn him
over with my report to his captain. If any more of his kind come around,
I would advise you just to shoot them at once.--Now you, sir! In front
of me.--March!"

The five horsemen, detail of Flournoy's, sent upon some service the
night before, mounted a hill from which was visible a great stretch of
country. From the east came the Front Royal road; north and south
stretched that great artery, the Valley turnpike. Dust lay over the
Front Royal road. Dust hung above the Valley pike--hung from Strasburg
to Middletown, and well beyond Middletown. Out of each extended cloud,
now at right angles, came rumblings as of thunder. The column beneath
the Front Royal cloud was moving rapidly, halts and delays apparently
over, lassitude gone, energy raised to a forward blowing flame. That on
the Valley p