Fremont's men wavered and then stopped, and Ashby, upbraiding his horsemen and calling their attention to the resolute stand of the infantry, brought them into action again.

Infantry and cavalry then uniting, drove back the Northern vanguard, and, for the time being, the Southern rear guard was safe once more.
But the Invincibles and the cavalry were almost exhausted.

Harry found St.Clair wounded, not badly, but with enough loss of blood for Colonel Talbot to send him to one of the wagons.

He insisted that he was still fit to help hold the road, but Colonel Talbot ordered two of the soldiers to put him in the wagon and he was compelled to submit.
"We can't let you die now from loss of blood, you young fire-eater," said Colonel Talbot severely, "because you may be able to serve us better by getting killed later on." St.Clair smiled wanly and with his formal South Carolina politeness said: "Thanks, sir, it helps a lot when you're able to put it in such a satisfactory way." Harry, who was unhurt, gave St.Clair a strong squeeze of the hand.
"You'll be up and with us again soon, Arthur," he said consolingly, and then he rode away to Ashby.
"You may tell General Jackson that we can hold them back," said the cavalry leader grimly.

"You have just seen for yourself." "I have, sir," replied Harry, and he galloped away from the rear.