.

AT THE CAPITAL.
The Southern cavalry was seen almost at the same time by many men in the regiments, and nervous and hasty, as was natural at such a time, they opened a scattering fire.

The horsemen did not return the fire, but seemed to melt away in the darkness.
But the shrewdest of the officers, among whom was Colonel Winchester, took alarm at this sudden appearance and disappearance.

Dick would have divined from their manner, even without their talk, that they believed Jackson was at hand.

Action followed quickly.