What will they think when they hear of these things?
It would be worse than a great battle lost." "General Stuart," said Jackson, "I know more about race horses than you think I do." He would add no more, but Harry had learned that, when quite a small boy, he had ridden horses in backwoods races for a sport-loving uncle.
But Stuart continued his jests and Jackson secretly enjoyed them.
The two men were so opposite in nature that they were complements and each liked the society of the other.
The two lads and the staff officers went outside presently, and the two generals were left together to talk business for a quarter of an hour.
When Stuart emerged he glanced at Harry and Dalton and beckoned to them.
When they came up he had mounted, but he leaned over, and pointing a long finger in a buckskin glove in turn at each, he said: "Can you dance ?" "Yes, sir," replied Harry.
"And you, Sir Knight of the Sober Mien ?" "I can try, sir," said Dalton.
"But can you make it a good try ?" "I can, sir." "That's the right spirit.

Well, there's going to be a ball down at my headquarters to-night; not a little, two-penny, half-penny affair, but a real ball, a grand ball.

The bands of the Fifth Virginia and of the Acadians will be there to play, alternating.

You're invited and you're coming.

I've already obtained leave from General Jackson for you both.