"Some of our men laugh at Jackson's praying, but I've always heard that the Puritans, whether in England or America, were a stern lot to face." "The enemy at least won't laugh at him.

I've heard that they had great fun deriding a praying professor of mathematics, but I fancy they've quit it.

If they haven't they'll do so when they hear of Front Royal." The tent was pitched on the bare ground, but they had obtained four planks, every one about a foot wide and six feet or so long.

They were sufficient to protect them from the rain which would run under the tent and soak into the ground.

Harry had long since learned that a tent and a mere strip of plank were a great luxury, and now he appreciated them at their full value.
He wrapped himself in the invaluable cloak, stretched his weary body upon his own particular plank, and was soon asleep.