Neither he nor his horse was hurt--their very speed, perhaps, saved them and they entered the wood, where the Southern cavalry were riding. “General Ashby!” he cried to the first man he saw. “Where is he? I've a message from General Jackson!” The soldier pointed to a figure on horseback but a short distance away, and Harry galloped up. “General Jackson asks you to press the enemy harder!” he said to Ashby. “He wishes him to be driven in rapidly!” A faint flush came into the brown cheeks of Ashby. “He shall be obeyed,” he replied. “We're about to charge in full force! Hold, young man! You can't go back now! You must charge with us!” He put his hand on Harry's rein as he spoke, and the boy saw that a strong force of Northern cavalry had now appeared in the fields directly between him and his general. Ashby turned the next instant to a bugler at his elbow and exclaimed fiercely: “Blow! Blow with all your might!” The piercing notes of the charge rang forth again and again. Ashby, shouting loudly and continuously and waving his sword above his head, galloped forward. His whole cavalry force galloped with him and swept down upon the defenders. Nor did Ashby lack support. The Acadians led by Taylor swung forward on a run, and a battery, coming at the double quick, unlimbered and opened fire. Jackson had directed all, he had brought up the converging lines, and the whole Northern rear guard, two thousand cavalry, some infantry and a battery, were caught. Just before them lay the little village of Middletown, and in an instant they were driven into its streets, where they were raked by shot and shell from the cannon, while the rifles of the cavalry and of the Louisiana troops swept them with bullets. Again the Northern soldiers, brave and tenacious though they might be, could make no stand against the terrible rush of Jackson's victorious and superior numbers. They had no such leading as their foes. The man, the praying professor, was proving himself everything. As at Front Royal, the Northern force was crushed. It burst from the village in fragments, and fled in many directions. But Jackson urged on the pursuit. Ashby's cavalry charged again and again, taking prisoners everywhere. The people of Middletown, as red-hot for the South as were those of Front Royal, rushed from their houses and guided the victors along the right roads. They pointed where two batteries and a train of wagons were fleeing toward Winchester, and Ashby, with his cavalry, Harry still at his elbow, raced in pursuit. CHAPTER X. WINCHESTER