Ewell listened bright-eyed. "I am glad to hear you say that, for damn me, confidence is what I want! I want, sir, to be world-without-end-sure that my commanding officer is forever and eternally right, and then I want to be let go ahead!--I want to be let feel just as though I were a captain of fifty dragoons, and nothing to do but to get back to post by the sunset gun and report the work done!--And so you think that when my force and old Jackson's force get together we'll do big things?" "Fairly big, sir. It is fortunate to expect them. They will arrive the sooner." Ewell bobbed his head. "Yes, yes, that's true! Now, major, I'm going to review the troops this morning, and then I'll write an answer for General Jackson, and you'll take it to him and tell him I'm coming on by Stanardsville, just as he says, and that I'll rest on Sunday. Maybe even we'll find a church--Presbyterian." He rose. "You'd better come with me.--I've got some more questions to ask. Better see my troops, too. Old Jackson might as well know what beautiful children I've got. Have you any idea yourself what I'm expected to do at Stanardsville?" "I don't know what General Jackson expects, sir. But my own idea is that you'll not be long at Stanardsville." "He'll whistle again, will he?" "I think so. But I speak without authority." "There's an idea abroad that he means to leave the Valley--come east--cross the mountains himself instead of my crossing them. What do you think of that?" "I am not in his council, sir. The Valley people would hate to see him go." "Well, all that I can say is that I hope Banks is puzzled, too!--Jim, Jim! damn you, where's my sword and sash?" As they went Ewell talked on in his piping voice. "General Jackson mustn't fling my brigades against windmills or lose them in the mountains! I'm fair to confess I feel anxious. Out on the plains when we chase Apaches we chase 'em! We don't go deviating like a love vine all over creation.--That's Harry Hayes's band--playing some Frenchy thing or other! Cavalry's over there--I know you've got Ashby, but Flournoy and Munford are right wicked, too!" "The--Virginia is with you, sir?" "Yes. Fine regiment. You know it?" "I know one of its officers--Major Stafford." "Oh, we all know Maury Stafford! Fine fellow, but damned restless. General Taylor says he is in love. I was in love once myself, but I don't remember that I was restless. He is. He was with Loring but transferred.--You went to Romney together?" "Yes, we went together." "Fine fellow, but unhappy. Canker somewhere, I should say. Here we are, and if General Jackson don't treat my army well, I'll--I'll--I'll know he's crazy!"