What is it ?" "If the enemy should cross the river, as he probably will, and if you should be near enough to Lieutenant-General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, and if the moment should be propitious, would you kindly whisper in his ear that the skeleton regiment, known as the Invincibles, Leonidas Talbot, Colonel, and Hector St.Hilaire, Lieutenant-Colonel, would be overjoyed at the honor of leading the attack upon the intrusive and invading Yankee army ?" "Promise, Harry, promise!" seconded Lieutenant-Colonel Hector St.Hilaire in his softest and most persuasive South Carolina accent.
"You really owe that to us." "I promise gladly," replied Harry; "but you know what General Jackson is.

He makes his plans without telling anybody what they are, and he carries them out.

If it is a part of his plan for the Invincibles to lead the attack, so far as his division is concerned, you'll lead it.
If not, you won't." "But still a word in his ear might have some influence," persisted Colonel Talbot.

"It might come at the very moment when he was hesitating over a choice, and it would probably decide him in our favor." "Then I shall do my best, sir," said Harry.

"You can rely upon me" He returned to General Jackson, but found that his commander was yet inactive.