Harry saw, too, that his own opinion
was that of his superior officer. Watching the commander-in-chief
intently he saw a trace of satisfaction in the blue eyes. Presently
all of them rode back.
Thus that day passed and then another wore on. Harry and Dalton had
little to do. The whole Army of Northern Virginia was in position,
defiant, challenging even, and the Army of the Potomac made no movement
forward. Harry watched the strange spectacle with an excitement that he
did not allow to appear on his face. It was like many of those periods
in the great battles in which he had taken a part, when the combat died,
though the lull was merely the omen of a struggle, soon to come more
frightful than ever.
But here the struggle did not come. The hours of the afternoon fell
peacefully away, and the general and soldiers still looked at one another.
"They're working on the bridge like mad," said Dalton, who had been away
with a message, "and it will surely be ready in the morning. Besides,
the Potomac is falling fast. You can already see the muddy lines that
it's leaving on its banks."
"And Meade's chance is slipping, slipping away!" said Harry exultingly.
"In three hours it will be sunset. They can't attack in the night and
to-morrow we'll be gone.
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