"But you ought to. They need it." Dick laughed. "Frank," he said, "I give you your own advice to me. Don't argue with him. With him the best proof that he's always right is because he thinks he is." "I think clearly and directly, which can be said of very few of my friends," rejoined Warner. Then all three of them laughed and lay down again, resting their heads on soft lumps of turf. They were under the boughs of a fine oak, on which the leaves were yet thick. Birds, hidden among the leaves, began to sing, and the three, astonished, raised themselves up again. It was a chorus, beautiful and startling, and many other soldiers listened to the sound, so unlike that which they had been hearing all day. "Strange, isn't it?" said Pennington. "But fine to hear," said Warner. "Likely they were in the tree this morning when the battle began," said Dick, "and the cannon and the rifles frightened 'em so much that they stayed close within the leaves. Now they're singing with joy, because it's all over." "A good guess, I think, Dick," said Warner, "but isn't it beautiful at such a time and such a place? How these little fellows must be swelling their throats! I don't believe they ever sang so well before." "I didn't think today that I'd be sung to sleep tonight," said Dick, "but it's going to happen." When his eyes closed and he floated away to slumberland it was to the thrilling song of a bird on a bough above his head. CHAPTER VIII THE MESSENGER FROM RICHMOND It seemed that Dick and his comrades were to see an activity in the valley under Sheridan much like that which Harry and his friends had experienced under Stonewall Jackson earlier in the war. All of the men before they went to sleep that night had felt confirmed in the belief that a strong hand was over them, and that a powerful and clear mind was directing them. There would be no more prodigal waste of men and supplies. No more would a Southern general have an opportunity to beat scattered forces in detail. The Union had given Sheridan a splendid army and a splendid equipment, and he would make the most of both. Their belief in Sheridan's activity and energy was justified fully, perhaps to their own discomfort, as the trumpets sounded before dawn, and they ate a hasty breakfast, while the valley was yet dark. Then they were ordered to saddle and ride at once. "What, so early?" exclaimed Pennington. "Why, it's not daylight yet. Isn't this new general of ours overdoing it?" "We wanted a general who would lead," said Warner, "and we've got him." "But a battle a day! Isn't that too large an allowance?" "No. We've a certain number of battles to fight, and the sooner we fight them the sooner the war will be over." "Here comes the dawn," said Dick, "and the bugles are singing to us to march. It's the cavalry that are to show the way."