The four boys ceased talking and Harry on his bed of leaves became drowsy.

The forests on the far hills and mountains burned in vivid reds and yellows and browns, painted by the master hand of autumn.

Harry heard a bird singing on a bough among red leaves directly over his head, and the note was piercingly sweet to ears used so long to the roar of cannon and rifles.
His drowsy lids sank lower and he would have gone to sleep had he not been roused by a shouting farther down the little river.

His eyes opened wide and he sat up.
"What is it, George ?" he said to Dalton.
"I don't know, but here comes Captain Sherburne, and I'll ask him." Sherburne was approaching with long strides, his face flushed with enthusiasm.
"What is it, Captain ?" asked Harry.

"What are the boys shouting about ?" "The news has just reached them that Old Jack has been made a lieutenant-general.