"
They sprang from their horses, St. Clair spoke quickly with a watching
officer who went at once to awaken Lee. Harry dimly saw the form of the
general who was sleeping on a blanket, spread over small boughs. Near
him a man in brilliant uniform was walking softly back and forth, and now
and then impatiently striking the tops of his high yellow-topped boots
with a little riding whip. Harry knew at once that it was Stuart,
but the cavalry leader had not yet noticed him.
Harry saw the officer bend over the commander-in-chief, who rose in an
instant to his feet. He was fully dressed and he showed gray in the
dusky light, but he seemed as ever calm and grave. Harry felt instantly
the same swell of courage that the presence of Jackson had always brought
to him. It was Lee, the indomitable, the man of genius, who could not
be beaten. He heard him say to the officer who had awakened him, "Bring
him immediately!" and he stepped forward, strengthening himself anew and
filled with pride that he should be the first to arrive, as he felt that
he certainly now was.
"Lieutenant Kenton!" said Lee.
"Yes, sir," said Harry, lifting his cap.
"You were sent with Colonel Sherburne to see about the fords of the
Potomac.
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