There were torches, but they flared and smoked in the rain and cast a
light so weak and fitful that Harry could not see the farther shore.
The Army of Northern Virginia marched out upon a shaking bridge and
disappeared in the black gulf beyond. Only the lack of an alarm coming
back showed that it was reaching the farther shore.
"Dawn will soon be here," said Dalton.
"So it will," said Harry, "and most of the troops are across. Ah,
there go the Invincibles! Look how they ride!"
Colonel Leonidas Talbot and Lieutenant-Colonel Hector St. Hilaire at the
head of their scanty band were just passing. They took off their hats,
and swept a low bow to the great chief who sat silently on his white
horse within a few yards of them. Then, side by side, they rode upon the
shaking bridge, followed by Langdon, St. Clair and their brave comrades,
and disappeared, where the bridge disappeared, in the rain and mist.
"Brave men!" murmured Lee.
Harry, always watching his commander-in-chief, saw now for the first time
signs of fatigue and nervousness. The tremendous strain was wearing him
down. But while the rain still poured and ran in streams from his gray
hair and gray beard, the rear guard of the Army of Northern Virginia
passed upon the bridge, and Stuart, all his plumes bedraggled, rode up to
his chief, a smoking cup of coffee in his hand.
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