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Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander), 1862-1919

"A Story of Lee's Great Stand"

Judging by your looks you've had quite a
time, Harry. Now hurry on with him, boys!"
"So I have had, Colonel, but the appearance of you, Lieutenant-Colonel
St. Hilaire and the boys was like a light from Heaven. Good-by!"
"Good-by!" the two colonels called back, but their voices were already
dying in the distance as Harry and his comrades were now riding rapidly
down the valley, knee to knee, because St. Clair and Langdon meant to
keep very close to him. They saw that he was a little unsteady, and that
his eyes were unnaturally bright. They knew, too, that if he said he
had great news for General Lee he told the truth, and they meant that he
should get there with it in the least time possible.
The valley opened out before them, broadening considerably as they
advanced. The night was far gone, there was not much moonlight, but
their eyes had grown used to the dark, and they could see well. They
passed sentinels and small detachments of cavalry, to whom St. Clair and
Langdon gave the quick password. They saw fields of wheat stubble and
pastures and crossed two brooks. The curiosity of Langdon and St. Clair
was overwhelming but they restrained it for a long time. They could tell
by his appearance that he had passed through unimaginable hardships,
but they were loath to ask questions.


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