The greater mass had gone on and had already crossed the river in face of the weak left flank of the Southern army.

Beauregard had been outwitted.
The Yankees were now in great force on his own side of Bull Run, and it would be a pitched battle, face to face.
The whole line of the Invincibles quivered with excitement, and then Harry saw that the rumor was true, or that their commander at least believed it to be so.

The firing stopped entirely and the bugles blew the retreat.

All the brigades gathered themselves up and, wild with anger and chagrin, slowly withdrew.
"Why are we retreating ?" exclaimed Langdon, angrily.

"Not a Yankee set his foot on the bridge! We're not whipped!" "No," said Harry, "we're not whipped, but if we don't retreat we will be.