Toward them swung the long column, through the stillness of the dawn, down the side of the ridge, over the soundless road, into the mist of the bottom lands. The leading regiment chanced to be the 2d; colonel and adjutant and others riding at the head. "Hello! It's Richard Cleave!--The top of the morning to you, Cleave!--knew that Old Jack had sent you off somewhere, but didn't know where.--Where are we going? By God, if you'll tell us, we'll tell you! Apparently we're leaving the Valley--damn it all! Train to Richmond by night, I reckon. We've left Fourth of July, Christmas, and New Year behind us--Banks rubbing his hands, Fremont doing a scalp dance, Milroy choosing headquarters in Staunton! Well, it doesn't stand thinking of. You had as well waited for us at the Gap. The general? Just behind, head of main column. He's jerked that right hand of his into the air sixteen times since we left Harrisonburg day before yesterday, and the staff says he prays at night most powerful. Done a little praying myself; hope the Lord will look after the Valley, seeing we aren't going to do it ourselves!" Cleave drew his horse to one side. "I'll wait here until he comes up--no, not the Lord; General Jackson. I want, too, to speak to Will. Where in column is the 65th?" "Fourth, I think. He's a nice boy--Will. It was pretty to watch him at Kernstown--V. M. I. airs and precision, and gallantry enough for a dozen!" "I'll tell him you said so, colonel! Good-bye!" Will, too, wanted to know--he said that Mr. Rat wanted to know--all the fellows wanted to know, what--("I wish you'd let me swear, Richard!") what it all meant? "Mr. Rat and I don't believe he's responsible--it isn't in the least like his usual conduct! Old Jack backing away from cannons and such--quitting parade ground before it's time!--marching off to barracks with a beautiful rumpus behind him! It ain't natural! Mark my words, Richard, and Mr. Rat thinks so, too, it's General Lee or General Johnston, and he's got to obey and can't help himself!--What do you think?" "I think it will turn out all right. Now march on, boy! The colonel says he watched you at Kernstown; says you did mighty well--'gallant for a dozen!'" General Jackson on Little Sorrel was met with further on. Imperturbable and self-absorbed, with his weather-stained uniform, his great boots, his dreadful cap, he exhibited as he rode a demeanour in which there was neither heaviness nor lightness. Never jovial, seldom genial, he was on one day much what he was on another--saving always battle days. Riding with his steadfast grey-blue eyes level before him, he communed with himself or with Heaven--certainly not with his dissatisfied troops. He acknowledged Cleave's salute, and took the letter which the other produced. "Good! good! What did you do at Charlottesville?" "I sent the stores on to Major Harman at Staunton, sir. There was a good deal of munition." He gave a memorandum.