In their minds all things seemed possible to their leaders, and they had not the least fear about the coming battle.
They walked back toward their general's tent and saw him sitting on a log outside.

The night was not so dark as the one before.

A fair moon and clusters of modest stars furnished some light.

The general was gazing toward Stafford Heights, tapping his bootleg at times with a little switch.

But he turned his gaze upon the two boys as they came forward and saluted respectfully.
"Well, lads," he said in a voice of uncommon gentleness, "what have you seen ?" "Nothing, sir, but the river and the dark shore beyond," replied Dalton.
"But the enemy will cross to-morrow, and they say they will annihilate us." "I think, sir, that they will recross the Rappahannock as fast as they will cross it." Dalton spoke boldly, because he saw that Jackson was leading him on.
"The right spirit," said Jackson quietly.